donathos said:
I know this sounds good and reasonable--"Nation, stop expanding into disputed areas"--but what we're talking about, ultimately, is messier than that, isn't it? Because it comes down to individuals who are living in these regions, who are making their own personal decisions to move out into new homes... kind of like I moved out from my parent's home when I came of age. It's not just Israeli policy at stake, but the ability of Israeli citizens to do what most people in any country take for granted. Sure, from the security of our own countries where our rights are not questioned, we can sit back and say: "well, those people can simply move to a different part of Israel, one that's not disputed," but in reality, people's hearts lead them as they lead them. Some people want to stay in the same neighborhoods as their families. As they grew up in. That's true in the States, in Europe, and, I imagine, in the Middle East. It's not a criminal desire, but a human one.
And yes, a diplomatic solution ultimately needs to be found... but is such a diplomatic solution possible at the moment? I'm not sure. Dividing Jerusalem, according to what I've heard over the years, has been on the table before. Also, the final creation of a Palestinian state. And Palestinian leaders have, time and again, walked away, refusing to accept any peace that doesn't give them the full measure of their demands. I mean, c'mon--there could have been peace under *Clinton*. But instead, those with the Palestinians' "best interests" in mind chose to keep things as they were; to keep the Palestinians as Israeli refugees rather than nationals of their own state. And people even now might say that such a peace wasn't the best possible one for the Palestinians... but to that I'd say "compared with what?" Compared to the second Intifada? And the resulting road blocks that the OP's video laments? Compared to another decade of "apartheid" with no end in sight? Compared to the Lebanon and Gaza conflicts, the infighting between Arafat's party and Hamas? Surely that peace was better than no peace at all. If the Palestinians had really wanted peace, they could have had it. It was there for the taking. And frankly, I imagine that if they wanted peace right now--*truly* wanted it, to the point of being able to make the same kinds of "compromises" that they demand from the other side--that they could have it within the year. Diplomatic solutions, again, sound like a wonderful thing. But a necessary precondition for them is having two sides who are *willing* to come to terms. I'd like to believe that the Palestinians are desperate to end the current situation--that they're desperate for peace, and willing to sit down at the table and do what needs to be done to achieve it. To achieve, once and for all, a Palestinian state. But are they willing? Based on what I've observed in my lifetime, I fear that, for now, the answer is "no." |
I can't really disagree with anything you said there. My statements were just made as an oversimplified opinion of some of the points involved in this whole issue and as you say it obviously isnt as easy at they make it sound.
On the issue of settlements I do think it's in the Isreali's best interest not to further expand into hotly disputed areas as it will only create further tension between them and the Palestinians (as well as turn world opinion against them) but also if a peace deal is at some point reached then those families may well find themselves having to be relocated which doesn't usually go down well.
I agree with almost all your thoughts regarding the pursuit of a peace deal.
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