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Contributor: Vox
Date: 2003-03-17 19:14:29
You wrote:
"... I see the polarization of opinion toward one side or the other as a major part of the problem as opposed to part of the solution. I would have to cite comments such as the following as a prime example: "IMO Israel is ..."
I wish to correct you on your mistaken assumption.
IMO, there is no polarization as I only stated my opinion of Israel. I did not compare Israel to any other entity so that can be no polarization. Perhaps you subconsciously believed that I would naturally criticize Israel in deference to the Palestinians. My views were absolute - Israel is completely dysfunctional and its policies are unsustainable regardless of whom it is oppressing.
Israel is a total failure because it believes it can only exist by subjugating another people. The "fact" that, as you say, (Israel) can boast of "... a public health, education and transportation system which puts Canada's to shame..." only demonstrates how inhumane its policies are.
If a government can afford to be so generous to its own people then how can it justify its cruel and indiscriminate policies of punishing and crushing another people? It is curious that you should used a materialistic measure to validate your contention that Israel is not dysfunctional. IMO a person is most dysfunctional when he/she values material trappings beyond that of showing human dignity to another.
By its reprehensible and ineffective policies, the Israeli government is actually robbing its own people of the soul that it claims the Jewish faith bestows them with. I grant that you have visited Israel and the West Bank but I gather you did not visit any Palestinians while you were there. I personally have no desire or need to visit either of those places. I do admit I am making my judgement from a distance and I am open to more illuminating views if you have them.
Finally, I wish to add that I also have a very poor impression of the Palestinian "representation". I understand the impossible situation Israel finds itself in when it is expected to work with the corrupt Palestinian Authority. However, Israel's policy of indiscriminate punishment and annexation of people's homes will only create more injustice and justify future opposition. The tragic death yesterday of 23-year old Rachel Corrie should be a graphic example of how out-of-control Israel's aggressive policies have become. How can anyone believe their mission is so important that they would even risk driving a bulldozer over a defenseless young woman who is only trying to prevent destruction of people's homes? Can you now say "dysfunctional"?
Israel seems bent on achieving "victory" by successfully oppressing its detractors and non-Israeli inhabitants. It is a hopeless cause because it will never find peace this way. Locating Israel in Palestine was a big mistake from the beginning - a mistake that the European nations as well as Canada and the US must share equally with Israel, for it was the rejection of the Jews by these nations that led them to find a separate home. IMO, if Israelis want to be free from the threat of violence, an original goal for a homeland, they must co-exist and blend in more with the peoples of the region. Otherwise, Israelis will continue to live with an "outpost" mentality and the violence will only become more tragic.
Vox Canadiana
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