Middle East Situation
Israel agreed to the partition plan in 1947. The Arabs didnt. Therein lies the problem.
Instead of accepting a two-state solution, they declared immediate war which Israel miraculously won, very much due to U.S. help that came later on. Had the Arabs accepted the two-state plan, then any terrorist act following, to this day, could have been deemed an act of war by the international community, which is in effect what it should be. However, because they never became their own state, it is deemed acts of independent terror and not war, and the supporters are not enemies or soldiers, but freedom fighters and victims.
The moves have always been political and well thought out. Originally the Arabs rejected the two-state solution becasue they felt they were powerful enough to drive Israel into the sea and end it in 1947 before it started. Thanks to miraculous victories and evenentual U.S. help, Israel managed to hold on and form a state. Through years of war and attacks they have managed to build a powerful, sovereign and secure democracy amongst a region of tyranny, evil and terror.
Once the Arab nations were unsuccessful in their quest to drive the Jews out, they flipped the tables and no longer played the powerful role of aggressor ; they suddenly became the victims of the evil Zionist regime. This victim role hit its peak in 1967 (and continues on today). In 1967 Arab countries in the region simultaneously declared war on Israel. Israel got up in the air as they always do and ended the war on all fronts in 6 days and in fact annexed buffer zones in many areas (a legal move in a defensive war). However, due to international pressure, they gave back most of these lands.
After this defensive war, the PLO was created giving victim status to Jordanians and other Arabs who lived in what was now Israeli land. There had never before been such a thing as a Palestinian, however, the name was chosen to reflect the time when Britain controlled the land to make it seem as though it was originially a Palesitinian homeland. A quick check in any history book would explain that, but most don't bother to look it up. They had fought only months before to destroy Israel, but when they suddenly and surprisingly lost, they played the victim to the rest of the world and screamed for their land back. Land which they had put at risk in starting a war.
Where does it all feud from? Two places.
1. Anti-semitism. The stronger political leaders have bred a brainwashed society of poverty and terror. This society is noticeably the same in every Arab/Muslim led regime. It is consistent throughout the region. The political leaders stay rich and prosperous while keeping their countries in deep poverty. They use hatred and terror to unite the people and make them believe that the reason for their economic and societal depression is Israel and its allies.
2. The fact that the Arabs did indeed live there, and they do hold the land (specifcally Jerusalem) as the a holy place.
These two factors coupled together mean that they will never stop fighting EVEN THOUGH they have access to all their holy sites and, for the most part, control of them. Because of the first factor, the deep routed hatred they have always had for the Jewish people, they cannot stand to have a Jewish state in their midst (or anywhere for that matter) Look at any of their school textbooks or official government documents, they dont hide the fact that they hate the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It's surprising how far Europe can turn its cheek and pretend its not the case. Then again, nothing in Europe will ever be surprising after WWII and the Holocaust. It is downright scary.
That democratic leaders of civilized countries could even say the words "show restraint" with a straight face is despicable.
Whether Israel is overreacting or using too much force is a fair issue for debate. I'd concede that. I would not agree that it is the case, but I would agree it is a fair topic for conversation - HOWEVER, ONLY after it is recognized that war has been declared on that country and that Israel not only has the RIGHT to respond, but the DUTY to its citizens, and in fact to the world, to respond, and harshly. The first thing that must be recognized is that Hezbollah has been firing rockets, unprovoked, into Israel for many years. These attacks threaten hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens daily. It must first be recognized that these Hezbollah soldiers/terrorists are the responsibility of the Lebanese government as per a United Nations resolution 6 years ago by which Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon with the understanding that Hezbollah would be disarmed by the Lebanese army. It is clear that this has not been the case.
The U.N. cannot on one hand force Israeli withdrawal from enemy land with conditions on the terrorists, and then on the other hand slap Israel when the enemy country defies the resolution and Israel responds to protect itself. Every single member of that committee, as well as the Israelis, Lebanese, Syrians, Iranians and Hezbollah knew that resolution would be followed by only Israel. Yet, because they stuck to their word, they are dealing with a terrorist organization that has had six years to build resources and dig into locations that threaten Israeli civillians. Yet, somehow Israel is supposed to show restraint. This is the same attitude shown by European nations when one of their representatives stated that he did not understand what Israel was so upset about. "It's just three soldiers."
It must be recognized that Syria and Iran are the fuel for these terror groups. While Lebanon is technically responsible, it is a legit fact that they do not have the power to intervene in their own country. This allows Israel the right to intervene. However this fundamental lack of power clearly shows the power line directly from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah. Something that needs to be addressed, but probably never will be.
So while I would have no problem listening to people argue over the extent of Israel's response and actions in connection with Hezbollah attacks, I refuse to listen to the questioning of Israel's right to respond and right to protect its citizens.
At the time, back in 1947, the Arab decision to reject the world's two-state solution was an opportunity for them to continue the Holocaust in the Middle East and to rid the world of Zionism once and for all. That decision to fight in 1947 rather than to accept peace is the crucial turning point in modern-Israeli history. This left many Arabs with no real homeland, no government to control guerilla groups, and no civic pride in being able to call a land their home. This led to the breeding of a society of poverty, hatred and terror.
Had they agreed back then on the two-state solution, there might have been territorial wars, and even terrorist attacks, but because of the "state" status of each source of conflict, they might be well settled by now.
So while at the time, the Arab decision to reject the two-state solution seemed arrogant and violent, in retrospect, it was probably the best move they ever made, and it is a continuing nightmare for Israel. It has given the Arabs fuel, motivation and resources to fight Israel along with international pity; while it has given Israel another enemy to defend against, but no face or state to fight and confront.
Instead of accepting a two-state solution, they declared immediate war which Israel miraculously won, very much due to U.S. help that came later on. Had the Arabs accepted the two-state plan, then any terrorist act following, to this day, could have been deemed an act of war by the international community, which is in effect what it should be. However, because they never became their own state, it is deemed acts of independent terror and not war, and the supporters are not enemies or soldiers, but freedom fighters and victims.
The moves have always been political and well thought out. Originally the Arabs rejected the two-state solution becasue they felt they were powerful enough to drive Israel into the sea and end it in 1947 before it started. Thanks to miraculous victories and evenentual U.S. help, Israel managed to hold on and form a state. Through years of war and attacks they have managed to build a powerful, sovereign and secure democracy amongst a region of tyranny, evil and terror.
Once the Arab nations were unsuccessful in their quest to drive the Jews out, they flipped the tables and no longer played the powerful role of aggressor ; they suddenly became the victims of the evil Zionist regime. This victim role hit its peak in 1967 (and continues on today). In 1967 Arab countries in the region simultaneously declared war on Israel. Israel got up in the air as they always do and ended the war on all fronts in 6 days and in fact annexed buffer zones in many areas (a legal move in a defensive war). However, due to international pressure, they gave back most of these lands.
After this defensive war, the PLO was created giving victim status to Jordanians and other Arabs who lived in what was now Israeli land. There had never before been such a thing as a Palestinian, however, the name was chosen to reflect the time when Britain controlled the land to make it seem as though it was originially a Palesitinian homeland. A quick check in any history book would explain that, but most don't bother to look it up. They had fought only months before to destroy Israel, but when they suddenly and surprisingly lost, they played the victim to the rest of the world and screamed for their land back. Land which they had put at risk in starting a war.
Where does it all feud from? Two places.
1. Anti-semitism. The stronger political leaders have bred a brainwashed society of poverty and terror. This society is noticeably the same in every Arab/Muslim led regime. It is consistent throughout the region. The political leaders stay rich and prosperous while keeping their countries in deep poverty. They use hatred and terror to unite the people and make them believe that the reason for their economic and societal depression is Israel and its allies.
2. The fact that the Arabs did indeed live there, and they do hold the land (specifcally Jerusalem) as the a holy place.
These two factors coupled together mean that they will never stop fighting EVEN THOUGH they have access to all their holy sites and, for the most part, control of them. Because of the first factor, the deep routed hatred they have always had for the Jewish people, they cannot stand to have a Jewish state in their midst (or anywhere for that matter) Look at any of their school textbooks or official government documents, they dont hide the fact that they hate the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It's surprising how far Europe can turn its cheek and pretend its not the case. Then again, nothing in Europe will ever be surprising after WWII and the Holocaust. It is downright scary.
That democratic leaders of civilized countries could even say the words "show restraint" with a straight face is despicable.
Whether Israel is overreacting or using too much force is a fair issue for debate. I'd concede that. I would not agree that it is the case, but I would agree it is a fair topic for conversation - HOWEVER, ONLY after it is recognized that war has been declared on that country and that Israel not only has the RIGHT to respond, but the DUTY to its citizens, and in fact to the world, to respond, and harshly. The first thing that must be recognized is that Hezbollah has been firing rockets, unprovoked, into Israel for many years. These attacks threaten hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens daily. It must first be recognized that these Hezbollah soldiers/terrorists are the responsibility of the Lebanese government as per a United Nations resolution 6 years ago by which Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon with the understanding that Hezbollah would be disarmed by the Lebanese army. It is clear that this has not been the case.
The U.N. cannot on one hand force Israeli withdrawal from enemy land with conditions on the terrorists, and then on the other hand slap Israel when the enemy country defies the resolution and Israel responds to protect itself. Every single member of that committee, as well as the Israelis, Lebanese, Syrians, Iranians and Hezbollah knew that resolution would be followed by only Israel. Yet, because they stuck to their word, they are dealing with a terrorist organization that has had six years to build resources and dig into locations that threaten Israeli civillians. Yet, somehow Israel is supposed to show restraint. This is the same attitude shown by European nations when one of their representatives stated that he did not understand what Israel was so upset about. "It's just three soldiers."
It must be recognized that Syria and Iran are the fuel for these terror groups. While Lebanon is technically responsible, it is a legit fact that they do not have the power to intervene in their own country. This allows Israel the right to intervene. However this fundamental lack of power clearly shows the power line directly from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah. Something that needs to be addressed, but probably never will be.
So while I would have no problem listening to people argue over the extent of Israel's response and actions in connection with Hezbollah attacks, I refuse to listen to the questioning of Israel's right to respond and right to protect its citizens.
At the time, back in 1947, the Arab decision to reject the world's two-state solution was an opportunity for them to continue the Holocaust in the Middle East and to rid the world of Zionism once and for all. That decision to fight in 1947 rather than to accept peace is the crucial turning point in modern-Israeli history. This left many Arabs with no real homeland, no government to control guerilla groups, and no civic pride in being able to call a land their home. This led to the breeding of a society of poverty, hatred and terror.
Had they agreed back then on the two-state solution, there might have been territorial wars, and even terrorist attacks, but because of the "state" status of each source of conflict, they might be well settled by now.
So while at the time, the Arab decision to reject the two-state solution seemed arrogant and violent, in retrospect, it was probably the best move they ever made, and it is a continuing nightmare for Israel. It has given the Arabs fuel, motivation and resources to fight Israel along with international pity; while it has given Israel another enemy to defend against, but no face or state to fight and confront.
posted by EDS | 11:27 AM
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