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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (14271)	12/20/2001 7:55:15 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

the Israelis would like an end to this war. Well, that's a slightly pregnant statement, because it fails to acknowledge just what form of "peace" the various groups in Israel want to give birth to. The left and moderates just want the violence to end now with the attitude of "why can't we all just get along" and let the Palestinians have their own state and sovereignty so long as it's non-violent. The reationary right believes that the only suitable solution would be to subjugate the Palestinians and make them an Israeli protectorate with local political autonomy, since the West Bank is so crucial to providing Israel both military and economic security (water rights).. Those stuck in the middle don't know what to believe and they shift from right to left depending on which side offers the best chance to restore some semblance of normality. Unfortunately, I believe the Israeli right, is probably the most pragmatic at this point given the influence of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the territories. And the reason they are "right" is due to the reality that exists within the Palestinian Authority and its current corrupt and intransigent leadership. Were there to exist some form of moderate influence within the Palestinian leadership, they would have much more of a chance of establishing a Palestinian State and exerting influence over the Israelis by controlling the water rights of the West Bank. But while the extremists have control, they provide the Israeli right all the excuse they need to suppress the formation of a Palestinian state (at least one that is much more independent than they would like to permit to exist). Water is life in the mid-east, especially when they've had three years of drought and sea water is leaching into their aquifers, permanently depleting the fresh water supply. That's one reason the Turks and Israelis have established close ties. The Turks control effectively ALL the water that transits down the Jordan, as well as the Tigris and Euphrates. Let the Palestinians establish a state, and Israel will face serious economic trouble in coming years as the Palestinians gain in population as well as control over the resources of the West Bank Israel relies upon. The right understands this, while the Israeli left just wants the fighting to end. Hawk

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (14271)	12/20/2001 8:11:14 PM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

you really have no idea of the hatred and incitement that they have grown up with, and of course the very real suffering of the intifada has hardened all positions. The more intelligent and educated people have all left the country. Well, my experience is that even uneducated beggars have a deep understanding of basic math. The math I presented has been ignored by yourself and the Israeli political elite. That is the death rate of Palestinian civilians is too high wrt Israeli civilian death rate. It has been for a long time I'll argue with you if you so demand... If Israel desires war, well go ahead, it ain't my recommendation.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (14271)	12/21/2001 6:15:24 AM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Hamas orders halt to suicide bombings [NC:.. Possible good news?.. pb] Hamas has ordered a halt to suicide bombings and mortar attacks on Israel. A leaflet has been circulated by the group in Gaza. A senior member of the group in the West Bank says it wants to preserve Palestinian unity. Hassan Youssef has confirmed that the organisation made the decision to stop the suicide bombings. The statement said: "We declare the suspension of martyrdom attacks inside the occupied land of 1948 and a suspension of mortar fire until further notice," the militant Islamic group said in the statement. It follows a day of clashes in Gaza between Palestinian police and Hamas backers, as police tried to arrest a Hamas leader and stop a Hamas cell from firing mortars at Israeli targets. The leaflet says the ban on suicide bomb attacks and mortar firing is in effect until further notice. It said all members of the group, including the military wing, must abide by the decision. The Hamas move is a victory for Yasser Arafat, who announced a ban on attacks against Israel during a speech on Sunday, calling them "terrorist activity" for the first time. ananova.com