quote:
Originally posted by Fljotsdale:
It was well-worth-while posting what I did just to see Yorick and Silver Cheetah in almost perfect harmony against me, lol!
LoA didn't know what he was starting! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]
As for the Israel-Palestine problem... yes, I understand and agree with the points both Yorick and the Cheetah make, but it does not alter what I see as the fact that both sides ARE fighting for freedom, security and justice.
Trouble is, both sides feel they have the moral high ground, they hate each other, do not consider each others' rights or their own duties, and the moderates on both sides are kept out of the picture by the extremists who want nothing short of the total destruction of 'the enemy'.
Trying to mediate that lot is almost impossible; but unless such a solution is found that will be seen as just by the majority of factions we will never have peace, and the terrorist problem will not go away. Bombs don't solve problems. They just add to them, in the longer term. We HAVE to stop thinking and acting with short-term goals in mind and broker long-term solutions...
This means showing a REAL interest in the CAUSES of problems.. something the West has always failed to do, imo.
We ain't as far apart in our views as you think! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Hamas will only be satisfied with the total exodus of all Israelis from the state of Israel. This is clearly impossible. How can their demands be fulfilled? They can't!
I agree with what you say, but as far as Israel/Palestine goes, Hamas are flogging a dead horse, very much in the manner of the Real IRA splinter group, who are not interested in achieving peace by peaceful means, and will do anything to screw up the peace process. All the points we have all been making about cause and effect are still valid, of course they are!
However, this was a SUPERB chance for Israel and Palestine to resolve their differences, or at least shelve some of them and come to a compromise agreement. Sadly, the moment has passed, as the actions of both Hamas and the Israelis have now inflammed both populations to the point where it is doubtful that Arafat can hang onto power. How can one assume anything else but that Hamas are only interested in violence to achieve their means? Why couldn't they have stopped shooting long enough to give the peace process a chance?
I dont agree with a lot of the actions taken by Bush (aided and abetted by Blair) prior to and during this conflict, but I applauded the attempt to broker this peace deal. I don't give a flying toss WHY they wanted to broker it - get the Arab world on side, etc.... we all know the reasons... the fact that they were going for it was enough.
The possibility of putting an end to violence in the region, -it would have been something of which America could have been truly proud, and I cheer them for that.
However, having said that -
the Israeli hardliners have NOT wanted the peace process all along. Sharon really is a liability. He knows fine well that Arafat has limited control over Hamas (ie. practically none) and that over 50% of the population now support Hamas actions. Arafat is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and the Israelis have delibrately made his life harder by retaliating to Hamas almost before the corpses they made were cold, delibrately whipping up anti-Israeli feeling on the part of the Palestinians and antagonising them into a feeding frenzy.
They have retaliated to all illegal action taken by Hamas fully and strongly, and atrociously, making damn sure Hamas retaliate back and look bad. Anything to stop the peace process.
Sharon made it quite clear to the US at the start that Israel was not interested in a cease fire, and their actions throughout have continued to show that. Israeli hardliners are furious that the US and Europe were dialoging with Arafat, and suggesting that concessions be made to Palestine. They have no intention of withdrawing from the West Bank and Gaza, and have spared no pains to aggravate the Palestinians into further responses.
Like I said, Hamas and Sharon. Great stuff guys. Who of either of you truly gives a ■■■■ about your people? I can't see it, myself.
NOTE TO ALL YOU SMARMY GITS OUT THERE... [img]smile.gif[/img]
The fact that I have agreed with Yorick straight after the wedding is purely co-incidence, LOL! It is not an attempt to get more housekeeping out of him..... (Nebling more than meets my needs on that and all other fronts
)