When there is a lack of good will and trust, when there is an abundance of hatred and suspicion and a long history of conflict, nations revert to arms and warfare. In the Middle East this is further complicated by religion and the ownership question of a tiny plot of land they both consider holy in the divided city of Jerusalem. There are many aspects to this problem which seem to be unsolvable, given the intransigence and irreconcilable differences of both the Jews and the Moslems.
Unlike you, I have not formed an opinion of unreserved support for either side. I can see merit on one side, and injustice on the other. That is why for me, this problem seems unsolvable. War has in the past settled matters, and sometimes settled matters for all times. Not that I advocate war, but I can see the temptation for either side to settle the matter, once for all time, fairness not withstanding. I am anti war, but also a realist (in my mind), and accept what history has taught about human nature. That makes me quite pessimistic actually.
Maybe the answer is for the Jews to move to Alaska or Canada, as suggested by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. That would certainly solve the 2000 year old problem. But somehow, I don't think that will happen. Maybe the Jews should lay down their arms and hope for the good will and mercy of their Moslem brothers. That too won't happen. So what possibly can stop this madness? What can stop Iran from pursuing what it sees her national right to arm herself, as Israel has done?
There is a new factor in the equation now, and that is the matter of nuclear weapons and long range missiles. And I'm afraid we are on a collision course. |
