Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Markham
If the Jews stopped stealing land that used to be owned by Muslims and the West stops supporting Israel a change might happen. Maybe teaching Jews that Muslims deserve the rights to keep their land might have an effect as well.
Or do you think they will suddenly roll over and smile while Jews steal their land?
2 sides to a debate.
The only change in Egypt so far is a change at the very top, the regime is still in power. Whether an election changes that is yet to be seen. Iran has elections.  |
I always find it troubling whenever anyone tries to sum up the argument by saying "If the Jews would just stop stealing land". Why does it trouble me? Because it doesn't take into account the over 3,000 year history of this conflict, a history that contains serious disputes over who actually "owns" certain land and who doesn't. Not to mention the hate that has been perpetuated over that 3000 years for wrongs either percieved or factual.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Markham
One sunny day doesn't make a summer.
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Thus the thread title being formed as a question.
If it is your contention that what we're seeing now, although some of it positive, is going to take a long time if anything meaningful and lasting in the way of change is going to happen, then I'd have to agree with you on that. The ME has been a hate-filled near-war-zone powderkeg filled with terrorism and honor killings and a burgeoning white slave trade for centuries, even through the most recent decades. None of it's going to change in a few days. That is pretty much why I worded the title the way I did, as in "Are we
possibly seeing the
beginnings of change in the ME?"
Trust me I don't see myself sitting here in 3 or perhaps even 5 years looking at news reports of a completely new ME, one that a decadent evil westerner such as myself could feel free to travel to (and return from) safely. Fact is neither of us may live long enough to see it.