[quote]lixy wrote:
G87 wrote:
You have to realise that a very large amount of Israel’s funding is private.
And how is that relevant? The point Liftus was making is about the billions of dollars the US government hands out to Israel. All the while, other traditionally repressed groups are not cared much for.
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Yes; I was simply pointing out there are other groups, aside from the US government, that invest heavily into Israel. Moreover, you’re very short-sighted if you view this money as hand-outs. The US has reasons other than goodwill to feed Israel. For one, it’s a foothold in a radical and remote area. In addition to that, it’s a foothold that will remain loyal to the U.S., simply because of the extensive links (amongst these, economic) between the two nations (and their Jewry).
[quote]lixy wrote:
Indeed, it is “incredibly petty and wasteful”. Oftentimes, it is downright horrific. But what are you going to do about it? A totally artificial country with people brought there by the boatload is set up on colonized land. What do you expect? That the locals will just swallow the pill?
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As I said; the area was poor, sparsely populated and depleted economically at the time. Israel offered the locals great opportunities; the many modern Arab Israelies partake in Israel’s superior healthcare, employment opportunities, etc. Poverty in a sandy hamlet or life in Israel?
I also have a more frivolous thought to put forward: the concept of “Palestinian” as nationality only started emerging around the time of Israel’s formation. Before that, the peoples living there, it seems, were content with being mixed: a direct result of the many invasions and migrations. Could these people have assimilated into a modern Israel (in itself a very mixed nation), or a neighbouring, friendly, Arab nation? Certainly; and yet, with the misguided direction of other Arab states, they decided to go “all or nothing.” This “all or nothing” approach has led to much of today’s strife.
This, in turn, leads to the issue of Israel as an artificial country. Jews were steadily migrating to the area long before the creation of Israel. The creation of Israel may have been artificial; however, there was an ever-growing number of Jews living there, so I don’t see a problem in formalising the land as a country. Do you see what I’m saying? The creation of Israel was artificial, in the sense of turning reality into formality, but that’s it. Every nation has to be formalised as such at some point.
[quote]lixy wrote:
Do tell.
What part of my rhetoric here do you deem “shallow and highly personal”? I’d appreciate it if you could quote parts my posts in this thread that gave you this impression.
You could lay the blame on a lot of people for the current situation. But when it comes down to it, the root cause of the horrors and misery there is clear.
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Perhaps it’s statements like: “the root cause of… horrors and misery is clear.” The root of THIS problem is NEVER clear, unless your view happens to be hugely distorted. The only thing that you make clear is that you’re on the Palestinian side. Yes, you make it perfectly clear that you see Israel as a foreign, invading force; and yet, it appears you neglect to consider the cause for Israel, as well as all the wrongdoings on the Palestinian side.
The only way to resolve such a long conflict is by being on the side of compromise. I believe that a nation such as Israel is necessary. I also believe that this conflict is terrible and destructive. But people like you are part of the problem, when you could be part of the solution.
