http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzU0ZDgzZmQ2NGVmM2Q3ODM1ZjQ1MWZiZmZhMjk3MzY=&w=MQ==

"Six months before Israel’s birth, the U.N. had decided by a two-thirds majority that the only just solution to the British departure from Palestine would be the establishment of a Jewish state and an Arab state side by side. The undeniable fact remains: The Jews accepted that compromise; the Arabs rejected it.

With a vengeance. On the day the British pulled down their flag, Israel was invaded by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan and Iraq — 650,000 Jews against 40 million Arabs.

Israel prevailed, another miracle. But at a very high cost — not just to the Palestinians displaced as a result of a war designed to extinguish Israel at birth, but also to the Israelis, whose war losses were staggering: 6,373 dead. One percent of the population. In American terms, it would take 35 Vietnam memorials to encompass such a monumental loss of life.

You rarely hear about Israel’s terrible suffering in that 1948-49 war. You hear only the Palestinian side. Today, in the same vein, you hear that Israeli settlements and checkpoints and occupation are the continuing root causes of terrorism and instability in the region.

But in 1948, there were no “occupied territories.” Nor in 1967 when Egypt, Syria and Jordan joined together in a second war of annihilation against Israel.

Look at Gaza today. No Israeli occupation, no settlements, not a single Jew left. The Palestinian response? Unremitting rocket fire killing and maiming Israeli civilians. The declared casus belli of the Palestinian government in Gaza behind these rockets? The very existence of a Jewish state.

Israel’s crime is not its policies but its insistence on living. On the day the Arabs — and the Palestinians in particular — make a collective decision to accept the Jewish state, there will be peace, as Israel proved with its treaties with Egypt and Jordan. Until that day, there will be nothing but war. And every “peace process,” however cynical or well-meaning, will come to nothing."

 

More propaganda...

Mark
 

Eagle Ted,

As I see it, most Palestinians have been kept behind walls for to many years. They would take peace over vengeance in a heart beat. I really believe strongly that peace would bring out the best of mankind.

Hank:

Eagle Ted,

As I see it, most Palestinians have been kept behind walls for to many years. They would take peace over vengeance in a heart beat. I really believe strongly that peace would bring out the best of mankind.

I emphasize with Palestinians who want peace and freedom. They've been oppressed, sadly, by their own as much as anything the Israelis have done.

 

Hey Mark,  I believe the Russians came rolling into Berlin .  We were a little late getting to Berlin.  Israel has been flying over Syria for years without a wink from the UN.  Why do you need tanks?

If, as you believe " I still believe 90% of Palestinians only want peace and be free",  then why:

(1) why does apparently a majority of palistinians support Hamas which wants to destry Israel,

(2) why did palistinians continually attack Israel when they were "occupied" by Jordan and Eqypt, rather than attack Jordan and Eqypt?

Based on THEIR ACTIONS, I believe a majority of palistinians want Israel destroyed, period.

//mjs

What do you mean "Israel has been flying over Syria for years....?"

Oh, I get it, you must be refering to Israel's destruction of Syria's nuclear reactor, just as Israel destroyed Saddam's reactor decades ago.

Personally, I supported and continue to support these actions by Israel.  Can I assume you don't?

 //mjs

ps - what about Syria's and Iran's essential occupation of Lebanon the past two decades?  

Mshimko,

I believe in hope and peace.  You seem to believe in neither.

Hank:

Hey Mark,  I believe the Russians came rolling into Berlin .  We were a little late getting to Berlin.  Israel has been flying over Syria for years without a wink from the UN.  Why do you need tanks?

Honestly, Hank...

1. The Soviets were the first, but not the only powers in Berlin.

2. At the Potsdam Conference, it was agreed that Germany would be divided into 4 zones of occupation. It was also agreed that the 4 powers would be uninhibited in Berlin, but the Soviets reneged on that.

3. Air power is a strategic and tactical weapon, but you cannot defeat an enemy from the air, you need to occupy the ground they hold, and armor is a critical component of any army of consequence.

4. It is clear that the facts of the history of Israel do not influence your opinions of the current circumstances in which the Israelis and Arabs find themselves. 

Mark 

Mark,

I was proud of Israel getting their independence in 1948. I would also be happy when the Palestinians finally get their right to return and get their own country. I believe both Israel and the Palestinians should live in peace.  I hope you feel the same way.?

There was a good show on "100 years of Terrorism" on History International a few days ago. The show started off with Irgun and the Stern Gang. Former members of these groups admitted they were terrorists, although they can't deny it with the  King David Hotel bombing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing and bombing of the British embassy in Rome. These groups had the approval of the Jewish population. A terrorist org can't exist without the help of the locals. That was shown when the founder of the Stern Gang lost his support. He was ratted out to the British, who then killed him.

"In July 2006, Israelis including former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former members of Irgun attended a 60th anniversary celebration of the bombing, which was organized by the Menachem Begin Centre. The British Ambassador in Tel Aviv and the Consul-General in Jerusalem dissented, saying "We do not think that it is right for an act of terrorism, which led to the loss of many lives, to be commemorated." They also protested against an Israeli plaque that claims that people died because the British ignored warning calls, saying it was untrue and "did not absolve those who planted the bomb." The plaque read "For reasons known only to the British, the hotel was not evacuated.” City officials agreed to slightly amend the wording on the plaque."

The old adage is true: One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. It depends on which side you're on.

Should we defend Israel militarily? No. It's not our fight. The American people would never vote to use our military in that manner. Unfortunately, it's not up to the American people. If the situation arose, it would be up to whomever is President. Vote accordingly.

ML