Fundamental Matters

It seems that much of the problem in finding a way to peace in the Middle East is that both sides are telling the truth but only one side is being listened to.

Israel really wants to live in peace, in reasonable security and has no abiding antipathy towards Arabs.

The Arabs do not accept the legitimacy of the State of Israel and have a very vocal, visceral antipathy towards Jews.

For reasons best known to the non-Arab peace negotiators, including the Israelis, and most of the non-Arab public of the world they refuse to accept the Arabs at their vociferous word: We intend to destroy Israel and we intend to destroy the Jews.

They shout this from the rooftops of thousands of Mosques the world over. They shout this from every Arab Capitol . They shout this from every state run newspaper in the middle-east.

They don't just shout this occasionally. They shout it constantly. How is it that such a huge din goes unheard by so many?

Could it be the reluctance of so many to have the discussion that has to be had? Are we afraid to debate the legitimacy of the State of Israel? Are we afraid to point out, clearly, that the Arabs are a civilization bent on genocide?

That Israel is happy to live side by side in secure states isn't surprising. From the Arab point of view it is the same as having someone break into your house and offer to split it with you. A ridiculous proposition of course.

Until the Arabs are able to acknowledge that Jews have had a continuous presence in Israel from biblical times; that the Zionists bought and paid for their land and have a legitimate claim to it; and, that the 1948 partition was a legitimate exercise of political power by the Jews, there is little point to "peace talks".

If they can't acknowledge any or all of the above assertions the result will be perpetual war.

When the Zionist movement was slowly filling much of pre-Israel Palestine with Jews the Arabs demanded the British do something about it. They did but the Jews kept coming anyway. Here in the USA we are watching the Southwest fill up with illegal immigrants. We understand what the Arabs felt like.