After the devastating second world war and occupation of Japan by America and Germany by Allied forces, Americans worked hard in the reconstruction effort of Japan and Germany. The American occupation of Japan ended by 1955. Today Japan is one of the most trusted ally of America.
If the same post second world war philosophy would have been adopted by Israel after winning 1967 war and if Israeli occupation would have ended and the reconstruction of Palestine state would have taken place then today middle east would have been a peaceful region and Palestine would have become a trusted ally of Israel. With current Israeli philosophy of massacre and murder, Israel would never gain peace in the region. Many Hezbollah and Hamas would emerge in the future.
History teaches us a lesson and Israel should have learnt and used that lesson.
Re: Post Second World War Philosophy could have created a peaceful middleeast
I was just thinking about this. Forget the events in the 40s, the Americans could have still learned the lesson with Iraq in 2003. When they occupied Germany, it was a two pronged long term effort: undo what Hitler had done and turn Germany into a friend. In the mid 1950s, their efforts paid off and Germany exploded economically. There was massive cultural involvement and cultural exchange (e.g. opening up libraries) and goodwill (care packages with peanut butter). Money was pumped into welfare (e.g. they went aroung weighing people to guage malnourishment). Compare this with Iraq: all effort was limited to military. There has been little to no reconstruction, the insurgency is eating the country alive, the language was couched in terms like "enemy" (whereas the effort by the Allies had been to turn Germany into a friend). Americans could have done so many things differently and retained that reputation they built after the World Wars.
Re: Post Second World War Philosophy could have created a peaceful middleeast
That would assume that we have visionary leaders in office. Unfortunately, we have presidents and leaders who only profit from war and destruction. Every time Ahmedinejad screams, the portfolios of the Bushies, Saudis and Ahmedinejadis go up a few bucks.
Re: Post Second World War Philosophy could have created a peaceful middleeast
I completely agree with you Sal35. I stated something similar in one of the threads. I think if Israel, instead of demolishing Palestinian property, started building schools, hospitals and institutions where Palestinian kids could go to and have a future, there would be less teenagers who would end up in the hands of terrorists. Once the Palestinian people started seeing the Israelis doing something constructive in their neighborhoods they would be more accepting of Israelis. But if Israel continued to retaliate with force (like they are doing now in Lebanon) they will only reinforce their image as an oppressor and tyrant. They **need **togain the trust of Palestinians and other neighbors (Arab countries) in order to peacefully co-exist with them.
Re: Post Second World War Philosophy could have created a peaceful middleeast
Unfortunately that was the policy of Arabs from the begining, the difference being Israel has won every war and thus are the 'tyrants'. The Palestinians seemingly have never learned that their violent means of protest has never gotten them one darn thing and they own a huge portion of the resopnsibility for their present day plight because of it.
The difference in the analogy as applied to WWII is that the defeated axis powers gave up their violent ways and worked toward prosperity via a peaceful co-existence. The Palestinians never have. Suggesting that by Israel becoming their benefactor and financial supporter would change any of that is naive.
No, Israel is no angel. But please, acknwoledge the fault on Palestinians and Arabs in not trying to co-exist peacefully like the Germans and Japanese did.
Re: Post Second World War Philosophy could have created a peaceful middleeast
The difference in the analogy as applied to WWII is that the defeated axis powers gave up their violent ways and worked toward prosperity via a peaceful co-existence. The Palestinians never have. Suggesting that by Israel becoming their benefactor and financial supporter would change any of that is naive.
No, Israel is no angel. But please, acknwoledge the fault on Palestinians and Arabs in not trying to co-exist peacefully like the Germans and Japanese did.
I agree!