MD and Krasnow are both right

Submitted by Abu Nudnik (Canada), Sep 16, 2009 at 01:59

I agree... I see no reason to celebrate "symbolic" concessions with "symbolic" concessions or gestures... these just prolong the delusions on both sides. It reminds me of a conversation I had with a Jewish Morrocan and an Egyptian Muslim on the night of Sept 11, 2001. "They were insane," said the Egyptian, "the important thing is not ot over-react." I answered they were evil, not insane, and the action should be met with massive force - massive enough to let it be known what the consequences of such an act would be if ever repeated. My Moroccan friend took a completely different tack, speaking softly and agreeing... I went up to him later and asked him whether or not he really expressed what he thought. He answered: "No, of course not. But I've lived among these people all my life: they lie to me, I lie to them. We get along that way."

Also agreed, the fury of the SA king says it all. The very idea that he should have to play tit for tat with his neighbours to coexist says volumes about his deep-seated opposition to the state of Israel. The deligitimization of Israel proceeds apace. That the settlements should be the argument also speaks volumes. If I were to suggest no Muslims should live in Topeka, I'd sure get the treatment wouldn't I? Why not if you say no Jews should live here, there or anywhere? And the 3 state solution is something I back too. Of course, this is one more reason for rejectionism. They don't need reasons but they like to collect them anyway.

In the end we seem to be talking about a people who have an idee fixe: that Israel will go away if enough pressure is brought to bear. In this light, Obama's effort is almost a form of unconscious sadism. I'm sure he doesn't mean it, but giving hope to both sides is to make this endless war last even longer. Three wars, terrorism and Israel is still there. Also still there are backward Arab nations whose incomes are tiny compared to Israel because they'd rather fight their neighbours than get a life.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".