[besieged]

One (of many) explanations of this goes as follows: The Palestinians were promised certain land but Israel continued to allow/encourage settlements on that land thereby incrementally taking power away from the Palestinians. The Barak Peace Plan offered a large percentage of what was originally supposed to be Palestinian land. This was seen as still incrementally taking land. If it was agreed upon that Palestine consisted of X amount of land, why should they not get all of that land. Israel had established a pattern of incrementally taking Palestinian land (through the settlements) and the Barak Plan sanctioned this. As repulsive as that weasel Arafat is, his actions have some logic if you look at it this way. I am not saying Arafat is necessarily right, but he and the Palestinians think he is right and they are willing to fight for their land - that is not just hate.

Mr. Semper,

When I read your 1st post in this thread, I clicked on your profile fully expecting to find a "disruptor" who has just joined FR. I must say I was shocked to find a long time member of the armed forces.

I am happy to provide some facts or at least puzzles for you to figure out.

Myth: The Palestinians were promised certain land

Yes, and that land is now called Jordan. In fact, originally, in the Balfour declaration, it was the JEWS who were promised that land. But due to the Arab rage over the proposal, the Jewish land was divided in two, then divided in two again... so only 18% of that original "promised land" was actually awarded to Israel. Then, in 1967, when Israel was attacked by the "war loving neighbors", they got their butts kicked and in the process, Israel took over that "west bank", which was at that time Jordan. According to international law, Israel has the right to that land until a negotiated peace is signed with JORDAN! Well, JORDAN does not want that land back, a fact that is conveniently burried by the media. HOW IN THE WORLD does this situation give legitimacy to a terrorist trying to set up his own fiefdom??? Where are Arafat's claims?

Myth: The PLO is fighting for the land

Fact: Israel took over the West Bank in 1967. PLO was established in 1964. Two things to notice: From 1964 to 1967, there was not struggle for liberation, even though the land was "occupied" by Jordan. Also, the credo of the PLO is the destruction of Israel, 3 years BEFORE it occupied the West bank.

I hope you will reflect on these items.

Regards

[Semper]

I hope you will reflect on these items.

What I presented was one account of how the Palestinians see the situation. There are obviously many more perspectives. The point is that some understanding must be reached by both parties which allows a reasonable chance for peace. Nothing gets accomplished by war except to cause enough grief that the parties finally decide to seriously try to work out a solution for peace. If we get sucked into a war over this situation, it will be a net loss for us - no matter who "wins". That is my reflection on the matter.