Condoleezza Rice, Israeli settlements and the Jerusalem Post

[inktankproductions]

If i were a Palestinian leader i would march my people west and settle in Europe/America. Isreals occupation over the 60s is truly horriffic and ruined countless lives (including the zionists that are killed by freedom fighters). Its just not worth the land! and there seems to be some divine justice in the people who had there land given away on their behalf would settle in the countries that happily gave it away! Isreal will never stop its crimes, its people see the Palestinians as animals...

[polofreek123]

In short, I think it is very complicated. But I am NOT a zionist, though I AM religious. I believe in the importance of Jewish presence in the middle-east, but not exclusively. Basically, my views are idealistic, but I do believe the conflict will end one day, even if it is not in my lifetime.

I hope I have managed to explain.

[Tony63efc]

You have explained your views very well polofreek and you were right in saying at the beginning that we are in close agreement. I could comment on what you say but it would only to be to expand on your comments rather than disagreeing with them. Thank you

[polofreek123]

I believe violations of human rights are ALWAYS wrong, but they have happened on both sides. The upsetting part for me is that, on the Israeli side, they are being carried out by a democratically elected Government. People on both sides are using G-d as a reason for their claims, but I feel that people on both sides are forgetting G-d, and therefore it can no longer be called a Holy War. It is a fight for land, fuelled by Paranoia, and I just hope it will be resolved

[polofreek123]

c) would people calling it a Holocaust be using that word if Israel was not a Jewish State? I believe it is being used for effect.

I think the rest of the world seems to be egging the two nations in a way. I believe that if peace is going to come about, it is going to have to be because the two Governments want it to, not because interfering westerners (George Bush for example) try to instigate talks.

[polofreek123]

c) would people calling it a Holocaust be using that word if Israel was not a Jewish State? I believe it is being used for effect.

I think the rest of the world seems to be egging the two nations in a way. I believe that if peace is going to come about, it is going to have to be because the two Governments want it to, not because interfering westerners (George Bush for example) try to instigate talks.

[polofreek123]

Although I am definitely more left-wing, I do have many issues with some people on the left. I disagree with calling the ongoing violence a 'Holocaust'. There are several reasons for this:

a) It is not a Holocaust. It is not even really a war, in general terms. It is an ongoing conflict between two peoples'.

b) Although I feel that many Palestinians are being unfairly oppressed, they are never killed simply because they are Palestinian.

[polofreek123]

Also, I feel that, essentially, all of Israel was originally Palestinian land (at least in recent History) so they should be allowed to travel anywhere freely within it. So, as you can probably guess, I am VERY anti-wall. But Israel suffered many terrorist attacks before the wall was put up, and many believe the wall is preventing those from re-occuring. But my personal beliefs are that an entire nation should not be punished for the work of a few.

[polofreek123]

Unfortunately, both sides have been wounded and neither seem to be agreeing to peace anytime soon.

I have major issues with people on the right who say that Palestinians should go to the other surrounding Muslim countries. Although I am not Muslim, I find this offensive because it suggests that ALL Muslim countries are alike, which of course is not the case- it's like saying that everyone in Britain should move to Italy or somewhere else in Europe because they are 'all the same'.

[polofreek123]

I think that, if Israel is going to agree to the proposals above (which are often being suggested by many political figures around the world) then Hamas is also going to have to stop firing rockets into Sderot. There is also a lot of anti-semitic media being shown by Hamas in Gaza, which many Palestinians probably feel is justified (though not all Palestinians, and there are also groups within the Jewish population who are Islamaphobic). These will have to stop.

[polofreek123]

I know this will cause problems for the people living in the settlements, but I feel that it is the responsibility of the Israeli Government (who, if I am being honest, are not doing a very effective job at all) to provide new housing for them within the agreed pre-1968 borders. I believe in the importance of a Jewish state, but not at ANY cost, and I feel that Israel these days is often being too aggressive when it claims to be 'defending itself'.

[polofreek123]

Ideally, I would like to see it become a pluralistic state, with Arab and Jew living side by side with no fighting. However, clearly that is a long shot, as there will always be conflicting views fuelled by fundamentalists on both sides. So, I think the best thing at the moment would be for all Israeli settlements to be disbanded.

[polofreek123]

Hi there. It was interesting to listen to your views, and much of them I agree with. I'm a British Jew, but I wouldn't call myself a zionist at all. I thought I would just share my views on Israel, which are mixed and do not seem to fit into the stereotypical 'left' or 'right'. This may take a few comments, I hope you will bare with me if you find it interesting.

[brooksgeo2]

israel is a radical zionist terror org, decree of xile,,,jews= commie khazars, or talmud scribe pharisees, take your pic,

[Tony63efc]

I share your low opinion of Israel but I find this comment anti-semitic and I cannot endorse that.

[Tony63efc]

The shooting at the seminary today is a terrible event, one that I regret but I stand by my video.

[meggatonman]

Good video. "i can think of politicians of the right who i respect", I can, just, but not many.

[Tony63efc]

Thanks, in Britain we have what are called 'one-nation Tories.' As the name implies they try to govern for all the country not just the rich and priviliged.

[Tony63efc]

Sorry just noticed you ARE British. I thought Chris Patten was a decent man and John Major got the Northern Ireland peace process going.

[JAMMAN1701]

i'm not too well informed of the politics in Israeli and that part of the world but i understand your points in this video. 5 stars =)

[Tony63efc]

Thanks Jamman; I would make two points (1) Israelis living in some parts of Israel feel unsafe because of missile attacks from Gaza. (2) Life for Palestinians is made very difficult because they have to go through Israeli checkpoints.

[Tony63efc]

Thank you, I hope I am reasonable. The important thing is to listen to both sides and then express an opinion that is based on at least an attempt to understand both sides. If we get all our news from one source the danger is we only get one side of the story.

[creekinjun]

Rice and bush are fools to not recognize that so-called 'palestinians' are nothing but Jordanian refugees polluting Israel's land. I feel sorry for Israelis who allow themselves to be victimized by ignorant, western secularists.