12-11-2023, 02:16 PM
(12-11-2023, 02:08 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I think understanding historical roots is always a good thing. I also agree with your assessment of the generational divide on this issue and think with more of a historical understanding the divide would be far less stark. Where I disagree is the extent to which understanding the history would help resolve the current situation. While historical context is important, what is far more important is what the situation is right here and now and how do we move forward.
As I have said, numerous times, I take major issue with some Israeli actions. The eviction of people from their homes in the west bank and having "settlers" move right in is particularly egregious and there is major room for Israeli concessions/cessations on this issue. Where there is no room for concession is on the issue of Hamas. Hamas has publicly stated, time and time again, that they will not stop until Israel no longer exists and all its people are dead or fled. There can be no negotiated peace of any lasting value that does not involve the utter destruction of Hamas and a repudiation of Hamas by the Palestinians. Without that foundation all other efforts in this regard are meaningless. It would be like hoping for improvement in racial relations here in the US while simultaneously having the KKK run the government.
Note I am not saying removing Hamas is a panacea for this issue, but their removal is necessary for the process to even start.
The problem is, though, that the Netanyahu government has worked to ensure Hamas is in power because they have seen it as beneficial to the prevention of the two-state solution. So Israel has propped up Hamas over the years and there needs to be a reconciliation with that in order to make changes moving forward. I am in favor of the destruction of Hamas, but we have been kicking this can down the road for far too long. At this point, once this war is over, I am in favor of bringing everyone to the table and telling them either we come up with an equitable solution or we are officially hands off in the area.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
