Roadblock to Peace...

This is a transcript from last night's Dateline on SBS.

http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/trans.php3?dte=2003-08-06&title=Roadblock+to+Peace

Now to the Middle East, and the newest peace plan, the so-called 'road map', is already facing its first challenges. There are fears that one of its key conditions, a Palestinian cease-fire, will break down within days, following threats by militant Palestinian groups and the wounding of four Jewish settlers three days ago. For Israel's part, dismantling the settlements in the occupied territories may be an equally difficult pledge to keep. Matt Carney goes inside Israel's settlements and outposts to examine the role they play in current Israeli politics.

REPORTER: Matthew Carney
On this windy hilltop named Tel Haim, a ragtag bunch of Israeli youth believe they are taking part in a miracle. They think settling in the biblical lands of Judea and Samaria will speed the return of the Messiah.

HEBREW GIRL, (Translation):It's a matter of absolutely knowing, not of believing. This land belongs to us. Full stop.

In the last two years, the hilltop youth, as they're known, have been busy with God's work - 100 sites like this have been established.

The problem is that Judea and Samaria is now the West Bank, where a Palestinian state is to be created.

Under the terms of the US-backed peace plan - the road map - Israel must demolish 60 of these small outposts.

Tel Haim is scheduled for removal, but the young settlers won't go.

<snip>

Like many Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Mickey Vastrille believes the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to expel the Palestinians to Arab countries. It's an easy solution, when you've already dehumanised your enemy.

MICKEY VASTRILLE: Which language do you speak to those people? Can you look into their eyes and speak the same language you speak to me?

I mean, it's hurting me to think that we are both… all of us were named human beings. These are not even animals. Animals are killing for eating. Those are killing for the sake of killing. Nothing is... they're getting nothing.

And they're stupid enough to know... not to know even, not to admit that they're losing.



Also on the same show, a debate on the Middle East between Tariq Ali and Professor Barry Rubin. Just click on the bit saying transcript to read it.

http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/#


Violet....

I always enjoy Tariq Ali.

These are not even animals. Animals are killing for eating.

Safe to say she isn't a Vegan??? :crazy: