| LiveReal.org It's our world. Lets unite! Mideast Crisis: Special Report
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What is going on in the Mideast? A writer explains.The Mideast Crisis: The way it could have happened in the Mideast "Mideast" (Arab/Jew - call a spade a spade): Many years ago, I started a project with a "crazy" notion that I could build a "history of the problem" based only on facts that were the same from at least two "neutral" sources. It didn't take much digging to find out that there are NO neutral sources when it comes to this problem. Everyone has pretty much written their own history, printed their own books, and told their own stories - right down from generation to generation. Digging into sources show two basic "sides", divided right down Arab/Jew lines. In "my" history, I divided each paragraph into two parts - each with a notation as to source. I was told by readers from both sides this was too confusing - as often it did not seem to be the same "event". Each agreed that the facts from their side were accurate - according to their history. Even when I pressed about something I thought everyone should agree on - the dates some of the wars started or ended were as much as three years apart - some never even happened. Under these conditions, I would never state anything as fact. Today's headlines can not be understood without at least some of the history from both sides. I can give "general" dates for a few "events" both histories show in one way or another. "Outside" countries have had a big part. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire was divided up by Great Britain taking Palestine, Transjordan, and Iraq; and France taking Syria and Lebanon. The Balfour Declaration (1917) and the Palestine Mandate (1922 League of Nations), started the process of establishing a Jewish state. Influence from Arabs and Churchill's "White Paper" altered the borders of the Jewish nation; giving land east of the Jordan River to an Arab family; to create what is now Jordan. The Jewish Agency proposed to give part of the Palestine Mandate for the creation of an Arab state (1946). Arabs rejected the creation of two independent states - proposing one Arab state. The United Nations voted to create both a Jewish state and an Arab state (1947). Jews living in Palestine agreed to the plan, but it was rejected by Palestinian Muslims. May 14, 1948, Israel was created. May 15, 1948, Israel was invaded by Arabs (Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq). Both sides must have won this war - each wrote their own history. Egypt kept the "Gaza Strip" and Jordan annexed the "West Bank", only recognized by Britain and Pakistan. A large number of Arabs fled the war into the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and other Arab countries (put in refugee camps). In the war/campaign in Sinai (1956-57) Israel captured the peninsula, and then left it to UN forces, acting as a buffer between Israel and Egypt. Egypt and Syria again massed troops near the border in 1973. Launched on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, and supported by other Arab nations, Egypt captured part of Sinai and Syria captured the Golan Heights and began to move into Israel. Russia sent military aid to the two Arab nations, and the United States sent aid to Israel. Israel drove back the Arab forces and began capturing new ground in Syria and Egypt. A UN brokered cease-fire halted the fighting with Israeli troops 25 miles from the Syrian capital, and about 80 miles from the Egyptian capital. The Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt in the next ten years, with peace agreements between Israel and Egypt.
Israel invaded Lebanon to get at the PLO and Syrian troops. Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement for withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon, but Syria refused. Israel slowly pulled out, leaving MNF force in narrow security zone. When the zone was ended (2000), Hezbollah guerillas quickly moved in. And now have "offices" in Lebanon's capital, and several other places. Getting to today's headlines - maybe that have should have been had, for some of those "offices". This is one person’s opinion: Some say that Israel will never win this war. Actually, they have won this war several times - always giving it back because they feel that all religions should be able to visit their respective "holly shrines" (several religions have some in Jerusalem); and with hope/promises of being allowed to live in peace. One of the people who helped me find information (and sometimes understanding) for my paper was an Arab, who's family has lived just outside Jerusalem proper for generations. His story is not unusual for the area. Ancestors and family members have been killed by both sides as they (Arab and Israeli) moved back and forth. The family refused to leave their land. When the Arabs controlled the area, the family "clamed" the land of two of their neighbors (Jews), and on occasion hid them. When Israel controlled the area, the family was accepted by all (admittedly watched), and were "stood up for" by their neighbors. They are citizens of Israel. The one who's information I used was killed (along with several others) by a "suicide bomber" while shopping in a market place. Not that it should matter, but since I know it will be asked, he was/is a Muslim. So was the bomber. I know each person will form their own opinion - and don't expect many to see as I do. I can understand how most could grow up studying history books, and hearing generations of stories; would find it hard to believe it may not all be true. -LiveReal Guest Writer-G.A. Blog about this post I don't think there would be peace if Hezbollah laid down their weapons right now. Israel is always eager for an excuse to bomb any armed Arabs to kingdom come. If Hezbollah laid down their weapons right now, Israel would keep bombing until there was nothing left to bomb. It's telling that Israel, with very good, accurate weaponry, has not limited its bombing to military targets but has destroyed the infrastructure (sewer and water systems, for example) of southern Lebanon. Israel is every bit as vindictive as their neighbors no matter their attempts to paint themselves as victims. It's true that the Arabs want to destroy Israel...it's also true that Israel wants to destroy any Arab in their environs. At least its government does. As I said in another email, there are many Israelis who don't believe these constant wars are necessary, just as there are Americans who don't believe George Bush's war is necessary. Mindy, NC All, The main point is that anyone reading only one book, history, story, or whatever; would never get any concept of this problem. You need to find out who wrote it, and why. Then find some "like" person on the other side who wrote about the same event, and why. Now, look for things that "match", and try to see why other things don't. My path is coming very close to a line I will not cross. A person much smarter than me asked my help (digging takes a lot of time and patience, which I had at the time) well in advance of an event which he expected to happen. He pointed me in the right direction, told me he needed as close to facts as I could come, and how to get them. My paper at the time was like a large bucket verses the few drops in my EM; and contained none of my personal comments - which tend to lean to one side. Remember I said "there are no neutral sources when it comes to this problem". I got "hooked" on this history/problem and have continued to follow it. Yes, I have found Arabs who hate Jews, and Jews who hate Arabs; and I can understand why. But, I have also found many on both sides who have never believed their own "history". Information from Arabs in "refugee camps", from Arabs in Israel, from Arabs in the PLO (back when it was the "true voice"), from Arabs in other countries in the area; from Jews in other countries - . . . If you were "Queen" of Israel, with full power to control everything in the country; what would you do to "live in peace with your neighbors"? I have answered this question, and was not happy with the answer. I hope you can do better than I did. Oh, way above my pay grade. But just for starters, I'd quit treating the Palestinians like we treat Native Americans. I think that would go a long way to soothing relations, don't you? |
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