Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. Anti-Israel protest in South Africa

Anti-Israel protest in South Africa

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
questionannouncement
45 Posts 20 Posters 8 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • M MS le Roux

    I was not aware that the protests were worldwide. I just thought it was a pointless exercise by some angry people. Perhaps if protests occurred in many countries simultaneously it would have an effect.

    C Offline
    C Offline
    ColinDavies
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    MarSCoZa wrote: Perhaps if protests occurred in many countries simultaneously it would have an effect. Why, Would it have some effect on the orbital spin of the planet ? Would they hear us above the gunfire ? I think not ! Protests are for fringe dwelling political leaders to gather support, they don't really alter anything. If these people were not protesting about Israel they would be protesting about something else. Protesters are a life-form below that of cyclists. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies

    Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

    I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

    Z 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • M MS le Roux

      From a story on a local internet site: PALESTINE solidarity groups across South Africa are planning nationwide mass demonstrations on Friday against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank... :confused: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!"

      J Offline
      J Offline
      Jack Handy
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      Isreal is gonna pull out because Bush requested it and Powell is on his way to the mideast. Watch these Africans jump up and down thinking they accomplished something. If I was Bush I would have said the same thing.. that I am requesting Isreal to pull out and cease the military action.. however I would have followed it up by saying that if there is one more act of terrorism I would fully support Isreal in further actions and that we WOULD end the terrorism TOGETHER by force. If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). -Jack To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To a programmer the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

      C A 2 Replies Last reply
      0
      • J Jack Handy

        Isreal is gonna pull out because Bush requested it and Powell is on his way to the mideast. Watch these Africans jump up and down thinking they accomplished something. If I was Bush I would have said the same thing.. that I am requesting Isreal to pull out and cease the military action.. however I would have followed it up by saying that if there is one more act of terrorism I would fully support Isreal in further actions and that we WOULD end the terrorism TOGETHER by force. If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). -Jack To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To a programmer the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

        C Offline
        C Offline
        ColinDavies
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        Jack Handy wrote: If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). Then why should Israel pull out ? When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. :confused: Regardz Colin J Davies

        Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

        I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

        D J M 3 Replies Last reply
        0
        • Z zack

          There will be a demonstration against Israel tomorrow here in Berne ( Switzerland) too. That is an important sign to the address of Sharon, to finally stop repression agains the palestinians. zack:rose:

          M Offline
          M Offline
          Mr Morden
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          And when are the Palestinians going to finally stop blowing themselves up in cafes and restaurants. IMO, there is wrongdoing on both sides, but at least Israel in the past has offered to compromise. Barak put a piece deal on the table years ago that was a huge offering on his part, but because *all* of Jerusalem wasnt on the table Arafat rejected it. One of the problems that I am finding with this whole situation is the very biased one-sided reporting against Israel. When I see a report about a Israeli soldier killing a Palestinian civilian the report pans the Israeli govt and military. Conversely, when I see a report about a Palestian suicide bomber killing twenty in a cafe, there seems to be no negativity towards the Palestinian Authority. Personally I wish that common sense would prevail and that they would all just work it out. In the immortal words of someone famous. "Can't we all just get along?"

          A 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • C ColinDavies

            Jack Handy wrote: If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). Then why should Israel pull out ? When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. :confused: Regardz Colin J Davies

            Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

            I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Daniel Ferguson
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            ****Colin Davies wrote: When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. I fail to see how this is in any way surprising. Americans are the epitome of self-interest. :| "There is a fine line between lunacy and genius; it is my goal in life to keep them guessing just where the line lies..." -- Unknown

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • C ColinDavies

              Jack Handy wrote: If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). Then why should Israel pull out ? When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. :confused: Regardz Colin J Davies

              Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

              I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

              J Offline
              J Offline
              Jack Handy
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              ****Colin Davies wrote: Then why should Israel pull out ? I don't beleive they should without an ultimatum that would be enforced. ****Colin Davies wrote: When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. I think that all terrorism should be fought against, I also think that America needs to fight against the anti-American terrorism while allowing Isreal to fight against anti-Isreali terrorism. I don't think that we are doing such a great job on the latter because of polotics, but we'll see. As far as the rest of the terrorism in the world it needs to be dealt with by someone.. but I don't think America is required to be that someone. -Jack To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To a programmer the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

              C 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • C ColinDavies

                MarSCoZa wrote: Perhaps if protests occurred in many countries simultaneously it would have an effect. Why, Would it have some effect on the orbital spin of the planet ? Would they hear us above the gunfire ? I think not ! Protests are for fringe dwelling political leaders to gather support, they don't really alter anything. If these people were not protesting about Israel they would be protesting about something else. Protesters are a life-form below that of cyclists. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies

                Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

                Z Offline
                Z Offline
                zack
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                Colin you are just outing yourself about knowing less than nothing about "protesters". :confused: zack

                C 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • M MS le Roux

                  From a story on a local internet site: PALESTINE solidarity groups across South Africa are planning nationwide mass demonstrations on Friday against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank... :confused: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!"

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  Paul Watson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  MarSCoZa wrote: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!" To answer your first question: No, nothing will stop the Israelis and Palestinians fighting short of an armed peace-force. However protests like this can actually make a difference. During apartheid Swiss activists, Pommy do-gooders and many Americans protested in their countries to end apartheid in South Africa. They brought a lot of attention to the plight of the disadvantaged here in SA. When your own people clamour for something the politicians normally, in hope of getting more votes, do something about it. Frankly the world should stop talking and start doing in regards to Israel and Palestine. The momentum there is too great for words to stop it. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge

                  D C 2 Replies Last reply
                  0
                  • P Paul Watson

                    MarSCoZa wrote: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!" To answer your first question: No, nothing will stop the Israelis and Palestinians fighting short of an armed peace-force. However protests like this can actually make a difference. During apartheid Swiss activists, Pommy do-gooders and many Americans protested in their countries to end apartheid in South Africa. They brought a lot of attention to the plight of the disadvantaged here in SA. When your own people clamour for something the politicians normally, in hope of getting more votes, do something about it. Frankly the world should stop talking and start doing in regards to Israel and Palestine. The momentum there is too great for words to stop it. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge

                    D Offline
                    D Offline
                    Daniel Ferguson
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    Paul Watson wrote: nothing will stop the Israelis and Palestinians fighting short of an armed peace-force Twenty or Thirty points of IQ would probably make a difference too. ;) A bit of emotional maturity would be a great help as well. Both sides should stop indoctrinating their children with hatred, and have the decency/strength to move forward. Paul Watson wrote: The momentum there is too great for words to stop it. Well said; I agree. "There is a fine line between lunacy and genius; it is my goal in life to keep them guessing just where the line lies..." -- Unknown

                    J 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Z zack

                      Colin you are just outing yourself about knowing less than nothing about "protesters". :confused: zack

                      C Offline
                      C Offline
                      ColinDavies
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      zack wrote: you are just outing yourself about knowing less than nothing about "protesters". I said Protests are for fringe dwelling political leaders to gather support, And I sincerly mean it, most protesters have good intentions but are commonly manipulated into conducting criminal activity to support the hidden agenda of a political movement. Regardz Colin J Davies

                      Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                      I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

                      J 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • M MS le Roux

                        From a story on a local internet site: PALESTINE solidarity groups across South Africa are planning nationwide mass demonstrations on Friday against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank... :confused: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!"

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        SimonS
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        As a South African, I really wish that ppl in this country would stop shooting everyone else in the foot as far as world affairs goes. Like our president refusing to agree that HIV causes AIDS. Nice...I'm glad I voted DP.:| Cheers, Simon X-5 452 rules.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • J Jack Handy

                          ****Colin Davies wrote: Then why should Israel pull out ? I don't beleive they should without an ultimatum that would be enforced. ****Colin Davies wrote: When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. I think that all terrorism should be fought against, I also think that America needs to fight against the anti-American terrorism while allowing Isreal to fight against anti-Isreali terrorism. I don't think that we are doing such a great job on the latter because of polotics, but we'll see. As far as the rest of the terrorism in the world it needs to be dealt with by someone.. but I don't think America is required to be that someone. -Jack To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To a programmer the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

                          C Offline
                          C Offline
                          ColinDavies
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          Jack Handy wrote: As far as the rest of the terrorism in the world it needs to be dealt with by someone.. but I don't think America is required to be that someone. Yeah, its just last September G.Dubba.Bush asked for the worlds countries to be with or against the USA. In shock a lot of countries said they would help fight terrorism, but it appears that it was only Anti-American terrorism. Many countries have engagements in Afghanistan currently due to this. I guess one mans freedom fighter is another mans terrorist. Regardz Colin J Davies

                          Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                          I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

                          B 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • P Paul Watson

                            MarSCoZa wrote: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!" To answer your first question: No, nothing will stop the Israelis and Palestinians fighting short of an armed peace-force. However protests like this can actually make a difference. During apartheid Swiss activists, Pommy do-gooders and many Americans protested in their countries to end apartheid in South Africa. They brought a lot of attention to the plight of the disadvantaged here in SA. When your own people clamour for something the politicians normally, in hope of getting more votes, do something about it. Frankly the world should stop talking and start doing in regards to Israel and Palestine. The momentum there is too great for words to stop it. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge

                            C Offline
                            C Offline
                            ColinDavies
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            Paul Watson wrote: During apartheid Swiss activists, Pommy do-gooders and many Americans protested in their countries to end apartheid in South Africa. They brought a lot of attention to the plight of the disadvantaged here in SA. When your own people clamour for something the politicians normally, in hope of getting more votes, do something about it. Do you really believe those protests caused a difference? I believe they were communist inspired plots to cause International instability using S.A. as an excuse. Also the Commies wanted S.A.s resources. Regardz Colin J Davies

                            Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                            I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • C ColinDavies

                              Jack Handy wrote: If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). Then why should Israel pull out ? When the USA started its anti Terrorism war last year, It appears to only have been Anti-American terrorism that the rest of the world is expected to fight against. :confused: Regardz Colin J Davies

                              Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

                              I think it's interesting that we often qu-ote each other in our sigs and attribute the qu-otes to "The Lounge". --- Daniel Fergusson, "The Lounge"

                              M Offline
                              M Offline
                              Mike Epprecht
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              Hypothetically... If I go off my lid and blow up the Isreali emabassy, how can Arafat control me? Or be responsable for me? Everyone has their opinions and some people will not even listen to him. It's like the Whites in South Africa saying to Mandela: Tell all the black people to stop their crime. 99% of the criminals will just laugh at Mandela. The Palestinians are freedom fighters. Full stop. Ths USA called the ANC that during apartheid. Cheers Mike Johannesburg, South Africa

                              J 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • M Mr Morden

                                And when are the Palestinians going to finally stop blowing themselves up in cafes and restaurants. IMO, there is wrongdoing on both sides, but at least Israel in the past has offered to compromise. Barak put a piece deal on the table years ago that was a huge offering on his part, but because *all* of Jerusalem wasnt on the table Arafat rejected it. One of the problems that I am finding with this whole situation is the very biased one-sided reporting against Israel. When I see a report about a Israeli soldier killing a Palestinian civilian the report pans the Israeli govt and military. Conversely, when I see a report about a Palestian suicide bomber killing twenty in a cafe, there seems to be no negativity towards the Palestinian Authority. Personally I wish that common sense would prevail and that they would all just work it out. In the immortal words of someone famous. "Can't we all just get along?"

                                A Offline
                                A Offline
                                Anna Jayne Metcalfe
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                John Judd wrote: And when are the Palestinians going to finally stop blowing themselves up in cafes and restaurants. IMO, there is wrongdoing on both sides, but at least Israel in the past has offered to compromise. Barak put a piece deal on the table years ago that was a huge offering on his part, but because *all* of Jerusalem wasnt on the table Arafat rejected it. Only they can answer that one. It's heartbreaking, but I suspect we'll be waiting a long long time. John Judd wrote: One of the problems that I am finding with this whole situation is the very biased one-sided reporting against Israel. When I see a report about a Israeli soldier killing a Palestinian civilian the report pans the Israeli govt and military. Conversely, when I see a report about a Palestian suicide bomber killing twenty in a cafe, there seems to be no negativity towards the Palestinian Authority. Very true. It always seems to me that while we (i.e. the West) are hardened to violence from Palestinian terrorists, we consider Israel to be a civilised (read: Westernised) nation like ourselves and therefore expect them to behave "better" than that. As a result, when incidents like those of the last few days happen, the Israeli government gets slammed by the media. Just my pet theory. :confused: John Judd wrote: Personally I wish that common sense would prevail and that they would all just work it out. In the immortal words of someone famous. "Can't we all just get along?" Anyone with an ounce of compassion and common sense will feel the same. Unfortunately, that doesn't include the terrorists or governments involved. :( Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd

                                Trouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++
                                "I would be careful in separating your wierdness, a good quirky weirdness, from the disturbed wierdness of people who take pleasure from PVC sheep with fruit repositories." - Paul Watson

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • M Mike Epprecht

                                  Hypothetically... If I go off my lid and blow up the Isreali emabassy, how can Arafat control me? Or be responsable for me? Everyone has their opinions and some people will not even listen to him. It's like the Whites in South Africa saying to Mandela: Tell all the black people to stop their crime. 99% of the criminals will just laugh at Mandela. The Palestinians are freedom fighters. Full stop. Ths USA called the ANC that during apartheid. Cheers Mike Johannesburg, South Africa

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  James T Johnson
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  Mike Epprecht wrote: Hypothetically... If I go off my lid and blow up the Isreali emabassy, how can Arafat control me? Or be responsable for me? Arafat supports Hamas and gives the families of suicide bombers money, not to consol their loss but because they were a martyr. Is that enough? James Sonork: Hasaki "I left there in the morning with their God tucked underneath my arm their half-assed smiles and the book of rules. So I asked this God a question and by way of firm reply, He said - I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays." "Wind Up" from Aqualung, Jethro Tull 1971

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • J Jack Handy

                                    Isreal is gonna pull out because Bush requested it and Powell is on his way to the mideast. Watch these Africans jump up and down thinking they accomplished something. If I was Bush I would have said the same thing.. that I am requesting Isreal to pull out and cease the military action.. however I would have followed it up by saying that if there is one more act of terrorism I would fully support Isreal in further actions and that we WOULD end the terrorism TOGETHER by force. If they bomb after Isreal pulls out this time (and we all know they will) they OBVIOUSLY do not want peace (and we all know they don't). -Jack To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To a programmer the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

                                    A Offline
                                    A Offline
                                    Andrew Torrance
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #20

                                    What makes you think that the view of the USA carry any weight whatsoever with the Palistinians ? The USA is a huge financier to Isreal and as such is viewed with suspician from the Palistinian point of view .The Isrealis will listen because of all the money that the US gives it . The biggest possible influence on the Palistinians would be fellow Arab countries such as Saudi , that is why the recent events where Sharon effectively blocked Arrafat from attending the Arab summit was a wasted opportunity. The Palistinians may listen to a European country more than the US , which is odd really because it can be argued that it was because of a huge cock up by us Brits in the way the Palistinian mandate was created that led to this unholy mess in the first place.

                                    J 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • M MS le Roux

                                      From a story on a local internet site: PALESTINE solidarity groups across South Africa are planning nationwide mass demonstrations on Friday against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank... :confused: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!"

                                      Q Offline
                                      Q Offline
                                      qe4109
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #21

                                      MarSCoZa wrote: Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!" It's not only South Africa. See this Christian Science Monitor article.. Mideast conflict fuels global anger

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • M MS le Roux

                                        From a story on a local internet site: PALESTINE solidarity groups across South Africa are planning nationwide mass demonstrations on Friday against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank... :confused: This kind of thing happens here every so often, and I always wonder what the point is. Do these people really think that a protest in South Africa is going to have any effect on the situation in Israel? As if the Israelis are going to say "Ooh, the South Africans are upset, we'd better stop fighting now!"

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        Stan Shannon
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #22

                                        I lose no love for Israel (I think the creation of Israel was about the most stupid thing the world could have done), but to blame Israel in any way for what is going on over there is ludicrous. There is absolutely nothing they can do but fight back. The Palestinians are not fighting for a state, the Arabs are fighting to destroy Israel. There are only two things that can be done to end the violence. 1) The destruction of Israel. 2) The destruction of Islam. The two cannot both exist simultaneously. "There's a slew of slip 'twixt cup and lip"

                                        E V 2 Replies Last reply
                                        0
                                        • S Stan Shannon

                                          I lose no love for Israel (I think the creation of Israel was about the most stupid thing the world could have done), but to blame Israel in any way for what is going on over there is ludicrous. There is absolutely nothing they can do but fight back. The Palestinians are not fighting for a state, the Arabs are fighting to destroy Israel. There are only two things that can be done to end the violence. 1) The destruction of Israel. 2) The destruction of Islam. The two cannot both exist simultaneously. "There's a slew of slip 'twixt cup and lip"

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          Ed2002
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #23

                                          Stan Shannon wrote: but to blame the Israel's in any way for what is going on over there is ludicrous. It's the occupation, stupid M. Bishara [The writer is a researcher at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales and a professor at the American University of Paris. He is also the author of Palestine Israel: Peace or Apartheid.] The situation continues to deteriorate in Israel/Palestine. What to do? Blame the Palestinians? Implore the parties to stop the violence -- at least for a week, as Ariel Sharon demands, or perhaps region by region, as Shimon Peres proposes? Build a wall between the two peoples? Or how about getting rid of Arafat, as the Israelis army insists? Better get rid of Sharon... Or, while you're at it, why not get rid of both? Alas, the list goes on, ignoring the factor that has prolonged the conflict and blocked the peace: the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. If the subject of occupation and illegal settlement in the occupied territories is not dealt with directly and quickly, it will continue to fester and move the region toward conflict. The Lebanese and Bosnian scenarios are being discussed seriously in the region. The Intifada is already turning into a classical colonial war. The latest debacle surrounding the Karine A only goes to confirm this. As long as the Israeli army continues to bombard Palestinian cities with its F-16s and Apache helicopters, Israel can expect no less than resistance from a people under occupation. Many initiatives are on the table, but most look for ways to calm the "security situation" under occupation -- surely a contradiction in terms. US special envoy Anthony Zinni is pointing to the so-called Dahania understanding between Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat as the basis for breaking the security impasse. And then there are the Tenet points, referring to the CIA director's plan to implement the Mitchell Report, commissioned internationally and made in America, which highlighted the need for a freeze on Israeli settlements -- all settlements. But to arrive at durable peace rather than a useless cease- fire under occupation will require going beyond a "freeze" to the outright dismantling of most if not all the settlements that constitute extra-territorial entities on Palestinian land. Today all the flashpoints involve scarcely inhabited settlements in the heart of Palestinian communities. Taking them out is long overdue. The Israeli government has done exactly the opposite,

                                          S 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups