Prog & Politics

OK, first of all- the billions spent on Israel by the U.S. each year. Well firstly, I won't lie to you, it is more or less keeping us afloat here. I completely understand why it sucks though, I really do. The fact that I sometimes complain how picky the U.S. can be in international affairs probably makes me the world's biggest hypocrite. There is though a reason to this above the humane mission to keep the Jewish state alive. Politics! Israel, as small, silly, and almost meaningless (rightfully so) to a country a billion (approximately) miles away, but with that, having a strong ally in the Middle East is an advantage to the United States. But more than that, because of the size of the Jewish community, and more than that, the estimated power held by the Jewish community- Israel is a tool for politicians to gain the support of the Jewish community in the States. There's never just a humane, kind, "keep democracy alive!" kind of reason. So do know- that your politicians are unashamedly using Israel as a tool to get votes and develop relations with rich Jewish businessmen. Just to cheer you up as I'm sure it does.

Regarding the Arab-Palestinian situation. Well firstly, the Arab world is filled with different sects (Sunni, Shi'ite, Bedouin in Israel- well not really Arab but sorta, and more and more), which without Israel, would be pretty much at each others neck. Some already are (in Syria the Alawis lead by Assad is pretty much controlling the mass majority of Sunnis in Syria). 

In fact, Jordan is already 30-60% Palestinian (depends how you define Palestinian and who you ask). But to say the least, the Palestinians who fled, or were banished (depends what situation and who you're asking), to Jordan as war refugees weren't accepted with open arms. 

In general, countries such as Syria and Jordan, are pretty much just territories left by the British and French mandates in the area. To say there's such a thing as Syrian, or a Jordanian, in that they sure a national history and unity, is in my opinion a bit of a stretch (I'm sure there are many people who will disagree with this claim). The populations there are generally a bit of a mish-mash of different Arab sects.

With that, in sad truth, no Arab country wants to accept the Palestinians. Well it's not surprising, it would be just like if a bunch of Americans would've immigrated like crazy to Canada because of a war. While Canada will probably welcome them, it will be in hostile and unwelcoming hands- hands that won't be able to support the American refugees financially at all, and won't want to. Well it's not the same with Canada as it is in the Middle East. In the M.E. everything's a bit more problematic.

The point I'm trying to make after all this rambling, is that Palestinians won't be accepted in countries as demographically a bit crazy as the Jordan, Syria, and to a lesser extent, Egypt. It will cause a civilian uproar and the gov'ts won't do anything to actually support these refugees. 

The inconvenient truth, is that if Israel would've annexed Gaza and the West Bank in 1967, and would've more less caused the fleeing and banishing of the Palestinian populations there- we obviously wouldn't have been having this conversation, but in general the world would have stopped caring long ago, and Gaza and the West Bank could have been Israel's, and there wouldn't be a Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or at least to a much lesser extent. It took Israel 9 years to establish diplomatic relation with Germany after WWII. Humans forget, not as much as forgive. Even if the Palestinians would've insisted in fighting for the land (I'm not going to go into whose land it is, because it's pointless argument. The land is of the conquerors. It always is. The truth is that the Jews conquered Israel as much as they settled in it and developed it, and that's just what needs to be done to establish a country for people with no real land. Again, sad and unfair, but true), their struggle would've lost steam long ago.  

But a military occupation was established and we see how big of a mistake it is every day. And every day it's getting worse and every day it costs more money and strains relations between pretty much everybody. While Israel's small, it's not like the West Bank is really occupied by Jews (350,000 Jews who are considered by the U.N. as illegal settlers. Most of them are there for ideological reasons alone. There are 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank). The fact is that giving up will cause large civilian upheavals, but won't really change anything territorial-wise for a clear majority of Jewish Israelis. Israel's about the size of NJ, and the size of the stretch from the coast to the West Bank, in its narrowest point is about 2/3 the size of Manhattan. It's a tiny speck which is making way too much noise. 

So while releasing the territories will cause one hell of a mess, it's a sacrifice that in my opinion need to be done.

And just to get a thumbs down from my mate, Snow Dog, Welsh independence.

 

Dear Mr. "who I thought looked like a very scary Bobbie Fripp, but it turned out I was misinformed",

 

I included your entire post here in hopes that others may read it.  I think it is absolutely brilliant and am basically blown away by you after reading it. Can't say much more than that.

And just to get a thumbs down from my mate, Snow Dog, Welsh independence.

 

I feel like the situation in Israel economically is way too similar to the situation in the U.S. Capitalism is what makes massive economic growth possible in democratic countries. Over-capitalisation, though, as you  know, will cause the rift between the upper and lower classes. The lower class lose faith in democracy, the upper class gets massive political and economic power, and sh*t gets bleak. There's a time and place for every economic policy- it is time for the U.S., and Israel to obtain a better balance between Capitalism and Socialism.