IF tommorow the Palestinian people peacably protested in the street+did so for month

[Az]

Odin is really well-informed. ( Sharon=orthodox. )

[Sirotnikov]

its easy to see why the only people who support Israel in the territories get lynched regularly...

I thought it was because the Palestinain Authority allows for armed terrorist goons on the streets.

[Sirotnikov]

Odin, I'm not sure what's your point. If to go by the instinct that you were serious, you just made a fool of yourself.

[Saint Marcus]

They'd get the state they want much faster then by killing scores of civilians....

doubtful. for one, the Likud party made the pledge never to allow the creation of a Palestinian state, no matter what the situation is (even if all violence stopped). And if the Pals would stop their violence now, the Israelis would assume it's because of Sharons/Likuds actions, and that party will become even more popular.

[Sirotnikov]

Odin, actually thinking about what you said, sometimes during the occupation periods (ie, when IDF is inside the town and in control) IDF does schedule closures if it has info about future protests.

I believe it's more because each such protest has a potencial of evolving into a violent one, which the IDF doesn't want, when it's in the city.

They can have tons of peacefull marches in Gaza, for instance, where IDF is not in control of the streets.

Yet, the only marches are of Hamas, Jihad and Fatah people, shooting automatic rifles into the air, chanting "death to Israel".

[Sirotnikov]

And if the Pals would stop their violence now, the Israelis would assume it's because of Sharons/Likuds actions, and that party will become even more popular.

You're both underestimating our wit and making uneducated predictions.

If the intifada stopped in the last few months, 70% that Labour with Mitzna would have won these elections.

Israelis choose governments that suit their short term goals.

Note that even though Nethanyahu seemed to have reduced terror and minimize demands by the Palestinians, Israelis voted in Barak, knowing he's going to make a very generous offer.

[Sirotnikov]

the Likud party made the pledge never to allow the creation of a Palestinian state, no matter what the situation is

don't make me laugh.

it was the most pathetic show of public relations to win votes from the far right and show inner party support for Nethanyahu.

Most likud members didn't want to make such a commitment. And they punished Nethanyahu (who demanded this vote) as he plunged over 30% in the poles the next day.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Eli
IF tommorow the Palestinian people peacably protested in the street+did so for month... and continued with non-violent protests for a year or two, they would've gotten a state in most of the 1967 borders.

The Israeli public opinion supports an eventual Palestinian state and the removal of settlements.

If Arafat had wanted peace with most of the '67 borders he could have had it two years ago. He choice not to though. What does that say about Arafat's goals?

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
It's hard to have security without peace.

It's hard to have peace without security.

[Saint Marcus]

Most likud members didn't want to make such a commitment.

I believe it passed, did it not?

[Giancarlo]

I got one ting to say: If Arafat adopted the ways of Gandhi, I would win the lottery. Not going to happen.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Oerdin


If Arafat had wanted peace with most of the '67 borders he could have had it two years ago. He choice not to though. What does that say about Arafat's goals?

Correction, he could have had it in '67.

Now, what does this say about Arafat's goals.

[Saint Marcus]

Gandhi was all good and great, still the nation split into a muslim and hindu side, with violence on both sides till this very day. Sure he got his independence, but not an end to violence.

[Az]

Of course, if he'd use violence, all would be great now.

[Saint Marcus]

probably not.

but the moral of the Ghandi story is: non-violence isn't the sole answer either. sadly. it appears people are too fond of violence and revenge.