It seems like a nation which has been radicalized by decades of failures at peace initiatives and the same decades of unrelenting violence directed at their civilians.
This, imo, is beautifully stated, and on its own could apply to either side depending on framing. Which is why the entire situation is even more sad and frustrating.
Even though I disagree with you on the overall perception of Israel/Palestine, I respect your pursuit of open dialogue so ill ask this since you’re seemingly open to engaging in good faith: what would be the ideal solution to bring about an immediate end the extreme bloodshed and shelling of Gaza from a pro-Isrseli perspective? (No gotchas or setups, genuinely interested)
Ideally, Israel would agree to end the blockade and withdraw from Gaza. Hamas would resign from office and be replaced by some form of responsible administration which will not permit using Gaza as a base for violent attacks against Israel. The international community could contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza, and without war and with responsible administrators in charge, Gaza could begin to have some forms of an economy.
I do not think democracy in Gaza would be a good idea, as they’d just elect another government like Hamas and then we would be back at the prospect of war in the region. Perhaps some sort of administration appointed by the Arab League.
Maybe, if there was peace long enough, they could even resume guest worker programs so Palestinians could commute to Israel for work.
I don’t like Israel or the Netanyahu administration. They’re right wing nationalists who aren’t really devoted to peace. And I’d like to see something like the 2005 disengagement from Gaza happening in the West Bank, but I don’t think that lovely daydream will happen given all the violence coming from Gaza since then.
But the reason I tend to favor Israel over Palestine is, well, they haven’t been the ones starting these wars. Even if they’re dickheads, they’re dickheads who have historically at least been open to peace or willing to accept peace.
My best friend is Egyptian. I don’t think this conflict is ever going to go away, truly. So much of it really is rooted in a pervasive sentiment of antisemitism pervasive throughout the Arab world. But if an appropriately capable and interested leader took office and could control the population of Gaza while refusing to allow jihadis to seek the death of Jews, we could have peace.
