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There is a lot more that I could say on this subject of why the Palestinians don’t understand Israel and the Israelis. I suspect that we could write a book on the subject and barely scratch the surface.

After all, the Arab-Israeli conflict is a reflection of the human condition. It’s all about the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the honest and the corrupt in humanity. It encapsulates much of what we are.

And how many books have been written on the human condition?

Libraries full.

There is a lot more that I could say on this subject of why the Palestinians don’t understand Israel and the Israelis. I suspect that we could write a book on the subject and barely scratch the surface.

After all, the Arab-Israeli conflict is a reflection of the human condition. It’s all about the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the honest and the corrupt in humanity. It encapsulates much of what we are.

And how many books have been written on the human condition?

Libraries full.

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I’m still on the topic of Arabic democracy, and there’s a definite parallel to European democracy.

During the dark ages, the idea that each man was equal in the eyes of God was horrifying – Satanic, even. The Roman Catholic Church considered democratic values to be evil, and persecuted those who advocated them.

Throughout Europe, society was rigidly hierarchical. A commoner could never be anything but a commoner. A nobleman could never be anything but a nobleman – until they ran out of space in the castle. Then, they went to war with their neighbor.

I’m still on the topic of Arabic democracy, and there’s a definite parallel to European democracy.

During the dark ages, the idea that each man was equal in the eyes of God was horrifying – Satanic, even. The Roman Catholic Church considered democratic values to be evil, and persecuted those who advocated them.

Throughout Europe, society was rigidly hierarchical. A commoner could never be anything but a commoner. A nobleman could never be anything but a nobleman – until they ran out of space in the castle. Then, they went to war with their neighbor.

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When I started this ramble through the Palestinian soul, I gave you four points, and I’ve been going on and on ad nauseum with them. Here’s the fourth and last:

The Palestinians do NOT understand democracy, except in a very superficial way.

I think that it was about 14 years ago, just after I had arrived in Israel, when there was an election in Lebanon. The Syrians were in control, and they selected the candidates – and the winners – beforehand.

When I started this ramble through the Palestinian soul, I gave you four points, and I’ve been going on and on ad nauseum with them. Here’s the fourth and last:

The Palestinians do NOT understand democracy, except in a very superficial way.

I think that it was about 14 years ago, just after I had arrived in Israel, when there was an election in Lebanon. The Syrians were in control, and they selected the candidates – and the winners – beforehand.

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If offers of forgiveness from Israel are a sign of weakness to the Palestinians, how do you think the Palestinians would react to those in their society that advocate letting by-gones be by-gones?

They are quashed.

There are groups that advocate peace with Israel, but they are careful to tow the party line.

If they don’t… they risk death and physical harm. And, if THAT threat isn’t enough, their families are harassed, their businesses destroyed, and their children kidnapped – or worse.

What’s worse?

If offers of forgiveness from Israel are a sign of weakness to the Palestinians, how do you think the Palestinians would react to those in their society that advocate letting by-gones be by-gones?

They are quashed.

There are groups that advocate peace with Israel, but they are careful to tow the party line.

If they don’t… they risk death and physical harm. And, if THAT threat isn’t enough, their families are harassed, their businesses destroyed, and their children kidnapped – or worse.

What’s worse?

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Okay, survived Thanksgiving. Twice.

Sorry about not writing, but I was busy expanding my waistline.

Now, where was I… Oh, right. Forgiveness.

Last Sunday (about four posts down), I gave you four reasons why the Palestinians don’t understand Israel. Or, more accurately, THESE are the misunderstandings that fuel the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

I’ve talked about the first one. Here’s the second:

Palestinians see the Israeli capacity for forgiveness as a sign of weakness.

In Arab society, revenge is a sacred right and obligation. In fact, if you do NOT pursue vengeance… if you do NOT seek to destroy the person that wronged you…

Okay, survived Thanksgiving. Twice.

Sorry about not writing, but I was busy expanding my waistline.

Now, where was I… Oh, right. Forgiveness.

Last Sunday (about four posts down), I gave you four reasons why the Palestinians don’t understand Israel. Or, more accurately, THESE are the misunderstandings that fuel the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

I’ve talked about the first one. Here’s the second:

Palestinians see the Israeli capacity for forgiveness as a sign of weakness.

In Arab society, revenge is a sacred right and obligation. In fact, if you do NOT pursue vengeance… if you do NOT seek to destroy the person that wronged you…

Read Full Post »