basic tenets

Submitted by Yuval Brandstetter MD (Israel), Jul 23, 2006 at 18:14

Israel has a war to win because it has deliberately disregarded some basic Middle Eastern tenets

1. Borders. a. For the Jew a border means an agreement to conduct life differently on either side, while still maintainning good relations across. For the Muslim a border is an affront, to be violated when the opportunity presents. b. for the Jew a chance for the incompatibles to co-exist. For the Muslim, the line from which the next phase of conquest starts.

2. Agreements: for the Jew, a sacred obligation to be observed even if uncomfortable or expensive, or even dangerous. For the Muslim, an interim cessation of violence so as to prepare the violation of the agreement when the time is ripe.

3. Deadline: For the jew, utmost effort to achieve results by the self-inflicted toll of the clock. For the Muslim, deadlines do not exist.

4. Reality: for the Jew, and constant test of theory against facts. For the Muslim, the world as Islam would have it, with the Muslim always above and beyond reality, and the non-believers always vanquished.

5. State: for the Jew, a tool for the creation of sovereignty and improvement of life. If the government sucks, it is replaced by popular vote in transparent elections. For the Muslim, a tyranical creation designed to maintain the supremacy of one sect over the others. If the sects are equally powerful, mayhem ensues.

6. Religion: For the Jew, an important aspect of life, one of many aspects, such as justice, administration, national esprit, etc. religion may be made fun of, even ridiculed, without fear For the Muslim, religion is all (the family a close second) it cannot be criticised, or ridiculed, or caricaturised, on pain of death.

7. Life: for the Jew, a cherished boon given by the Lord, never to be abused or wantonly destroyed. For the Muslim, a chance to achieve immortality by denying the maximum number of the life-lovers their wishes to live life to the full.

8. Truth: For the jew, speaking and searching for the truth are core values. Deliberate lying a severe vice. For the Muslim, misrepresenting truth, or lying, even to himself, are part of normal discourse.

9. Empathy: For the Jew, empathy for the other is extolled, even exaggerated (see the demonstrations in the Rabin Plaza in empathy with Lebanese casualties) For the Muslim empathy extends to family clan tribe in decreasing orders of magnitude, but never to unbelievers. The suffering of the Enemy is a source of joy and mirth, as seens of the roofs of Taybe when Saddam's rockets slammed on Tel-Aviv.

10. Killing: for the Jew, an ugly unbecoming activity, done only if all other avenues to compromise have been exhausted. For the Muslim, a hallowed activity cherished and revered as the true expression of devout Islam, sanctified by tradition and Kur'an, under the name of Jihad.

If some one will be so kind as to explain these tenets to Kofee Annan, and the Guardian, and New-York times, ad infinitum, then most confusion about the Middle East is likely to clear up.

In no way is this response disparaging of Muslims, especially Arab Muslims. Just pointing out the incompatibilities.

Y Brandstetter MD

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