Relative calm of 2001-03?

Submitted by Stephen E. Connor (United States), Apr 6, 2005 at 08:21

This is the first time that I have heard the second intifada described as a "relative calm." ... As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Since the announcement of the withdrawal and the recommencement of the roadmap, Palestinian violence has declined and Israeli violence has increased. It seems to be that whoever is being threatened with eviction and expulsion reacts with violence. Before when land confiscations and demolitions were evicting and expelling lawful Palestinian residents from their homes they responded to their situation with violence. The typical settler response was "filthy, murderous arabs." Now that the tables are turned and the settlers are the ones facing insecurity and uncertainty (although they have much less considering their compensation packages. Palestians certainly never received such compensation for their confiscated properties.) their reaction is still "filthy, murderous arabs," in addition to "filthy, traitorous Sharon." It appears from this tiny test tube of human existence that people are all the same. Given the same stimuli they produce pretty much the same response. It is really too bad that we so often fail to recognize that.

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