Who brings up the "Palestine gibberish?" I DO!

Submitted by Pro-Israeli Democrat (United States), Dec 9, 2006 at 11:09

Are you ready for a shocker. The Muslims don't bring up what you call "the palestine gibberish..." I AM THE ONE WHO DOES, AND I DO IT ABOUT 100% OF THE TIME!! I probably talk about the Arab-Israeli conflict more than anyone. I'm basically on my way to becoming a part-time debator. For me, debate is almost a hobby, and I enjoy debating the Arab-Israeli conflict with those who have opposing views to my Pro-Israeli stance.

I favor the two state solution but am not afraid to tell my Muslim friends that the Palestinians, first and foremost need to stop blowing themselves up and prove that they want peace. At this time, that is unlikely, so Israel must do whatever it needs to do to defend itself. I also point out that the Palestinians have been brutalized by the thugs governing the other Middle Eastern countries, especially Saudi Arabia and Syria, and they recognize that (Did you also know that the Quran says that Jerusalem is for the Jews...see what Khaleel Muhammad says). As for calling me an ape or pig behind my back? I find that unlikely, for the majority of the people these Muslims associate with are non-Muslims (I am Jewish, albeit non-practicing).

There was a time (until about 2 years ago) when I felt much the same way about Islam as you probably do today. Most of what I knew about Islam came from 9/11 (and the Bali bombings).

Actually, Daniel Pipes' interviews and writings were one of many sources for my change of heart (and this is surprising, because people often dismiss him as an Islamophobe). As he points out, the enemy is Islamism...NOT TERRORISM, AND NOT ISLAM ITSELF. I may be jumping the gun here (Please tell me if I am wrong), but I would assume that you consider Islam as a whole to be "the enemy" and that the solution to the problem is to destroy Islam. I understand how you feel, but it is not an option. We need to prop up, support, and give credit to the moderates who are brave enough to stand up (The likes of Khaleel Muhammad, Irshad Manji, Stephen Schwartz, Akbar Ahmed, Asra Nomani, Kamal Nawash, Zhudi Jasser, and Seeme Hasan) instead of dismissing them (many of these Muslims even supported, and still support, the Iraq War, something that I cannot even say for myself, as I strongly opposed it). You should familiarize yourself with some of these voices. You should also buy Irshad Manji's "The Trouble with Islam Today." Here are some valuable websites:

* Muslims for America

* Free Muslims Coalition

* Muslim Refusenik

* Center for Islamic Pluralism

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