tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post7709062775325245148..comments2024-03-23T10:20:15.689+00:00Comments on Léargas: Peace comes dropping SlowMáirtín Ó Muilleoirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15088662505129211196noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-21146002086190318542010-09-06T18:45:33.656+01:002010-09-06T18:45:33.656+01:00Gerry, I wish I could share in your hopeful outloo...Gerry, I wish I could share in your hopeful outlook...<br /><br />But it seems to me, the most sobering obstacle to these Middle East peace negotiations will prove to be NOT the vast political differences between the Israelis and Palestinians but the reality of the political situation in the U.S. and Europe. Current governments in both are lacking not only any measurable electoral mandate but also any reasonable amount of public confidence, be it for domestic or foreign policy. I doubt seriously that many in the U.S. will venture much optimism for our president's ability to broker peace in one of the most contentious and difficult conflicts the world has known when his own country - and party - seem to be crashing down around him. And I think there are those in Europe who have similar sentiments, where their own governments' abilities are concerned. And as you know all too well, without some voter-supported outcry, or at least some popular political leverage in this regard, peace is near impossible...if for no other reason than it does not rank as an immediate priority for U.S. and European voters. Our leaders, the voters have well indicated, have "bigger fish to fry" and many may see achieving peace in the Middle East as an exercise in arrogance and a futile waste of time and resources.<br /><br />Even more distressing, there seems to be a new wave of reactionary conservatism (often coupled with varying degrees of largely anti-Muslim xenophobia) sweeping across the West that I fear will prohibit many from having any sympathy whatsoever for the plight of the Palestinians. When a majority of the West (and I feel, unfortunately, that this is not a gross overstatement) believe that one party in the negotiations (i.e., Israel) has a sizable moral and philosophical advantage over the other, there is little chance that there will be any widespread support for concessions to the Palestinians. For this reason, the Israeli government has very little motivation to offer any. Peace, one may argue, is reason enough but the political machine—granted, ANY political machine—seems capable of disregarding the death toll once political maneuvering begins, when the cries of the grieving and outraged are easily drowned out by the cogs as they spin.<br /><br />The Northern Ireland peace process had the "advantage" (feel free to insert incredulous snorts here) of having two "white" parties, both ultimately Christian, who were more culturally identifiable to most Westerners than their Palestinian counterparts. Even the majority of people, who we hope do not harbor any outright resentment or prejudice toward Muslims, are still perplexed and somewhat – let’s face it - put off by women covered head to toe and public calls to daily prayer. Regardless of how adamantly one believes in the concept of religious and cultural freedom, many aspects of Muslim life are entirely foreign to most members of Western societies…and this inability to empathize - to see the process from the Palestinian perspective - coupled with the shifting political winds in the West will, I fear, prohibit any real measure of progress towards lasting peace.<br /><br />I do, however, hope that my fears prove unjustified...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-81638911774952582022010-09-06T06:14:26.133+01:002010-09-06T06:14:26.133+01:00You've nailed it down there Gerry and outlined...You've nailed it down there Gerry and outlined the issues for negotiation very succinctly.<br /><br /> "A viable Palestinian state; Israeli occupation of Palestinian land; water rights; refugees; prisoners; the Seperation wall, and jerusalem.<br /><br />You don't have the hang-ups about the Jews that most Europeans- old world and new- have.<br />I believe those hang-ups stem from self-loathing and self-rejection and are expressed in a delusional sychophancy that lead to a blind collaboration with zionism.<br /><br />The Jews themselves have made a dogs dinner out of the whole zionist project of creating a jewish homeland in the middle east. They've been digging their own grave, as a people, for well over a hundred years.<br /><br />To go about living in the heart of arabia in the way that they have is nothing short of madness and the truth is there are no excuses that wash at the end of the day.<br /><br />A whole new approach is what's needed and I've no doubt they can salvage something from this through co-operation with the Palestinians and a thoughtful repentance. The arabs aren't a bad lot as long as they are respectd and treated like human beings and Islam is a nice eneogh religion even if it's not for the European or the Jew.Michealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02310793974335095318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-46042222116679994982010-09-06T03:43:32.482+01:002010-09-06T03:43:32.482+01:00Peace in Israel/ Palestine is key to the peace in ...Peace in Israel/ Palestine is key to the peace in the world. It is important to all the citizens of the world to try to work towards some sort of peaceful outcome. As to how to do that, that's a tall order. Would be nice to have a strong leader, somewhere, anywhere.LWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16508867152429983290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5004730508631468243.post-79212764114204859402010-09-04T15:52:12.380+01:002010-09-04T15:52:12.380+01:00A good-day to you Gerry.
It is a lifelong effort...A good-day to you Gerry. <br /> It is a lifelong effort to fight for freedom from tyranny. Perhaps more than any other cause, with in the middle east and achieving this will require courageous political leadership,that type of leadship that you have shown. The peace agreement with justice, stability, security and peace for Palestinians and Israelis as with Irish needs are hard pressed.The media at large are not presenting an honest and factual case to the public about the facts that are in question.Thomas Paine wrote in the The Age of Reason:All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Maybe Paine, the Revolutionist was more on the right spot. yes, Gerry We do wish them well in their efforts.Timothy Doughertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03626399091447383952noreply@blogger.com