I am appalled, not only appalled but destraught at what is going between Israel and Lebanon anyone agree?

Question

Tribal warfare has been part of Middle-eastern history since the time of the Egyptian Empire - Does anyone feel like me that people should live together regardless of creeds.

I have visited both Israel and Jorden.
I find that the ordinary Israeli people only want to get on with their lives - so do the Palestinians and Bedouin - I have a horrible feeling that the conflict is being orchestrasted and that the "silent" majority is not being heard

What if the conflict is not about Israeli Soldiers, but about water - which we all need? - it is being drawn from the River Jordan, and from the aquefer by Israel - drying up the traditional springs, and taking away the means of life for many people. They would say - keep your oil - give us back our water.

It seems that "Noddy would have done quite well in Nazi Germany, had he not been sent to a camp for extremist views

Thanks to "Londonhawk" I am well aware of the history of the region - My father spent the whole of WW2 there, and was given nothing but the best of welcomes by the bedouin. He never forgavethe Zionists for the asault on the King David Hotel. It was a betrayal of the worst sort.

I'm going to close this question as soon as I can because I probably want to pose another one. Please feel free to go on answering - I doubt I will be able to select a best one -so I will put it to a vote as soon as I can - please put it on your watch list

Answer 1

I am also appalled by the Israel and its actions. Israel is in a permanent war that it cannot win. There is only one solution: Give back the land. I know the US and western countries do not want to hear this but the only solution is for Israel to give back the land. I am sure that many countries will allow the Jews to relocate. George Bush and Tony Blair can be relied upon to support their Jewish allies.
Give back the land.

Answer 2

Maybe we could do that if human nature wasn't simply selfish. Israel and Lebanon have been "at war" since 1948. With the kidnapping of their soldiers, they simply renewed their commitment. The lines were drawn long ago...Iran and Syria supply Lebanon with arms, the US backs Israel. Saudi Arabia tried to look innocent, like they are not involved and the Palestinians are up for anything that draws attention to their problem of having no real country. Just living together implies a socialistic gov't, where everyone tolerates everyone else and shares the wealth. The Arab nations are individually out for themselves and do not act in a collective manner. Out of the last eight wars, Israel has come out the victor. All this was refueled by Palestinians taking two Israeli soldiers hostage. Who would have thought that Israel would wage war over two people...Meanwhile, North Korea is backing Lebanon. What are the chances of a nuclear bomb being launched by either North Korea or Israel? Those chances are improving everyday...I believe it will get much uglier before a truce is negotiated.

Answer 3

To understand the struggle, you have to understand that this part of the world has been invaded by outside forces for it's entire history. The Turkish (Ottoman Empire) ruled over this area in modern history, it was taken from them by the British and the French. The land was then divided into several Arab countries, the last of these was Trans-Jordan and British Palestine. Trans-Jordan declared thier independance, renaming itself Jordan, and was an Arab country, where as Palestine was Jewish/Arab land. The British divided the land (Palestine) into two more regions, Palestine and Israel. When Israel declared it's independance, the neighboring countries ... Jordan, Egypt, Syria ...etc... attacked Israel all at one time, Israel fought back and took control of the entire strip of land which was Palestine/Israel and made it one unified country. The arabs that lived in the country at that time had a choice, to become citizens of Israel or to leave ... those that stayed have the same benefits/privilages as any other citizen, those who left are now fighting for thier "right of return".

The Arab world looks at Israel as an invading force, it has nothing to do with their religeon, it's that they occupy the holly land (Which is Holly to 3 different religeons) and they want that land for themselves. The U.N. recognised Israel's independance as a unified country and these "extremists" in the region continue to fight for their land (and Freedom). Each side has valid points, but until there can be compromise on both sides, peace will never happen.

Under the Clinto administration, that area of the world came closest to Peace, but Yasser Arrafat would not concede anything. Israel offered East Jerusalem (Something they said they would never do), would pull out of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and recognise Palestine as a country, he wanted right of return also, Israel will never give them that because then they would be outnumbered in their own country by Arabs ... and so the peace process broke down.

I think until Syria and Iran stop funding groups like Hezbolla and Hamas and until the West makes a serious effort to inprove the lives and infrastructure of the west bank and gaza, we will continue to go through a cycle of war and rebuilding in this region.

Answer 4

Islamic jihadists and extreme fundamentalists never have and never will tolerate anyone other than their own. They are ignorant to all or any reason.

This time I hope Israel sticks to it's guns.......It reported this week that it was time to deal with Hesbolah and Hamas once and for all. Let's hope they do just that and rid the earth of terrorist groups who would gladly "war it out" for another 1500 years.

If Palestine and Syria were to be "Americanised" like Iraq...........the world would be a much safer and better place. If you wanna blow yourself up, be my guest, but do it on your own bloody doorstep.

Anyone stupid enough to believe they're headed off to paradise, with 72 virgins awaiting them, is not likely to be someone who can listen to rational debate and reason.

These people have no interest in living together with anyone. They are stupid enough to believe that the entire world will have a holiday to celebrate Ramadan in only 20 years. And they are willing to commit global genocide in an effort to acheive their goal. I'd prefer to live under Nazi Germany than under these fools.

Answer 5

We should not be surprised at how Isreal has responded. First there is this 'crazy' president of Iran that wants to wipe Isreal off the map. Isreal has 'had' it with these terrorist attacks on their people and we should not be surprised at the action(s) they are now taking. I like you am distraught and it can be so dis-heartening and we ask ourselves, why can't there be peace. And to think that these coutries want Isreal out of there because of their extreme Religious beliefs and differences, etc. I wish there was a way to move Isreal out of that Region, where they surrounded by these countries, such as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc.

Answer 6

It is very painful to hear evens in Lebanon. Gone are days of Tribal warfare. It is war for supremacy and show of strength to achieve objective by coercive means. The opportunity has been provided by emotional people who had little idea about the consequences.

Answer 7

Not the Jews and i have nothing against them but they are out to kill .The Jews were once terrorist and they took the land off the Arabs and captured and killed British soldiers in their fight they shot cold blooded in the head just read the news papers of the time they were fighting for a home land and then you will see WHAT THEY ARE LIKE

Answer 8

Yes, I agree; it's a terrible waste of life!!

When will we learn to live in harmony with each other. Just because my neighbour worships another God, is a different colour or sexual orientation is no reason to kill/ostracise them. I look forward to the day when peace reigns over this earth, but it might just be when we're wiped off the planet, like the dinosaurs which is a real shame.

PEACE....xx

Answer 9

Well, that would be nice, but Man has never done it before. So how do we get it to happen now?

Islam is a particularly troublesome problem. They don't play well with others, and parts of the Koran are easily interpreted by extremists to mean they should kill all non-Muslims.

Answer 10

No I don't agree. I am fully in favour of Israels actions against the Lebanon. Its about time that muslim fundamentalists were spoken to in their own language - violence it seems its the only language they understand. Shame the british government isn't as strong willed as the Israeli's.