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To achieve a "change of heart"?

Reader comment on item: U.S. to Israel: Do As We Say ...

Submitted by Alain Jean-Mairet (Switzerland), Jul 4, 2003 at 15:51

I can understand that it is better, more efficient and balanced, to let Israeli "solve" their problem with Palestinian extremists by themselves. But I can't see how to condone their "self-protection" will achieve, of in any way contribute to achieve, the undergoing of a change of heart among Palestinians?

I think that the present position of Israel would be perfect anywhere else on earth. But this is the "holy land". "God" ordered to fight till death for protecting it. Hence to "steal" it, as Palestinians are led to perceive the situation, ie the very existence of (the state of) Israel, constitutes an unpardonable act of violence. This is enough, in this particular region, for "justifying" (don't get me wrong---it is not justified, of course) any act of revenge, even generations ahead. Hence just about anything Israel does there will possibly worsen Palestinians' hearts.

Is there some reflection going on about a genuine way to support this "change of heart"? The Road Map might help a bit, but not just by itself. And it doesn't say a word about that quite central issue. Who will teach peace there? The PA? Israel? The U.S.? The U.N.? And how? As in Iraq, the difficulties won't vanish because no-one treats them seriously.
Submitting....

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Reader comments (63) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Little satan [32 words]JerryNov 13, 2008 05:48142843
Terrorist groups [71 words]TheresaNov 7, 2005 14:2127895
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Sad but true. [99 words]Gregory DeychJul 4, 2003 20:179886
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Tactical vs. Strategic [118 words]Paul M. NevilleJul 2, 2003 22:029845
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That's not the problem. [213 words]Ely SilkJul 2, 2003 02:139825
Mr. Pipes: You are the (Best). [108 words]Robert BendaJul 1, 2003 21:179822
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U.S. hypocrisy toward Israel -- Pipes #345 [6 words]Frank VoslerJul 1, 2003 16:069810
Why Would We Expect Anything Else? [111 words]"JB" in PGHJul 1, 2003 16:049809
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U.S. vs. Israel [25 words]Walter D'UllJul 1, 2003 15:499806
Self-evident [51 words]Ivan BarnaJul 1, 2003 15:199804
Kudos [265 words]Earl HartmanJul 1, 2003 15:179803
Well Done! [66 words]AvrahamJul 1, 2003 15:139802
A state of mass hypnosis on the subject of Israel [83 words]Mladen AndrijasevicJul 1, 2003 15:109800
DIPOMACY US STYLE [21 words]ILSE LANGJul 1, 2003 14:599799
US to Israel: Do As We Say... [170 words]Lisa MichelsonJul 1, 2003 14:279797
US Hypocrisy over Israel [202 words]Lindsey BinnieJul 1, 2003 14:079796
Encourage and promote Israel's self-protection [112 words]Bryan BessnerJul 1, 2003 13:529795
American Hypocracy [98 words]Etta HellerJul 1, 2003 13:229794
Hypocrisy and worse [198 words]Glenn KlotzJul 1, 2003 12:549793
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Yes; but nevertheless [263 words]John W. McGinleyJul 1, 2003 12:199790
Thanks for restating this clearly [132 words]Ellen Ben-EliahuJul 1, 2003 12:119789
Exactly right! [19 words]Marv JohnsonJul 1, 2003 11:559787
Double standards still apply [23 words]JSGJul 1, 2003 11:509786
Repercussions [122 words]Ilona MelstradsJul 1, 2003 11:339785
The US should stay out of Israel's business [74 words]Hazel CrowleyJul 1, 2003 11:319784
mother of all races [17 words]eagleSep 13, 2007 00:329784
America Leave Israel alone to protect themselves. [142 words]Donald R. BairdMar 13, 2008 18:089784

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