Comments on: In Defense of Liberal Zionism

By: אבי קסנר

אבי קסנר — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:52:13 +0000

The only way I can understand that settlements "undermine peace", is if you assume that Palestine does not allow Jews to live in their lands even if they want to. It assumes that "peace" means the restriction of Jews from Jewish holy sites and historical places of interest.
Such a state is not viable as Jews will always want to live near and visit historic and religious sites that pepper the Shomron.
Settlements only mean more and nicer infrastructure for the future Palestinian State. That is assuming of course that a Palestinian state is not just another reason for the deportation, and exclusion of Jews in the Middle East.

By: אבי קסנר

אבי קסנר — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:43:54 +0000

Sorry, but the Palestinian situation is purely a humanitarian issue. Their government doesn't give them a free press. Their government steals money intended for food and infrustucture and spends it on their own grand houses. Their government teaches them hate and lies and the people suffer a humanitarian crisis that should not exist.
NGOs need to educate the Palestinians about a Free Press.
NGOs need to educate Palestinians that dignity is not something another group can give to you or take away from you.
NGOs need to educate Palestinians that they have been used by dictators and their lives will only be better if they seek out economic opportunities without the help of their corrupt governments.
NGOs need to help stop the government from using false text books and not let the people accept lies such as statements that Hamas destroyed Barak's house.

Maybe if the problem was actually treated like a humanitarian one, the Palestinians would be better off.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:05:20 +0000

Deborah–did you read a copy of Meshal's speech? For him occupied land is all of Israel. He clearly calls for the wiping out of Israel. Also why were the Arab states committed to the destruction of Israel before the 6 day war? There was no occupation then.

By: Deborah Gordon

Deborah Gordon — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:42:30 +0000

The comment below is a good indication as to why the Palestinians are under occupation; and it has nothing to do with "destroying" Israel and everything to do with propaganda, including the propaganda that Israel isn't really an occupier; it's merely defending itself from the savages over which it's ruled. This is the logic of colonialism, and you don't end colonialism by pretending there are two "sides" that are equal, and they should have bilateral "negotiations" in which one side, the colonist, dictates to the other.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:54:27 +0000

You're way off–it's very simple. Many Israelis viewed the Gaza withdrawal as a test case. The results clearly show that the conflict has nothing to do with "occupation" or territory. It is all about the Palestinians wanting to destroy Israel. The speeches in Gaza (though the world largely ignored them) show exactly what the Palestinian agenda is. This is the truth and basing strategy on wishful thinking won't help to solve problems.