Chomsky said something on this topic, that those who wish for the United States to be a more active part of the peace process, don’t seem to realize that the reason there hasn’t been peace is because the United States.

This is based on the assumption that the US will pursue peace as it did during the Oslo Accords (which it might, I’m not saying it won’t.) What I was saying is that Obama is in a unique position because the negotiation process hasn’t happened yet. If he wishes, he can be the fairest, most egalitarian negotiator ever to guide the peace process. Of course, that entails demanding Israel dismantle its illegal settlements. Will he do that? No one can know for sure. More and more Americans are learning about the Palestinian plight, so shifting public attitudes might inspire Obama to get tough with the Israelis.

Funny you should mention Chomsky’s essay. I talk about it on my show, Citizen Radio in this week’s episode (end shameless plug ) Oh, and a disclaimer for Citizen Radio: We use naughty language.

“As for Muslim hatred of America, it seems to me that there was hostility for many decades before the Iraq invasion. 9/11 (and the Palestinians who cheered it) came before 2003, not after.” – Michael Peck

The Palestinians cheered September 11th? Really? Really? Because I’m pretty sure September 11th was condemned by countries of the middle east. Mind you, that sympathy didn’t last after we started bombing civilians in Afghanistan…wait, I wonder if there is a connection…

“With this in mind, and the fact that giving back Gaza resulted in bombing of their civilian population, even Israelis who favor a two-state solution have reasonable and genuine hesitations about taking steps to implement it until they see big, meaningful changes by the PA and Hamas authorities.”

Giving back Gaza was a propaganda move by Israel. While they were supposedly giving it back, they simultaneously added more settlements to the west bank. It’s kind of like giving someone a gift while you steal their wallet.

“And one last thing, terrorism is an attack against a nation or concept, not just the particular individual who happens to fall in harms way. As much as the Palestinians deserve to live with dignity, the Israelis deserve to live without fear of the bus they are about to get on blowing up.” – Brian

Actually no. Terrorism is the targeted attack on civilians to achieve a political aim. Like September 11th or Dresden. Incidentally who has killed more civilians in the last 10 years, Palestinians or Israelis?

Also for the people who act like Israeli actions are for security reasons. I have a simple question, you are aware that they have nuclear weapons right? You are aware that the United States is their ally?

You guys therefore understand that any country that attempts to destroy Israeli would be blown of the face of the planet? Now you could say that leaders of Hamas, being religious, would be willing to committ suicide. If one accepts this, there is the other question. How would Hamas destroy Israeli? They don’t have any have a functioning government, let alone nuclear weapons. Do you think Hamas would actually maintain power long enough to get nuclear weapons and use them? Do you think Israeli wouldn’t blow them off the face of the earth if they tried to make nuclear weapons? Or do you have some conspiracy theory about Iran giving them nuclear weapons?

Israel security is a lie so they can justify their illegal occupation and expansion. Kind of like we attacked Iraq because we were afraid that they were going to attack us! It’s simply absurd. No mid-east government would dare attack Israel.

Also Allison, you say: “Obama will be in a unique position as a catalyst for peace. Let’s hope he seizes that opportunity.”

Chomsky said something on this topic, that those who wish for the United States to be a more active part of the peace process, don’t seem to realize that the reason there hasn’t been peace is because the United States.

Now maybe it’s just cynicism, but Chomsky just wrote a new essay that addresses Obama’s Cairo speech. Basically saying that it doesn’t mean much. You can read it here: http://chomsky.info/articles/20090607.htm

Additionally, it’s deeply troubling to see the policy of treating Israeli Palestinians as second class citizens implemented by a Jewish state, particularly because the Jews were first treated as second class citizens in Germany before the horror of the Holocaust. How ironic that Israel, a state created for the Jewish people in the hopes of avoiding another travesty of human rights, are now oppressing Palestinians.

I’m saying there’s been great suffering on both sides, but the mainstream media has had a history of ignoring the suffering of the Palestinians, though encouragingly that has been changing in America.

The only way to move toward peace is to acknowledge the pain and hopes of both sides and work toward an agreement. Silly arguments about “who hurts more” will get us no where. And attacking individuals for showing sympathy for Palestinian casualties is as cruel as attacking individuals for being distressed by Israeli casualties. All human beings are equal, so any human death should be morned equally.

I’m glad we finally have a President who acknowledges Palestinian suffering (along with words of loyalty to Israel). I think that will be a great asset for Obama when it comes time to negotiate for peace.

Notice how you state your case, “some Palestinians” no such qualifier when you refers to the crimes committed by “the Jews”. This Jew has never wronged any Palestinian. Sorry Alison but I think your language throughout this entire thread betrays a bias and is mostly about finger pointing and not finding a solution. And btw, the terms Jews and Israeli are not interchangeable.

I was talking to a friend of mine (who is Jewish, though I don’t think that makes him a uniquely qualified expert ) about this today. He sympathizes greatly with the Palestinians, and thinks they should have the right of return. But what he hopes they’ll “move past” is the urge for revenge. He doesn’t think the Palestinians will ever “be square” completely with the Jews because Israel is here to stay, and they have to work out a land agreement to stop the horrible violence in the region.

Revenge is unacceptable, but peace is an admirable goal. Peace can only be based on mutual respect, and that entails mutual acknowledgement between the Jews and Palestinians of the others’ rights to exist. Obama will be in a unique position as a catalyst for peace. Let’s hope he seizes that opportunity.

Second, while I think Hamas must recognize Israel’s right to exist, the Israeli government created and implements policy against the Palestinians that is also racist, and has led to the systematic destruction of Palestinian society. Here is a particularly ironic example: Palestinians living within Jerusalem aren’t really considered citizens, and they must carry identification that states they are Palestinian, and drive vehicles with license plates that mark them as Palestinian, or second-class citizens.

How ironic that a Jewish state has worked toward creating a class of second-rate citizens that are marginalized and harassed on a daily basis. This is policy from the state – Israel – not from a small group of private citizens. Also, it is the state, not simply a group of citizens that has implemented the settlement expansions and the war in Gaza.