My view is that the intense hatred generated towards US/Israel is in part the subliminated hatred most ME citizenry have towards their despotiic rulers, who artfully employ those feelings to their full advantage.
That is a huge generalization Paul. Regular citizens of the Middle East and North Africa are not "imagining" things in their dislike of the US/Israel. Their hatred is only generated by the US and Israeli governments by their actions, not necessarily by the ravings of their leaders. Many of their own people hate their leaders, but are forced into submission by those dictators. Those citizens may not have been aware of Saddam's chemical attacks on the Kurds, or other actions that you are aware of because their newspapers are controlled by the government. Our newspapers are also controlled in what viewpoint we receive. Anti-arab sentiment is rampant through most newspapers, as is demonstrated by blaming Arabs for everything that happens (Oklahoma, TWA, etc...) See things through their eyes. I'm sure it did not take much for Saddam to convince his citizens that the U.S. was their enemy as bombs rained down on their heads. Afterwards, with UN/US economic sanctions against Iraq, and as people are dying because of these sanctions, who do you think the citizens feel is their enemy?? All of the actions against the Iraqi people were to punish one person---Saddam Hussein. Forty million people are being punished by the US, for the actions of one. The US government had several opportunities to get rid of him, but chose not to, and in fact caused further suffering for those people trying to overthrow and caused thousands of more deaths because they back out will these actions were in progress. This is documented fact, and caused Saddam to entrench himself and protect himself further.
The US Government once supported Iraq and Libya when it was in their interest. These countries or their leaders have not changed since then nor are less radical, however, the political agenda that the US had for these countries was different at the time. The US Government seems to enjoy "getting into bed with the devil", then getting "burnt" and professing that they had nothing to do with the situation. They also enjoy generalizations like "Iraqis" when they are talking about the "Iraqi government", etc.... I can't blame you for your generalistic approach to that region, it has been stated in that manner for so long in our news that it has become commonplace. You cannot blame millions of people for the actions of a few leaders. The citizens are not at fault.
Oh, and as for Israel, maybe someday if someone comes and takes away your land, throws you out of your home and destroys it, kills men, women and children in what was the beginning of terrorism in the ME (you are aware that Begin, Rabin, Shamir, Sharon, etc... were all wanted terrorists by the British in the 1940's).....you will find it in your heart to forgive. Then after leaving you with nothing, forces you and your relatives to work as a second class citizens in what was historically your country for thousands of years, calls it a new country, calls itself a democracy when really they are not.....you will just forget about it and move on with your life. In the case of South Africa, most are outraged, but in the case of Israel many do not see the same circumstance. When UN resolutions are introduced against Israel for violation of UN laws, the US government vetoes those resolutions. Israel has been allowed to do whatever they want, without repercussion or punishment by the UN. They are free to do as they wish, because the US will always veto a UN punitive action against them. Does that sound fair? Does this also mean that Palestinians should think that the US government is helping them? I think not, and in fact the opposite is true.
Your history books tend to ignore most facts, and present a rosy picture of what was one of the most unjust acts in recent history.
As for the hatred, believe me it is not misdirected, or subliminal indoctrination. Had the US conducted itself in a non-belligerent manner, and not forcefully put a belligerent element inside the Middle East, there would be no hatred.
Ask anyone in any other country what their opinion is of the US Government. Their explanation will convince you that these feelings are neither indoctrinated nor imaginary. In fact, go to England and tell them that you are American, and see how you are treated. The US Government and it's citizens are under the impression that they are been persecuted, when in fact, the US Government and military are the persecutors and have brought terrible consequences on innocent US citizens. World sentiment towards the US government is correct for them, and is only as a result of US actions.
Currently, and short-sightedly most wish to blame the "effect" without looking at the "cause" of the problem. It is difficult for most people to understand the loss people in many countries suffered as a result of overt and covert American Government agendas.
No malice intended to anyone, just thought I would clarify. |
