Reading these one-sided views of the Israelis as innocent good guys is getting disturbing now. Things were relatively peaceful until September 2000 when Ariel Sharon visited a mosque, knowing the negative reaction it would have. It was a deliberate provocative move on his part. Here's more info: http://www.jerusalemwatch.org/press/2000/28-09.htm. There are probably other sources, right-wing ones I'd guess, that dispute that, of course. However, even the usually pro-Israel mainstream U.S. press expressed dismay at the time regarding his actions.
And, soon after that Ariel Sharon was elected prime minister! Apparently enough Israelis agree with his belligerant approach to vote him into office. Neither side is innocent in this conflict. There are no good guys. It doesn't look like either Sharon or Arafat wants peace. They seem determined to let their foot soldiers kill each other until everyone on the opposite side is killed. Looks to me like Israel with its tanks will be more efficient about that than the suicide bombers are. And, no, I'm not saying there's anything good about the suicide bombers. I can't imagine living under the constant fear and distrust that Israelis live with. I also can't imagine living with the constant degradation and fear that the Palestinians live with. Both sides are responsible and both have bloody hands. The only glimmer of hope for peaceful resolution that I can see was the brief mention in the news that Powell is meeting not only with Sharon and Arafat, but also with other Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Especially in the case of Arafat, who I don't think would know how to lead a peaceful nation (and so doesn't genuinely seek one) or be honest in his dealings with anyone apparently, it may be that peace will only come when other leaders come to the forefront, in a good old-fashioned internal power struggle (I hope) rather than by assassination. In the meantime, it's a heartbreaking situation all around. Debra Shea P.S. I'm with you, Bree, on your anger toward Arafat. He looked like a good guy to me for a while, but he's obviously not. The shipment of arms confiscated by the Israelis that Arafat claimed to know nothing about showed how duplicitous he is. Bree Mcdonough wrote: > > One more thought:Have you noticed Arafat > never straps a bomb to himself? Why would he have to with all these pawns > at his disposal. Talk about child abuse!! Nobel Peace Prize?? Should be > yanked and Blank Blank Blank...up his Blankin arse!
