| Subject: My last comments here |
Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 11:31:45 08/08/01 Wed
In reply to:
JeffF
's message, "Re: putting words in people's mouths" on 10:27:10 08/07/01 Tue
Since you were kind enough to give me the last word, the last time we debated the Arab-Israeli conflict, I will return the favor. This will be my last post in this thread regardless of what you say in reply.
Israel can't afford peace? No, you could need be more wrong, though some Isralis make the same mistake. It is the constant state of war that Israel cannot afford. They cannot war either economically or in terms of the emotional drain that it causes. If they could afford the constant need for war in economic terms, they would not need US aid.
No, Mark if I was a Palestinian who had been offered my own state, I would not fight. Do you have any idea what Barak offered them? It was almost everything in exchange for nothing. Too late, he found out that they weren't interested in peace. At any rate, that's what negotiations are for. If they can't accept the peace that has been proposed, let them come back to the table and make their own proposal. Nobody can dictate the terms of peace if peace will last, but unless they are seriously interested in talking instead of shooting, there is no chance for peace. You say "this peace" like the shape of peace is a foregone conclusion. Israel proved consistently in negotiations with Egypt and Jordan that she is always willing to have peace with security guarantees in exchange for land. That's been consistent.
As for reparations, personally, I'm not particularly in favor of them any more. I mean, there has to be a statute of limitations and the present government of Germany has nothing to do with the Nazi period. Except for Jews in truly dire economic straits, I would accept ending them alltogether. Germany has done a lot to restore relations with the Jewish community and I think it's time we accept the good will of the current German leadership and return the favor by not making economic demands. Of course, the Jews who were sent to camps are far different than the Arabs who voluntarily left their houses in 1947 and 1948 at the urging of Arab leaders.
As for International law, I repeat, if you want it to have any validity, it has to be even handed. The problem with international law is that it's often as blatantly one sided as your post. I can accept Israelis being charged for any crimes against civilians in the current situation, if and only if all Palestinians who participated in terror against Israeli civilians are also charged. If it works like the Balkans and anybody from any side who committed atrocities is charged, I'll accept that, but if it's just biased against Jews, forget it.
Now, I'll let you have the last word if you want it. Obviously, neither your opinion nor mine will have much effect on the policy of the US, Israel or the Arabs.
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