If you (or I) were Palestinian, Not Propaganda

please read the article first. It is neither pro Israeli nor pro Palestinian

This week I spoke with my students about the Gaza war, in the context of a class on national security. One student, who had expressed rather conservative, accepted opinions - that is opinions tending slightly to the right - succeeded in surprising me. Without any provocation on my part, he opened his heart and confessed: "If I were a young Palestinian," he said, "I'd fight the Jews fiercely, even by means of terror. Anyone who says anything different is telling you lies."

His remarks sounded familiar - I had already heard them before. Suddenly I remembered: About 10 years ago they were uttered by our defense minister, Ehud Barak. Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy had asked him then, as a candidate for prime minister, what he would do had he been born Palestinian and Barak replied frankly: "I would join a terror organization."

This is not my own answer; terrorism by individuals or organizations or states is always aimed at exacting casualties in a civilian population that has not drawn any blood. Not only is terror blind - consuming both the saint and the sinner - it also expands the circle of the hot-headed, whose blood rises to their brains: Our blood is on their heads, their blood is on our heads. And when an account of the blood of the innocent is opened, who can pay it in full, and when?

The rest of article.


This whole Israeli/Palestinian/Hamas event has become the most highly debated issue since the election. And Lord knows that if fists could fly through monitors, there would be a whole lot of blood on our computer screens. Luckily we do battle with words instead and have mods that are more than willing to put us in check when we cross the line.

The reality of all of this is that the majority of us don't live the daily life of an Israeli or Palestinian. We get our information from news, religion, stereotypes, websites, friends, neighbors, etc. Sources that may or may not be biased, that may or may not be complete or tell the whole story. Just look at that video that was posted of Palestinians civilians killed in a marketplace by Israel. Turns out it was something that had nothing to do with this current war. No doubt that there is some Israeli propaganda floating around out there as well. All this propaganda material does is muddled up the situation further than what it already is.

After reading this article, I for one admit that despite all my knowledge of the situation, all the books I have read about it, all the news I have heard or seen about it, I still don't have a clue what it is like to live the life of an Israeli or a Palestinian. And to be honest, if I were a Palestinian, I would be a terrorist and if I were an Israeli, I would fight for the Israeli cause. There is little difference between the two because they are both fighting for what they truly believe in. Who am I, sitting in America, to tell either side what they should believe in.

The Palestinians and Israelis are willing to fight for their land just as much as I would. The war is sad and I wished peace upon the region. However, I know it will continue. There is no Nation, no matter how much they pity the Palestinians or the Israelis, willing to go in there and use force if necessary to keep peace between these two neighbors. Until there is the region will continue to be in turmoil. Governments got together to create this problem and governments need to get together to solve this problem. Not just one day, but everyday until this problem is resolved.

[edit on 5-1-2009 by jam321]

I agree totally. It is almost as if we're forced to have opinions on it since our gov't is going to do whatever it wants anyways. I'm a fairly new conspiracy guy or whatever, and the realization of the level of disinfo is still fresh. Basically, there are no facts on the internet, we are all operating on faith, with regards to this subject. I think only people with sharp intuitionc or whatever you want to call it, are the sober voices, and ironically, those who need the facts to reach an unalterable opinion (why should it alter, if it is factbased?) are gonna go nuts.

What’s really sad is that nobody stops and to think that they could be wrong and they go around pounding their chest as if they know what’s it like in there. I got roasted on another thread because I gave my honest opinion of a video and was accused of being a Hamas supporter, when I’m not. I called it like I saw it.

There is no way of knowing what the truth really is and we will never know. Ten or twenty years down the road people will still come to blows over this situation thinking they know the real truth.

we are treated like mushrooms
Kept in the dark and fed crap.



[edit on 5-1-2009 by SLAYER69]

If i was an ordinary palestian i think i would fight back, it's all well and good for us to be sat on the outside looking in, but if someone was taking my home or hurting my family i would defend them no matter who was right or wrong in the situation it's like a basic survival instinct along with fleeing.

Obviously if you can't flee and are cornered you will instinctively fight back.

So despite by condemnations of the Palestians on other threads over the past few days i do sort of understand there point of view abit better now.

I saw where you got slammed for giving your honest opinion. Personally, this is my last thread on the Gaza crisis and I don't plan to post any similar threads either. It is a lose lose situation no matter what you say.Until i walk in Palestinians or Israelis shoes, I will never know the true meaning of their war.

More often, it only takes an open mind, an open ear and definately open eyes to see the truth.

Truth doesnt need fancy podium talk or news set fancy dressed reporters.

Truth always is concise and very simple to obtain. It is all the mess on the wall thrown at it that makes it difficult to get at.



Cheers!!!!

reply to post by SR


Thats what makes this situation really suck for me, I can see both sides.

Yeah I would not just sit there and take rocket fire from Hamas if it endangered my wife and kids!

on the flip side

The Palestinians are with their backs to the wall, anybody in that situation would fight back.

There are no winners only losers in this crises.

I think both sides need to drop the old and tired view of
An eye for an eye
Start talking honestly with each other

What am I saying?

This is Israel and Palestine we are talking about
Never mind


[edit on 5-1-2009 by SLAYER69]

Just goes to show right and wrong don't really exist, it's all just a matter of perspective.
This same idea can be applied to any conflict I'd think.