>>>>>>>>>>If the Palestinians disarmed, there would be peace -- for Israel. The Palestinians would still be stateless and would still be subject to Israel putting up walls, invading settlements with tanks, etc. (Which are certainly taken as belligerent acts by the Palestinians).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>As I said in another message, whose fault is it that they're stateless? Not Israel's. As for walls and tanks and all that, it's all been reaction to terrorism (whether you think it's the right reaction or not). Read the history of the area since WWII and see if you really think that Israel is generally belligerent.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Tamar
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>If a person doesn't want to see the truth, he would not see it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I concur with everything you said.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I am not avoiding the truth. I see it as I see it, and I do not come to it with a particular POV. As you do, and Tamar does, and Peter does -- and I AM NOT saying that judgmentally. I am looking at it through the eyes of a U.S. citizen with no known anti-Semitism who thinks Israel has caused the U.S. a whole lot of trouble. That's all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I realize there is a difference when one is part of a group that has been discriminated against. I am fortunate enough not to have been.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't think you're representing the point of view of a typical American here. But if you do, then it's too bad.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>What do you mean by that? That Americans should be extensions of Israeli interests and policy? If so, I disagree vehemently. They've got their country, we've got ours. It's not our job to prop them up and by so doing cause ourselves trouble in an entire region of the world.
>>>>
>>>>Mike, you haven't replied to the post where I criticized you for using the word 'belligerent'. I MUST say that using this word really was one statement too much! You, of course, have the full right to come forward with arguments that are not so pleasant for your opponents. But calling Israel BELLIGERENT is really ridiculous. The word anti-semite comes to mind, but you strongly think of yourself as not being anti-semite, so I'll respect that. But you do show very much indifference for the fate of the jewish people. Too much indifference.
>>>
>>>I know we (I'm Jewish too) have co-opted the word for our own use, but just to be correct about it, one cannot be anti-semitic if one likes arabs.
>>
>>You seem like a good guy -- not out there with an agenda, and you have a sense of humor, always a plus in my book. So let me ask you. Do you think I am anti-Jewish? I don't think I am. I am perhaps anti-Israel, especially the role Israel has played in the U.S.'s perception elsewhere. And maybe I enjoyed a smile at the consternation over Hamas's election victory. But I do not think of myself as prejudiced against any group. It's all a pageant, really.
>
>Of course, I have no way to know for sure who you really are inside, but I haven't seen anything that you've said here that makes me think you're a racist of any description. Like you, I do not feel that Israel is blameless in this mess, but I think I'm less adamant about it. There is little question in my mind that the Israelis are surrounded by people who would like to destroy them, and that demonstrates the axiom that "you're not paranoid if they are really out to get you." Having said that, I certainly have to wonder how I would feel about the new owners if the U.N. voted to take away my house and give it to somebody else.
>
>I'm also not real happy about the idea of bulldozing someone's home with the family still in it.
>
>Still, I do feel that Israel is less to blame than their foes. As far as the U.S. is concerned; the U.S. has always been of the opinion that "we good, them evil". I always think of the U.S. forays into other's politics as as sort of an American's view of a football or basketball game. "We will prevail because... get ready for it... God is on our side." Since the U.S. fought so hard against the idea of allowing U.N. troops to interfere in Rwanda, and then attacked Iraq over non existent WMD's, I think their credibility is suspect and they should probably stay home and reflect for a while.
>
>In the battle to make the rest of the world into one's own image, I'd say the U.S. is ahead on points.


Thank you for the thoughtful response. I agree with you that the U.S. should stay home and reflect for a while.