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Its a hard problem.
Everyone agrees that the problem of violence against their neighbors in Israel+Palestine is a big problem, and needs to stop.
On the one hand, I heard a great summary of the problem as a spin on a slogan from the first Bill Clinton election campaign:
"It's the Occupation, stupid."
On the other hand, I know people who support Israel for no other reason than this:
"Israel is the only governement by democracy in the Middle East."
People in the USA know that democracies are a good thing. And you see in Israel a real democracy - elections are held, and leaders are replaced (peaceably) as the electorate decides someone with a different view better represents what they want from their government.
Problem with Israel's democracy is that it is exclusive - Palestinians need not apply. Which brings us back to "It's the Occupation, stupid."
The suicide bombings will not stop until Israel chooses to treat its neighbors with respect.
The suicide bombings garner zero respect within Isreal for its neighbors.
"Be nice."
"O.k. - you go first."
Its a hard problem.
In the end, I think the message from the suicide bombers is supposed to be "Fear us." I think that message, as interpreted by Israel is "Exterminate us (bombers)."
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