Breaking news, midnight - Peace in the Middle East?

The history of the region is important to our understanding of the present. If it makes people feel uncomfortable, then they will try to ignore it but if they care about the future they will (at least) try to understand it. Closed minds are like closed books, they teach us absolutely nothing of any value.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

Freedom to live and thrive as citizens of a normal State, would be a start.

The West Bank seems to be kicking off too. I hope the hostages and prisoners are exchanged tomorrow. After that, who knows?

It’s no earthly use covering very old ground about the history of the region, it goes round in circles.It’s the here and now that has to be sorted out. Hamas have set things back sadly for the Palestinians.
What consequences they’ve faced since after 7th October 2023.
Many were celebrating wildly after the massacre in Israel with no thought for what may come but I bet many did realise and were fearful.
There will be much infighting now in Gaza.Some sort of law will have to be put in place.

By the way, sunami, my auto correct calls you 'sunshine'.

I really do like your suggestion Allira of Jerusalem being an independent Holy City, maybe along the lines of the Vatican, but multi faith.
sunsami points out, that was in the original plan.

Sorry sunami that was an incorrect post. There has been fighting between Arabs and Jews since Britain allowed thousands of Jews back into Palestine around 100 years ago.
They were told to get on with each other but as we know they never have.

The al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are both in East Jerusalem and are important Islamic places of worship which is why Palestine was given that portion of Jerusalem. Before 1948 the whole of Jerusalem was in Palestine!

Allira

Perhaps Jerusalem should be a self-governing state of its own to be shared between all those who claim it as a Holy City.

It is the most Holy City for Jews and Christians but not the most Holy City for Muslims.

I think that was the original idea in the 1947 partition plan, but Israel has grabbed most of it.

Perhaps Jerusalem should be a self-governing state of its own to be shared between all those who claim it as a Holy City.

It is the most Holy City for Jews and Christians but not the most Holy City for Muslims.

MayBee70

AGAA4

There has actually been no peace between Israel and Palestinians for over 100 years. Israel have been vying for the land that was given to the Palestinians since.

Bill Clinton said he was sitting a whisker of obtaining a two party state but at the last minute the Palestinians turned it down .

My understanding is that Arafat turned down the deal because it meant giving up East Jerusalem which was supposed to be part of Palestine. Israel had annexed it in 1980 and illegally occupied it. There's always two sides to a story. It was a bit like asking Ukraine to give up territory captured by Russia!

Allira

Peace in the Middle East, the rebuilding of Gaza, would be a wonderful achievement. I hope it can be achieved and that the children in Gaza can grow up to experience a normal life.

However, I believe that a everlasting peace in the Middle East is an impossible dream. That sounds pessimistic and I am usually an optimist but I don't think it will ever come to pass. ☹

It might come to pass one day, but I agree with you that it won't be in our lifetime and probably not for 100s of years (if ever).

AGAA4

There has actually been no peace between Israel and Palestinians for over 100 years. Israel have been vying for the land that was given to the Palestinians since.

I don't understand this post. Israel hasn't existed for 100 years. Do you mean Arabs and Jews in Palestine?

What land was "given" to Palestinians? When? By whom?

Peace in the Middle East, the rebuilding of Gaza, would be a wonderful achievement. I hope it can be achieved and that the children in Gaza can grow up to experience a normal life.

However, I believe that a everlasting peace in the Middle East is an impossible dream. That sounds pessimistic and I am usually an optimist but I don't think it will ever come to pass. ☹

AGAA4

There has actually been no peace between Israel and Palestinians for over 100 years. Israel have been vying for the land that was given to the Palestinians since.

Bill Clinton said he was sitting a whisker of obtaining a two party state but at the last minute the Palestinians turned it down .

Maremia

Could they ever go back to the original agreement/set-up?

That they would live in harmony with each other? It didn't work sadly.

Could they ever go back to the original agreement/set-up?

foxie48

Netanyahu knew about the tunnels, he was filmed in 2016 visiting one. The Israeli's might not have known the extent of them but they certainly knew about them, just like he knew that Hamas was siphoning off money to fund it's military. He has been filmed speaking about this to members of Likud, he wanted Hamas to be a counter balance to Fatah so they would fight each other rather than Israel.

Yes but what he didn’t count on was Hamas being more ruthless than Fateh, who were all slaughtered by Hamas.

Never mind 100 yrs there will be no peace until Israelis and Palestinians stop attacking each other, their choice.

There has actually been no peace between Israel and Palestinians for over 100 years. Israel have been vying for the land that was given to the Palestinians since.

Israel will want to restrict freedom for the next 100 years. No chance of peace then.

Netanyahu knew about the tunnels, he was filmed in 2016 visiting one. The Israeli's might not have known the extent of them but they certainly knew about them, just like he knew that Hamas was siphoning off money to fund it's military. He has been filmed speaking about this to members of Likud, he wanted Hamas to be a counter balance to Fatah so they would fight each other rather than Israel.

Oreo

The worst hamas thugs are the educated ones.

Where is this information coming from? How do you know? Surely it's not just something you are assuming.

I imagine that Israel will seek to restrict freedoms for at least the next 100 years after this attack. Hamas overplayed its hand on October 7th. Both sides seem equally intransigent though.
Was it the people though Wwm2?

ronib

Interesting comment Wwm2 but Hamas was not deterred from building a vast underground network of tunnels and accumulating weapons to attack Israel. Arguably when funds should have been allocated to the people of Gaza.

Why should one be surprised? If an unfriendly occupying state restricts your freedom, isn’t it normal for people to want to fight back?