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Tuesday, 16 April, 2002, 08:36 GMT 09:36 UK
Middle East: Your Experiences
At least eight people have been killed in a suicide attack on a bus in the Israeli city of Haifa.
This is the latest in a series of similar attacks which have had a marked effect on life in Israel. Streets, cafes and shopping areas are deserted, and businesses that rely on the tourist industry are suffering.
But the Israeli incursion into the West Bank has also interrupted the day-to-day life of ordinary Palestinians.
Many are too scared to leave home after dark, and the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees says thousands of people have been trapped with dwindling supplies of food and water.
Have you been affected by the violence in the Middle East? Tell us your experiences.
We have discussed the Middle East conflict in Talking Point, the phone-in programme of the BBC World Service and BBC News Online.
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This Talking Point has now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
I have lost a very close and dear friend in the Passover Terror-Attack. This victim of the Attack was a holocaust-survivor from Poland who came to Israel at the end of the British Mandate. This experience made me associate the furnaces of the Nazis in Europe with the furnaces of the Palestinian suicide Bombers - in both cases innocent Jews were burned only because they were Jews. But afterwards I still saw a very fundamental difference between German-Nazi persecution and Palestinian Terrorism: in Europe the Jews were defenceless and had no options open to them but here in Israel the Jews have "privilege" to defend themselves.
I am a 16-year old Israeli who has lived in England for eight years now. In a year and a half I am going to join the Israeli army. I am sometimes scared about that when I hear the news about attacks on soldiers, but, since a promise of a Palestinian state two years ago was rejected by Arafat, there has to be protection for Israelis against his terrorism. We just had a small service this morning for a kid from my school who was killed in a suicide bombing in Netanya, and I don't want that to happen to any more of my friends. The terrorist infrastructure must be crushed, in the interests of Israelis and the civilised world, and (with some reservations -- I don't think this latest incursion is justified or has had much success) I hope to be part of that.
Terrorism is merely the absence
of a decent balance of military power. It is the
word used so sneeringly by the great and mighty to
describe the efforts of the militarily weak, under-
privileged or oppressed.
Arm the Palestinians to the same high level currently
enjoyed by the Israeli army and we shall see this
expression "terrorism" exposed for the lie that it so
We should not condemn the so-called Palestinian terrorism
as being in any way better or worse than the "sanitary"
military operations which the Israelis are carrying out.
They are both expressions of exactly the same concept.
That concept is war. Plain and simple.
40 years ago I was training pilots from Israel and I asked one student what was the greatest fear in his country and his reply was "Peace". But no matter what our hopes for a meaningful peace, there has never been a way to combat what the Arabs have done by waiting and reacting. Peace can never happen until Arabs clean up their own acts with their own people.
Judging from some of the comments I've seen here, some will use any justification for the whole-sale slaughter and massacre of a largely unarmed Palestinian population. How many deaths so far? 1600 not counting operation defensive wall, 4000 detained? When will this stop? How would you feel as a 20-40 year male resident of Jenin forced to strip naked and marched in front of tanks and troops as a human shield for the Israeli army? How ashamed are you going to be when the real depths of the massacres get out and will you apologise?
Memory of the Palestinians celebrating in the streets after the World Trade Centre attacks keeps repressing any deep sympathy I have for these people during their current crises. I also remember similar Palestinian celebrations after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. It's hard to have sympathy for people who celebrate the death and misfortune of others and this is why most of my sympathy is reserved for the Israelis.
James Maloney, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Why will a person go and blow himself killing others? Because his life has been made so miserable by Israelis that he is ready to kill himself in hope of freedom and dignity.
No one recognizes the living condition and situation Israel has made for Palestinians. They are in such desperate conditions that they are ready to kill themselves
I think there should be an International force in the Middle East and Israel should leave all the occupied territories.
Why doesn't anybody see that the suicide bombers are the only means for Palestinians to fight Israel? Israel has cut off these people's right to live, built up all the land around them with illegal settlements and then came up with slogans like "We are fighting for our survival". Which I guess would be right if these bloody battles were on the streets of Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The US Government together with its bias policies to Israel cannot by themselves bring peace. It is time that we the average citizen around the world took control.
So the Palestinians want a country. It takes leaders and a desire for a future for your children over desire for revenge, to pull it off. Instead of blaming everybody else for not having a homeland, it's time to look within and change your leaders. Hatred only defeats credibility in the eyes of the world. The Palestinians have an opportunity to live side by side with an industrious and accomplished people. This would translate into a successful country for Palestinians. A model of envy for the rest of the Arab world. Maybe that is what scares your neighbours. Israel is determined to remain. And I believe most of the modern world will see to it. If Palestine is ever to have peace now is a better time to realize this than after you bury your children in vain. Palestinians deserve a country but it's time to find a real leader.
Majority of United States congress and American people support Israel since terrorists have stung U.S. and Bush has labelled Palestinian fighters as terrorists.
Most people in US are also sympathetic to Israel since they see them as a country that is defending itself by invading Palestinians just like US did in Afghanistan.
And that's where I believe the problem lies.
In reality Israel is defending its illegal occupation. It is defending the expansion of its settlers and it is also defending its inhumane treatment of Palestinians.
This war will continue until Israel offers a realistic and fair concession toward an independent state of Palestine.
Eight Israelis die in a new suicide bombing - why is there little mention of the 300+ Palestinian deaths over the last week or the 1600 up to Operation Defensive Wall? Let's get it straight - if we're going to condemn Terrorism we also have to condemn the massive state sponsored terrorism perpetuated from Israel against Palestinian children (which sparked the intifada), men, women, infrastructure and the total annihilation of its security forces and authority.
I'd love that
and all those behind
remember Gandhi's words:
"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." "
I am shocked by statements made by people like Lennart who wrote "Whatever rights the Palestinians may have had, they have largely forfeited by their repeated acts of terrorism". Are human rights ever forfeited? Do the Palestinians have no right to fight for what is theirs, for the land that was stolen from them 54 years ago with the collaboration of the west and which is until today being given to people from Russia, USA and other parts of world simply because they claim their ancestors lived there over 3000 years ago.
Lennart, Norrkoping Sweden
A few years ago I was a new immigrant from former USSR. When I came to Israel I worked with Arabs. They told me that it is a pity that I came to Israel because sooner or later all Israel will be Arabic and all Jews will be in Mediterranean. As simple as that.
The world needs peace, and the conflict between these two nations threatens peace.
Those who say that Israeli military operations are bringing positive results, you should wait and see what happens after they withdraw: violence brings more violence and Israel is not an exception to the rule!
Mazen Darwish, Windsor, Canada
In answer to Anne Lewis: Would you be happy with being offered 97%'of land in 3 parts, surrounded by your oppressor's settlements and their army? With no control over your international borders? Also part of the land you are offered is currently used by yours oppressors to dump radioactive material.
To Anne Lewis: This is not true! 40% of West Bank was offered to be a natural reserve; Israel was to keep control on the airspace, natural resources, borders! What kind of state is that? It is a pig prison! I also have a question to Albert Lyubarsky : Why do you have the right to immigrate to Israel, and the Palestinians can not come back to their homes that the Israelis have stolen from them?
Can one Palestinian explain why Arafat turned down all of the Gaza Strip, 97% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem too? Oh, did Barak forget to throw in Tel Aviv and Haifa?
During Operation Defensive Wall there have been no suicide bombings and no significant terrorist attacks. Israel has been acting to defend itself, and it has been succeeding. Nonetheless, Israel should respect the wishes of President Bush and leave Area A and try to resume cease-fire agreements. I fear however, that the bombings will then continue, because Arafat clearly does not want to stop them. The Arab world needs to tell the Palestinians that terrorism hurts their cause. If they practiced non-violence, there would have been a Palestinian state 30 years ago.
I have watched the situation in the Middle East getting out of hand. I have heard Bush branding the Palestinians resistance as terrorism. I have seen how such remarks have given the green light to Sharon to wage the so-called 'war on terror' as has been called by the Bush administration.
America can not bring a solution and peace to the region. The Bush administration will fall in love with anybody who says he is fighting a war on terrorism even if it meant suppressing the weak and Sharon is just doing that.
Whether US is going to intervene or not, one should bear the fact that this war is an endless one. The prophecy of the Bible is fulfilled!
I am a citizen of Israel, I was born and raised as a proud Israeli, knowing that I have a safe place where I can live and raise my children, some day.
Now there are some that saying it is OK to kill me in my homeland because they have the right to do so - tell me, would you agree to such a horrific situation? Why no one is asking themselves why the Palestinians are bombing Israeli citizens (Arabs and Jews) and why they are not negotiating instead of killing? Well this is a question that we, the Israeli people, ask ourselves each day and after each suicide attack. After all that we, the Israeli citizens, have been suffering, we realize that only after the terror will end we will be able to achieve peace and not before.
The US administration is so far out of line with its attitude to Israel that no peace is possible unless this is changed substantially. That means not just talk - it means no arms, no economic assistance and sanctions imposed on Israel, if necessary. The US has to realize that the world cannot live with America's double standards in this conflict any longer. Finally, when this is all over and God help that it will be, if there is evidence of any kind of war crimes, the perpetrators, and those who harbour them, whoever they are, should be brought to justice.
After five suicide bombings that killed innocent civilians, women and children, should Israel have sat back and done nothing? No, a government has the obligation to defend its citizens. While civilian casualties in Gaza are upsetting, Israel must be able to eliminate the terrorists. Israel made tremendous concessions for peace in Oslo, at Camp David and at Sharm El Sheik. They all failed - Israel cannot continue offering peace when Arafat and the PLO won't even publicly renounce terrorism.
If five terrorists blew themselves up in London, Paris, Amsterdam or Moscow the response would be swift and violent. Do not put constraints on Israel that you would not want put on your own government.
We watch these horrible scenes on TV everyday, and they fuel us with anger against Israel, those who support it, and those who are silent about its crimes. I used to believe in peace, but no, not anymore. We are human beings, we cannot easily forgive and we cannot easily forget.
I am sick and tired of the ongoing mantra - occupation - humiliation- legitimate rights etc, etc. What about Israel's right to live in peace with neighbours that accept her right to exist? The sad fact is that the Arab world is using Israel to divert the world's and their people's attention from their own misery and corrupt regimes.
I witnessed the suicide bomb in Tel Aviv last week. I also witnessed a car bomb in Dublin. When you are faced with a person who says "Give me what I want or I will kill you" you do not have a basis for negotiation: such is the plight of Israel at this time.
I believe Sharon never wanted a negotiated peace, but a "peace" on his terms which seem to be the humiliation of the Palestinian people. Sharon has dangerously turned back the clock and this will be a political and economic disaster for Israel and we must also not underestimate the risk of a brutal regional conflict which could end in use of weapons of mass destruction. It is true that the Israelis have been provoked by the terrible suicide bombings but even this does not justify the collective punishment and humiliation of the Palestinians. Sharon may now have destroyed any hope of peace.
There are two countries that had a peace agreement with Israel (Egypt and Jordan). I am sure that in the future all the Arabs neighbours of Israel (include the Palestinians) will have a peace agreement with Israel. The only reason for that peace (that is now and that will be with the other Arab countries in future) is the strength of Israel. I am sure that if one of Israel's neighbours (including Egypt and Jordan) will just think that he can beat Israel in a battle, he will immediately start a war with Israel. It took Egypt and Jordan dozens of years, too many wars and casualties to understand that they have no way other than that of peace. I hope that it will take the Palestinians fewer years, less wars and casualties to understand that.
Ahmed, Bristol, UK
The world must realise that this war is a media war not a conventional one. The whole world is condemning the suicidal bombs, forgetting all about the wave of immigrations coming from all over the world to settle in an already owned land. The world forgets that generation after generation had to suffer only because "God gave the Israeli the right to confiscate other people's land". It would be nice if the native Americans occupied all of the USA and quoted the same argument.
I think the best way to end this conflict is to send international forces to the Middle East. These forces should be placed there so that they can control the movement of citizens and check out for suicide bombers. If this cannot be done, then allow Israel to do the job.
Humanity is being slaughtered. I can't believe that we are in the 21st century. Why is there still a word called "occupation".
Do we all need another world war?
Haven't we learned anything from history?
Why are we all playing a silent role in this struggle that is tearing human race apart?
Sue Longstaff, London
As human beings we haven't changed from 10,000 years ago. We still kill each other and watch others get killed. Violence has never solved anything.
Israel must stop the settlements and give back the West Bank to the Palestinians. I just don't know what kind of people with what moral beliefs is able to take land away from others.
And Palestinians need to accept Israel as a nation and stop the threats. Everyone including the Israelis must stop the prejudice and treat people based on values not color and religion.
When will we humans ever grow up? Is there any hope for our kind?
I still can't get over the timing of the latest Israeli invasion. It seems as though it was designed to overshadow a historic moment which saw Arab leaders unanimously offer Israel land for peace.
The horrific nature of what is going on in the Middle East is nothing new to people who see the conflict for what it is. The Palestinians live in an economic turmoil. Their women and children are being slaughtered by an army led by someone who sees Palestinians as inferior people. Sharon does not want peace.
Israel has been facing terror for 18 months already. Citizens including women and children are murdered on Israeli streets on a daily basis by terrorists and suicide bombers funded by the Palestinian Authority. Yet when Israel uses its right for self-defence and hits the terrorists and the terror infrastructure in the Palestinian areas, we hear protests all over Europe. Where were all these protesters when Arafat murdered any chance for peace with these terror acts?
My six year old son asked me, "Did the man with the bomb die first or did the people he bombed die first?" after he heard a radio report of the Passover Seder Massacre. How do I answer that question? My heart is breaking! There is NO excuse for murder. Thank goodness President Bush clearly stated that suicide bombers are murders. Why don't more of the headlines say that?
The suicide bombing is the only weapon Palestinian people have. They are frustrated because of the Israeli occupation of their land. I ask Israeli: how would have reacted if it were the Palestinians who occupied Israel?
Shala, Port Orchard USA
Israel's brutal and humiliating occupation of Arabs for 35 years is a terrorist act in itself. A military helicopter or F16 fighter jets if used against a densely populated city is terrorizing the population, therefore it's a state sponsored terrorist act, and should be condemned worldwide.
Until we (Muslim World) don't act united, as a one nation, we will see the aggression of Israel and other nations against us. This is time to realize it - otherwise it's going to be too late.
Despite the U-turn of Middle East policy President Bush has made on Thursday, most likely for the reason of drumming up the support to get rid of Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein, Arab people in the Middle East and the Europeans should be careful not to fall in the trap. The commitments made in Bush's speech to the Palestinians can be reversed anytime or simply denied in the future. The Arab states and most importantly the Arab people should send out a clear united message: no deal on Iraq if no real establishment of a Palestinian state.
John McNeil, Toronto, Canada
The situation in Israel and Palestine is out of control. In order for peace to be established the Arab Palestinians must have their own state. It is sad that those within the Israeli government do not want this to happen. No matter how powerful their military is they will never be able to protect their people while the only foreign policy in use is oppressive occupational force. As a Muslim I pray for peace, the opressed people of Palestine, and all those innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians killed.
Let's get the Oslo Peace Accords/Camp David straight! Oslo was the basis for the implementation of UN Resolutions calling on Israel to withdraw to 1967 and reach agreement on other final issues. Palestinians would get a final state side-by-side with Israel. And yes, PLO did recognize Israel both at Madrid and Oslo. This was supposed to take 5 years maximum. Well, 8 years later and after the largest settlement drive in Israeli history, they come to Camp David. Not only does Israel have 23% more land allotted to it than what it was given in 1947, it wants 10% more land from the Palestinians. If anybody can argue against this, I would like to see you try.
What is the likelihood of forming an Allies army (Pakistani, European, and American) to kick out the Israeli army from the Palestinian territories like how the allies kicked out Saddam when he invaded Kuwait? They are both invasions are they not? Or may be no one dares do that?
When I read stories like I read today I have to wonder what is in the drinking water over there in Europe. The Nobel "Peace" Prize committee wants to yank the prize away from Shimon Peres but has nothing to say about good old Yasser? This kind of thinking stuns me. And when I hear all the moaning from "sophisticated" Europeans about how one sided the US is being...you know what... I could not care less. Like Europe really knows a lot about peace.
Henry Erhiaganoma, London, UK
What would any other country do in the face of such terrorism? When the Palestinians put down their weapons Israel should and is willing to talk peace with them, as they have stated so many times. (And proved at Camp David) - and even make major concessions. But as long as Palestinans are launching daily suicide attacks, killing scores of Israelis, Israel not only has a right, but must defend herself.
I totally agree with Stephen Francis. I couldn't have put it any better so I won't! Only to say that I am glad that finally the tide of public opinion seems to be a recognition of the plight of ordinary Palestinians who have been caught up in a war 'not of their own making' but because oppression always meets resistance.
As a Muslim, I am frustrated and angry with what is going on against my people who just want to worship Allah and live in peace, much like many other church-going Christians do.
In Egypt we feel that Israel State has plans to evacuate the Palestinian land (1967) either by killing or terrorising the Palestinian people.
Exactly at what point does a counter terrorist operation become illegal and ends up with the perpetrator being sent to the Hague for trial? What line did Milosevic cross that the Israelis have not? Is George Washington to be regarded as a terrorist? Are the contra's terrorists? Are anti-Castro agitators in the US terrorists? Who decides?
I just want to know only one thing, Do you really believe that this conflict can be solved by us human beings?
Joya Ganguly, United States
By the way, until Israel's victory in 1967, the territories were under both Egyptian and Jordanian occupation. Palestinians were kept starved and humiliated in refugee camps at the hands of their own Arab brothers. Sure there could be peace, and a Palestinian state, Arafat if he would have continued negotiating rather than resorting to violence would be presiding over one right now. But no, his sense of honour, that is what he calls it would not allow it.
I'm a Canadian student attending a University where two students raising awareness on the human rights abuses suffered by the Palestinian people were arbitrarily expelled last August after an alleged scuffle with campus security. In violation of the University's own codes and regulations, and in violation of the principles of natural justice, the students were not given the opportunity to answer the charges against them or bring forward their witnesses. Instead, a media trial was conducted by the University administration's publications, aided by our dear friends at CanWest Global. For nearly two months, this theme dominated local media coverage of the events. It then became fashionable to justify the expulsions for reasons of safety and security and marginalize the denial of the students' rights. Sound familiar?
I know many Palestinians who are refugees, and they always pose a question: "Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and are unable to return, and those who are in Palestine are being humiliated, why don't ordinary Americans realise that they are supporting Israel's ambition to completely drive out Palestinians from their land?"
I think that this is the time that we should recognise the right of Palestinians for self-determination as we did with Jewish people for their state.
Nobody focuses on the way the Palestinians treat their own. What can outsiders expect?
Yury, I quote you:
"Wrong! If one knows little history, he should remember that it was the Arab world which started this conflict about 50 years ago. Arab nations did not recognise Israel's right to exist and wanted to "throw all the Jews into the sea" and that's how all that started."
I guess you remember when the Soviet Union broke up a few years ago. The stronger states claimed independence the weaker areas/states were swallowed up by the stronger ones. If tomorrow the western part of Belarus decides to unite with Poland what will the existing Belarus government do? Yes exactly what the Arabs did when their countries were carved up.
Idris: "This conflict is framed by the fundamental injustices that have inevitably followed 50 years of cruel eviction, occupation, subjugation, humiliation and now annihilation of the Palestinian people by the state Israel." Wrong! If one knows little history, he should remember that it was the Arab world which started this conflict about 50 years ago. Arab nations did not recognise Israel's right to exist and wanted to "throw all the Jews into the sea" and that's how all that started. And still the terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and others, want to destroy the State of Israel. The documents where found recently confirming that Palestinian Authority is linked to such terror groups.
Iris: "Israel is liberal country that's against hurting innocents."
What hope for peace when a majority of Israeli citizens hold the above opinion? It is clear that Sharon will never be able to make the massive concessions necessary to establish a sustainable peace, and as a democratically elected leader, we can only assume that his people broadly share this tragic inabilty.
This conflict is framed by the fundamental injustices that have inevitably followed 50 years of cruel eviction, occupation, subjugation, humiliation and now annihilation of the Palestinian people by the state Israel. Whilst the Palestinian side is not without very many faults, it's cause is totally just, it's stoicism is admirable, and it's courage is heroic. Suicide bombing is not a surprising form of arms to take up when you have no military to defend yourself with, the world has forsaken you and you absolutely nothing left to lose. I pity all the innocents Jewish and Arab, but the culpability for all this murder resides in the immorality of the Israeli state as it currently stands.
Itsik, you are absolutely right. And if people wish to speak of brutality that of Israel's armed forces pales in comparison to that of any other faced with this situation. For example, in this country's war of terror, the hundreds of innocent Afghans killed are never mentioned, yet Israel's army is criticized for every minor event, and its actions scrutinized.
Itsik, Rehovot, Israel, I have seen first hand the IDF soldiers at check points - believe me, they take great pleasure in humiliating the Palestinian Arabs. Most of them are young boys following orders - who seem to forget that they have mothers and sisters at home. Mothers and sisters who should be treated with respect. I have not seen any respect toward the Arabs who are treated like cattle at the various checkpoints. I am ashamed, as a Jew, to be witness to the humiliation of my fellow human beings.
To Itsik: The comment you made was the funniest caricature made concerning the morality of the Israeli army if it isn't so outrageous. Probably only Soviets' propaganda machine could rival the incredulity of your remark. How moral is an army that shoot at and violated the rights of peaceful unarmed marchers, foreign journalists, foreign nationals including BBC's own journalist and Israel's own peaceful marchers trying to rush in medicine and food for humanitarian aid? How moral is it to even deny the priests and nuns the right of passage to a religious site? Cosmetic and sanctimonious apologies cannot hide the ugly face of a soulless army led by a ruthless prime minister that is Ariel Sharon.
Itsik in Rehovot, you say that your army never hurts unarmed people unless accidentally and if they do they immediately issue an apology. I haven't seen one for the tank destroying that car (the images were carried by numerous papers and television networks around the world), or for the refusal to allow medics out to tend to the wounded, nor has there been one for the refusal to allow European diplomats in to see Mr Arafat. Your army is acting in a far from moral manner at present and appears to be out of control.
I have my experience with the Palestinians from Hebron city as a soldier there. Most of them want to live their own quiet life. However there is low percentage of radicals who try to create an atmosphere of terror and fear. The Israeli army is the most moral army in the world; we never harm unarmed people unless accidentally and immediately the army publicises an apology.
You only need a fraction of a minute to think how to respond to the killings of innocent people on both sides; Withdraw to the 67's border lines - this is the best security offer Israel would ever have and be able to chose from!
Uri , Tel-Aviv, Israel
I am managing editor of the student newspaper at Sussex University, England, and at the moment many of my student friends and work colleagues are trapped in Ramallah, denied the right to leave by the Israeli government. 10 Sussex students left for Israel 2 weeks ago, as part of a peace delegation to try to put pressure on the Israelis to end the occupation. I am worried for my friends, but at the same time I feel tremendous pride for what they are doing. The presence of European protestors has demonstrated to the Israelis that people all over the world are extremely concerned at what they are doing. The stories I have heard from my friends about what they have seen the Israeli soldiers doing to the Palestinians makes my blood boil. The Israelis should not be allowed to get away with such things, I only hope that Mr Blair comes to feel the same way.
A Smith, UK
I was born and educated in this country and had a fairly open mind about what to expect when I visited Israel in 2000. I was very embarrassed at the treatment that my wife and I received at the boarder crossing. I told myself that if this is the way they treat foreign Muslims it is no wonder the Palestinians resort to suicide bombs. Maybe some of those who are so vocal need to go see what actually happens on the ground, there are many parallels with the apartheid regime of SA and we all know what happened there.
I worked in Jordan in the early eighties with both Jordanians and Palestinians. At this time we would occasionally travel across to Jerusalem. My experience and that of Palestinian colleagues was very different. I would be passed through an air conditioned comfortable checkpoint in about an hour. Palestinians would be strip searched take around six hours to get through the check point and passed though a system designed humiliate them. It did not matter their age, gender or medical condition (one pregnant colleague ended up with Pneumonia as a consequence).
I was always met with hospitality by Palestinians whether in Jordan or the West Bank. However decades of systematic humiliation have created the current situation.
Elizabeth, Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories
My sister-in-law was changing buses on her way home from work in Jerusalem. She saw the explosion on the other side of the road and the head of the suicide bomber rolled onto the pavement. Under the circumstances you may consider her the lucky one. I have personally witnessed the people of the Baltic republics win their liberation from the Soviet occupation with quiet dignity, by non-violent means. The Palestinians cannot even formulate coherently themselves what they are fighting for, after they were offered a Palestinian state at Camp David.
I can write a book about what we went through in Lebanon during the 1982 Israeli invasion. Now history is repeating itself. 20 years ago, it took the world 3 months to try to end the Israeli invasion, only after the Sabra and Chatila massacres took place. What is the world community waiting to happen before taking any action?
When I look at the Palestinians, I don't just see a people acting on their own. I see Iraq, Iran, Syria and Egypt. I see Egypt because I know that this country has many internal problems and leaders are so capable of distracting internal descent to more "worthy" causes. And anti-Semitism has been a convenient tool for thousands of years. Nothing seems to have changed. I look at European countries that continue to support the Palestinians no what they seem to do and then I look back over the past 50 plus years and I see that some countries have never supported any Israeli position. Not in the UN and not in statements to Arab governments do these countries seem all too eager to please in order not to let the oil price rise.
I see ordinary citizens of these countries brainwashed by their tainted media reporting that they must assume Israel is wrong. The above fears are not recent. But I am not foreign in a foreign land. I know, as well as many of those silent Israeli basing countries, that Jews have an absolute right to be here. So I have nowhere to go. My motivation for survival in this land has to endure. There is no other choice. This is part of the Jewish experience.
Shame on the British Government and others whose silence on the Middle East crisis is deafening! Token words are at best all that can be mustered by those who hold power as murder and acts of war are carried out by the terrorist state of Israel. Instead of embracing the leader with garlands of flowers and a determination to settle the conflict once and for all Israeli tanks have smashed and imprisoned the leader of the Palestinian Territories! Actions founded on hatred cannot pave a way to peace. They will only instil further hatred and ill feeling. How can it be otherwise? Israel seems determined to enslave the Palestinians and to crush their resolve. It simply increases the Palestinian determination to survive and these Israeli acts of war spawn more cycles of utter hatred towards them.
Michael Newbold, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, UK
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