Mormious

Il Israel
(over 11 years ago)

היי ישראל! מדבר מישראל, בואו תצטרפו, נראה מבטיח... #harnu

Dundonian

Us United States
(over 11 years ago)

Hi Mormious, nice to have you on the site! Looking forward to learning more about your part of the world.

So, I'll just jump right in there and ask, what do you think about the non-violent Palestinian protest movement? In reading this article, it sounds like even they doubt the viability of a two-state solution?

http://electronicintifada.net/content/taking-back-palestines-streets-exclusive-interview-underground-jerusalem-graffiti-artist

Here in the US, we get very little coverage of what I'll call the situation between Israel and Palestine and from afar, it just seems like there's never going to be an end to the problems.

Mormious

Il Israel
(over 11 years ago)

Huh, I didn't realize Harnu would automatically translate my message. It's supposed to say "speaking from Israel", which has the same spelling.

Non-violent protest is not only the more moral way to go, it will also be far more effective. I know Israel, a country with very diverse politics and free press, would quickly falter in the face of a massive non-violent protest just as many western nations have in the past.

I am not surprised there is skepticism of the two state solution on the Palestinians' side. There is skepticism on our side as well. When we handed over jurisdiction to the Palestinian Authority, we weren't expecting a second intifada. I disagree with many of the aspects of wall of separation, (it should be rebuilt elsewhere) but before it was built, several people would be die in terrorist attacks on an almost DAILY basis, sometimes dozens.

When we resumed the peace process, we proved we were serious about removing settlements when we ceded Gaza. We weren't asking for hugs or anything, we only expected the peace process to result in, I don't know, peace? Instead a "political party" that doesn't recognize my right to live in the country my late grandfather, parents and I were born in one a majority in parliament and commenced to bombard civilian targets. (As well as institute a theocracy and through out Fatah supporters)

As a result, people such as myself who want a two state solution are often called naive, and laws are proposed to investigate the funding of pro-peace organizations.

And yet it is the best way. This idea the protester you linked to expressed, that Jews want to return to their "home countries" is absurd, something I have never heard of. When my living grandfather left his country of birth, his neighbors were welcoming the Nazi invaders and sharing the plunder from his house. Soon, most of his relatives were killed, and he survived most of the war hiding alone in the forest. He arrived in Israel at age eighteen, and has never lived on any land that was stolen from Palestinians in 1948, let alone the settlements. This is his country now, as it is mine. I think most people would recognize that for me to "re"turn to Poland, my aunt to "re"turn to Iran etc. is not real justice. I fully recognize the Palestinians' right to a country, the refugees' right to compensation, and would even support small scale resettlement of refugees in Israel, as well as saving the settlements in the west bank for other refugees of course. But no nation, neither Palestine, nor mine, nor the Mormons or Cherokees can realistically expect reparations paid in LAND for slights that occurred over sixty years ago, most of the original victims having passed away.

No, there are realistic and in my opinion morally better solutions.

No there is

Dundonian

Us United States
(over 11 years ago)

@Mormious - Appreciate the insight. So, as I read your reply, it sounds like you think a two state solution is the way to go. So (and again, I realize this sounds naive) - why hasn't this happened already? Is your opinion typical of most Israelis?

I grew up in Scotland in the 80s and for us, fighting between Catholics and Protestants, while nowhere nearly as bad as in Ireland, was just sort of how things were. We never really questioned the insanity of it all. We just knew that as Catholics we hated Protestants and we would regularly fight them. No-one that I grew up around ever thought that there'd ever be peace between the sides and in fact, we never even pondered those sorts of things - it was just a way of life that most of us accepted.

Is that how it is now in Israel and Palestine or are most regular people genuinely motivated to find a solution?

By the way on a completely unrelated note - as an Israeli living in the middle East, are you able to travel to neighboring countries ok for tourism and so on? I'm curious to learn about the area and culture - especially music! Any cool music from your part of the world you'd like to share? Thanks!

Mormious

Il Israel
(over 11 years ago)

Ugh my spelling and grammar in the last message were awful, I usually review my posts >

Mali

Us United States
(over 11 years ago)

Hi Mormious,

I really appreciated hearing your perspective. This conversation is so vital to understanding this conflict.

One thing that really struck me is how influential the US has been in pushing against the Palestinian State; by basically threatening to veto the UN Security Council's decision to add Palestine as a member state. Last year, when UNESCO voted to recognize Palestine as a full member state, the US withdrew $60 million in financial support to the organization. I find this appalling! So its a serious financial concern for Palestine, if they are accepted as a state, they may lose hundreds of millions of dollars of US aid that the people of the country depend on for basic human needs. Thank you so much for being here for this conversation! http://www.cfr.org/palestinian-authority/palestinian-statehood-un/p25954

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