Yehonatan,
Thank you for adding your views. I really appreciate your involvement as you obviously have experience from living in the area.
I would appreciate if you could further clarify a few of your points as I want to understand where you are coming from.
@halroach said:
Genocide mumbo jumbo!
Look up what the word means before you use it so freely. If Israel were into genocide The Palestinians would be long gone, a long long time ago.
Well, I will agree to differ with you on the definition of genocide.
@halroach said:
The article below, might help you understand at least one little part of the story, or maybe you'll get an idea of why you think Israel is so evil, when it really isn't so bad.
For many years (55+) I supported the establishment of Israel but I also wanted to see a Palestinian state established. It is only in recent years that I have become very disappoint with Israel. I do not hate Israel just feel very critical of its leaders / government.
@halroach said:
I live here, knowing it is one of the most wonderful free and democratic countries in the world. I see it. I feel it. I live it. I live among Arab Israelis. I pay my rent to an Arab family. I have good Arab friends. The story in this country is so much more complicated than what you guys can imagine. So spare the blind hatred without knowing the full story. Come to this country... visit it. See it with your own eyes, take a tour... Maybe even live here for a while! maybe... you'll understand a little about the situation more than what the international media agencies spoon feed you their one sided stories with a clear and boring narrative, and maybe you'll understand that there is no simple solution to the problems here. I wish it were simple... If it were, it would have been done a long time ago.
It looks that you have a very comfortable and enjoyable life. I am glad for you. You are a young educated man with many Arab friends. I imagine your Arab friends have possibly friends / family / relatives in Gaza and The West Bank. Maybe I am wrong but I will make this assumption.
My question is, would it be possible for young educated people living in Israel to reach out to young people in Gaza and The West Bank? Even if was done in just a small way it could grow and lead to peace.
@halroach said:
There may be some similarities between the problems here and what was between northern Ireland and England, but yet it is soooo different. The Islamic hatred is a whole other cup O'tea. Just look at what's happening in Syria and Iraq now, beheadings, killings in the name of some imaginary friend.
Imagine people with that kind of mentality and brutality, knocking on your door with mortar shells every day of the week for years... And nothing being done about it.
If it would have happened to you, be it in England or Ireland or where ever in Europe, the imaginary genocide you so freely speak of, would have been long been done, but not by Jews or Israelis... but rather by...
I have to disagree with you that the Northern Ireland "Troubles" (as they are referred to) are totally different from the Palestinian / Israeli conflict. There are so many similarities.
The IRA grew because of Bloody Sunday http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972 If the British Government had entered into talks at this time the IRA would not have grown to become what it did and a lot of Irish and English people would not have lost their lives in the following years. All parties talked eventually and we now have peace and power sharing.
As regards what is happening in Syria and Iraq goes. I think the list of counties could be extended to include many others. Conflict will go on as long as we (ordinary people) allow 'the powers that be' run the show.
Just referring to the Northern Ireland Troubles again for a point. Small Peace Groups started by wives and mothers played a major part in getting the warring factions to sit down and have peace talks. 'Women for Peace' was started by Mairéad Corrigan Betty Williams and Ciaran McKeown and it became very influential in bringing about peace.
@halroach said:
It hurts to see the blind sightedness of highly intelligent people here.
I don't regard myself as highly intelligent just an ordinary person that finds in difficult to accept what is happening in Israel, The West Bank and Gaza. Rather than being blind sighted I think its more a case of disappointment in Israel, the far more advanced country, which could take the lead in the area and set an example to others.
Desmond Tutu has offered the peace formula, Liberate yourselves by liberating Palestine
Mike
