Do you ever feel like you personally are the one to stand up and fight for your side (Israel, Palestine?) Do you actually think that the ME is checking out YA to see what we think? Do you ever step back and say "hey i'm American , or Canadian , or European? And realize that the majority of the others here also are? So then why, do we cut through each others opinion and hurt and insult each other? And If we met each other in person , are we this vicious in real life?
2007-10-30 03:18:07 · 17 answers · asked by HopelessZ00 6 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
I'm on the side for PEACE and JUSTICE, not on one country's side or the other. That being said, it is well-documented (no, not made up facts!) that Palestinians have been incredibly oppressed and horribly mistreated, which is why I'm frequently defending Palestine.
Now, dear Jew friends, do keep reading my entire post because I promise there are things in here you will like...
shanti_g wrote "every time i see an eu\american\canedian men or women , talking on the israel-palas' conflict, first of all i thing they are boring without life , after i think wtf they are really know about this situation,"
I am Canadian - born and raised here - and am neither Arab, Jew, nor Muslim. So what do I know about the situation? I have been to Palestine/Israel many, many times with my trips ranging from a couple of weeks, to a couple of months, to a year so in total I've lived there for at least 2 years. I have been all through Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Why do I care about what's going on? Because I care about people - no matter where they live or what colour their skin is or what religion they are. I also, as I said, value peace and justice for EVERYONE.
So this is what I have seen the Palestinians go through:
- collective punishment
- checkpoints that pop up and disappear
- people detained unnecessarily
- innocent people being shot at (witnessing that was the worst)
- curfews
- medical help and food denied
- water cut off
- an illegal separation wall go up
- olive trees uprooted and cut down
- houses and businesses demolished
- roads barricaded
- land confiscated
- the list goes on and on...
I've also seen for the Israeli Jews:
- those who are scared
- ones who have stood up for what is right
- those who have spoken out for what is right
- compassion
- those who have put themselves in harm's way to protect innocent civilians
- soldiers who have refused to serve in the occupied territories and ended up serving time in jail for that
- soldiers who are serving but do not believe in what they are doing and hate doing it
Most Israeli Jews have never been to a Palestinian village, have never witnessed what life is like for them. I can therefore understand why a lot of them say what they do. I used to believe the media until I went there and saw with my own eyes. Therefore, I try to find reliable resources to share here and only give facts I've witnessed, or read from the best sources I can find.
Mike_R claims Palestinians don't want peace. Well, I can assure you that most do but perhaps they don't know how to get there. They have become so angry and feeling hopeless that some resort to violence.
I often heard people saying Palestinians want Israel "washed into the sea". Some do, that is true. However, the majority do not want that. In fact I would say that many Israelis don't want Palestine and go so far as to say there is no such place as Palestine or a people called Palestinians.
When I first went there, I will admit I was biased towards Israeli Jews and against Palestinians. After experiencing what I have that has obviously changed. I also want you all to know that from my personal experience (and I've traveled to dozens of countries) that I found the Palestinians to be the warmest, most generous people I've ever met in my life. I know that's shocking - it was shocking to me too!
What needs to happen is to have all sides focused on how there can be a peaceful and just existence for EVERYONE, not a Palestine vs Israel situation.
I also believe that peace can be an ultimate outcome, however there can be no peace without justice.
What is clear is that many on this forum keep spouting what they believe (or want to believe) but they are mistaken. They continue by ignoring or much worse, being completely disrespectful to the poster and even spewing hatred.
In answer to your question, the ME probably isn't checking out YA to see what we think. I have posted in hopes that even if some people on this forum are close-minded and don't want to find out that what they believe is either wrong or not the entire truth, that maybe others browsing will be impacted. However, more and more I question whether this is the best use of my time and so find I'm posting on here less and less.
My concern is that instead of having intellectual debates on this forum, people have become more entrenched in their views and developed more hatred.
I really don't know what to do. I want to promote peace and justice and sadly being here doesn't seem to be doing that.
2007-10-30 07:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by Worldluv 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Do you ever feel like you personally are the one to stand up and fight for your side (Israel, Palestine?)
I am trying to see both sides, but of course I relate to Israel. I feel that people are very unfair towards Israel and the truth must be brought to light.
Do you actually think that the ME is checking out YA to see what we think?
No, I don't think they care, but at least our opinions are voiced and this forum is a great place to be free about how we feel.
Do you ever step back and say "hey i'm American , or Canadian , or European? And realize that the majority of the others here also are? No
So then why, do we cut through each others opinion and hurt and insult each other? And If we met each other in person , are we this vicious in real life?
I try not to be vicious here or in real life
2007-10-30 11:46:04 · answer #2 · answered by Janice 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Do you ever feel like you personally are the one to stand up and fight for your side (Israel, Palestine?)
I can stand up for both sides whenever I see injustice from one of them towards the other.
Do you actually think that the ME is checking out YA to see what we think?
No, they don't care to what we think.
Do you ever step back and say "hey i'm American , or Canadian , or European?
Sometimes, I think it is funny that we fight over a country we may have never visited.
So then why, do we cut through each others opinion and hurt and insult each other?
I don't really insult, I just state facts and facts sometimes are painful to some people.
And If we met each other in person , are we this vicious in real life?
I think we will be more vicious in real life.
Peace
2007-10-30 11:13:31 · answer #3 · answered by Mimi 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing - ML
It's absolutely a fact that that I get mad when I read lies. So mainly I try to spread facts. Not insults. Yes I have my opinion too, and I sometimes get a little carried away in condemning ethnic cleansing or the philosphies that have instigated it. Are you asking that I say nothing and let lies stand, and state-sponsored murder remain hidden, whitewashed or (as many who've answered these questions indicate) approved?
I bear no one any ill will, and personally believe that all the people in Israel/Palestine are members of the human race with all their failings. Who knows who reads these things but maybe people in the ME who are suffering from oppression do and are encouraged.
It would be nice to meet each other in person.
2007-10-31 02:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by m i 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A very interesting question...
My feeling is that if we had these discussions face to face things would be a lot different .
The arrogance would disappear because all of a sudden we would all realise that each of us is a human being trying to get along as best he/she can ... that these issues are only divisive because of the powerful manipulation that goes on behind the scenes & the incredible hatred of a minority.
Most people simply want a peaceful , contented life ...to be free from the stress that has been a part of their lives forever !
2007-10-30 16:29:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This may or may not apply, but what you are describing here sounds to me like horizontal oppression. Meaning what? The tendency of people in traditionally oppressed groups turning on each other to put each other down and jockey for power or position. It can come in the forms of scapegoating, in-fighting, and back-biting. Sometimes in the process of fighting against oppression, traditionally oppressed people wind up imitating the oppressor. A solution? Rem. that you are all in this together. So, fight the good fight together--respecting differences of opinion--or become fractured and lose the fight--together. And rem. that you do have supporters--everywhere--who want to see this situation resolved one day. Maybe look outside of your own particular situation to see how other movements have succeeded and failed in their struggles for liberation or sovereignty.
This is just my perspective
2007-10-30 11:59:54 · answer #6 · answered by Indi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I never insulted anyone in here, as some times answering negatively but no harmful words. About Israel and Palestine, just both are half countries and i am really extremely tired of these issues, don't you all need a break?
2007-10-30 17:56:30 · answer #7 · answered by The critic flower. 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mimi - you have just said exactly what I wanted to say, so you can be my right-hand woman any time!
I believe that internet forums are excellent places for discussions such as these because there is no danger of anger spilling over into violence. Of course many participants use them purely as a tool for mudslinging, but some of us do listen enough to learn to understand each other better.
And even if no-one else is paying attention to what we do here, it only takes a few of us to tell our friends and family what we have learned about each other to make a big difference.
Londoner In Israel
2007-10-30 11:27:42 · answer #8 · answered by Londoner In Israel 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I do. I feel like most oppressed people of the world and I feel that most nations are free today and only me and my people are still oppressed by the Israeli army and the so call occupation.
It is sad to see some people in the year of 2007 who support the Israeli occupation of my people.
But I know we will be free some day no mater how long it will take I will be with my people waiting for that freedom day.
2007-10-30 16:06:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Palestine is currently divided among the states of Jordan, Israel, parts of Lebanon and Syria, and the disputed territories of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
2007-10-31 22:03:30 · answer #10 · answered by mo mosh 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋