Let's start from the premise that we all want peace. For peace to reign, we must have equality, I think that you'd agree. For equality to be there, human rights must be respected on both sides of the chasm. For human rights to exist, the aggressors must accept the people defending themselves as equals for any talks to bear fruit.
Now that we have established what is needed to get to peace, let's talk about the current situation in clear and simple English and be fair if there are atrocities committed by either side.
Let start from the beginning. From before the turn of the last century, the Jews of Europe had always dreamt of a homeland in what the British themselves called "Palestine." They even promised to bankroll the Ottoman empire if they granted them that land. Unfortunately for the Jews and eventually for the Turks, the deal was turned down by the last Caliph of the Ottoman empire, Abdul Hameed II, on the basis that this land was not his but that of the Muslims and thus he cannot relinquish it to them.
When the British took over under the guise of a "protectorate", the Arabs, under a silly king at the time, King Abdullah who happens to be the great grandfather of the current king of Jordan, were given the idea that their will be a "homeland" which is completely different than a state or outright country in Palestine as long as the indigenous population do not suffer from action.
This obviously did not happen. If you look into the history books regarding this subject, you will be amazed to see that even until the declaration of the State of Israel, the Jews owned only 7% of the total land and made up only 22% of the total population and this was after nearly 30 years of migration to Palestine.
Here come the first injustice. The League of Nations successor, the UN, declares that their will be split Palestine of which 57% of the land will go to the new state of Israel and the balance will stay with the Arabs of Palestine.
How is this possible or fair that the Jews should get 57% when only 24 hours prior to this declaration, they owned not more that 7%?
Next comes the second injustice. To be sure that the Arabs do not come back to their lands, the Jews living in Palestine formed TERRORIST gangs--yes you read right Terrorist--that went all over the land causing untold fear in the heart of the Arab peasants that they were only too happy to leave thinking that they will return to the land of their ancestors once this all terror stopped.
Again, should you not believe what I have written, all you have to do is go to any significant book on history and read what the leaders of Israel like Moshe Dyane or Ben Gurion or Golda Meier had to say about the Arabs and what they intend to do.
You can see an attachment with this letter which is also a presentation for you to see if you find what I am saying difficult to swallow. I know all of this is history and I am not addressing the points suggested by the presentation you sent but this was just to show you that in order to achieve peace, equality and mutual respect must exist in the first place.
Now, I will address the points brought up by the presentation that you sent. As for the joke that the Palestinians are the ones with the dream "from the river to the sea." Ask yourself, whose slogan is that? Is it not Israel's motto loudly brandish in the Knesset? Do you know that Israel is the only country in the world who has no defined border? And more importantly, what is wrong with the Arabs who had been displaced to what to have their land back?
Let me tell you a story and after that make your own judgment on what you think is fair and right: You are sitting at home which you have had in your family for over 1400 years when all of a sudden, a beggar comes to your door and asks you to let them in to save them from the environment. Your boss finds out that this beggar has been attempting to come in to your house and being a generous man, "tells" you in not so many words, that IT WOULD BE BETTER to let this beggar and his family in. He promises to support you and make it worth your while if you do so. Funny how he forgot his mansion and thought that only your home would do. Then, to your surprise, after you agree and treat this beggar and his family in a fine manner, he decides that your home is too good for you and it would suit him better than you so he calls on your boss and "convinces" him of that. Again being such a generous man, you boss agrees with his suggestions and supports him evict you from YOUR HOME. Then, out of feeling guilty that he had been too unfair towards you he convinces the beggar to take you back in. Grudgingly, beggar lets you in put only if you agree to be, for all terms and purposes, his slave. Your movements are restricted, your dignity attacked and your family unsafe but at the end you expect this all to be temporary as justice will prevail. Then after all avenues of decency are exhausted, you take to attacking the beggar and his family hoping that they will go away. Question: Is this family wrong in attacking the beggar and his family? Should they negotiate for a peaceful settlement? Is the boss accountable for his action? Should he be forced to take the beggar and his family and compensate you for what had happened to you because of his decision? If you are truly fair, would you hold yourself guilty of teaching your children to hate that of the beggar's? Would it be wrong to dream that the house that had been your families for 1400 years should one day be yours again?
Now let's just change the labels in the story so that "you" reads "Palestine or Palestinian", "boss" means "UK or USA", "the beggar" means "Israel or Israeli."
Now read the story again and truly ask yourself who is the one who wants peace and who is causing the pain to prolong. If we accept as a fact that there will never be a complete Palestinian state covering all of the land of Palestine, would it not be fair that both parties should get equal land and equal resources? Would it not be fair that the Palestinians not be treated like slaves? Is it not fair that the Palestinians get a land that is continuous and not one that the israelis can attack and destroy whenever the whim takes them? Do the Palestinians who have been living under the shade of occupation and subjugation for over 55 years not have the same rights you and I enjoy? If you are fair than that's the best and fairest solution. Anything shorter than that will breed people who will defend their rights as humans. Before you call the Arab children and what they learn at school, terrorism, remember that it was the Jews who first started teaching terrorism in the area. Ask Mr. Begin, Dayan or even the "man of peace"-- Sharon, what terrorism is all about.
My favorite quote to show you the contempt the founding fathers and mothers of the rogue state had for the indigenous population was the famous quote, " A land (Palestine) of no people (HUH? where did the million or so Arabs that were living there go?) for a people (the Jews of Europe who never felt at home in Europe) with no land." READ, LEARN and then TEACH THE TRUTH.
