Jan 02 2009
Israeli’s and Hamas
I was trying to avoid commenting on the situation in the Middle East. However, after seeing photos and video slideshows of which I’m sure the media chooses to suit their own needs and biased opinions, I have to speak out.
The fighting and devastation with thousands of innocent people and children being massacred is outrageous. What infuriates me is the fact the our Secretary of State Rice is trying to negotiate a cease fire which in theory is fine but negotiate means just that, negotiate. It does not mean telling people what they should not be doing. It is the policy of the Bush Administration as we all know not to talk with what they consider terrorist organizations. Does anyone notice here the “pot calling the kettle black?” In my opinion what the Bush administration has been doing for the last eight years is no different than what they consider to be terrorist acts.
The problem is that self righteous it’s my way or the highway attitude. There need to be talks and negotiations between the Israeli’s and Hamas. There needs to be someone who can lead in a diplomatic non biased way in order to build non violent relationships between the two parties. Without diplomatic negotiations peace will never reside in that part of the world. Someone needs to take charge sooner rather than later.
If that means negotiating with terrorists then let’s do just that. Both parties need to sit down and talk with a non biased mediator. This is the only route to understanding. Once there is understanding peace is the next step.
Very well said. There are times its best to use negotiation as it was meant to be used: to help figure out a problem to the best of both sides. I hope they can still do this and do so soon.
You people don’t get it. While I don’t support all of Bush’s tactics and decisions (nobody with any integrity can regardless of their level of conservatism), he is correct that you cannot negotiate with terrorists. Why, because terrorists have openly chosen to pursue paths outside of the law as well as common decency in hopes of achieving their goals.
It is all well and good to say we need understanding, but Hamas is well enough understood: despite a cease-fire, they have been lobbing mortars and firing rockets into Israel for the last couple months, and their openly admitted goal is the destruction of Israel. Why would Israel sit down to talk with them? What could possibly be gained? Perhaps another cease-fire that Hamas won’t abide by? More concessions on the part of Israel with nothing given in return?
Talking with a group you can’t trust yields no good.
While I both agree and disagree I thank you both for your opinions and comments.
Unfortunately when parties keep blaming each other and don’t take responsibility for their own actions that is where conflick arises. If people can be responsible then they will do good and see the best in others. I love your point of view.
I have to agree with Cynic on this idea. It seems like it would be a good idea about getting both sides to come in and talk. But the truth to the matter is how do you negotiate with terrorists that believe they must destroy Israel. How do you get a group of people to talk about peace when they believe that they must not just beat you up but kill every last one of you? Sort of like the idea that with stronger gun control laws in the United States would drop the amount of gun violence in the country. Well that idea sounds great and in theory looks like a great idea. But the idea of criminals following laws is absurd, if they did then they wouldn’t be criminals.
It is devastating to me to see innocent people killed, on all sides of a conflict. Many times, in my nursing rounds, I walk by the newborn nursery and pause for a minute to see the babies, lying next to each other in their bassinets, all ethnicities, religions, born free of prejudice, their only concern at the moment is that they are dry and that their tummies are full.
Hatred is an acquired emotion. It is taught to our children. Would that they never learn it from their parents or the world around them. Sadly they do, and wars happen. In some places, children never know a world without bombs and terror.
I think it is a bit idealistic to hope for true negotiation, with both sides meeting to work on issues because I think there are those who truly don’t want peace. They are totally intent on their goals of annihilation of “the enemy” and do so with a religious fervor and await their rewards in eternity. They may come to the table but cease fires are temporary. I want peace,
believe me, I just wonder how possible it is. I also wonder how we can always think we are the peace keepers. Look at Viet Nam.
Thank you all for reading and commenting.