Hello all,
I thought perhaps you might find my perspective on this topic interesting
since I spent over 2 1/2 years in Israel. I am not Jewish, so I do not think
I am overly biased, except for the fact that I was not able to also spend
time in Palestine.
Anyone who thinks one side is right and the other is wrong is just plain
ignorant. I don't mean to be insulting, but if you read an objective history
of the area you will see that both sides have done horrible things to each
other from the beginning, and both sides have also tried to make peace. Did
you know that Jewish people lived side by side peacefully with the Arabs
before Jewish immigrants started to arrive? Unfortunately, instead of trying
to work together as more and more Jews arrived, both sides alienated each
other, became suspicious of one another, and plotted against each other. It
matters not who started it, it matters not whose land it is anymore (neither
side has anywhere else to go), and it matters not who has killed more times
than the other....both sides have acted improperly, and at this late stage,
blaming each other is getting them nowhere. To make peace work in that
region between Jewish, Muslims, and Christians, they will have to work
together and overcome their differences.
Everything that Michael has said so far is true, except about Arafat. There
needs to be a better understanding from Israelis what sort of position
Arafat is in. Arafat walks a very fine line. If he steps too much on one
side he will be ousted by his own people, and if he steps too much the other
way, he will be condemned by Israel. Would Israel rather have a more
militant leader for the Palestinians? Yes, he has made terrible
mistakes...but so have Israeli leaders. I believe, although I could
definitely be wrong, that Araft also wants peace. Unfortunately, he has to
appease a variety of groups within Palestine, all of whom are poor, angry,
and not very trusting of their Israeli neighbors. And why not? Israel does
not really care about them. OK, Israel would NOT wage an all out war to
exterminate Palestinians; this I am sure - they would never do that or want
to do that. But, they truly do not care what happens to the Palestinian
people. This is the problem of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. BOTH sides
do not care about each other - they only care about themselves. It is easy
to understand why when one's mother, brother, sister, daughter, son, etc
have all been killed (I am speaking of both sides here). It fills one with
rage. But to achieve peace both sides have to rise above their hatred, and
realize they share the same sorrows, the same pain, and help each other
through it. I do not pretend to believe that this will happen anytime soon,
but this will be the only way to have true lasting peace. We are all
brothers and sisters...Any Palestinian could have been born a Jew, and vice
versa...we must remember that the each "side" believes it alone is right.
Each side believes they know the truth when in fact they only know half of
the truth.
I understand completely why Israel does what it does and in the "old world"
it makes total and complete sense. I also understand why the Palestinians do
what they do, and from their "old world" view it makes sense too (I am not
condoning any actions by making that statement). The actions of both sides
are influenced by their religious convictions, and their past. But, by now,
both Israelis and Palestinians must realize that killing each other (no
matter how it is done) is not accomplishing anything. Is Israel any safer?
Are the Palestinians any closer to having a true home of their own? We are
in a different world than we were even 5 years ago, and the same rules no
longer apply. We are a maturing people beginning to realize that world-wide
cooperation will be our upliftment while war and killing will be our
downfall.
Some would say that I do not have enough experience to speak on this
matter...and perhaps that is true. But I truly think Israelis and
Palestinians need to hear a third voice that is not affected by the hatred
they share to see a more objective view of the struggle.
I would like to point out my own specific observations of my time in Israel
and some of the positive aspects of each culture in that area.
The Israeli government has managed to create within in it's own borders a
virtually crime-free society (I am not talking about the crimes related to
the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, I am talking about crimes of Israeli's
against other Israeli's). During the two 1/2 years I was there the only
crime that I ever heard or read about was a purse snatching in a local mall.
People did not murder, rape, or beat each other up. This was not because
security was so high, it was because people just do not do that kind of
thing. I think this says something very positive about Israelis that we
Americans could learn from.
The Palestinians that I bought fruit and vegetables from were the most
hospitable people I have ever met in my life. They were friendly, and
caring. They truly wanted to treat me and my family as highly honored
guests. I will always appreciate the goodwill that the Palestinians and
Israeli Arabs provided to us while we were in Israel.
The Israeli's are a very intelligent and well-educated people. Their
universities rival some of the highest in the US. They are known as
technologically advanced throughout the world.
The Palestinians and Israelis both have deeply rich cultures that include
excellent food and the best music in the world. My two favorite cd's are
Israeli and Arab.
The Israeli's are very organized; when they set their minds to it. This can
be seen in how their security is implemented throughout the country. Bomb
scares are handled with detailed precision and swiftness. I was amazed at
their efficiency.
The Palestinians have very strong family bonds. Their families are extended
and include many "outsiders". When my son was born in an Israeli hospital, I
had a bed next to two Arab mothers. Their families traveled from far and
wide to spend hours upon hours with the mother. Sometimes their would be 50
people in the room. While I didn't particularly enjoy this at the time, I
admire this part of their culture. They respect their elders, and they truly
love their children.
In the same sense, the Israeli's also respect their elders. There are very
few nursing homes in Israel, and the children make sure that their parents
are well-cared for in their old-age. Which brings me to another point about
the Israeli people that I admire. They are extremely healthy people. I was
surprised when we went there to see such a large group of older people out
shopping, walking, going to the parks. Old people have lives in Israel and
are healthy enough to enjoy them. And the young people walk everywhere (and
there are LOTS of hills!!).
The Palestinians are a very curious people. They were always asking me about
my religion (Bah�'�) and were quite interested in hearing about all of our
world travels. They loved to listen and enjoyed good conversation.
The Israeli's were very concerned about the well-being of their children.
Many of them have lot's of children, but their concern of their own children
also extended to others. If my son was crying in public there was always an
Israeli man or women offering to help.
I could go on and on about both sides, but these are few things that I think
both sides need to see in each other. They are not so very different except
in their religious beliefs....but actually when you get down to it, their
religious beliefs are not so different either when you peel away all of the
social teachings. The same basic spiritual principles exist, and I think
some on both sides have lost track of this.
--
Kristin Aileen Motlagh
Co-Author, Mastering ColdFusion 5
Macromedia Certified ColdFusion Developer
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone/Fax: 877.525.3304
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