If you (or I) were Palestinian, Not Propaganda, page 1

please read the article first. It is neither pro Israeli nor pro Palestinian

This week I spoke with my students about the Gaza war, in the context of a class on national security. One student, who had expressed rather conservative, accepted opinions - that is opinions tending slightly to the right - succeeded in surprising me. Without any provocation on my part, he opened his heart and confessed: "If I were a young Palestinian," he said, "I'd fight the Jews fiercely, even by means of terror. Anyone who says anything different is telling you lies."

His remarks sounded familiar - I had already heard them before. Suddenly I remembered: About 10 years ago they were uttered by our defense minister, Ehud Barak. Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy had asked him then, as a candidate for prime minister, what he would do had he been born Palestinian and Barak replied frankly: "I would join a terror organization."

This is not my own answer; terrorism by individuals or organizations or states is always aimed at exacting casualties in a civilian population that has not drawn any blood. Not only is terror blind - consuming both the saint and the sinner - it also expands the circle of the hot-headed, whose blood rises to their brains: Our blood is on their heads, their blood is on our heads. And when an account of the blood of the innocent is opened, who can pay it in full, and when?

The rest of article.


This whole Israeli/Palestinian/Hamas event has become the most highly debated issue since the election. And Lord knows that if fists could fly through monitors, there would be a whole lot of blood on our computer screens. Luckily we do battle with words instead and have mods that are more than willing to put us in check when we cross the line.

The reality of all of this is that the majority of us don't live the daily life of an Israeli or Palestinian. We get our information from news, religion, stereotypes, websites, friends, neighbors, etc. Sources that may or may not be biased, that may or may not be complete or tell the whole story. Just look at that video that was posted of Palestinians civilians killed in a marketplace by Israel. Turns out it was something that had nothing to do with this current war. No doubt that there is some Israeli propaganda floating around out there as well. All this propaganda material does is muddled up the situation further than what it already is.

After reading this article, I for one admit that despite all my knowledge of the situation, all the books I have read about it, all the news I have heard or seen about it, I still don't have a clue what it is like to live the life of an Israeli or a Palestinian. And to be honest, if I were a Palestinian, I would be a terrorist and if I were an Israeli, I would fight for the Israeli cause. There is little difference between the two because they are both fighting for what they truly believe in. Who am I, sitting in America, to tell either side what they should believe in.

The Palestinians and Israelis are willing to fight for their land just as much as I would. The war is sad and I wished peace upon the region. However, I know it will continue. There is no Nation, no matter how much they pity the Palestinians or the Israelis, willing to go in there and use force if necessary to keep peace between these two neighbors. Until there is the region will continue to be in turmoil. Governments got together to create this problem and governments need to get together to solve this problem. Not just one day, but everyday until this problem is resolved.

[edit on 5-1-2009 by jam321]

reply to post by SR

---

Thats what makes this situation really suck for me, I can see both sides.

Yeah I would not just sit there and take rocket fire from Hamas if it endangered my wife and kids!

on the flip side

The Palestinians are with their backs to the wall, anybody in that situation would fight back.

There are no winners only losers in this crises.

I think both sides need to drop the old and tired view of
An eye for an eye
Start talking honestly with each other

What am I saying?

This is Israel and Palestine we are talking about
Never mind


[edit on 5-1-2009 by SLAYER69]

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