Maybe Arabs and Jews need to change their perspectives to make peace

(I put this here instead of the I/P forum since it's all opinion, no news.)

Back in the early 20th century, a lot of idealistic (if ignorant) European Jews thought of Jews and Arabs as common Oriental brothers/cousins, admired Islam, and apparently even built synagogues along Moorish lines. Now, of course, the Jews and Arabs are at each others throats in the Middle East, but wouldn't it be good to revert to that old mindset?

Nothing inspires friendship than the "other." Maybe the Israeli government should finish pulling out of Gaza and as much of the West Bank as is can, empower the Palestinian state as best it can, then begin a long (50 year?) program with Jordan and Palestine to integrate economies, technology, and politics.

How? First, economics. Over the course of ten years, say, put up small tariffs with the world while eliminating all trade barriers with each other (except for maybe one or two constructive tariffs to foster a promising industry). After, say, five to twenty years of this, gradually reduce tariffs on the world as they see fit, by which time hopefully there will be closer economic relations.

Share government non-military technology. Once things are stable and nationalism and extremism have died down in all countries, start large scale study abroad programs between the countries.

Start common projects. Since Israel's military is geared toward threats unlikely to materialize, redirect some of that 2 billion dollars aid we give them toward more desalination plants, with the Intl. Community helping to build one in Gaza. Jordan invests in these products, and can take a percentage of the water from the plants.

Heck, if they wanted something symbolic, they could start a space program. While the education levels are in decline, the Israeli population is highly educated. Unemployment in Palestine will be a big problem. Use Jordanian land, Israeli technology, and Palestinian labor to build a satellite to help look for mineral deposits or do research.

End the draft in Israel in favor of a national service, of which the military is an option. This could apply to all Israeli Arabs, not just the Druze, and would end the structural problems seen in Israel today, where many Arabs, exempt from military service, are ineligible for scholarships or careers requiring experience in the military.

Socially, encourage cultural exchange. Panama has made laws to encourage Americans to retire there. Make similar laws giving Israeli nationals privileged status in Jordan and Palestine, Palestinian nationals privileged status in Jordan and Israel, and Jordanian nationals privileged status in Palestine and Israel (relative to other nationals, I mean.)

As the societies grow closer, by the end of fifty years, especially once issues like the Sheba farms and Golan Heights have been solved, cement relationships (if population is ready) with a three way political (and military?) alliance. If they did that, they could all redirect more money toward social projects, and not military.

A far fetched idea, yes, but this hate between Jews and Arabs is stupid. Israel would have to settle all its disputes, and Jordan would have to pledge itself, I think, to democracy. Nonetheless, I think a serious effort on the behalf of these three nations could redefine, eventually, Arab-Jewish relations.

the Arab's contribution to this peace plan?

Sadly it probably won't happen in our lifetimes. There is such hate and distrust between the 2 that it will take a loooooooong time for there to be any sort of real peace.

Here - check THIS out - it is AWESOME.

http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/

There is simply no rational reason for what has been going on, and no rational reason why a new day can't begin.

I agree. The hate is stupid, and specifically the hate between Israelis and Palestinians. But I think for them it's more distrust and fear and that the hatred comes from the extremists from both peoples and also the loudmouthed airmchair warriors in the US and some Arab states (eg AIPAC and govts). None of them are interested in a fair and just peace. If they all pulled their fingers out and stepped back, I suspect there'd be less of a hurdle to clear when it comes time for Israelis and Palestinians to co-operate and live in peace...

Violet...

Orientalist he may be, but his book "Ali and Nino" is AWESOME. It was the first time I was able to put myself in the shoes of someone completely different from myself. Note that, while some condemn the book as racist, others think it is a must-read in these times, and all the Azerbaijanis I talked to about it think it's great.

If that book inspires that sort of thing, it should be a must-read for those in this forum who are unwilling and/or incapable of putting themselves in the shoes of others, and who seem hellbent on perpetuating hatred by continually implying that the Palestinian resistance to the occupation is closely related to Nazism etc....

Violet...

"also the loudmouthed airmchair warriors in the US and some Arab states (eg AIPAC and govts). None of them are interested in a fair and just peace. If they all pulled their fingers out and stepped back, I suspect there'd be less of a hurdle to clear when it comes time for Israelis and Palestinians to co-operate and live in peace.."

And Dr. David O'Reilly, and Dr. Lee Raymond, and Dr. Ray Irani, and Sir Phillip Wall (OBE), and James Addison Baker, III, Esquire of the Bar of Texas. (O'Reilly, Raymond, Irani all skew the "average" income for chemical engineers -- I do NOT do that well ;( ). It's not just the neocons.

In your enumeration, "(eg AIPAC and govts)" -> you left off Halliburton, KBR, Carlyle Group, ExxonMobil, TexacoChevron, ConocoPhillips, Fina, Shell, Oxy, etc. Any reason?

My list is again repeated - Engdahl, "A Century Of War : Anglo-American Oil Politics and the New World Order", and Unger, "House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties". And, of course such "innocent" games as Her Brittanic Majesty's "Sykes-Picot Agreement", negotiated by Sir Mark Sykes (OBE). This agreement was a classic example of British "Balance of Power" duplicity and cynicism - and laid the foundation for a century of resource wars. Just remember, Her Brittanic Majesty's Government has no friends, merely interests.

I grew up in a region of the US exploited by the mineral expoitation industry (coal) - and I have been in the alternative, renewable, green, side of the energy industry for 3/4's of my career. Never worked for the mainstream petroleum industry (remember our append war about "boycotts")

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Undergroundrailroad
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