Comments on: Israel does not want peace http://antonyloewenstein.com/2006/10/03/israel-does-not-want-peace/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:39:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Suze http://antonyloewenstein.com/2006/10/03/israel-does-not-want-peace/comment-page-1/#comment-13783 Suze Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:07:11 +0000 http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2006/10/03/israel-does-not-want-peace/#comment-13783 Sadly this is confirmation of what multiple sources of comment and the simple evidence of recent history attests; that Israel is a state that draws its primary identity from conflict and does not know how to be a state in terms other than those of a besieged state surrounded by enemies real, or constructed. I keep thinking of Gush Shalom's terminology in relation to the Palestinian conflict- the dialogue of two traumatised people's who see each other as the author, in whole, or in part, of that trauma. If Israel was an individual then the solution would be simpler- the demonstration that not all who disagree or criticize mean you harm. Even for an individual this is a long, fraught process of establishing trust. For a state, how much more difficult? I continually get the impression that one of the sources of Israel's addiction to militarism is the idea that her friends are no more to be trusted than her enemies. In these terms, I think that it is essential to continue to distinguish criticism from wishing harm. If Israel were to fail, a possibility which I never thought I would seriously contemplate, but if it did happen, then I think the damage would be irrepairable and far-reaching. I know that in these times this opinion might be somewhat unfashionable but I firmly believe that the stability of the middle east hinges upon the establishment of a secure state of Israel within recognized borders that do not impinge upon other states. Israel, in my opinion, has got into a position where all her "defensive" measure are undermining her security while imposing such harm upon her neighbours that it is difficult to imagine how the cycle can end. Sadly this is confirmation of what multiple sources of comment and the simple evidence of recent history attests; that Israel is a state that draws its primary identity from conflict and does not know how to be a state in terms other than those of a besieged state surrounded by enemies real, or constructed. I keep thinking of Gush Shalom's terminology in relation to the Palestinian conflict- the dialogue of two traumatised people's who see each other as the author, in whole, or in part, of that trauma. If Israel was an individual then the solution would be simpler- the demonstration that not all who disagree or criticize mean you harm. Even for an individual this is a long, fraught process of establishing trust. For a state, how much more difficult? I continually get the impression that one of the sources of Israel's addiction to militarism is the idea that her friends are no more to be trusted than her enemies. In these terms, I think that it is essential to continue to distinguish criticism from wishing harm. If Israel were to fail, a possibility which I never thought I would seriously contemplate, but if it did happen, then I think the damage would be irrepairable and far-reaching. I know that in these times this opinion might be somewhat unfashionable but I firmly believe that the stability of the middle east hinges upon the establishment of a secure state of Israel within recognized borders that do not impinge upon other states. Israel, in my opinion, has got into a position where all her "defensive" measure are undermining her security while imposing such harm upon her neighbours that it is difficult to imagine how the cycle can end.

]]> By: Addamo_01 http://antonyloewenstein.com/2006/10/03/israel-does-not-want-peace/comment-page-1/#comment-13778 Addamo_01 Wed, 04 Oct 2006 23:48:02 +0000 http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2006/10/03/israel-does-not-want-peace/#comment-13778 The problem for Israel (with Syria) and the US (with Iran), is that the minute they are seen sitting at the table and shaking hands with their enemies, the option to bomb that enemy becomes more remote. Israel and the US have made their intentions clear - they want a wide and protracted war in the region. The problem for Israel (with Syria) and the US (with Iran), is that the minute they are seen sitting at the table and shaking hands with their enemies, the option to bomb that enemy becomes more remote.

Israel and the US have made their intentions clear – they want a wide and protracted war in the region.

]]>