Fox Host Questions Kerry About Comment On Israel Caught On Hot Mic (VIDEO)

[JDPriestly]

36. Thanks for your post. I did not read your link because I am bery familiar with that view

since I have heard it so often in my life.

My point is that we should know the history, understand that there are two opposing views on it, that each view is in the eyes of those who old that view, the correct one.

My point also is that at this point, after so many years, the history cannot and will not be undone. The confusion of that time, the errors or brilliant actions (depending on your point of view) of the actors of that time cannot be undone. We are not magicians who can go back and change the past.

We can learn from the past though. And in the Israel/Palestinian conflict, the lesson to be learned is that to have a lasting peace, both sides must learn to trust each other. Each side must demonstrate that it can be trusted. I have observed attempts by Israel to prove how trustworthy it will be in enforcing peace. They destroyed settlements after agreeing to do so. They arrested Israelis suspected of killing a Palestinian. I along with the world am not waiting to see Palestinians prove that they can enforce a peace agreement within their own population should such an agreement be reached. That is the missing peace to credible settlement negotiations: proof that the Palestinians can enforce a peace agreement on their side.

The history is what it is. Two promises were made, two conflicting promises.

Another historical reality that many today do not understand is that colonialism was strong and well until 1947 and the independence of India. The assumption that Britain was sovereign in the areas it administered after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in WWI was unquestioned. The creation of Israel had the approval of the nations of the day. That may be viewed as wrong today, but it is still part of the reality that we have to deal with today.

You are correct that the Palestinian refugees should not be forgotten. But I do not think there is any danger of that on DU.