Great topic! I love to hear stories about regions from people who live there!
First, in my opinion (which is based on western news-media), we are dealing with extremists on both sides here. On both sides these extremists fight for their cause, indeed forgetting what is best for the people, namely peace.
What I however miss in this topic is the comment of someone from the other side. I wonder what they say about Israel using about 73% (and 83% including illegal Jewish settlers) of the available water supplies for example.
Also, it's a bit weird in my opinion to say that "Israel is pro-peace" and in the same sentence say "otherwise we wouldnt even talk with the arabs and just shot them down bomb them with airplanes and such." This sentence insinuates some kind of disdain towards the Palsetinian people.
I don't know why, but I have the feeling that Western countries always choose the side of Israel, because of the World War II-history and the attached feeling of guilt. Especially Germany and the Netherlands (with the politcal anti-Islam-wing) it's always Palestine to blame. Same in US, where the people are frightened with the standardized view of terrorists being arabs, and all arabs being terrorists.
To me, that, in combination with the fact that Israel does not use any violence except for retaliation or as a preventive action, makes it very clear that we are dealing with a problem that cannot be clarified by listening only to one side, neither the Israelian nor the Palestinian. It's a problem that cannot be solved with Israel, or Palestine, or both. The whole world needs to rethink it's attitude towards this region.
By the way, if the same topic was posted by a Palestinian member, I would have had the same arguments, with contrary examples ofcourse.
So, Doc, again, great topic. Brave of you to post and very cool that you take that much time and effort to answer all the questions. Even the corny jokes.
But someone on the contrary side with an opinion? That would be a nice discussion.