Your thoughts on the conflict in the Mideast

Do you think the Israeli offensive in the West Bank is an effective way to halt terror attacks against Israelis? Do you think the United States has been an effective leader in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations? Are you concerned the conflict is making a terrorist attack on the US more likely? Share your thoughts.

Page 12

I don't think that fighting fire with fire is an effective tactic, especially in this case. The Palestinians have been dealing with problems like this for years. Why should they stop bombing? They've been given no real reason to stop. Sure, Israel claims it wants peace, but when peace doesn't materialize instantly, they are calling for blood. I think both sides need to step back and look at what they are doing to themselves. How is going out and killing people going to stop them from coming back and killing more people which will make you kill more people to prove a point, etc, etc, etc? It's a cycle that will have no end and by the time everyone is wading in blood, no one will remember those poor souls who's deaths began it all.

Erika, Somerville, MA

I think Israel continues to have single-minded view of the conflict. The Palestinians are fighting for land and will continue to fight no matter how hard Israel cracks down. I'm disappointed in the Bush Administration's attempt to keep Jewish Americans happy by "staying out of it." The Palestinians deserve our help, but Bush is too afraid of losing voters. But I expect this from George Bush. I just hope when there's another attack on America it's not the innocent citizens that have to give their lives because of the decisions made by a voter-hungry president and his cronies.

Colleen, Watertown

I think most of this country has gone crazy. What Sharon is doing is ABSOLUTELY wrong!! He's using the actions of a few desperate individuals to attack an entire country of primarily innocent civilians. Even members of his own army have spoken out against him and called his treatment of Palestinian civilians reckless and inhumane. Some, in fact refused to take up arms. Look at the numbers. The Isreali to Palestinian death toll ratio speaks for itself. The fact that Sharon doesn't want media there says something. And how long do you think the Arab world is going to sit around and let this slaughter happen? He's going to bring about a Third World War and we're just sitting around and letting it happen. By that time it won't just be Palestinian and Israeli children dying, but yours and mine.

phoenix, boston

I think a military monster like Shoron and a brain dead terrorist like Arafat are unlikely to bring any kind of viable solution to the middle east problem. Effective intervention by US and other countries is vital for achieving a just solution. So far US has not only been ineffective in its leadership, it has shown a pro Israel bias which is counter productive to its leadership role. A terrorist attack on the US will become less not more likely if US becomes an honest broker in the negotiations.

Prema Shankar, Boston

Israel doesn't have much choice at the moment regarding protecting its citizenry; however, this can only be short-term. NATO needs to intervene and patrol the Iraeli-Palestinian borders in order to insure a real cease-fire.

Bill S, Acton

The most effective way to halt terror attacks is to give the Palestinians their land back. What is the problem, here? Why can't they have their pre-67 territory? My guess is greed and hatred. Israel was basically given their country back (and for good reason) and should be happy with what they were "given". The U.S has not been effective at all in peace negotiations and continues to turn its back on the "you throw a rock, we launch missiles" atrocities of the Israelis. Look at the death tolls. Your average American doesn't care mostly because of ignorance and racist tendancies towards Muslims. I am very concerned as there will be more attacks on the US since we are the main source of backing for the Israelis. Without us, I think they'd be a little more concerned with peace and a little less concerned with ultimatums. What good is this relationship doing us? Is it really worth the price?

Derek, Somerville

the israeli offensive is absolutely the wrong way to halt terror -- in fact, it is likely to cause more and more horrific acts against the israeli people. (don't get me wrong -- the use of suicide bombing against innocent civilians deserve punishment and the israelis have the right to defend themselves) the israelis need to pull back -- way back and stop occupying the palestinian lands -- bulldozing villages and setting up israeli settlements is not the way to peace. palestinian statehood is. The Bush Administration has been ineffective so far, i think they could possibly broker a deal, but they need to gain some sympathy for the palestinian's right to their land. perhaps an EU/UN delegation should attempt to bring about a cease fire and an israeli pullback.

chris m., new orleans, la

Violence begets violence. I believe that Israel knows that their offensive will not stop the terror attacks against them. By destroying any governing body in Palestine the offensive could prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The US has not been an effective leader in these negotiations. We are too concerned with our own interests and have bias towards Israel. No good can come of people acting out of desperation. If their can be no compromise, there can be no peace.

Mary Knight, Hopedale

I agree with "Matt in Brighton" and "B in Sommerville". Both sides in the Conflict are acting like idiots and we have NO IDEA of ALL the facts and emotions involved. I also don't believe that most Americans support Israel. Sorry but both sides have been acting like fundamental idiots for Thousands of years. Religion kills!

RJB, Fort Lauderdale

I Really feel for the isrealis and support them in their agressive fight they are waging against the fanantical Palestinians, or in general Arab Terrorists. I do not think the action has any correlation to the attacks on the US in the past or impact any future attacks. These fanatics must be stopped and it looks like the Isrealis are the only ones who have the fortitude to do it. The USA surely does not.

Paul, Northborough