26 March 2009

When will it end?! (spinoff of today's IR discussion)

The majority of common people in Israel and Palestine are in favor of a two-state end to the prolonged conflict (Large Israeli and Palestinian Majorities Indicate Readiness for Two-State Solution Based on 1967 Borders).

However, Israel's administration and military (the two are close friends) continue to remain volatile and disproportionately reactionary to Palestinian aggression; aggression that primarily comes as a response to the expansion of Jewish settlements in Palestine-controlled areas, continued unpredictability of border crossings, and the denial of foreign aid to refugees and poor in Gaza.

Palestinians will continue to use bombs as long as explosions are their only way to have their voices heard. Israel must come to the table with a willingness
to listen. It's hard to hear anything over the sound of bulldozers.

This is a Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer, used by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Vroom!

This is a typical Hamas rocket:
"lacking any guidance system"

Who looks more frightening?

And if you're wondering why Israeli citizens differ so much from their military counterparts, check this out:
"An Army of Extremists: How some military rabbis are trying to radicalize Israeli soldiers."