Posted by Jost on July 20, 2006, at 17:17:09
In reply to Re: The Middle East, posted by Declan on July 20, 2006, at 15:25:37
> Hi there. Before we start thinking too much about the rights and wrongs of the countries involved, especially western countries and Israel, it might be best to ask whether that's a good way of looking at it.
...might it not be the case that it suits both Israel and Hezbollah to continue the war? In Israel's case because it is a better way of getting what they want than negotiation. Mahmoud Abbass comes in here, he might have looked like he was getting somewhere. Israel could easily destroy Hezbollah if Hezbollah was an army, but since it isn't it may well suit Hezbollah to aim for the long term, not just in Lebanon which they will gain control of(?), but throughout the region, which will be radicalised. Until it is in someone's interest to stop the fighting (apart from ordinary people I mean) it will continue. What I am trying to say is that we should try not to view this through the lens of the west.
I just don't want to hear any more about the middle east peace process. I feel like I've been hearing about it for 30 years and if this a hypocricy the world needs, I for one can do without it. I would just like to understand this particular place.
> DeclanI was responding more to the post after yours than to what you said.
I'm interested in what you had in mind by the "lens [other than] the west"
I guess I feel like I personally have a perspective, which is essentially western, although I wish I had access to the perspectives of people who really understood the situation. I saw something a while back by someone who seemed very thoughtful, who said that there wsn't likely to be peace or accommodation in this generation, or maybe several generations, because the trauma on both sides had been too great to be overcome. That struck me as possibly perceptive.
Do you know any other sources of information? I'd be really interested in knowing about them-
I don't really trust Robert Fisk, unfortunately, although he's a smart, impressive guy.
Jost
poster:Jost
thread:667115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060610/msgs/668689.html