Warning: This is a bit long and may jump around a bit, as various thoughts about the crisis keep coming to me as I type.
In trying to find something to do between 7 and 8 pm Eastern Time, I've become a regular watcher of "Hardball" on MSNBC. I've found it interesting how each side of the conflict spins it to make their side sound more credible, particularly Dore Gold, an adviser to Sharon. The one night, he said something to the effect of, "We are in the beginnings of a pull out as requested by President Bush." Essentially, it was Gold coming up with a different interpretation of the demand than probably most people saw it.
I've been on the Israeli government's
website a lot recently too. I find some of their positions disturbing, particularly on the "right of return."
A lot of people dislike the US b/c they feel we stick our noses where they don't belong. But now, it's like we're being looked to as a savior of sorts. Strange.
I think a good way to break the ice for both sides would be to look at the commonalities of each:
--Both have been oppressed for centuries.
--Both are looking to the US to intervene.
--It is my understanding that neither devout Jews nor Muslims eat pork.
*shrugs*
How can "suicide bombings" be called "homicide bombings" when other casualties beyond the bomber do not always occur?
I was watching MSNBC earlier today...and there was talk of possibly holding Israel to the terms of the Geneva Convention, since this is apparently considered a war over there. I didn't see the term "war" mentioned on Israel's site, although the term has been used rather loosely lately.
BBC has had good coverage too...to me, it seems rather balanced.
Some of the questions that have been running through my mind (and my thoughts):
--If we immediately cut aid off to Israel, would Israel immediately pull its troops out of the Occupied Territories, thereby cementing its place as the bitch of the United States? (Possibly. But then the US would probably be accused of being anti-Semitic. Not to mention, the region is full of surprises.)
--Does the US support Israel so vigorously because the US government feels guilty about its lack of response to the plight of the Jewish people during WW2? (I'd say that's part of it.)
--If Jerusalem were divided between the two factions, would that be the deal-sealer? (Possibly...but again, the region is full of surprises.)
--Does Arafat really have any sway over the Palestinians? Could he really stop Hezbollah or Hamas? (I don't think so, and no. Even if Israel can achieve peace with Palestine, I could see Syria becoming a bigger pain. They seem the least likely to support an Arab-Israeli peace deal. But then again, Bashir Assad is not his father.)
I think Israel's current military tactics are ridiculous, and a lot of innocent people are dying. And in the end, I would say Israel is responsible to a degree for its civilians that are being killed by suicide bombers. After all, if there were no occupation, then there might not be suicide bombers.
I think I understand why a number of Palestinians are strapping bombs to themselves and blowing themselves up. They feel this is their last opportunity to make a point...and there is nothing left to lose for them. But innocent people are being killed, not to mention the bombers themselves. The bombings only appear to make Israel more determined to keep the Palestinians under their control. The Arab world has to take a hard stance against them. Besides, isn't suicide condemned in Islam, as it is in Christianity?
(As a side note, since suicide is considered mental illness in some circles, one COULD make an argument that suicide bombers are indeed mentally ill. I don't think this is the case...but there is that possibility.)
Arafat condemned Friday's Jerusalem bombing...in Arabic. I am suspicious of Arafat, but his successor could be much worse.
As long as there is violence on both sides, there will be no respite.