Hardly. Israel is REALLY OFFENSIVE because it is a democracy, and thus, represents a political ideology that is a threat to the rest of the depotic regimes in the region.
You're drinking the anti-Arab Koolaid if you think the main reason Arabs oppose Israel is because it is a democracy (as is Lebanon). If Israel were what is is today but instead were a Monarchy, a Theocracy or even a Socialist kibbutz-based Utopia, I have a feeling the Arabs view of Israel would be the same - they wouldn't like a Jewish homeland located where there has forever been me a multi-ethnic group of people.
What are you talking about? Do you know how many Palestinians were employed in Israel because they couldn't find jobs elsewhere (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia.. etc)? They were better paid, could see their families on a regular basis, and if they are an Israeli citizen, they can own property and a home, and vote in Israeli elections.
I'll explain what I am talking about. Do you think the fact that Israel's population is ~20% Arab makes the country more or less acceptable to its neighbors than if it were 0% Arab? I say more. That's what I'm talking about.
The problem with YOUR THINKING is that you think the Israelis have the obligation to accomodate Palestinian intransigence and intolerance and the Palestinians are not required to act as a responsible government accountable to its people and permissive of political opposition.
I never said any of this. Stop projecting, I'll say what I want to say and you say what you want to say, but try to keep your part brief as I'm going to see Pirates of the Carib pt. 2 in about 8 minutes.....
Technically, since Jordan abandoned all claims to the West Bank, Israel "owns" it.
Perfect. The next step is start granting citizenship to Palestinian refugees that can improve Israel and voila, you are heading down the path I proposed to reunite the "partitioned" multi-ethnic land as a place where all its citizens can live as equals. Since the reunited land would be multi-ethnic, and not a Jewish homeland, changing the country's name is probably a good idea as well....
Quit fantasizing Elroy. It's a completely unworkable solution and a waste of mental resources that completely ignores reality
What's an internet chat board for? :-)
I personally believe the only thing that would expedite such a possibility would be an international peace-keeping force that is tasked with eliminating any organization that advocates hostilities with Israel, and is able to establish a rule of law on the West Bank and Gaza. Essentially, it would place the disputed territories of the West Bank and Gaza under the status of being an international protectorate.
Sounds like a good option to me, I actually think that the wall that they are building is a good idea, keep the people apart for 2-3 generations so that the past 60 years become just old people's memories. And perhaps the actions currently in Lebanon may convince the people on the other side of the wall that launching a rocket over the wall is not a good idea.
Any idea what exactly happened post-WW2 that has resulted in today the average Frenchman having positive (or at least not negative) feelings about the Germans? That would be interesting to see if however the French forgave the Germans could be applied to the ME situation. I guess its easier to forgive atrocities if you are the winner in the endgame. |
