Alas. I seem to have caused many to get indignant. Sorry about that. A quick note (since there is no spot where views might be exchanged at this site).
1. I am aware of the camps and how bad they are. Question: how did the camps come into existence? Who had the land that is now under Israeli control? Why did the two nations (the only two) make peace with Israel but did not want this land back?
2. A book written by someone years ago from the camps is simply that: a book written years ago about the camps. In fact, you no longer see kids tossing stones but bearing automatic weapons...how did they manage to turn stones into authomatics?
3. I do get a bit annoyed when told I am this or that when in fact not that much is known about me. I have been in a war zone and know what goes on that is not what is or should be "proper." I challenge virtually anyone to imply that they read more Arab sites on a daily basis than I do. In fact I have even had an e-mail exchanges with one of the leading Arab terror groups at their website. I read more Arab sites than I do Israeli ones!
4. I knew years ago that Israel was becoming a garrison state because of the many attempts to eradicate it; America is heading now in this direction.
5. I believe and have identified with Palestinians, Chrisitians, and American Jews to get Israel out of the occupied territories--but on condition that a peace accord between contending parties is signed. Who gives back land taken in war without first having a peace accord?
6. How many of my detractors have examined the public school texts used in the territories under PLO control? Try it.
7. The US is "even" willing now to reocgnize a Palestinian state? This is because we want (it won't happen) Arab support for an attack against Iraq and are sucking up to get their friendship. The Palestinians were offered statehood in 1947 by a huge vote of support in the UN. It was turned it down. The Rightwing in Israel might oppose a Palestinian state but the center and today';s just issued poll reveals that over 60% of Israelis favor statehood for Palestine and a giving back of the territorires. So why merely site a minority view to make a case to support one's position?
8. Simple test: let both sides cease shooting at each other, get to peace table and hammer out an accord. If one or the other does not make a good faith effort and abide by the terms, or walks away from the table because not getting enough, then we will know where proper blame can be placed. Fair enough, no?
9. Both sides have been cruel, filled with hate, and intransigent. But there is a viable Leftist oppostion allowed in Israel. I don't find this in any of the Arab countries. There are extremists on both sides. The notion that a paper ought not write about the refugee camps because someone is not there is overly simplistic: There are reporters who know the camps firsthand. The camps are a symptom of the problem but not a solution or the cause.
10. A high ranking Carter appointee said years ago: Let Saudi Arabia recognize Israeli's right to exist and then we can recognize a Palestinian right to exist as a state too. Let's see then how the Arab League reacts in the upcoming meeting in Syrian occupied Lebanon.
I will no longer post anything about the Israeli/Arab conflict since it seems to cause a bit of upset here.
Peace to all.