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The aim of this blog is to allow anyone to raise their concerns about issues in world politics and/or give their opinions about them. These can be foreign policy, (international) security, wars, ethnic conflicts, genocides, dictatorship, terrorism etc.
My goal is that it will attract different people from all over who will be happy to share their views and criticise where and when appropriate.
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Tuesday 26 May 2009
Is a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict possible at all?
The Middle East has been area of political and religious conflict for hundreds of years. While the current Israeli/ Palestinian conflict is a contemporary one (only taking shape in the 1940s), the politics associated with Zionism date back thousands of years to when the Jewish anticipated the return of the Messiah. Biblically, this is known as a return to Zion.
One of many explanations why peace in the Middle East has been mysterious and unachievable is that the main parties within the region have to deal with different problems and issues that are both external and internal. There still exists little peace between the two countries, with conflict continuing to cause pain and suffering both sides of the wall. Rocket missiles continue to fall either side of the divide on a daily basis, killing both adults and children. Suicide bombers kill masses of people in public spaces. Both sides believe they are only fighting in defence, not attack, and believe that if the other side stopped fighting, they would too. It appears to be a no win situation, with neither the Jewish Zionists nor Arabs backing down, but suffer for people in both side.
Thanks for your comment Nelson. That's the idea so if I did not misunderstood you, you think that peace is not sustainable in that region don't you? Personally, I believe that is not sustainable at all due to some of the reasons you advanced other more complex issues.
In my opinion, the principle obstacles to lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians reside in the fact that each party does not recognise the legitimacy of the other to own the land. The Jews believe that Israel is their motherland whereas the Palestinians consider Jewish presence as more than an occupation. On top of that, it is worth to look at the complexity of the relations between Arab countries dominated by persistent disagreements between themselves, the conflicts between Israel and the Arabs, and the internal contradictions between the Palestinian leading movements: Hamas and Fatah. Moreover, there is lack of commitment of the international community in finding durable solution in this conflict.
For these reasons, it is possible to believe that the solution to Arab-Israeli conflict, if any, would be the creation of two separate states because it has been proved that the two people do not need each other to leave in peace.
Thank you Daniel for your contribution. This creation of two distinct states looks apparently difficult to be achieved. Doesn't it? My question is why is the West, particularly the US sort of reluctant to use all means possible to put an end to the conflict in a region where they arguably have a strong influence? Isn't it that there they have an interest to maintain the status quo?
The Middle East has been area of political and religious conflict for hundreds of years. While the current Israeli/ Palestinian conflict is a contemporary one (only taking shape in the 1940s), the politics associated with Zionism date back thousands of years to when the Jewish anticipated the return of the Messiah. Biblically, this is known as a return to Zion.
ReplyDeleteOne of many explanations why peace in the Middle East has been mysterious and unachievable is that the main parties within the region have to deal with different problems and issues that are both external and internal.
There still exists little peace between the two countries, with conflict continuing to cause pain and suffering both sides of the wall. Rocket missiles continue to fall either side of the divide on a daily basis, killing both adults and children. Suicide bombers kill masses of people in public spaces. Both sides believe they are only fighting in defence, not attack, and believe that if the other side stopped fighting, they would too. It appears to be a no win situation, with neither the Jewish Zionists nor Arabs backing down, but suffer for people in both side.
Thanks for your comment Nelson. That's the idea so if I did not misunderstood you, you think that peace is not sustainable in that region don't you?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe that is not sustainable at all due to some of the reasons you advanced other more complex issues.
In my opinion, the principle obstacles to lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians reside in the fact that each party does not recognise the legitimacy of the other to own the land. The Jews believe that Israel is their motherland whereas the Palestinians consider Jewish presence as more than an occupation. On top of that, it is worth to look at the complexity of the relations between Arab countries dominated by persistent disagreements between themselves, the conflicts between Israel and the Arabs, and the internal contradictions between the Palestinian leading movements: Hamas and Fatah. Moreover, there is lack of commitment of the international community in finding durable solution in this conflict.
ReplyDeleteFor these reasons, it is possible to believe that the solution to Arab-Israeli conflict, if any, would be the creation of two separate states because it has been proved that the two people do not need each other to leave in peace.
Thank you Daniel for your contribution. This creation of two distinct states looks apparently difficult to be achieved. Doesn't it? My question is why is the West, particularly the US sort of reluctant to use all means possible to put an end to the conflict in a region where they arguably have a strong influence? Isn't it that there they have an interest to maintain the status quo?
ReplyDelete