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Comments

Eric in New Mexico writes:

SNP, Your group has an interesting history, and I guess my assesment of your's (or any group's) three basic choices touched a raw nerve, precicely because the truth hurts sometimes.
---
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Social_Nationalist_Party

"It was deliberately modeled on Hitler's Nazi Party."
---
You may have dropped the word "socialist", when your group obtained legal status in Syria in 2005, but your group's ideology is modeled after the most prolific genocidal maniac who ever led a government in modern history.

And that's why I say your rhetoric lacks "curb appeal" to the man on the street in your neck of the woods.

Speaking of which, you'll have a hard time convincing anyone that North Koreans came all the way to Syria to build you folks an "animal shelter" in the middle of nowhere, when the Syrian government has already stated that it was a "military installation". Seems the IAEA has more of a clue what's happening in your backyard than you do.

I was also a little suprised to see your unfounded personal attack on my character and insinuations that I somehow profit from the misery of others made it through the moderators of Dipnote, as it openly violates the rules of discussion.

But then the Dipnote staff knows me well enough to know that I handle insult and compliment with equal grace , like water off a duck's back....(chuckle).

If someone officially suggests in the near future that Syria and Israel co-donate the Golan to the proposed Palestinian state, and bulldoze it flat to create land for returning Palestinan refugees to settle on, then my guess would be that folks ran with an idea they found promising.

And credit naturally goes to those that make that decision.

Seeing it become reality would be reward enough for me.

Hamas didn't have to end the ceasefire, didn't have to incite Israeli violence by launching rockets on Israeli citizens, and more to the point, they did so at the urging of Iran to illicit the response Israel promptly rewarded them with.

Note well that my strategic thinking is offered to the US government directly, not to the Israeli government.

If Israel had asked, I would have told them the were being suckered into action they would later regret if the didn't completely remove Hamas. If Abbas cannot stand up a unity government (and I doubt that Hamas will agree to terms), then 3rd party intervention (NATO and the willing) would be in order, since we know what to expect from Israel.

Going back to an earlier post on this thread, I'll repeat what I said here in context to SNP ideology as well, as befitting the history and premis of your group's existance.
---------
"Hamas has become Gaza's latest slum-lord , and thus gives new meaning in my opinion, to the intentionally (posed) iconic photo above , were it to be appropriately captioned, "Fool on a hill."

"Master of all he surveys, he sees not that the destruction wrought upon himself was through years of following a failed, dysfunctional, ideological purpose."

You can fool some of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people unless you're truly fooling yourself first.

Life is hard, but it's harder when you're being stupid."
------
It's nice to know who you're talking with, but often familiarity breeds contempt, and you leave me with nothing but...

Posted on Sat Mar 07, 2009

Jackie in California writes:

After watching so many U.S. Presidents try to resolve the problem between Israel/Palestine I now know it's there Leaders that are the problem. Hamas was elected right or wrong by the people. Hillary just step back and look at the big picture of whats right and wrong. Let the Leaders work out there own problems but listen and always let both know what they have in common to build on. Palestine has fights within and Israel is truely messed up. Look at Olmert charged with corruption what does that say about Leadership. Livni wants to wipe Palestine out and Ben Neyhenya is trying to bring back old failed ideas. Even the Israel people are sick of the hate and crimes by these two. Remember the Hatfields and the McCoys who fought so long they forgot what started it. Bill got close but time wasn't on his side. Now Israel had been seen as who they have become which gives level playing field for Palestine. I watched people of both countries living and learning together. It's the young people who have moved on it's the oldies that hold on to the pass. Don't take sides because both have a point. I'm glad you gave help to the Palestine people after they were attacked by Israel. New Leadership would help with this problem just as it's working in the U.S. now. But it's up to the people to make those changes.

I'll keep following this and I'll keep giving my opinion.

Posted on Sat Mar 07, 2009

Edith in California writes:

Lift the blockade,insist on an end to violence (no more Israel raids,home demolitions, targeted assasinations, arrests, etc.) and back it up with stopping U.S. aid. Hamas rockets will stop since their only purpose was to end the blockade. U.S. must recognize Hamas as the legitamate representative of Palestinians and must reverse its disasterous policy of dividing Fatah & Hamas.

The overall policy,of course, should be to end all aid to Israel until it begins to dismantle settlements & begins to adhere to international law. When will we accept the wisdom of the Declaration of Human Rights--recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world?

Posted on Sat Mar 07, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

@ Eric in New Mexico -- In the age of missiles and other weapons, there is absolutely no strategic value to the Golan that Israel will feel at disadvantaged if lost. The next Middle East war will not be a tank or infantry battle, it will most likely be a nuclear, chemical and biological weapon war, and a very long one, possibly 3-4 years.

How can Syrians trust Israeli when they have repeatedly reneged on Agreements and refused to implement almost each and every United Nation Resolution passed since 1948? How could you cooperate with notorious genocidal in Israel. Look what they did in Gaza. You are asking Syrians to trust Israelis who just few months ago bombed an Animal Shelter and lied to the world to being a Nuclear Reactor. Why for 60 years, after Trillions of Dollars that were spent on weapons, millions died in Iraq and other places, you have nothing to show for except horrifying pictures of genocides, war crimes, refugees and poverty throughout the Middle East, and will be that way for some time because someone is making Billions in profit using your thinking pattern and relying on it to keep the cash flowing.

Oh really, we have master strategist here that figured out the Middle East solution, too bad you aint got a job and authority that you can implement this incredible plan. What is the solution you dreaming of now, or trying to connive unto others. Go peddle it to those concerned, see if they will accept it. Otherwise why don't you get out of the way and stop making profit out murder and mayhem in the Middle East. Leave peace in the Middle East to those that really want to bring peace.

Posted on Fri Mar 06, 2009

Shaniqua in U.S.A. writes:

The war must end in Irq and the other country we at war with, but we must start doing that by having educateding the people that live in these country how to stand up for themselves and take the power away from the people that are not give the other people their feedoms. Women also are the most important thing becuse without them. The movment can go on.We need our solders show them how so our solders can go home and be free themsleves!

Posted on Fri Mar 06, 2009

Peggy in North Carolina writes:

Dear Secretary, Please do not say that "Israel has the right to defend herself"...Israel does no know how to be proportionate and we look insensitve and pretty stupid to let the tail wag the dog regarding Israel's actions.

Please help the Gazans. Please help their lives be more secure and less oppressive. Please help the Palestinains and tell Israel to stop this occupation..Maybe there would not be "security problems" for Israel if she could show the world how to be nice and respectful to others. Thanks.

Posted on Fri Mar 06, 2009

Eric in New Mexico writes:

@ SNP in Syria -- SNP, When two parties have long mistrust of the other's, like Syria and Israel, and one of the points of argument for decades has been over possesion of "a mound of dirt" as you described the Golan, then the problem is finding a creative solution that both parties can live with, at no disadvantage to either party's security or political well being.

Moving mountains is not a ideological excercise, but just one possible way the parties might create a pathway to a more functional relationship between them, as a means to that end to build mutual good relations between them in the best interests of regional stability..

Basicly what I'm suggesting folks do is attempt to turn a point of contention into a basis of cooperative effort to solve a broader common problem affecting both, which is lack of trust and political courage to find a workable solution to resolve all basis of conflict.

Same can be said for SNP's obviously biased ideological vision for the future of the region, and unless the SNP is willing to put these biases aside, along with the past, I believe you will continue to feel marginalized in the process.

Maybe it's just that your political vision lacks "curb appeal" and folks in the region arn't buying the rhetoric SNP's selling. The level of intolerance involved in your statements would be unacceptable to many in any case.

Well, as I see it, your political group has three basic clear cut choices, to be a part of the solution, to be a part of the problem, or simply just get the hell out of the way.

Let us know when you figure it out.

Posted on Fri Mar 06, 2009

Christen in Washington, DC writes:

This conflict certainly has become a money pit for all involved. Perhaps that could be a good starting foundation for a new discussion.

I think all sides could agree that waging war, even on the cheap, still has very high costs. Though it will require tact and skill to ensure that what could be common ground does not disintegrate into an argument over who has lost more in the conflict, negotiations must start somewhere.

Another sound commonality is that both sides want peace. Definitions of what peace means and looks like can also be tricky to nail down, but I would encourage the parties to start with an overall goal of not killing or trying to kill people on either side.

Also, though the United States likes to believe religion can be kept separate from state, during Middle East negotiations in his term, President Clinton returned again and again to the Qur'an and the Talmud searching for language both sides could relate to. I urge Secretary Clinton to engage religious leaders on both sides, especially leaders in the mosques of Palestinian areas. This is one situation where we cannot separate religion from the state.

If it cannot be found among each side's leaders, then though I can't believe I'm going to say this because I disagree with his and his "administration's" views on so many other issues, I think Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei could be right that a "democratic referendum" could be the path to a resolution.

"All those who have a legitimate stake in the territory of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, could choose their own system of government in a general referendum," Khamenei said.

Granted, shortly before this quote, the New York Times article also included a quote about how:

"Khamenei criticized Palestinian leaders who have sought a negotiated settlement with Israel, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas." By now, those who advocated a 'pragmatic' approach under the illusion of the invincibility of the Zionist regime, and who succumbed to surrender and compromise with the usurpers, should have realized their mistakes," Khamenei said."

I'm not saying this broad-based referendum would be the be all and end all solution, but there are moderates on both sides that could make it a good starting point. It would at least be a different approach. The elected leaders may not find common ground to stand on, but perhaps the people whose daily lives are disrupted and sometimes destroyed by this conflict will be able to agree peace, after so many years of conflict, would be better and lay new groundwork for a path forward.

Posted on Fri Mar 06, 2009

Diane M. in New York writes:

Article: Question to Clinton: What is a 'sufficient' level of oppression?

link: http://www.mcloughlinpost.com/QuestionToClintonWhatIsASufficientLevelOfOppression05Mar09.html

Excerpt: 'The best spine Clinton could muster in her meeting with Israeli authorities this week was for her to gently suggest that Israel should permit 'sufficient' humanitarian supplies into Gaza. I, for one, would appreciate it greatly if Secretary of State Clinton could define for us exactly what would meet her fine distinction of 'sufficient'. '

Posted on Thu Mar 05, 2009

Zharkov in U.S.A. writes:

So Mrs. Clinton wants us to borrow another $900 million from China to rebuild Gaza so Israel can destroy it again in the next rocket attack?

Of course after that, we have to send more billions of dollars to Israel to compensate for all the money they spent to destroy the newly rebuilt city.

This Israeli scam is better than Bernie Madoff's operation and is only one of several our government has gotten us into.

If we stopped funding both sides in this war, maybe they would want to end the war themselves?

Posted on Thu Mar 05, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

@ John in Greece -- Joe's statements are very accurate. This is a very lengthy subject and was covered extensively on other blogs in the past 5 years, with many supporting evidence. You may Google and get the long version. The short of it is that there never really existed any Palestinian State or Nation, not even tribe in history, and neither a Jewish kingdom. Millions of tablet of State archives in the Middle East did not yield any evidence of such entities on both sides. Palestine was called Caanan, the people called Canaanites which included some Lebanese as well. The region was no man land between civilizations; it happened that it is situated on the periphery of Egypt, Aram, and Babylon, Phoenicia, sort of what you call in America county line. The outcast, disfranchised and even criminal elements in those nations took refuge in Caanan. They are made up from all people of the region. The Hebrew were a bunch of tribes that together made up the bulk of the people and have always lived together with hostility to others. The problem worsened when Jewish (called Hexos then) Queen of Egypt Cleopatra committed suicide and her first son smuggled to India and Tibet (he became the legendary Jesus myth). The people ruling with her known as the Hexos before they are known as Jewish (Jewish Pharos Tut Moses is the Moses myth starter) escaped to Caanan (the Exodus) and became the House of Judah, invented Judaism and became at odd with the Canaanite and the Israelite tribes. And life was and is hell ever since for that patch of land.

Forward to the future, and will not discuss the Ammonite/ Mardukian conspiracies facts here that were carried out for 2 millennia's and are at later stage now. Neither can claim to have evidence of exclusivity to all of the land known now as Palestine. In fact, Israeli, even when all the Babylonian introduced wannabe dreams that were passed as history removed from the picture can still prove ownership far more than Palestinians can. Especially when it comes to Jerusalem and Judea-Samaria.

So let's ignore the religious and historical made up stuff of junk and just focus on the issues facing us in 2009. Considering that Palestinian claim to the land is fabled at best. The two societies are simply not compatible to coexist in one state. Coexistence is a Johnny come lately Zionist scam where Palestinian will simply live under the status quo, no state to call own. The 2 state solutions is viable option, but one can understand the apprehension that will arise from it. Excuses that two parts are not viable are just that, Indonesia is made up of some 26000 parts divided by Ocean. A high bridge or underground tunnel like that of the English Channel will connect the 2 parts together. It is not natural to block expansion into Jordan and Sinai, metro areas always expands across state boarders, and in that tight space, you could not have a viable state if all the refugees to come back, you need to expand the land for development and housing etc.

The problem is not geography or landscape, the problem is people, ideologies and security, it is not the landscape that makes people coexist, and people make that happen.

Posted on Thu Mar 05, 2009

Arline in U.S.A. writes:

We should not be funding Hamas under the guise of rebuilding Gaza. Hamas is committed to the destruction of anything Western and Israel -- they are nothing but a terrorist organization. Americans are suffering at home and should be the recipient of this 900 million.

I DO NOT WANT MY HARD EARNED TAX MONEY TO GO TO TERRORISTS WHO WOULD KILL -- AND HAVE KILLED -- AMERICANS. NO! NO! NO!
-------------------
TEL AVIV, Israel -- Hamas is "very happy" with a pledge this week from the Obama administration to provide $900 million in aid for rebuilding the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, a spokesman from the Islamist organization told WND.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

John in Greece writes:

@ SNP -- You write: "We question if a Jewish kingdom is ever existed in Palestine" Can you define Palestine? Because according to Joe in TN:

QUOTE 2. The very history of the Palestinian people is one in which NO bordering country wanted them. They never had a realistic sovereign state to begin with. The idea of such was only to keep them from being incorporated into surounding borders and served individual nationalism. No one wanted them, as the Palestinians have repeatedly shown they will not bend or involve themselves in a productive manner as new citizens. It is the mercy of Israel they were given any land to begin with. Israel, by International law, did not have to honor or recognize Palestine to begin with ... The war was inevitable. END QUOTE.

I really do not know the area, but I think that it's a little bit more complicated than generally referring to a Palestinian "country" (Palestine) without explaining what this really is/"was". I mean the problem for all of us who do not know the "issue" is what "Palestine" is/"was"? I wouldn't have a problem to see a Palestinian country (maybe it's the best solution), but where it starts and where it ends? Can we have a "geographic basis", according to history? I doubt!

And how Palestinians can deal with the idea of a "country" when they are divided in 2?

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Frank in Indiana writes:

Time to let Israel take care of Gaza any way it sees fit. The U.S. has no business interfering when a terrist group sends missles into Israel.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

Part 2 @ Eric continues: Now it seems the U.S. may reinstate an Ambassador to Syria if the political atmosphere is conducive to better U.S. Syrian relations.

Not sure why we care if there is an Ambassador in Damascus or not. Not sure why Al-Thawra and, Al-Baath newspapers, mouth peace of the government have spent decades calling people like those of our members all kind of nasty names such as IKTAI, RAASMALI, IMPERIALLY, INTIHAZI, Agents of Colonial powers, Agents of America, Ceased our lands and factories, kicked many out of the country and all they doing now is kissing Israeli and American hands, begging for friendship. But that is a separate issue from this topic. What concerns us more than American ambassador presence in Damascus is that we get compensated for stolen properties and lost revenues all those years, That rights are granted back to the people and that our dignity is not being dirtied by coward Syrian army that have no dignity to respond to Israeli attack on our land. Finally, will be happy to celebrate the Golan back to Syria a lot more than we give a dam about some low level, clueless American bureaucrat back in Damascus.

Eric Said - In a perfect world, I could see a joint venture to create the conditions of peace with the U.S., Israel, and Syria in resolving the issue of the Golan heights, since we have the tools to move mountains, we could bulldoze this strategic feature of the landscape flat, extend the coastline with the rubble, and create new land to settle in the process.-

There is a saying in Syria: (tile up the ocean with concrete tiles and drink all its water). Fool MORDAKHAI BIN IBRAHIM BIN MOSHE, AKA the House of Saud with these promises. If he got any cash left he may give it to you.

Eric continues brilliantly -Needless to say there's some 20,000 folks layed off from Catapillar in the U.S., who would be happy to build the heavy equipment needed for such a project.-

The fools at Caterpillars could be hiring 20,000 folks right now to meet the demand for the compressed air electric generator. Their engineers spent hours arguing that it does not work, would like to see the face on those geeks when not only it works, it flies.

Eric said again: -This would be a pretty good time I think to explore the possibilities since the contiguous nature of a Palestinian State is an issue.-

There have been a Palestinian state in existence; it has in fact more International recognition and relations than Syria does nowadays. So what, you think that declaring a state is going to change the Middle East or Israeli-Palestinian relations, it will get far worse and more deadly LOL.

Eric -If the Golan is a problem, no Golan, no problem.-

Why is the Golan a problem, People are the problem, the Golan is just a dirt mount.

Eric best saying so far:- Nations, like individuals, just have to be a little creative in how they go about nation building in general.-

If the leaders have interest and experience in Nation Building. Chiang Kai Chik, Park, George Washington, Ben Gorion, Shah Pahlavi, Ataturk, Peter the Great, Camille Shamoon, Pierre Gemayel, Antoine Saadeh, They had interest in Nations building . They did not ship billions of state money to Swiss and U.K. Banks, they did not fund expensive projects in Africa and South America they invested in own people and country and almost all managed to build a respected, first class countries. They showed respect to own people talents and made sure their countries citizens are always lifting heads up. Even in today fragile Lebanon, despite 30 years of U.S. backed Baathist occupations, horrendous Civil wars, a 5000 strong Shia Majjai mercenaries that is more powerful than the national Lebanese army, one that raked destructive havoc on the country, even worse Israeli wars, Lebanon still stand high with all institutions that was built by the nations builders Chamoon and Gemayel . They loved their country and worked tersely to maintain its sovrignity and independence, its dignity and that of its citizens.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

Part 1@ Eric in New Mexico, said: --@ SNP, That's the kind of small minded thinking that has perpetuated this conflict for years, rather than coexistance as a mindset folks can actually live with.--

Eric, That is the kind of realistic thinking that no one has the guts, leadership or sound mind to offer, and neither power to force. It shows how little people in America and the World understand the problem. Jews will never abandon Jerusalem as capital of Israel and neither stop settlements in Judea and Samaria. It will never ever happen and no country has power to force them to do so. They did not struggle for 2500 years working hard with Jews all over the world awaiting that day of return, they did not fight all those wars, just to hands out on silver platter what they have always considered their own and longed to have it back, just because a bottle blond or public opinion is going to force them, or convince them to do so.

In order to solve a problem, you need to break it down to its elements, separates those elements in various categories, from solvable to not solvable. You do not try to start with solving the unsolvable, that is what they have tried for 60 years and still peddling the same crappy unsolvable solutions that lead to failure and war after another.

You see, as Syrian Nationalists, we understand that Jews, at least the Hebrew and Israelites have a legitimate right to the land. We question if a Jewish kingdom is ever existed in Palestine, no evidence is ever discovered, it did in Arabia, and we know that David was nothing more than a road robber made into a king in Babylon. We have the history mapped out not based on Ammonite/ Mardukian deceptions but on facts discovered on the ground, or beneath it, to be accurate. One fact stands out, at the time of the Roman invasion of Palestine and Jerusalem; they did destroy a temple and did carry the natives out of the land to all parts of the Roman Empire. Time does not wipe the right of people to return to what they call home, or own land.

The land of Palestine has never been defined in factual, proven history as being the land of a nation called Palestinians, it does provide some evidence that it was occupied by Hebrew speaking nation of tribes.

As to living together, not sure why Israeli should live with Hamas, personally would rather live with Israelis than Palestinians. What do they have to offer other than cheep labor which Israeli did make use of already. Do you know anything about Judaism and Israeli customs and those of Moslem Palestinians? Do you want them to live in country that has a political system like that of Lebanon? Don't the Israeli have trouble already with their mired parties from those that wants to eat pigs to those that wants to outlaw it? They already struggle to form a government now, imaging forming one with coexistence with Palestine's. Anyone that promote coexistence is in fact making a fortune in profit oo stocks of defense companies that keep on selling billions to the Middle east, both sides.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Georgiann in California writes:

Humanitarian aid ONLY for both countries. Governments and extremists alike, who wish continue to see this area remain volatile for a variety of reasons, will continue to fuel and fund unrest for time ( seemingly) immortal.

Save the children....for it is they that will remember compassion!

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Eric in New Mexico writes:

@ SNP, That's the kind of small minded thinking that has perpetuated this conflict for years, rather than coexistance as a mindset folks can actually live with.

Now it seems the U.S. may reinstate an Ambassador to Syria if the political atmosphere is conducive to better U.S.Syrian relations.

In a perfect world, I could see a joint venture to create the conditions of peace with the U.S., Israel, and Syria in resolving the issue of the Golan heights, since we have the tools to move mountains, we could bulldoze this strategic feature of the landscape flat, extend the coastline with the rubble, and create new land to settle in the process.

Needless to say there's some 20,000 folks layed off from Catapillar in the U.S., who would be happy to build the heavy equipment needed for such a project.

This would be a pretty good time I think to explore the possibilities since the contiguous nature of a Palestinian State is an issue.

If the Golan is a problem, no Golan, no problem.

Nations, like individuals, just have to be a little creative in how they go about nation building in general.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Eric in New Mexico writes:

@ Johnathan L. in New York, Thanks for your service to the nation bro...I'd just like say that in all fainess to Sec. Clinton, she flat hasn't had the time yet to become "the administrations biggest mistake", as you put it.

Too busy assuring friends and allies that U.S. foreign policy will retain broad continuity through admin. transition, and wrapping her head around a rather large government agency that she now is in charge of.

In any case, she's got a lot of folks working for her and the President who'll see that they doen't make an uninfomed decision or blindly pilot the good ship America onto the rocks.

As for the steep learning curve involved, I can already see the effect on election rhetoric by the very fact that shortly after the President was sworn in, (and I'm making an educated guess here)...someone no doubt said something like this: "Mr. President, now that you ARE President, there are some things you need to know."

One of this new President's biggest tasks as Commander in Chief is to earn the trust of the rank and file troopers and NCO's under his command that bear the brunt of giving U.S. diplomacy and his foreign policy teeth.

It boils down to folks having each other's backs. Respect and loyalty for the office of the president and our constitution is one thing, trust in the man's judgement is another, and that trust one would hope be shared by the general public, must be earned through deeds.

And as history would show, diplomacy without teeth is a toothless beggar.

Knowing that to take a bite out of terrorism is to create a potential democratic miracle, probability and paradox sometimes mix, for these things in no way resemble a routine surgical procedure to rid a nation of the cancer eating away at society.

We may be able to impose peace, but can't impose democracy. That is taken by the people, for the people, not given to them.

Finally I'd simply say that Abbas is not Arafat, and the only reason Israel is working with him is that the PA has finally gotten with the program, and knows that a two state solution is in the best interests of humanity, not just the Palestinian people.

I can't speak for mankind, but I know I'm sick of being witness to this conflict.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

Just reading the comments on this post will give you an idea why this conflict will never ever be solved until a descent leadership arise in the Middle East and force a fair and just solution. Fair wil be something like giving Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to the Hebrews, kicking the Khazzars and Zionists to New York and Transylvania (it does exists extraterrestially) and handing land from Jordan and Sinai for Palestinians to settle in and finally live in peace.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Jonathan L. in New York writes:

As a U.S. army officer who grew up in Israel, served in Iraq, I understand the cultural issues here. Bottom line, giving money to the Palestinians, under their current system and ongoing corruption is like buying guns, rockets, and mortars for Terrorists. It is irresponsible. We might as well give it to the Iranians, or perhaps Al-Qaeda. Please, Clinton, grow up. You are the administrations biggest mistake.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Roger in Turkey writes:

First of all,The conflict in the Middle East region especially with Israel and Palestinian Authority will never end if the both parties agree upon their existince as two different country. Moreover,Israel should not be reluctant to pursue to withdraw their borders to the first assigned by the United Nations which was in 1948. Thank you.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Bridget in China writes:

I have a suggestion. Don't know how feasible it is, but here goes:

Arrange a meeting of 25 Palestinian children/teens and 25 Israeli children/teens. Have them discuss the problems and possible solutions and come up with a plan that all of them agree on.

It's their future. Plus, they may have potential solutions that we as outsiders and adults can't imagine. Also, if a childrens' council crafted a solution, they could bring it back to their families and communities and people might listen past their own strongly-held emotions if there is a united group of kids presenting the ideas instead of "that bad guy on the other side."

It might be a good idea to let them all play together for a week or so first, so they are coming into the discussion as friends and playmates, which might make them eager to find a solution that makes them all happy.

Posted on Wed Mar 04, 2009

Mike in New Hampshire writes:

Do we really have this kind of cash now for this type of thing? Credibility (with taxpayers) is going to be tough to come by...


"Clinton arrived in Jerusalem Monday evening from the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, where she pledged $900 million in U.S. aid at an international donors conference for rebuilding the Gaza Strip after Israel's recent offensive against its Hamas rulers".

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Patricia in New York writes:

I fear that spending $900M will not get any one closer to peace today, tomorrow, months or years from now. I pray for peace, and am somewhat hopeful, but only because of Secretary of State Clinton is on the scene and therefore, the world stage.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Sofia in Portugal writes:

The best path to Gaza is to open the borders and respect the right of circulation of the Palestinians. Help the region to emprove it's quality of life through humanitarian aida and help to rebuilt the structures needed to it. The right of palestinians to have their State finally recognized. After this, i am sure Hamas will certainly stop lauching rockets and respect the right to live in peace of the israelis. Until then they will keep resisting inside the prision Gaza.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Joe in Tennessee writes:

Find a new religion which is premissed on peaceful existence and leaders who can take control of their citizens.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Bill in California writes:

Treat the Palestinians with at least the level of political and financial support that we provide to Israel, even if that means reducing the level to Israel to provide an equitable level to the Palestinians. Promote a separate Palestinian State with land donated by all surrounding Arab States AND Israel. The land must be contiguous for a true separate state to succeed.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Jean in Arizona writes:

In my opinion the giving of billions in international aid to Gaza only reinforces Israel's behavior. Bomb schools, medical centers, hospitals, ambulances, power plants, sewage plants, roads, bridges, civilian homes, and even UN buildings and UN schools, and then let the international community come in and pay for the "clean up".

Whether the Israeli people (or those in the international community) consider the Israeli government's behavior to be an offensive or defensive stance, the Israel people need to feel the financial burden for rebuilding the infrastructure damage that their own government has caused.

I suggest that the taxpayers of the countries that offer aid to Gaza join the growing movement to boycott Israeli goods. There should also be divestment in the companies that provide the Israeli military with equipment and services in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. After all, economic boycotts are a tool of international diplomacy. Grassroots boycotts can be an equally effective.

Though my suggestion might sound counter intuitive to helping the people of Gaza, the Israel citizens that do want a two-state solution also have a responsibility to put pressure on their own government. If there were goods coming out of Gaza, I would recommend a boycott of their products as well. It is impossible to produce, however, when there is no infrastructure.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Toni in Minnesota writes:

The immediate need is, of course, aid to the Palestinians in Gaza affected by the recent attacks. However, the war on terror is and should be the prime directive. All war claims civilian casualties; especially when the tactics of the extremeists are to sheild themselves with civilians. The world's reaction to civilian casualties is usually harsh, however, if there is success in the war on terror, then these civilians gave up their lives for a great cause, and they should be honored.

Communities harboring extremists accept the risk of civilian casualties. There should be some avenue for these communities to free themselves of these extremists. Possibly some form of communication avenue to report the appearance of these extremists. The people of these communities also have the option of leaving the area if the whereabouts of extrimists are known.

The people in these communities, if they are not a part of the extremists, need to do something to oust them. Otherwise they have voluntarily put themselves at risk of harm from those whose want to rightfully eradicate the extremists.

It is unlikely that Isreal's intention with regard to this attack was more than an attempt to eradicate extremists. It is unlikely that this was an attack against the Palestinian people or furtherance of the continuing conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis, but merely a furtherance of the war on terror.

This war on terror is completely necessary, and, until these communities discontinue harboring these extremists groups there will continue to be civilian casualties.

America's involvment on the war on terror should not be limited to Afhganistan, but all countries who aid and harbor extremists; countries such as Syria and Iran.

Another huge issue for Gaza, is, of course, the refugees. Something has to be done to help these people acquire a place to live and work and raise their families in peace. Unfortunately, my brain isn't big enough to offer any suggestions in this area, given the issues of Right of Return and the other Arab nations that refuse to offer these poor people a place to live, in addition to their being used a tool to further the conflict between Israel and her neighbors with the ridiculous notion that Israel should not exist.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Paul in Virginia writes:

I agree with Ann in Colorado. To keep trying the same hardline pro-Israel policies that didn't work for Bush (or previous adminsitrations either) and expect better results borders on insanity. The best path forward is to support true justice, democracy, and self-determination for the Palestinians. We must insist on a complete end to the blockade and an end to the military occupation.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Philip in California writes:

Education for its children/teens.

Green collar jobs for adults.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Eric in New Mexico writes:

@ Ann in Colorado, Yes, I think it is time that things are done differently.

Instead of putting up with Hamas and its crimes against humanity, Hamas should be removed from the political sectrum by the entire armed forces of NATO and Russia (without so much as an Israeli boot on the ground in Gaza).

There actually is a military solution to the problem, but folks have been vainly persuing a diplomatic solution that is flat unattainable while Hamas, and Iran stand as roadblocks to the Palestinian people's legitimate aspirations for a state of their own.

Let's take a hypothetical methodology ( were nations to have the guts to try somethng different), and let's just say for the sake of argment that NATO and Russia formed a combned task force of up to a quarter millon men and equiment, landed and disembarked upon Gaza's beach.

How long would it take to secure Gaza, and restore the PA's legitmate authority over the area?

Well, it could take a week, or a month or two, but in the end, folks can finally get down to some serious nation building, without distractions.

If nations had the guts to do this, they should also have the guts to house any and all civilians who may wish to leave Gaza and out of harm's way on a temp basis until such time as the PA's authority and securiy has been established.

To do otherwise would simply allow Hamas to use the non-combattant civilian populaton of Gaza as human shields, which is "modus operandi" of the Hamas military school of thought.

There is a way (politically as well as legally) for the international community to end this problem once and for all in the above hypothetical manner.

It requires no new UN Sec. Council resolution, because the legal basis and precedent has already been established in prior resolutions and deeds regarding international terrorism, state sponsors of terror, and actions needed to effectively eliminate this threat to international peace and security.

Yes, let's try something completely different, for a change we Americans can live with, not just believe in.

In the process, Palestinians and Israelis will see change they can live with as well as eventually living in peace with each other ( imposed as reqired to begin with, due to lack of peaceful will and intent on the part of the ursurpers of the Palestinian people's destiny as a nation).

On a related side note having my eyes "wide open" on Iran for many years, I am constantly amazed by Amerca's diplomatic patience with violent extremism.

To illustrate this point, I take note here of what Yuri Andrepov (former Soviet Priemier) said 'round 1980 shortly before he died, to the effect that had Iran taken over the Soviet embassy and held Russians hostage, "Tehran would have become a smoking crater the next day."

30 years on and we're still dealing wih idiots chanting "Death to America" like they mean it.

They should be careful what they wish for I think, as it can be returned to Iran in spades, with interest added...

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Ann in Colorado writes:

Madame Secretary:

Your recent negative comments regarding a unitary government for the Palestinians are more than a little disappointing. Your pursuit of the same old policies that have failed for the last two years is astounding given that the Obama administration has vowed to get serious about finding a workable solution to the conflict. There is a small window to do something different, yet your "Fatah first, ignore Hamas" comments indicate that you are in danger of missing the opportunity. The new hard-right government in Israel will build yet more settlements in the West Bank and continue the road blocks. Hamas will not accept the aid as long as you continue to insist on the "Quartet of Four" pre-conditions and the new right-wing hardliners in Israel will continue to maintain a tight strangulation hold on Gaza's borders. Have you learned nothing from the recent failures of the previous administration? This is not change, this is more of the same worn, unworkable failed policy.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Ron in New Mexico writes:

Let me get this straight. We arm Israel to the teeth and give the country several billion a year and have been doing it for years. Israel blows up Gaza and kills hundreds and now we pledge 900 million to rebuild. How much did Israel pledge? In fact, after 40 year of occupation has Israel done anything that would move peace forward? I think not and we need to stop rewarding bad behavior.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Dan in Alabama writes:

For years -- Every. Single. Year. BILLIONS from the world are given to "Palestinians" with no return for the buck. America is facing monstrous budget defecit -- a hole is currently being dug so deep our great grandkids won't be able to dig us out of it. Yet our leaders feel free to throw taxpayer money at a failed welfare state called Palestine.

(Note to Hillary: it's NOT your money to be giving away -- it's NOT "government" money -- it's the taxpayers money)

It's not just the U.S. giving them money either it's the world giving them money year after year. Throwing money into a bottomless black hole of need. Doing the same thing over and over and looking for different results each time. We see no return for the money. If it were a business someone would've been fired a long time ago beginning with Jimmy Carter and then the whole "Palestinian" project scrubbed years ago.

That's what we'd do if common sense prevailed in Washington, but we can't say it prevails in Washington can we?

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Mark in Tennessee writes:

I don't think we should give aid to the enemies of peace, those sworn to destroy Israel and the U.S.A. They target civilians over and over again. with our tax dollars they promote suicide bombers in their school systems. Their childrens tv shows have puppets that tell children it's okay tohate jews, to kill jews. They wish to destroy us, they cheered in their streets on 9-11. Have you forgotten?

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Hyun-Joo in South Korea writes:

how about build like a GMR (Great Man-Made River Project), Sea water desalination and etc. for get ris of this area`s water-shortrage. (Israel approve`s needing) for big`s................

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Hyun-Joo in South Korea writes:

Dear to Secretary.

(before saying, my stupid opinion. i want forgive to Secretary. i said to Sec Hillary, i lessen to your debt,
but, i do not anything. however, it`s very burden to me. write to here. i`m very shame to you. please forgive me. i just want to excuse
i don`t know the reason, happened and now`s.
sorry, my promise is fast to doing. if, Secretary readed my promise, please forgive me. please.)

to my opinion of this.
now and before, Gaza looks hot potato to our. but, i believe this is will fixing. why? i believe Secretary Hillary will solving this. why? Gaza is world`s and Hillary`s ability,(smart)power is also.
above all,(i`m very tiny and my thinking is also)
my thinking "solution" is
(at first)remove the shortage of water in this field(it`s needing of Israel`s approve).
water is always their`s problem and dispute(before a thousand). if, this problem were diminished, approach is very easily to world- just my`s thinking. and methods-
how about, develope like a GMR (Great Man-Made River Project) or Sea water desalination and etc.

Gaza...... so many thinking is passing to my memories.
so many.
but, how about you, we do small step and do step by step.
and get the..............................................

please don`t misunderstand my words.
i believe Secretary`s. at any condition, any time.
(if, it`s my last chance to write, i want to say this,your glasses is very good to you (looks very smart) -- i see the TV. yes, just TV)

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Eric in Illinois writes:

In September 2004, Ariel Sharon originally intended to turn over the Gaza strip territory over to the Palestinian authority to be governed by a lawful state within the PLO. However, a year later the Hamas's leadership basically took control over the Gaza territory and developed a weak, incompetent and untrustworthy environment in their governing body. This unfortunate swift of power in the wrong hands eventually led to widespread corruption and violence. In fact, one of Hamas's main goals was to eliminate the state of Israel totally without seeking a consistent peace plan for both the state of Israel and the Palestinian people. Finally, his-story has taught us biblical lessons that the Gaza strip " land from King David to the Greeks and back to modern day Israel (i.e., 6th Day War of 1967) that peace in Gaza land must be done by force.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Charles B. in Kentucky writes:

Sorry I missed getting my comment in on time for the conference... The newscasters I heard said to rebuild GAZA would cost 900 million dollars. It appears that we are chipping in somewhere between 300 to 900 million dollars. Why are we giving anything at all? The Israelis made this mess, they should be made to pay for the damage they caused. Unless of course we are chipping in because the damage caused was a result of the weapons we sold Israel. Is that why we are chipping in? How else is Israel ever going to learn the wisdom of restraint and diplomacy if the rest of the world picks up the tab for their trangressions?

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Penny in California writes:

Please pressure Israel to lift the siege, so that Gaza can rebuild and children can live.

Mitchell also needs to talk to everyone: israel, the PA, AND Hamas (who were democratically elected after all).

Consider using the 2002 Saudi Plan as a basis for negotiations.

Suspend all military aid to israel until the Occupation ends

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Terry in California writes:

To end humanitarian suffering in Gaza, the siege must be ended and the borders with Israel and Egypt opened for normal commerce.

The U.S. and Israel need to negotiate with Hamas.

Posted on Tue Mar 03, 2009

Eric in New Mexico writes:

Hamas has become Gaza's latest slum-lord , and thus gives new meaning in my opinion, to the intentionally (posed) iconic photo above , were it to be appropriately captioned, "Fool on a hill."

"Master of all he surveys, he sees not that the destruction wrought upon himself was through years of following a failed, dysfunctional, ideological purpose."

You can fool some of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people unless you're truly fooling yourself first.

Life is hard, but it's harder when you're being stupid.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Cindy in California writes:

1) Open all border crossing to allow in Humanitarian aid;

2) Immediately stop all settlement activity on the West Bank by the Israelis

3) Stop all arm sales to Israel until they end the occupation of Palestinian lands taken in 1967

4) Real peace talks between Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority as well as regional talks with other Arab countries

5) Base all negotiations on International law including UN resolutions

6) Hold hearings in the U.S. Congress with regards to violations by Israel of the Arms Export Control act;

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

D.C. in Illinois writes:

let the feds decide

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Fred F. in Alabama writes:

Force Israel to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people. Remove sll settlements on the West Bank and begin serious talks to settle the status of refugees.

Recognize Hamas as the democratically elected representatives of the Palestinians.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Ed in Texas writes:

Sure , all these opinions are good if they were based on real self educated facts , Unfortunately, the News media had a control over the living room for the last 60years .

The Palestinians have been called terrorists, Non existing, uneducated,and animals in some cases . generations grew up to hear this over and over and over. ( Some Israeli religious fanatics that moved to Palestine from the east and the west along with their supports are in control and calling the shots now , they do not want Peace , They want to expel the Palestinians out !! ) .

Although , I love to see peace made between the Israelis and the Palestinians , I am afraid that it is a little too late .

Believe the old man , Past history is a good indicator of what will happen next .

Israel is not serious about creating a Palestinian State or even improve Palestinian daily living conditions . Unfortunately , they do not trust the Palestinians . Why ?? because of what they did to them ( took their land, built settlements, killed men , women and children , because the Palestinians are resisting the Occupation , the road closers and the land confiscation Policies by the Israeli government .

The Palestinians do not trust the Israelis . Why ???, Because the Israelis backed up on most of the promises they made in the Oslo Accord . Hamas came to power by having the backing of the Palestinian people who got sick and tired of the PLO corruption,the Israelis bad treatment and the empty promises of the road map that had no green light at the end of the tunnel .

I am glad to hear that the new Administration is determined to create a Palestinian state to live in peace along with their Israeli neighbors , let us not wait until next inauguration .

I am afraid that if the the two state solution is not implemented immediately , we will find our selves looking at a ONE STATE SOLUTION , where Jews and Arabs have to be equal under the law , why not?? didn't God create us all equal ?

BEST APPROACH ??

1- IMMEDIATELY (2009 ), start building the Governmental agencies to be able to run a state ( USA & EU , May be UN Involvement ) .

2- Conduct a popular vote for all the Palestinians in and out to back the steps of solution and agree to the peace process and timing . This approach will even WIN Hamas approval . when the answer is clear " PEACE" , move to step # 3.

3 - Israeli withdrawal to their 1967 borders ( by DEC,31, 2009 ) to be replaced by a stationary force for five years from USA , EU or UN with all borders open .

"TEAR DOWN THIS WALL"

3- Agreement by the Palestinian to have no Army and no offensive arms .

4- agreement by Israel not to interfere with the Palestinians internal affairs and not to attack them any time they wish .( This crab of controlling the borders, the water ways and the sky must go , leave the Palestinians alone, let them live their life )

With both sides Recognizing each other and being honest about making peace work , it will work . Good luck .

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Joe in Vermont writes:

Dear Madame Secretary:

We have to help the parties overcome the hatred that has developed between them over the past 60 years. It just appears to be "tick for tat" all the time. Rockets go this way and planes bomb the other way. How to stop this? Didn't Churchill say, be magnanimous in victory. Hasn't Iraeli won in hits hyperactive destruction of Gaza? Why should they continue to punish? Until they decide that the better way is to follow Churchill's view, I'm afraid the future is grim for Gaza; its rebuilding; and its people. Maybe, we should help those who want to leave Gaza and emigrate to other countries to do so. At least that would meliorate the suffering of these forgotten people.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Catherine in New York writes:

This is a complex question I wouldn't attempt to answer but a basic issue is access for humanitarian aid. There are relief trucks with only macaroni in them sitting at the border and not being allowed through. The bottlenecks have got to be eliminated and the help has to get through.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Radha in Virginia writes:

It is time for the U.S. to stop blindly supporting Israel, and actually take a neutral position. People think that the Arabs just blindly hate the West, what they hate is how Israel has been treating the Palestinians for decades, and they hate how the U.S. has given blind support to Israel no matter what the Israelis do. It is time for that to stop. It is time for the Palestinians to be given back their dignity, given a chance to have jobs, and be fed, and to have hospitals and schools, all the things that we in the West take for granted. It is time for the Palestinians to be treated like people. Give them back their dignity and they won't be forced to throw rocks or rockets in defense. Give them their own country.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Estelle in New York writes:

Israel has a supremacist government and an apartheid state. U.S. support for Israel is extremely disproportionate. The Palestinians are defending their right to extist on their own land. The British created Israel in 1948 and just shoved the Palestinians aside. The Israelis view the Palestinians as subhuman, which comes from their Talmud which says basically Jews are superior to other human beings and that it's ok to kill gentiles. Most Americans, if they read the Talmud, would be horrified to see how it describes non-Jews. Jews act like the New Nazis and try to suppress free speech all throughout Europe..

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Lynn in New Mexico writes:

To renounce Islamism, to overthrow Hamas and all the other terrorist gangs and criminals that rule Gaza and the West Bank, to quit training their children to be murderers and racists, to renounce violence personally and not support family members who join jihad and gangs, and to take back the enormous amount of aid they have always gotten to use for building and business instead of for destroying Israel and killing Jews. Then they can be called a decent people and have peace.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Bea in Arkansas writes:

Of course we should talk with Hamas. They are the democratically-elected representatives of all of the Palestinian people, as much as the Democratic administration in this country is elected to represent all of us. How can we expect other countries to respect elective democracy if we refuse to recognize their elected leaders?

We voted for change in this country's foreign and domestic policies. It is disheartening to hear that there will be NO change in U.S. policy towrds Hamas. If we keep doing the same things that never worked before, how can we expect achieve different results? Classic defintion of insanity!

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Esther R. in California writes:

Secretary Clinton must try to get Israel to open the border crossings so that Gaza can get humanitarian aid. The prisoner issue should be considered separately. Secretary Clinton must also impress upon the Israelis the need to stop building settlements and the separation barrier in the West Bank. We should tie our economic, military, and political aid to Israel to Israel's taking specific steps toward peace.

Secretary Clinton must stop making demands on the Palestinians unless she makes the same demands on the Israelis--i.e., to recognize the right of Palestinians to a viable state west of the Jordan River, to renounce violence, and to honor previous commitments. If she cannot make these demands of the Israelis, she should stop making these demands on the Palestinians. The best thing is to MOVE AHEAD WITH PEACE TALKS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS.

We must determine whether Operation Cast Lead violated the U.S. Arms Export Control Act.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Jaqueline writes:

You really need to stop trying to fetter Israel. God blesses those that bless Israel and curses those that curse Israel. The so called 'palestinians' are just Jordanian refugees that Jordan refuses to allow into their country because they are a convenient pawn and weapon against Israel. Study the history of the area, the Balfour Declaration... There are NO 'palestinian' peoples. Just a group of very poor, brainwashed, refugees being used as a tool by their brethren in a war that they cannot win. God's word will truly come to pass, Israel will never be wiped off the face of the map as the muslims wish. It's folly to try to further their satanically inspired agenda.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Michelle in Virginia writes:

I don't see how its possible to have peace in the Middle East without talking to Hamas -- like it or not. Since Hamas is one of the parties in the dispute, and one of the groups that apparently is providing social services to the people that the Abbas government is not. People don't resort to membership or support of terrorist organizations on a whim. There are things Hamas is providing that no one else is attending to. If border crossings are closed and water, medical supplies, food etc. are in short supply or unavailable, the world (esp. Israel) is basically leaving the Palestinians to die (and therefore, hopefully go away). This is what breeds terrorism and hardens people. If we want to get rid of Hamas, we get rid of their support base. If we want to get rid of their suport, we take care of thse people's very real and humanitarian needs, and be fair. We're not being asked to choose Palestine over Israel, we are simply being asked to be fair: If we are a nation that truly believes in human rights, we cannot just blindly support Israel. I am a Christian too, and I think its God's job to judge, and our job to 'love our Palestinian neighbors as much as ourselves, and as much as our Israeli neighbors. Otherwise, we merely act as enablers, and Israel acts as a spoilt child that doesn't grow up!

As a citizen of the world, and particularly as a young person, nothing would make me happier than world peace. Whether we like it or not, Hamas stands for something to some people (supporters). We need to figure out what Hamas is providing that Abbas' govt. isn't, and then, we as the international community need to stand in that gap. I strongly believe that people don't resort to membership or support of organizations like Hamas on a whim. Clearly there are things Hamas is providing that no one else is attending to: If border crossings are closed and water, medical supplies, food etc. are in short supply or unavailable, the world (esp. Israel) is basically leaving the Palestinians to die (and therefore, hopefully go away). This is what breeds violent reactions and hardens people. If we want to get rid of Hamas, or the idea of a group that feels it must resort to violence, then we must coax that group's support base away from them. If we want to get rid of Hamas' support, we take care of the Palestinians' very real social and humanitarian needs, and, even harder than that, we be fair. We're not being asked to choose Palestine over Israel, we are simply being asked to be fair: Living in America, I know there is a strong emotional tie to Israel. But, if we are a nation that truly believes in human rights, we cannot just blindly support Israel. In addition to being a citizen of the world, I'm a Christian, and I think its God's job to judge, and our job to carry out God's (paraphrased) commandment to 'love our Palestinian neighbors and our Jewish neighbors as much as ourselves'. Otherwise, we distort the Gospel and merely act as enablers.

I think we, like Israel and much of the rest of the world make the mistake of believing that we can correct a historic wrong (the Holocaust) by perpetuating another (making the Palestinians landless). And we think we need to help God achieve the salvation of Israel. God is all powerful, if he said love was the greatest commandment of all, then love trumps trying to give Israel a leg-up, and that therefore obviously isn't the kind of help God needs.

As an American of African origin, I understand the emotional, social, and cultural significance of land. As one from a country colonized centuries before I was born, I can still say it hurts a lot when your birthright has been taken away, and it hurts to still be dealing with the effects- social inequalities such as skewed access to resources, widespread poverty, etc- in the present day. That hurt, unacknowledged and unaddressed, is the other factor motivating Palestinian-to- Israeli violence. That hurt unvalidated and unaddressed is like the nebulous force to which crimes of passion are attributed. Until the basic needs and the right to land claims of the Palestinians begin to be met in a way that Palestinians themselves agree is just, the world will not achieve Middle East peace.

We can make Hamas irrelevant in the manner stated above- ie. by satisfying the Palestinian need for justice and sustenance ourselves. Until we get to that point, we need to engage Hamas. Like it or not, Hamas is one of the parties involved in the dispute, and one of the aggrieved parties, so it defies logic to sidestep them in the peace process.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Daniel in Colorado writes:

I believe that the real question is how to deal with the Palestinians?

How do you deal with a people who revel in violence? What means do you use to deal with them? What actions do you take that they understand?

We are talking about a people that attempt to kill Israelis, and when they can't do that they attempt to kill each other because that person is Fatah, or Hamas, or a Sunni, or a Shiite, or, or, or where does it stop?

A lot of posts on here have blamed Israel for their response to the attacks. But the question is have we as Americans acted any differently? Yes we were attacked and look at the response we as a nation undertook.

How would America react if say Canada were to begin launching rockets into Chicago, New York, Seattle? Would we stand idly by and allow them to continue? Or would we take steps to stop the attacks? I am in no way saying that Israel is not at fault in any way!

I believe that the way to change is through the children. Education is the path out of the dark ages. Maybe if the UN could step in and set up schools that have an approved curriculum in a k-12 environment and tie attendance to some sort of food program so that children and families that attend the UN schools receive extra food and the children receive a breakfast and a lunch every day that they attend. And after school they are provided a food package to take home to their families. This ensures that the children will attend these schools and receive a proper education and food, and that their families are fed as well.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Erica in California writes:

No more weapons or money sent into the region -- not to Israel or to anyone else -- only items to support medical care, food and farming, and infrastructure.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Matthew in Michigan writes:

I strongly disagree with giving Gaza any money, let alone $900M. This part of the world hates America, why would we do this when we have such a great need here within our borders.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Heather in California writes:

I think that humanitarian aid for survival and rebuilding in Gaza, as has begun, is a great way to start. Excellent!

Going forward in the Israel/Palestine peace process:

I think that all parties need to be heard, including Likkud and Hamas, and treated with respect, even if we differ strongly with philosophies and policies. There needs to be a sense that the plan put forward takes into account the feelings and experiences of the people in the region.

At some point I think that President Obama should come to Gaza.

The eyes of the Arab world are watching closely. If we go forward with respect, it will signal a marked change in our attitude.

A very thorny issue is arms sales to other nations, including Israel. Something needs to change here. It is unsafe and it gives the message that we will go to any lengths to support Israel no matter what they do.

Thank you for your interest in feedback from the public.

Sincerely,
Heather F., MD

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Kirk in Kentucky writes:

I don't know what the best path forward for Gaza is, but for the U.S. it is to drop any effort supporting either Gaza or Israel.

The purpose of a nation's foreign affairs efforts is to further our ends, open trade opportunities, and bend other nations to our will so that we are in a more advantageous position on the world stage than before. How does pouring our money and energy into either one of those sand pits help us achieve that?

It baffles me that so much of the discussion about Gaza revolves around fixing the regions problems and yet I've not once heard a good explanation as to how that helps the U.S.

Let's focus our energy where it counts, on allies that can return our investments, not on charity to places that only squander it on their own stupid philosophical differences.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Dennis writes:

Tell Hamas to spend more time and energy smuggling in food and medicine from Egypt rather than weapons.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Tony in South Carolina writes:

I do not believe sending another $900M dollars to the Gaza strip is the fiscal and proper way to resolve this problem. I believe what needs to be done first is fix our own fiscal problems here in the U.S. before we are spending almost a trillion dollars somewhere else to rebuild something that is just going to get destroyed again. I do not believe that we should spend any money there until they can guarantee that the fighting has ended. That is like throwing good money after bad. We rebuild and they destroy it again. We have our own money problems here in the U.S. I live in a small town in South Carolina and they have had their school budget slashed so drastically in the last six months that they are not sure what they are going to do next year. We should be spending that money here in our own country before we worry about other people that donot care about us in the least.

We are always sending money to other countries when they have some type of catastrophe but when something happens here in the U.S. such as Katrina do you see any of those countries offering anything to help us.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Elizabeth W. in Michigan writes:

My thoughts are that Gaza should be given humanitarian help (ie food and water) not based upon their governments actions (such as missile strikes) because without intervention by the outside world there will never be a desire by the people in Gaza to see a new government. Once humanitarian needs are met however, I think that Gaza needs an industry, a purpose and I'm not sure if we can provide that or not but it's something to think about.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Chul-hong in South Korea writes:

The essence of handling issues in Gaza or Palestine is, as we know, not democratic but ethnic. That is to say, religion should be regarded as a substantial matter.

Since the establishment of Israel, U.S. has viewed that region mostly with the sight of Israel, which has provoked aversion of Arab-nations.

In my opinion, Obama administration which declares remodeled access to that region may as well set the symmetric position between Israel and Palestine.

Also, Israel which has intentionally ignored and overlooked Palestine so long time should acknowledge the entity of Palestine for cornerstone of the peace. In this context, Israel should withdraw step-by-step it's military from the conflicted area as a token of presenting its will for the peace.

History says that Israel and Palestine have migrated mainly from the same continent, Europe. So, the EU should participate in mediating two states more actively than ever.

Simply put, most of all, the strong will, shared by involved individual states, toward the peace will be able to enhance the deadlock situation.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Dorothy in Nevada writes:

Two state solution is best. However, we have been supporting Israel since the time of Truman and I really do not believe that Israel has always been fair and cooperative with the Palestinian People. Israel needs to get out of the Gaza Strip and allow the people to lead their lives unrestricted. It is , in my opinion, time for the United States to withold money, weapons or whatever else to put pressure on Israel to cooperate. It is time for Israel to stand up for itself and function on its own. They have been an economic and political drain on this country far beyond reason. Why aren't other countries in the region or the world also taking care of Israel with their money, weapons and diplomats? Maybe it is because Israel has proved so difficult to work with---we have watched as citizens of the United States the number of times U.S. Presidents have tried to hold Israel's hand and lead them to a cooperative solution. We can still be their allies---but it is time to let the "child" grow and move out into the world on their own. Good Luck to Secretary Clinton and her Team---they will need it. Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Jonathan in California writes:

Absolutely more multilateral talks.... POTUS and SOS should host the Israeli and Palestinian (as well as other stakeholders) leaders to a summit in the United States: perhaps to Obama's native Oahu! A summit in the U.S.A. would facilitate further dialogue necessary to reach some accord(s).

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Gilbert in New York writes:

First step could for the United States Department of State to prevent saboteurs of its own efforts in combating terrorism and restoring peace to post such a malicious, relativist and propagandistic pictures in their own official blog. Just like the one above.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Elaine in Oregon writes:

Stop U.S. economic aid to Israel (billions used for military purposes). Pressure Israel to end its 41-year illegal military occupation (Gaza is still occupied, even though Israeli settlers and army have left the Gaza Strip). Israel still controls Gaza air space, borders, coastal areas. 1.4 million Palestinians are locked inside the tiny Gaza strip like prisoners. Israel is using U.S. made weapons illegally against Palestinian civilians. Enforce United Nations resolutions 242 and 238. Support the Arab League proposal. Stop U.S. vetoes of UN security council resolutions condemning Israeli belligerence. Do all this and it will be the beginning of a true and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Lea in California writes:

The way forward in Gaza must begin with providing security along the border and lifting the siege (ie opening the crossings as soon as possible. Interim guarantors can be replaced by permanent security forces/agreements as the steps below are carried out.

U.S. should advise Israel, our close ally, to...

1. Release Marwan Barghouti. His release would provide an alternative to Hamas that Hamas can work with, and increases the chance that a unity government representing a majority of Palestinians can be established

2. Get the Arab League, EU and U.S. to support reconciliation of Palestinian Unity government, with promise of UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF TAX REVENUES Israeli is holding back once that is patched back together. With Dahlan out, and Barghouti free, it's possible. Hamas (moderates) say they want it. The major reason Abbas is saying "no", is because U.S. and Israel are supporting that stance.

3. Israel renounces principle of "expanding existing settlements" in West Bank and particularly around Jerusalem.

4. Israel announces it will stop construction of parallel road system in West Bank

5. Israel announces that as a good will gesture it is ceasing its excavation/repairs at base of the Temple Mount.

6. U.S. announces effort to convene conference of all outside parties providing weapons to begin talks to reduce arms flow into Israel, West Bank and Gaza. This is tricky but can be done, in a face saving manner for everyone.

After that we/EU/Arab League broker a peace deal that addresses...

Jerusalem

Water

Right of Return in context of the disposition of hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers in same breath as fate of Palestinian diaspora is discussed. Any compensation discussion should include claims by both Palestinians and Jews displaced since 1948 from British Mandate and surrounding Arab countries.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Kathy in Ohio writes:

Get rid of Hamas, the Palestian people need to learn to live on their own and not follow a terrorist group that has no problem putting their citizens in front of them when someone is trying to kill them. Hamas will do anything and are so full of hate that don't care who suffers.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Renee D. in California writes:

The current U.S. policy on this question supports a Two State solution. However, proponents for a One State solution argue that this is the only reasonable solution toward stabilizing Gaza. What must be understood with regard to the devastating violence experience by both sides, is that the true victims of these actions are innocent children and their mothers.

Forums for dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli officials, as well as respective citizens, would build mutual understanding about their common need to develop healthy families and communities to promote a strong, prosperous society, whether as one nation or two. The United States must continue to play an active role, as it is now by participating in the Donor's Conference hosted by Egypt. In addition to support for humanitarian assistance, education initiatives that promote the development of non-violent communication skills in Israel, inclusive of Gaza, should be enacted or endorsed. The education of a young mind is an investment toward peace in Gaza, and it would seem, far less costly than the alternative.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

Donald in Virginia writes:

We cannot tell Isreal or Hamas what they can or cannot do. Every country of Nation has the rights to defend its people. We can offer ideas on how to settle the problems but we cannot be the problem. I can suggest that the people of Gaza move because it just might make sense. However, some head strong people might disagree. The whole Gaza Strip needs to be re-evaluated and for humanity the ones injured in the battle need to be taken care of.

I can even agree with Joe from Tennessee that Egypt can take a bigger role of handing the refugees until they can determine what happens to Gaza.

It's easy for us to sit back and play politics but were talking about real people, real lives, and real threats. I also understand it's in the interest of the new Administration to tone things down. It's just like President Obama's torture policy, it's wonderful for United States but what about the other Nations in the world who continue torturing and given the opportunity they would keep doing it to American people abroad. I'm obviously against torture as well, just pointing out there should be a United Nations Mandate for all countries around the world to follow President's Obama's Lead.

I don't think torturing is the best method to gain valued intelligence from terror suspects. There are other methods that would work without the use of force and get the same results.

Godbless and let's hope and pray that Peace will happen for all People, all religons and all neighbors to get along.

Posted on Mon Mar 02, 2009

William in Florida writes:

The United States has adopt a stance of neutrality and move away from the tilt toward Israel. Since 2006, Israel has made war against Lebanon and Gaza by principally attacks the citizenry of these areas.

The United States has to declare that attacking civilian populations and depriving the people of Gaza the right to operate its ports and have access to humanitarian goods is now at an end.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Ezra in Massachusetts writes:

Call a summit of all MidEast countries and parties involved with Gaza and listen to their concerns. Also, the U.S. should stop providing the weapons Israel uses to bomb Gaza, which we then have to rebuild.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Todd in Washington, DC writes:

The first step is that the United States should pressure Israel to stop all military missions against the Palestinian people, immediately. Being that they are militarily stronger and recognizing that the actual physical and human threat of random rockets is relatively low although politically high; this would show significant leadership to the world stage. This stance does not have to be made public, but it would be incredibly powerful if it was.

Second, the Hamas and Fatah need to create a unity government that recognizes Israel's existence and begin a power sharing agreement according to the results of the next election.

Third, the United States should recognize Hamas, whether we like them or not, as a democratically elected party of the people. Condition of this recognition is that Hamas denounces terrorism immediately, stop the firing of all rockets into Israel populations, and instead agrees to bring all future grievances to the United Nations Security Council.

Step four, which I believe is possible if Step 1 is accomplished, then the U.S. should stop supporting Israel's military actions against Palestinians unequivocally and let Israel's actions be governed according to global law and policed by the United Nations Security Council. A good example of this is Israel's use of the banned caustic chemical phosphorous militarily against Palestinian citizens in 2009. If the United Nations Security Council wishes to pursue war crimes against Israel for using phosphorous, the United States should take a wait and see attitude, let Israel defend itself, and pass judgment later. This would possibly make them more accountable and more even handed in their dealings with Palestinians. We should support our ally, but make them more accountable for their actions at the same time.

If we can make 1-4 happen in some order, the future of the equally innocent Palestinians and Israelis would be brightened while dimming one of the roots of current extremism.

President Obama is in a unique position of being a complete break from traditional U.S. political thinking and has an opportunity to evolve American foreign policy. By applying fresh and honest eyes on the 60 year crisis, we have an opportunity to safely push the Middle East's current trajectory away from further chaos and further human suffering. Only when all nations adhere to international law will the world be safe, including equally innocent Israelis and Palestinians, and will America regain our much deserved moral high ground.

God bless America.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Martha in Massachusetts writes:

ALL parties must be involved in talks. Declaring Hamas to be a terrorist organization and then refusing to deal with it was a disaster. As with Northern Ireland, it is precisely the party needed at the table. And after Israel's attack on Gaza it is stronger than ever both in Gaza and in the West Bank. By drawing it in there is the chance to transform it to a responsible party.

The U.S. also must stop selling weapons to Israel, especially experimental weapons (heavy metals, DU) cluster bombs and white phosphorus. There is no way they can use them legally given the population density of the surrounding areas. For us to provide them makes up partners in war crimes. And we must challenge the way they have used them in this last war.

It is time to stop totally supporting everything Israel does. I am glad to hear that voice developing and hope it continues.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Susan in Washington writes:

The massive Gaza Marine Gas field that was discovered in 2000 by the British firm BG can more than just alleviate the suffering of the Gazans. It can aise the standard of living of all Palestinians by providing them with an immediate economic base.

It was estimated to have 4-5 Billion Dollars worth of natural gas. Israel has been trying to co-opt this resource from the Palestinians even though they clearly do not have a right to control it nor the water tables below Gaza or the West bank.

It is time for the UN and the U.S. to step up to the plate and demand that Israel backs off from claiming the right to control the economic future of the Gazans and all Palestinians.

They will not need International "welfare" if they are allowed to develop their own resources. It is unacceptable that they would only receive 10 cents on the dollar from their own natural gas. They should be able to choose their own contractors to develop their gas resources on their own terms.

Israel should also have to replant all those olive trees that were planted with the help of UN peace groups. They should also pay for all damage to schools and hospitals built with UN funds and intentionally destroyed by Israeli IDF troops.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Patty B. in Colorado writes:

It is their problem. Not ours. Let them solve it.

We don't need to be the police for every country.

Gaza is always starting the problem. They won't listen to anyone, anyway.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

SNP in Syria writes:

@ JACOBO L in NM -- Excellent statistics you presented here. But you see Islam is just another Ammonite deception scheme. There are 1500 million so called Moslems, but this number is somehow misleading. The fact is, there are just a dozen Moslem rulers who own all the wealth, and have literally destitute the rest of the hundreds of millions you counted, not just economically, but culturally, spiritually and militarily, for those hundreds of millions you counted, life is about meeting physical survival necessities, praying five times a day and reciting the Quran hourly . Many like the Iranian 80 million Moslems, they just pretend to be one in name that is all, in a bid to cease the rest of the Moslems and enslave them in Hezbollah and Hamas styled armies of non productive and ultra destructive brigades. They never really help Moslems progress in anyway. They invest in religious Marduk coming again zealots schools, not science centers in the Islamic World, they will help a Moslem financially if he to strap bomb belt around his or his daughter chest and blow Jews and Sunni up but they will never ever help a Moslem seeking other ways.

The hoarded riches those dozen Moslem rulers are not used to build the national economies; they are privately invested with no public oversight by the rulers in Western Banks and Real Estate investments. So they really don't have that money. It will all be lost soon in the financial meltdown that is ongoing now and for some time.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Tyler in Washington writes:

The best path forward for Gaza is:

1) for the United States to pressure Israel to do what is in Israel's own best interests: open up the border crossings;

2) for the U.S. and Israel to broaden and deepen their support of Mahmoud Abbass and the Palestinian Authority, our already-proven genuine partners for peace;

3) for the U.S. to attend meetings between Hammas and the Palestinian Authority to work out a national unity government that recognizes Israel's right to exist and renounces violence as a political tactic;

4) for the U.S. to censure Israel for excessive use of force during Operation Cast Lead, and to warn Israel that the irresponsible and cruel use of force in the future will impair the U.S.A.'s ability to sponsor Israel's military.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts!

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Ellen in Georgia writes:

The people in Gaza need so much help. Over half of the children in Gaza have witnessed a death during the most recent violence. These children and their families need food, medical care, and psychological counseling. They need to have their homes and schools rebuilt. Please work to change laws that limit contact with Hamas so that aid workers can talk with them.

Not nearly enough aid has been reaching the people in Gaza. Please work to see that all needed aid is allowed to get to them. Most of these citizens are innocent of any crimes and have been injured physically and emotionally. The U.S. should stop all military aid to Israel.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Sarah in Pennsylvania writes:

End military aid to Israel. I do not support the fact that Israel used my tax dollars to massacre hundreds of innocent men, women, and children in Gaza. Since we have funded this massacre and left an entire region in shambles, it is now our responsibility to (1) End military aid to Israel to prevent such bloodshed in the future; (2) Re-build the hundreds of schools, hospitals, orphanages, mosques, and infrastructure in Gaza that Israel recently demolished.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Jonathan G. in New York writes:

Any effort at rebuilding Gaza should focus on local energy production, with the goal of helping to spur job growth and economic recovery. Helping to eliminate poverty would go a long way toward stopping the spread of terrorism. A larger middle class in Gaza is a worthy goal.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Ruth in Israel writes:

The self-perception of being refugees is a core issue in Gaza.

My dad lost two of his four siblings in Poland/Ukraine, and his father's home & adjacent store on the main plaza of the town were confiscated. Are the three siblings who survived WWII sitting in a German DP camp today with their six children and many grandchildren, plotting how they can blow up people in Belarus so that they can get back to the town? Less than five years after the war they were all building their lives elsewhere.

Prerequisite One is figuring out how the people in Gaza, with the help of the Arab states, can swallow their pride and be exposed to the rest of the world long enough to realize that no one is currently occupying them, with the possible exception of Iran. At this point, we are still seeing Qassams.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Jacobo L. in Mexico writes:

The Muslimm world is 1500 million people strong, 50 countries are mayority Muslim, 76 countries have more than one million Muslims; India with 155 million Muslims, China with 27 million Muslims, Russia with 22 million, France with 6.5 million Muslims, Nigeria with 75 million, Ethiopia with 28 million, U.S.A. with nearly 2 million Muslims, and a land over 30 million sq-kilometers these is the African continent equivalent, and over 7 trillion GDP, equivalent to China, with some of the richest countries in the world, Qatar with 100,000 per dollars per capita, twice American, and some of the poorests countries in the world; its time that these rich Muslims take care of their poor brethen, Gazans.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

David in Michigan writes:

As long as each identify each other by race or religion neither side will know peace. Having a split country divided by borders and no common identity will always feel that there is a division that cannot be solved.

Palestians need one unified land in order for any kind of peace to be possible.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Brad in Missouri writes:

Give Gaza back to Egypt. Whether Egypt wants it or not. Even if Gaza had the best government in the history of the human race, it's too small and too resource-poor to be its own country. Israel doesn't want it. The former Jordanians on the West Bank don't even want it any more. Egypt doesn't want it, but it's their problem; Gaza has been part of Egypt since the Pharaohs. It's long-since time for Israel to correct the mistake they made in the peace talks with the Egyptians years ago and cough up the poison pill that is Gaza, and for the rest of the world to expect and require Egypt to clean up their mess and govern their city, Gaza City.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Andrew in New York writes:

I think they need some high profile human shields. Build a border community that both sides can mingle in and interested countries can provide diplomatic and military staff in a continuous hardened structure (accidents do happen).

If you have a couple cats that don't get along, constantly fighting when they meet, one solution is to place a fence that keeps them from tearing each other up, but still allows them to come face to face.

Its a bit harder when the cats are armed with missiles so you have to have a fence that can stop missiles.

The only thing I can think of that might work are human shields composed of people that neither side wants to kill. Finding out who that is may be the hardest part.

Maybe start with political prisoners from both sides in a modern community where they are cared for by international caretakers in a humane fashion with nice apartments, and their loved ones can come visit them at last.

The hardened structures should be strong enough and diplomatic restraint might keep both sides from shooting. An international contingent would be present with computer controlled gatling guns to shoot down overflying ordnance.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Shannon in California writes:

The U.S.A. should support all Nations equally and with humanitarian Help Only. No products of War should be included unless we are directly involved in the conflict.

Why is America backing Isreal anyway? The U.S.A. has always presented themselves are prmarily a Christian Nation and Isreal is Jewish. Does not make sense. Chrisitain faith is closer to Islam in faith than Jewish. Politically it is not our Country and we have no right to interfer except for humanitarian help. Is it about the Land and Oil only? What exactly do we gain from backing Isreal? If the Saudi and Middle Eastern Oil countries would pull together and give back to their people and develope the homes, jobs and cities for al the middle east maybe this conflict would end.

The Middle Eatern countries should be carring the burden for these people.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Brad B. in Canada writes:

There really is no way forward with Gaza ruled by Hamas. To accept them is to accept persecution of Christians, journalists and anyone who disagrees with them; Jew hatred goes without saying.

A series of errors of appeasement have been made by the west over the decades. The latest was the insane decision to allow Hamas to run as a bona fide party. Prior to that, the west turned a blind eye to the corruption and lies of Arafat and particularly to the indoctrination of the Palestinian people to be anti-western in general and anti-Jew in particular. Persecution and government-sponsored hatred exist in many OIC member countries and this too has been ignored.

These errors must be rectified or it is disingenuous to talk of peace.

A practical method is needed because the west has dug itself a big hole. I would recommend beginning by refusing to put up with the nonsense spouted at the UN; start with the "defamation of religions" issue and expand it to deny legitimacy to claims of widespread western Islamophobia and genocide by Israel.

There also needs to be a long-term process of creating democratic parties in the Palestinian territories as the prognosis for Fatah seems extremely poor.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Jose' P. in New York writes:

Rebuild Gaza. Provide a steady and progressive approach to all the issues. U.S. should be a strong advocate for Gaza and make them want to build a relationship with them and others in the region. Make them out allies. Rebuild the area. Independent of Israel rule.They must be independent. The peoples land must be returned. All the farm land home sites, etc. REBUILD GAZA, Assist in them getting a good government strong economy and an excellent educational system. Treat them like Kuwait. Keep Israel OUT of there. Make it a strong and peaceful part of the world. What is really going on there is as easy as going on Y tube. The footage of all the death of the children, women and young men is available for everyone to see. It's time to end this occupation in the middle east. We have no right in supporting such a thing. The Oil is on the land of the middle east not in the U.S. It's time to play nice in the sand box.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Polly in California writes:

I think the problems and hatreds in the lands 'Holy' to at least 3 of the world's major religions are so endemic and bitter, and memories of injustices are so long ( and already thousands of years old) that they will never be solved. Therefore I would like to propose an alternate solution: Make the entire Holy Land a World Historic Park, and don't let anybody live there. The people of the world would be allowed to visit - for up to two weeks per year - and then they must go home. Israelis and Palestinians, Moslem, Christian, and Jewish would be required to emigrate. All the world's countries would be encouraged to accept as many of these emigrants as full citizens as they thought they could assimilate.

The only exception to the residence ban would be for caretakers, docents, archaeologists, and the service employees needed to staff the tourist facilities. These persons would be issued temporary residence permits associated with their jobs on-site.

Rehoming the population would be difficult and fraught, I'm sure, but its fairness could not be questioned. And the savings to the world in suffering and pain and degradation, in money and hassle and time would be immense! Just think of all the news stories which wouldn't need to be written, the number of foreign correspondents who could stay home, the amount of time the United Nations, as well as most other countries could spend on other pressing concerns. Think of the children who could grow up without fear or injury, with educations and unfettered dreams.

I, like most people, I think, am sick to death of the ongoing 'crisis' in the Holy Land. It's time to step in and put an end to the squabbling. Let the Holy Land be what it should be, a place of spiritual pilgrimage.

Good Idea, don't you think??

Polly

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Jacobo L. in Mexico writes:

Gaza is a very crowded place, with a median age of 16, unemployment is 80%, the schools are only recruiting places, and hiding places for rockets, the solution is giving back the Strip to Egypt, they will absorb the one million refugees, the Hamas terrorist organization is advocating suicide bombings, encouraging children to martyr themselves, they use children as human shields, they murder innocent women and children as part of their belief, they execute rival Fatah members on the street, they torture children in front of their parents. Save the children, give back the Gaza Strip to Egypt.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Peter in Massachusetts writes:

Two state solution, based on the 1967 borders. Without that there is no basis for understanding and potential agreement on any of the other, equally difficult, issues which follow from it: right of return, water, migration, etc.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Adrian in Wisconsin writes:

We need to stop selling Israel weapons that mutilate innocent women and children. We need to stop giving Israel the money that it uses to buy such weapons. There can be no excuse for using incendiary weapons against the Palestinians. This is not our war and we should not be funding either side.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Kathi S. in California writes:

The best path forward is for America to end our financial support of Isreal. It was U.S. money that enabled Isreal to bomb Gaza and they will continue this aggressiveness is we continue to fund it. As a "politically correct" way to back out we can site the economic depression we face and the fact that we simply cannot afford this huge expense any longer. Why are we funding Isreal to destroy the Palestines instead of funding U.S. citizens who desperately need the government support to survive?

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Izaz in Massachusetts writes:

The civilian population of Gaza needs to be able to breath freely. They need to be freed from the open air prison they find themselves in. It is unconscionable that the International community has tolerated this collective punishment for the entire population of Gaza.

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

Fernando in Florida writes:

I have an idea that I believe can help to resolve wars between Israel and Hamas......

Posted on Sun Mar 01, 2009

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