It`s amazing to me that on college campuses across the US, we see protests against Israel.
Who is more tolerant here? Israel for going after terrorists? Or Palestinians, the bulk of whom support the random bombing of Israeli neighborhoods.
If Mexico or Canada launched rockets over our borders routinely, we would annihilate the source of those rockets. Yet, Israel is routinely condemned by the UN for being `overly agressive` or for coming `crimes against humanity`.
At least you never catch the IDF staging scenes for press the way the Palestinian Authority and Hamas do.
As far as I am concerned, Israel is not doing enough to protect itself -- restraining itself to appease an ever increasingly anti-Israel, and anti-Semitec world.
AggieSpirit, while I agree with a lot of what you just said, we`ve got to keep in mind the context of these events. Yes, this is God Awful and horrible, but, meanwhile, life is just as miserable throughout huge chunks of Gaza Strip (which is responsible for the missiles) and the West Bank (which is not).
I understand that some might say, "Well that`s what they deserve for shooting missiles," but the missile shooting started as a response to some other terrible Israeli action which was a reaction to a terrible Palestinian terrorist attack etc., etc., etc. What we`re seeing now are only the ongoing echoes of a conflict that begin around 60 years ago.
"At least you never catch the IDF staging scenes for press the way the Palestinian Authority and Hamas do."
Actually the IDF goes out of it's way to appeal to militaristic types internationally, and is always happy to show off it's (generally quite impressive) military technology to media types when they're around. They're also happy to expand ranks, and you can volunteer for the IDF as a non-Israeli. It encourages immigration while still taking advantage of the skills and technical expertise of foreigners who merely share ideological parity.
The problem with this fight is that both sides are up to their ears in assholes who all think they're holding the short end of the stick. Israel was formed by a population of jews who were displaced from their land and homes. Subsequently they ended up stealing the land and homes of a bunch of Palestinians who were (SURPRISE!) upset at having the same thing done to them.
It's only been 60 years. Give it 60 more and everyone from the original conflict will be dead, everyone still alive from the conflict today will just be one more senile old grandfather, and their grandchildren can go and make the peace.
Aggie: would you say blowing up a police station is the act of a terrorist? I would.
Sorry crazie, I don't buy into Zionism. The jews had as much right to retake their one-time homeland as native americans have to rise up and kick out Whitey.
I thought my post made it clear that I think both groups aren't going anywhere and will have to learn to get along.
I think the native-American comparison is rather apt. Well said Nalcolm.
I doubt we`ll see a resolution that both sides will accept within our life time. In fact, I`ll have to indulge my cynical side and say that it will likely take another 2-3 generations at least before peace can be achieved.
Modern Israel belonged to Great Britain (I believe) at the end of WW2. They gave it to the Jews so they could have a place to finally leave in peace and without the constant fear of persecution. Since Britain owned the territory, it was theirs to give, and hence the Jews are the rightful owners.
