PEACE FOR ALL SHOULD BE THE FIRST LAW OF MANKIND
We have all seen stories, pictures, articles, film clip, and a myriad other types of communication about the current war in Gaza. I would like to list here the various areas of concern if we are going to really achieve long term peace in this ubber volatile region of the world.
1. For the most part, the crux of the problem seems to be religion based.
The major factions involved here are the Muslims and the Jews. We mustn't forget, however, the other groups that exist here as well, Christians, Druze and others. I feel that until all different factions of the main religions can come together in a peaceful way, the violence will continue performing its ebb and flow tap dance much to the chagrin of just about everyone else in the world.
2. Ownership of land.
This is one of the most heated debates that exist. The Right of Return issue for the Palestinians has some very valid and accurate points of contention. They also have growing concerns over the ever expanding borders of Israel which, necessarily, can only be achieved by denying the owners of the land their property deed. The Israelis counter with the fact that their God had promised them this same territory and so they have a divine right to take whatever they want. There may be other issues that I'm missing here, and all help in identifying other parts of this enigma is greatly appreciated.
3. Right to exist.
Israel complains that the Arab nations which surround it want the Israelis to leave and their country to disappear. They contend that as long as these nations refuse to recognize Israel, bloodshed and violence will continue. There are many instances where Arab leaders have made provocative statements that would lend support to this viewpoint.
4. Terrorism vs Defense.
The Israelis contend, with a lot of proof, that there has been an almost constant attack on Israel coming from different directions. They feel they have to be able to defend themselves against these attacks the best way they can. At the same time, Palestinians claim that Israel is constantly attacking them, taking their land to build illegal settlements, and denying Palestinians even the basics of human existence. They say that they basically have no other way to defend themselves. And again, there is a lot of proof of the validity of their complaints.
5. Mutual Communication
Both Arabs and Israelis have often complained that the other side refuses to hear, to compromise and to agree on even the simplest of terms.
6. World Bias
The Palestinians claim that much of the world has already turned their backs on the plight of the Palestinians and refuses to help them. They point to the strong unilateral support of the world's only superpower, the US, for Israel and how that support often takes the form of military might and a complete disregard of international law. Israel counters that they feel alone in a world that seems to refuse their very right to exist. For them, there is really only one country that supports Israel.
7. Crimes against humanity
Both sides continually point to the other side as being guilty of atrocities of the worst kind and should be punished accordingly. Israel points to the constant barrage of rockets into some areas of Israel and that this has caused PTSD in the children there. The Palestinians counter by saying that the only reason many of their children don't have PTSD is because they are already dead.
There may be other major sticking points and please add if you know of some. I would simply ask that for any point added to this discussion going forward a conscientious effort needs to be made to honor the main viewpoint of all sides involved in that point. And please try to be as neutral as possible when presenting them.
I am SINCERELY interested in creating at least ONE path that will lead us from the house of horrors that we watch on TV news, and the house of horrors the people of the Near East live in today. There MUST be at least ONE path that will culminate in peace and harmony for all. I ask all participants to shine a peaceful eye on path and how to make it become a reality.
Thank you very much for your concern. As much as we suffer in our countries when watching the news of atrocities in the Near East, the people there suffer a thousand times more. This must be stopped, NOW!!