What with Rice roaming the streets of the Middle East in the past week, new media hype has once again been generated on answering the question: "Will we ever see peace in the Middle East?" What with the American invovlement in Iraq, all that trouble in Afghanistan, Iran-IAEA standoff, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the numerous human right abuses in autocratic governments (supported by the US) - it really seems as if the 'powder keg' is about to explode. Many people have already predicted that the next World War would originate from the Middle East.
I remember that back in fall, I was helping a friend draft a speech addressing a mock Palestinian-Israeli peace conference (he was Olmert). He came up with his Israeli-Palestinian Universal Cooperation and Prosperity Plan, when put into an acronym: IPUCPP (which actually makes sense). Mocked or not, Israeli-Palestinian peace is something that needs to be achieved. Of course, a soveriegn and viable Palestinian state is required, along with recognition each other, and the right of return. But, this isn't as easy as it seems, along with all the other Middle Eastern issues. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn't only about autonomous states or the right to return of refugees, it is rooted deeper than that. The real conflict is that of religion, tradition, and history. The things of the past, we cannot change, and religion is all but flexible. Of course, every Palestinian and Israeli do desire peace - whether it is achieved by a mutual agreement or the eventual victory of one or another. But, it is the obstacles mentioned above that hinder them to achieve this end.
The first step to any such peace between the Israelis and Palestinians is to stop the demonization of each other - the mutual respect of each other's rights, religion, and history. This can be achieved through education of respect and religious tolerance, and the halting of all anti-Semetic or anti-Palestinian propaganda. But this would not be easy. The two nations would have to establish trush between each other. This would be best achieved through trade and opening up to each other. Having good-faith visits by government officials, increasing tourism, and cooperation in fields such as music, education, and medical and scientific reasearch. Opening up towards each other is another important step to achieve peace - as this can be seen as successful in the case of the Argentinians and Brazillians. During the Cold War, Argentina and Brazil had a tense relationship, and they began stocking up their nuclear arsenal. But, the two governments agreed not to continue on with this standoff; so they invited scientists and government officials to visit each other's nuclear facilities. In the end, they were able to disarm themselves completely, thus ending their tensions.
In the end, it all comes down to the negotiations and peace-talks. We already know that putting the leaders Israelis and Palestinians in the same room together is already an accomplishment in itself. But, where do we go from there? We all know that if any deal is to be made, it would have to involve the United States as the middle-man - someone to force the two together and actually talk. The governments would have to compromise, understand each other, and to try and reach an agreement. The Palestinian and Isareli governments would have to prove to the rest of the world that they are mature enough, to be able to settle matters peacefully, rather than at gunpoint.
You give me hope, but let me fill you in on reality.
The USA has NOT been an honest broker in the Peace Process-which is in pieces!
One Example:
Barak's "Generous Offer"
NOT!!!
While Barak can be given a pass that he did offer the Palestinians more than any other Zionist had;
The truth is that any serious Diplomatic offer made by a country ILLEGALLY OCCUPYING another –is not to be judged on past offers-but against International Law!
From the Gold standard of International Law, Barak's "generous offer" was NOT generous at all!
The Offer was:
The Palestinians were offered a disconnected land area that equaled 80% of the REMAINING 22% of historic Palestine.
A network of APARTEID by-pass roads, bridges and tunnels for Jews only built through and on legally owned Palestinian property and permanently occupied by the IDF; which translates into permanent loss of water and resources.
NO SHARED Jerusalem; the right of return for refugees was not even addressed; while 80% of the ILLEGAL settlers were to remain in place.
Dear Larry,
What is needed is for the INTERNATIONAL Community to WAKE UP and demand ALL nations and states abide by the Gold Standard of the rule of law:
INTERNATIONAL LAW!
And dear Larry, did you know that
On May 14, 1948 The Declaration of the establishment of Israel stated:
"On the day of the termination of the British mandate and on the strength of the United Nations General Assembly declare The State of Israel will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel: it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion it will guarantee freedom of religion [and] conscience and will be faithful to the Charter of the United Nations."
WHEN the International community comes together and demands Israel keep its word;
there will be Peace in the world!
The conflict in Israel Palestine is NOT a religious conflict!
It is all about the land!
You could learn much very fast if you read
"KEEP HOPE ALIVE"
which I have been giving away freely on the
WAWA BLOG beginning
Feb. 7th and
Concluding March 9th.
There is only one way to peace in the area and that is to treat Palestinians as true citizens of a country; to secure their lives and PROPERTY and to give them equal rights to all others residing in the area. It doesn't matter what you call the country but all inhabitants must be treated equally both politically and legally. Jerusalem must be an international city under the auspices of the U.N. and must be open to all three major middle eastern based religions. As long as the U.S. continues to enable the current people in charge in the area there will be no peace because there is no requirement to negotiate. That brings me to the comments made by the President of Iran relating to wiping a certain country off the map. I believe he was just saying let the two main protagonists in the area come together and live in peace as one country whatever its name. You know "a rose by any .......".
by
Archie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 967 comments)
on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 1:52:44 PM
Read very carefully recommended books and articles. Much you wil be asked to read is pure propaganda. Read carefully. Always seek justice tempered with mercy. If you read a pro-Israeli book, balance it with a pro-Palestinian book.
by
pratliff94 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 948 comments)
on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 12:02:04 AM
