Contrary to what you write, the organizations that promote bombing do so out of hatred. Not one of them state "give us a homeland and we will stop bombing." Instead, they say, "we will never stop bombing until you disappear."
IF there is a general expressed and accepted policy among the Palestinians and their leaders that Israel can exist side-by-side with a Palestinian state and that everything possible will be done to root out the militants who have sworn never to stop bombing, then there is room for progress. A bombing or two in the interim should not prevent Israel from pursuing peace as long as peace is the achievable and mutually desired objective.
You need to recognize that peace with Israel is not the objective of the Hamas or the Islamic Jihad bombers.
My voice... u are basically saying the same thing as I do, even though you may think you are saying something different.
Hamas or Islamic Jehad have no interest in peace. Their aim is to wipe out the state of Israel. There is no point in making the whole peace process hostage to Hamas or IJ. It is in the interest of everyone to realize the ground realities, stop living in fantasy worlds of their own and the peacemakers of both nations should come forward and carry the burden.
At the same time, all parties must recognize that Palestinians are not a homogenious and conformist nation. They have different factions amongst themselves, just as every other community has. One would hope, and pray, that a majority amongst them favors peace and two-states-living-side-by-side policies. Therefore, those in power, should re-inforce the hands of the peacemakers of Palestinian community, instead of reversing whatever little progress is made everytime there is a bombing in Jerusalem carried out by Hamas.
It is equally important for Israelis to recognize that a depleted security apparatus of Palestinian Authority can not be expected to stop the bombings which armed-to-teeth Israeli Defence Forces have not been able to stop in years. Much more important than that, is to provide a solid hope and light at the end of tunnel to the Palestinian people. If they see their state become a reality, then chances are they will be able to rein in the elements amongst themselves who incite people to violence and bloodshed.
To expect that Mehmud Abbas will mysteriously put an end to all violence, right now, is unfair and unrealistic. Sharon and his team must be mature enough to realize that bumps will happen, and if they stop the peace process because a 19-year old decides to blow himself up in a pizza shop, then this initiative will die just as many others have died before this.
Faisal:
It sounds as if we are in pretty close agreement. The emphasis that I make though is on the Palestinians' acceptance and/or receptivity to hosting the terrorists within their midst.
I agree that the apparatus is not there for Abbas to stop all terrorist bombings. BUT, that cannot be used as an excuse for allowing Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders to establish offices in and operate freely from Palestinian territory.
I was always amazed when the IDF had enough intelligence to kill (with a missile no less) a terrorist leader going to dinner in a car while Arafat, when he had the infrastructure to do something, apparently didn't even know where the guy lived. Everyone knew where the leaders officed and where they lived. There needs to be a commitment to, at least, expel if not arrest these terrorists and their followers. When they have a police force, the Palestinians cannot just ignore the Hamas bomb-maker's house in downtown Jenin. They can't just look the other way when the guy in the suicide bomb vest gets into a cab bound for Tel Aviv.
I'm sure it will never be possible for a Palestinian state to guarantee that no suicide bombers will ever kill Israelis in pizza parlors and malls. A good faith effort to get rid of the scum is enough. Teaching that suicide bombing is not acceptable is enough. Arresting and jailing aiders and abettors is enough.
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*Originally posted by Awam ki Awaz: *
Could it be for PR - media sound bites?
Sincerely doubt the zionists are going to significantly dismantle the illegal constructions and vacate comprehensively the occupied territories; will probably come up with some feeble excuse and then use the Palestinian objections as reason for "peace process" grinding to a halt - deja vu.
Maybe he's using this current stance to try and avoid being prosecuted as the butcher of Sabra & Shatila.
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I could be mistaken..but the road for peace..is a road for peace. Those that continue to live outside the borders of the road..are subject to the laws of the land that they reside.
Wish it was those that continue to "love outside the borders" but that would be pressing the subject wouldn't it?
So..possibility exists that there are jewish settlements in palestinian territory and palestinians in jewish territory.