Why 9/11 - The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict
Posted by Frugal on July 21st, 2006
A little digression from the usual theme of money. But world politics and wars definitely have a serious effect over stock market and macro-economic. It is therefore imperative to understand the international world politics in our global village.
I learned most of the things about the Palestine-Israel conflict directly from Jewish themselves. The best summary critical of Israel by Jewish themselves is The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict by Jews For Justice In the Middle East. I highly recommend you to read thru all the details in that link. By the way, if you decide to comment, I ask you to at least read through any 15 pages of the 37 pages document. The document is in agreement with the same key resolutions signed by 3800 American Jewish in their open letter to US government. I’m providing some excerpts from the views of these Jewish here (pg number refering to 8×11 edition). There is no Zionism, no Anti-Semitism here. Only a concerned and compassionate Asian third-party man who wants truth & justice to prevail for all fellow human beings.
- Since 1967, Israel is the most extensive violator of UN Resolutions: 242, 238, 267, 271 and 298.
- Canaanites were the earliest people in the region from 3000 to 1100 BC. Jewish ruled the region until 586 BC, 414 years max. And since 7th century, it is predominantly an Arab/Islamic place. (pg.2)
- “By 1948, the Jew was not only able to ‘defend himself’ but to commit massive atrocities as well. Indeed, according to the former director of the Israeli army archives, ‘in almost every village occupied by us during the War of Independence, acts were committed which are defined as war crimes, such as murders, massacres, and rapes’…Uri Milstein, the authoritative Israeli military historian of the 1948 war, goes one step further, maintaining that ‘every skirmish ended in a massacre of Arabs.’” (pg.8)
- “The First UN General Assembly resolution — Number 194- affirming the right of Palestinians to return to their homes and property, was passed on December 11, 1948. It has been repassed no less than 28 times since that first date.” Till today, Israel still refuses this basic right of returning home for Palestinians. (pg.10)
- “In violation of international law, Israel has confiscated over 52 percent of the land in the West Bank, and 30 percent of the Gaza Strip for military use or for settlement by Jewish civilian….Over this period (1967 to 1982), more than 300,000 Palestinians were detained without trial for various periods by Israeli security forces.” (pg.13)
- “Israel has split the West Bank by means of hundreds of trenches, dirt ramparts and concrete cubes which have been placed at the entrance to most of the towns and villages. No one enters and no one leaves, not those who are pregnant and not those who are dying.” (pg.33)
I can go on and on. It’s pretty much endless, and the injustice since 1948, after almost 60 years, is still happening daily to the poor Palestinians. So why does Palestine-Israel conflict concern US or anyone at all? And what does it have to do with 9/11? As you may know, a major chunk of US foreign aid goes to Israel. In fact, “Israel usually receives roughly one third of the entire foreign aid budget, despite the fact that Israel comprises less than .001 of the world’s population and already has one of the world’s higher per capita incomes. In other words, Israel, a country of approximately 6 million people, is currently receiving more U.S. aid than all of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean combined when you take out Egypt and Colombia.” “According to the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), from 1949-2001 the U.S. has given Israel a total of $94,966,300,000. The direct and indirect aid from this year should put the total U.S. aid to Israel since 1949 at over one hundred billion dollars. What is not widely known, however, is that most of this aid violates American laws. The Arms Export Control Act stipulates that US-supplied weapons be used only for “legitimate self-defense.” (info taken from washington-report.org) When Arabs look at Israeli military equipment, all the F-16 fighters and the best Apache helicopters, all made in USA, what would they think of USA? When US presidents repeatedly sided with Israel, even after continuous UN violations and abuse of human rights, what would Islamic world think of us? If America stands for the belief of its freedom and democracy, American tax dollar for foreign aids and foreign policy definitely do not reflect the belief.
Do you know any people who is willing to live under foreign occupation forever without revolting? Do you know any people who will not be angry for having his home bull-dozed over without any financial compensation nor any legitimate reasons that are directly related to him? Do you know any non-tyrannical government who would build a wall right through a Palestinian university campus? Do you know anyone who is mentally sound, but will kill and blow himself up for no good reasons, unless battling as a soldier for self-defending their countrymen’s basic rights? I just don’t. Right after 9/11, I saw a TV program asking various people for reaction to 9/11. None but a 5 year old girl had the intelligence of asking why. She said, “what did we do wrong so that they will hate us this much to do such a terrible thing to us?” A fresh mind, a refreshing inquiry indeed from a 5 year old. Why? Without knowing the answers, but simply exercising strong force is futile to resolving the root causes of the problem. Like Bush said, there are people in the world who hate the way we live and enjoy our democracy? I suggest Bush to read the book “Why do People Hate America?” to find out the reasons.
Understanding the Middle East conflict is the very first step to resolving the conflict. Resolving the conflict by imposing injustice upon a people by force, lies, or any other ways will never work. It may work for 10 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, but it just won’t work forever. A government’s power may last a very long time, but the sense of justice and the will to overcome an foreign-controlled impoverished life lasts forever. Palestinians (or any Arabs) don’t want to teach their children to hate Israeli. Palestinians only want to reclaim what was properly belonged to them. Because every man is created in the image of God, every man has the quintessential sense of justice from God. Some of us are watching over Israeli government actions, blogging about it, doing everything that we can in our power.
For as long as US government continue to fund Israeli government and condone its military actions, 9/11 will not be the last horrific terrorist event. We cannot put 9/11 behind us until we have resolved Palestine-Israel conflict in a peaceful and just way.
Right now, Israel is again attacking Lebanon with reasons of self-defense. If the small rockets by Hezbollah can only be launched from the south of Lebanon, why is Israel attacking all over the Lebanon, destroying the entire Lebanonese communication and transportation infrastructures which are the lifeblood of economic development? How can anyone call that self-defense, when civilians in un-related locations are dying? What is USA and Bush doing at this moment (refer to my comment on World War III post)? Do the actions of USA stand for what we all believe in, freedom and democracy for all?
By the way, I just want to add that this article is in no way supporting terrorism. I am a pacifist, and I think any violence is simply WRONG. Please see my comments here and comments in my post of first sign of world war III.
P.S.#1. I am taking a real risk by writing this post. As of now at 1:30am Friday, the national chapter of SUSTAIN (Stop US Tax Aid to Israel NOW) website has been HACKED. Instead, I get re-directed to a search portal. The Memphis chapter of SUSTAIN appears to have being hacked too. I hope you can still access Bay Area chapter when you read this page. And I hope my small site will not get hacked or go down because of this post. If my site goes down, you will know why. If you feel that you agree to my post, and that you have a blog or website, I hope you could propagate this message. Or you can email the 37 pages documents written by Jewish to as many people as you know. Unless more people know about the truth, and eventually take actions to change our foreign policy, USA will be mired in conflict along with Israel forever.
P.S.#2. I reserve the editorial right to any comments posted. I respect any differences in opinions that you may have with me. In a democracy, we are allowed to have differences in opinions, but still mutually respect each other. However, please be factual and compassionate to human lives. Do a little research before you post your comment.
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July 21st, 2006 at 3:00 am
Jesus Christ, I don’t understand what’s going on. Even SUSTAIN email addresses don’t work at all. And even their phone number at Chicago chapter doesn’t work. What kind of hackers are out there to hack webpages, YAHOO email accounts, and even phone numbers?? This is depriving our basic rights to freedom of speech!!
July 21st, 2006 at 7:01 am
You will disagree, but I think you’re being entirely unfair in this analysis. You have seemingly unlimited understanding for the Palestinians, why they are upset and why there is a continuous breeding of hatred in their midst. Yet you fail to acknowledge why Israel does what it does. Don’t you think Israeli’s are sick of seeing their children get blown up in the bus on the way to school in the morning? How can they not feel the intense need to retaliate when their sons and daughters are ripped apart by a suicide bomb while sitting in a cafe? And are they supposed to put up with having what you characterize as “small rockets” (calling them “small” is an over-the-top attempt to minimize and not have to explain the current conflict fairly).
“However, please be factual and compassionate to human lives.”
No offense, but I think that in your need to be compassionate you are completely overlooking the other side of the equation. Israel deserves compassion as well, there are families there that have had extreme tragedy incurred on them by Palestinian suicide attacks. I really dislike this “Israel is the big bad oger and Palestinians are just poor victims” approach to this conflict. Both sides are wrong, and both sides are right. They need to compromise.
July 21st, 2006 at 8:46 am
Anonymous Coward,
I don’t think you’ve read 15 pages of that link, that I’ve requested for anyone who would like to make a comment. I’m making an exception, since your comment is the first one that takes the opposite side.
If you read my World War III post, you should know my position very well. No amount of injustice can justfity any violence. Any violence is wrong. That’s my basic position. I truly feel as sorry for the innocent Israeli as for the innocent Palestinian and Lebonanese. Violence is simply WRONG.
The “small” rocket is only in comparison to the SIZE of Israeli bombs falling on top of Lebanon right now.
Now, I ask everyone to read the some of the Jewish opinions from that link. Ignorance is the root cause for any conflict.
July 21st, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Sir,
This article is a good place to start for someone, (esp. anyone who previously was disinterested in the whole Middle East conflict) BUT IT IS NOT THE FINAL NOR ULTIMATE WORD OR TRUTH ON THE BACKGROUND.
I find it to be extremely opinionated & slanted towards those “poor palestinians” you refer too.
I find it funny how the writer equated the hundreds of years of Ottoman rule as being Arab or Palestinian in nature, which it was not. The Turks, albeit muslims, where Central Asian and NOT AT ALL ARABS, took the land after defeating the Christian Bystantine Empire, which ruled the area. DO they count as jews or palestinians?
—- edited —————–
If you just read a couple of pages, and want to call it extremely opinionated, then I don’t know what to say. Obviously, every opinion is opinionated, but just whether based on facts or not. There are many articles besides this one too on the internet by Jewish people. One just needs to look. To be honest with you, the part you comment is the least of my concern. But I definitely agree with you. This is by no means FINAL. One should always read both sides of arguments and determine for themselves. I’m putting up one side of argument, and I welcome readers to add links for the other side. I’m simply expressing my opinion, and I fully respect your opinion. But that does not mean that I should take anyone’s personal insult.
July 23rd, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Spot on analysis, Frugal. Our leaders ignore these lessons at our peril.
July 24th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Frugal,
Your Fundamentalist thinking is absurd. you stated
“No amount of injustice can justfity any violence. Any violence is wrong”, if thats the case, why should the United States (or any other nation) have a military, why have police forces etc. etc. , sometimes when dealing with absolute worst in the species, and those who threaten, harm and attempt to murder others,one must defend itself with force (violence) sometimes, one must even be pre-emptive when facts, history and circumstance require it to be safe and effective. Your blanket opinions are unrealistic, insensitive and counter-productive. Perhaps Israel is responding to certain incidents with a disproportionate amount of force, that is up for discussion and debate. But to blanket every certain scenario and circumstance with the ol’ violence is wrong, is just plain wrong.
July 24th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Barrell,
Looks like you don’t particularly like my site from your various comments on a couple of my posts. If you don’t like to read my site, I will be happy to block your IP address. Given the amount of time that I have for blogging, I can’t possibly state everything in legal language like a lawyer, without any possible fault.
Self-defense to a certain extent is obviously okay. Everything comes down to how much. Most of the things in life are not black and white, but just different degrees of gray. I’m much closer to resorting to peaceful means, while others may not agree. And that’s fine. It’s close to impossible to agree on every minute details, right? And I respect everything that you have to say. But I do hope all discussions here won’t get into some personal fight. If I do get too personal, my apology.
Regards.
July 25th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Dear Frugal,
I admire the thoughtful way you attempt to couch your position, but I must agree with Hank: sure, your link supports your view, but there are websites that offer “proof” that Bush was behind 9/11, too. Or that the Holocaust is a myth.
The site you referred me to is not in that category, but it isn’t all that far from it, either.I respect your opinion. You issue the disclaimer that you are a pacifist, and I accept this bias. (Indeed, I applaud it.) Nothing wrong with that, good on ‘ya, mate. But I take exception to your linkage of 9/11 and the Palestinian problem. While I disagree with much of what you wrote, I like to read and think about views contary to my own, and as noted above, I think you are a thoughtful person.
But, Frugal,
there is no correlation whatsoever - none - between 9/11 and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Your assertion to the contrary betrays an historical, intellectual and yes, perhaps even moral (though that may be a bit strong) failing so deep and so fundamental that I suspect further discourse would not be productive.I should, of course, leave you with some links, but I have to run. But you definitely need to read a little more on the history of the middle east. You need some other sources for your facts, because you have been misled.
If I have offended you, I apologize. But I will leave you with a thought experiment. Assume for a moment that there was no Israel (which just so happens to be the stated policy of most Arab states). Would anything in the Middle East (beyond conflicts with Israel) be any different?
——————–
Bob, you provided no links, so I’m crossing out your baseless comments. My answer to your last question is certainly Middle East will be VERY different if there is no Israel (but by no means, I think Israel should be out. Such thinking is simply unrealistic.).
July 25th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Hard to disagree with your post. Certainly the Jews should pull out of Lebanon and Gaza and the Golan Heights, disarm, and really, they should get out of the Middle East altogether. It is either that or trust the poor Palestinians to be merciful. After all, look at all the other countries in the region, and how well Jews are treated in those places. No, the Jews should be forced out of the area.
Once that is done the Palestinians won’t be occupied and won’t come after us!
I’m not sure where all the Jews should go, but they certainly can’t be allowed to stay in Israel since their simply being there is
1) an affront to Arab pride, which leads to attacks
2) an invitation to attacks which are
3) no morally okay to respond to with more attacks.
Maybe they should be allowed to go back to Europe? If the Palestinians have a right to return the Jews certainly do. Then again a lot of Arabs in Europe hate the Jews, especially the Israeli ones, so that might not work out. Maybe America can take them? But this all assumes they want to leave! What if they don’t? Maybe some day there will be a final solution to the Jewish problem. Until then we pacifists will just have to suffer.
July 25th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Guys,
You’re welcome to cut & paste links, but without any factual links, how can people judge your positions? Any links with more arguments, but less facts, are not as helpful as pure reporting on facts. I’m totally aware of all the terrorism going on, and I cannot consent on what they are doing. Being blasted in shopping mall is no fun, etc.
Bob, if you think I’m misled, please leave factual links that show the other side of story. I understand that it will take time, and I appreciate your effort in doing that. After all, arguing is not very helpful. Collecting facts for everyone to read, judge, and form their opinions is the best.
Harkonnendog, I did not state that I think Jewish should get out of Israel. Personally, I think Israel should retreat to their pre-1967 border, as stated by the open letter from 3800 American Jewish. Someone here tell me what legitimate reasons for anyone to have to stay in your home/yard for almost 40 years, and just keeps refusing to move and give it up? Instead, more illegal Israeli settlements just keep mushrooming, mostly funded by US tax dollars, about 3 billions every year. I really would like to know this answer if it is legitimate.
July 25th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I’m just going to cut & paste FACTS here, whenever I can find them:
Israel bulldozer killed an American female peace activist. on March 16, 2003. She tried to stop Israeli bulldozer to flatten a home belonged to Palestinian physician by sitting in between the bulldozer and the home. When I heard this news in 2003, I felt so sad for the American girl who is the bravest among us all.
July 25th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Here are the details of the Israel’s peace offer (lots of land grab):
http://gush-shalom.org/generous/generous.html
Gush-Shalom is a group of Israeli who are Israeli peace activists.
Check out their goals here, including Israeli retreat to pre-1967 border.
July 31st, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Bob,
If you can’t even give a single fact, don’t even say that the article by Jewish is close to myth. What myth? On July 30, 2006, Israel’s bomb killed some 50 people, majority of them are children. Real innocent people are dying by dozens, but US & Israel cannot be more cold-blooded.
I held my own 1-year old, and I cried for these small Lebanese children, each of them was as precious as my own child. Show some compassion! The killers and bystanders may have nobody to report to in this life, but God’s justice is ever-lasting. Everyone will need to account for any of the tiniest faults that he or she has committed in the past.