I Like Big "Buts" And I Can Not Lie
From the "You Just Don't Get It, Do You?" department comes the latest idiocy from Hamas:
Hamas wants West to end blockade
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Hamas urged the West on Friday to accept a new Palestinian unity government but leading officials from the Islamist group said they would never recognize Israel nor abide by existing peace accords.
Here's my question for you, and I know you don't like debating politics, so I'll try my best not to respond, but what consitutes a "win" for you, as a Jew living in America, with regards to Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinians?
Is it Hamas' recognition of Israel, peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine, or something more? I'm just curious. The other day I met some of the people who lead the Birthright program I went to Israel with (Oranim -- very dope. I highly recommend them!) But I get the feeling that a "win" for Israel and Israelis can be very different than it is for many secular American Jews, which makes sense, since they live there and I/we don't.
Posted by: Danny G on February 9, 2007 2:19 PM | permalinkI want Hamas et al. to accept that a Palestinian country will only exist in Gaza and the West Bank and to stop killing Israelis.
Everything else is gravy.
I would be ecstatic if Israeli-Palestinian relations were even at the Israeli-Egyptian or Israeli-Jordanian level.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on February 9, 2007 3:41 PM | permalinkIt would be nice too if Hamas withdrew its demand that the descendants of those Arab residents who fled or were forced to flee during Israel's War of Independence in 1948 be entitled to return as residents within the boundaries of Israel, which as akin to saying "we will recognize Israel as long as it's Palestine."
As Dan suggests, I think it's easy to tell Israelis what should constitute a win for them from the safety of the United States. It's clear however from poll after poll and the nature of the concessions proffered by past Israeli governments that a significant majority of Israelis are willing to take the terms that Joe outlines above as "victory" or at least "enough." No doubt there is part of the Israeli psyche that wants vengeance, that wants to hurt the Palestinians - understandable if not admirable. But there seems to me to be little appetite among Israelis for open-ended, unceasing domination. They just don't trust Arab politics or politicians. Frankly, neither do I.
Posted by: Hasdai on February 12, 2007 10:14 AM | permalinki love big butts and cannot lie :) :) :) makes me happy
No, I don't go to church. I'm not Christian.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on October 3, 2007 3:26 PM | permalinkNo more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.