Is peace even possible in the Middle East?

[lees1975]

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2023/11/is-peace-in-middle-east-beyond.html

This is a problem that seems beyond even the highest level of human intellect to resolve. I've heard several politicians, among them Bernie Sanders, who I respect both as a member of the Senate, and as a progressive, say that Israel's security is married to Palestinian justice. The complications of that statement are numerous, tiring to even think about.

What's remarkable is that among the Jewish population in Israel, and the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza, there are people who are hopeful it can be done, want to see it happen, and recognize the obstacles that are in the way. I think, in this country, we've been taught to look at it through one set of perspectives, not objective at all, and it set the context for us. It's not the first time that's happened here, either, relegating events to "the course of history" is a bad American habit.

We've also been trained to believe that the world is getting better, we learn from our mistakes and don't repeat them. This while it appears, once again, that the world could be on the brink of yet a third world war.

[Igel]

1. It was more likely on 10/6 than 10/8.

I've heard calls for ceasefire to provide peace and space for dialog. Israel's stopping this.

But we had a ceasefire on 10/6. Space for dialog and if not peace, at least "hudnah" and a ceasefire.

Those aren't the same thing. "Hudnah" and "ceasefire." Not for all. When I think of ceasefire I think "prelude to trying to find a peaceful settlement." But for some, esp. militants, "ceasefire" means "stopping a certain defeat until we can regroup and defend ... and prevail." That fits Hamas' recent actions.

Depends if you like etymology or reliance on Qur'aanic precedent.

When those who interpret the term(s) different meet, somebody's bringing overcooked linguine to the gunfight. In that case, those on the moral high ground throw limp pasta at those gunning them down.