Israel & Palestine
It amazes me how tragically idiotic the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is.
From the time the latest intifida started 4 years go, it's been a very predictable violent tit-for-tat. Suicide bombings followed by israeli incursions followed by bombings followed by more repression. It's unbelievable to me why there's no one on either side who can see the folly of the present situation.
The underlying problem is complex however nothing that either side is doing now is helping solve the problem. The Israelis are never going to have the peace and security they crave while continuing to occupy palestinian land and curtail palestinian freedoms. The Palestinians are never going to get self-determination and their land if they continue with suicide bombing of buses and restaurants. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, leaves everyone blind and toothless" is what Mahatma Gandhi said. Looks like this conflict is out to prove him right.
I see a lack of true visionary leaders on both sides as the biggest problem. New leaders who envision peaceful coexistence as the ultimate solution.
Why can't the Palestinian leadership rally their people to engage Israel using peaceful means? Gandhi did it in India. Mandela did it in South Africa and MLK did it in the U.S. The world would have a lot more sympathy and understanding for the Palestinian cause, if they switched tactics. This will never happen under Arafat. It will take some strong-willed moderate to do this. A recent survey showed that three fourths of the palestianians populace preferred peace with Israel. Why wouldnt they after what they've been through?
The Israelis need to realise that no matter what security precautions they take, they are never going to safe unless the underlying problem of occupation is addressed. They have to stop expanding settlements. Remove punishing restrictions on civilian travel. They have to show that they are willing to improve the lives of the palestinians.
From the time the latest intifida started 4 years go, it's been a very predictable violent tit-for-tat. Suicide bombings followed by israeli incursions followed by bombings followed by more repression. It's unbelievable to me why there's no one on either side who can see the folly of the present situation.
The underlying problem is complex however nothing that either side is doing now is helping solve the problem. The Israelis are never going to have the peace and security they crave while continuing to occupy palestinian land and curtail palestinian freedoms. The Palestinians are never going to get self-determination and their land if they continue with suicide bombing of buses and restaurants. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, leaves everyone blind and toothless" is what Mahatma Gandhi said. Looks like this conflict is out to prove him right.
I see a lack of true visionary leaders on both sides as the biggest problem. New leaders who envision peaceful coexistence as the ultimate solution.
Why can't the Palestinian leadership rally their people to engage Israel using peaceful means? Gandhi did it in India. Mandela did it in South Africa and MLK did it in the U.S. The world would have a lot more sympathy and understanding for the Palestinian cause, if they switched tactics. This will never happen under Arafat. It will take some strong-willed moderate to do this. A recent survey showed that three fourths of the palestianians populace preferred peace with Israel. Why wouldnt they after what they've been through?
The Israelis need to realise that no matter what security precautions they take, they are never going to safe unless the underlying problem of occupation is addressed. They have to stop expanding settlements. Remove punishing restrictions on civilian travel. They have to show that they are willing to improve the lives of the palestinians.
posted by Praveen at 3:15 PM
2 Comments:
Well put.
I never heard this quote before. (and I like it) "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, leaves everyone blind and toothless" is what Mahatma Gandhi said.
~~Debra
Nicely put.
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