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Re:
Isis - thanks for this. I'm not on Blogit these days as much as I'd like to be, so forgive me for not replying sooner. I've had my own altercations with other bloggers on this site who claim to be Christians or righteous atheists or whatever they call themselves, and, while defending their positions show the most horrible behavior. I hope they don't put you off too much. I've clicked you on to my Favorites page and hope to read you more in the future. Please don't let the hard-hearted get you down....Mal
posted by
gapcohen
on September 14, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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You wrote such a nice piece here, Mal. So many of the arguments against what you're saying go far beyond the absurd. The fact that it's the Americans so often objecting to the "wall strategy" puzzles me. Why is it that only America is allowed to defend herself? There's the wall in Ireland, the Great Wall of China, the Maginot Line during WWII France -- even the Native Americans would gather together to help defend themselves from American "settlers". I don't think anyone is quibbling now over whether their teepees accidentally touched soil claimed by the Union Army. You have people over here screaming about keeping illegal aliens out by any means necessary, and yet Israel isn't allowed to protect herself from encroaching JIHAD??? This after we ourselves stand on land that was forcibly taken from the people who were here before us.
We have such a long way to go. It's ludicrous. Such hypocrisy!
(So much for my being non-vocal.
)
posted by
myrrhage_
on September 14, 2009 at 1:15 PM
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gap
Of course you are absolutely correct. But none of what you have said should be news to anyone! In a general sense, 'everyone' knows these things, and certainly the people who matter. But the attitude towards Israel and Jews is not one that arises from lack of information or knowledge.
It is an attitude based on irrational hate, impervious to reason, particularly on the part of the Muslim world, but also among many in the West.
That's why it's important that Israel, while always ready to negotiate, must always negotiate from a position of strength...
Methinks I ought to do another series, if I can find the time...
posted by
Nautikos
on September 2, 2009 at 8:12 PM
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The situation is tragic - as it was in Northern Ireland. I'm surprised the wall in Belfast didn't make the inetrnational press; there was a real outcry here in the UK about it. But then, we were in the midst of bombing campaigns by the IRA at the time. I'm not sure that wall did anything other than raise hostilties still further. These situations are so complex, with the tragedy that it's not the politicians or even the paramilitary who suffer most, but always the ordinary people, most of whom want nothing but peace on both sides.
posted by
Rockingrector_retd
on September 2, 2009 at 9:41 AM
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Such an awesome response! You do everything with such class! Love you for that and you, too! sammy
posted by
sam444
on September 1, 2009 at 6:44 AM
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I have great issue with Hamas and other terrorist groups
I have had issue with the Arab response to the State of Israel, from the beginning, 1947, 1967, 1973, etc. I do believe that were the Palestinian terrorist groups to cease their violence, that also would be a great step toward peace, maybe the greatest.
My issue with "the wall" is that it does in places encroach on Palestinian territory. The issue with the settlements is that they uproot Palestinian Arabs, both Muslim and Christian, from land they have occupied for quite a long time.
I would say that Israel would need no defense force were its neighbors willing to coexist. Their answer to the existence of the State of Israel has been violent attempt at its elimination.
My uncle married a Moroccan Arab woman, and it's interesting to note that her attitude and emotional state seemed to be similar to that of those Arabs that want Israel's destruction, and many (if you have followed activities in the Arab World). We do have an entirely different culture, there, with many attributes that hinder their development.
I think Israel is a model, in essence, for a state of free expression, etc., has many good attributes. I do believe,however, that conservatives there can lead that nation in the wrong direction.
Fanaticism, no matter where, is basically destructive.
Our country, the U.S., has changed its attitude and policy, from being supportive of Israel during the Cold War, to critical, with many U.S. radicals painting Israel (unfairly) as being evil.
Xenophobia is a source of much of the world's ills.
posted by
Xeno-x
on August 31, 2009 at 7:15 AM
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Mal you have written another very special piece of work and it needs a
wider readership than here. If you look at the map as I did as a child you wonder in disbelief at the bravery of a country so surrounded by potential trouble. I think they (Israel) have encroached on land not theirs to settle on but I read your words with real interest. All we get is what the media feeds us and these days it does seem biased against Israel as never before. I just thank God everyday that I have always lived in a country where I have felt safe. First Australia all my life and now Rural Canada. People forget that the first settlers to Israel bought the land and those that followed were displaced refugees that nobody wanted. Australia has always had quotas when it comes to immigrants.
posted by
Kabu
on August 30, 2009 at 10:08 AM
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Well written post, mal. You tell it the way it is.
posted by
TAPS.
on August 30, 2009 at 9:49 AM
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