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.
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Do you think the Israeli offensive in the West Bank is an effective way to halt terror attacks against Israelis? - It creates more terrorists. Isreal needs to create a vision that the Palestinians can believe. Both sides have shown no leadership! Do you think the United States has been an effective leader in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations? - Not recently. The US position is too heavily biased towards Israel. We need to take a more balanced stance. We need to take a leadership position!
John Ballinger, Needham, Mass.
Conflict in the Middle East has been a constant since before the birth of Christ. Suddenly, we, the United States are expected to mediate or devote ourselves to creating peace where it has NEVER existed. I do not believe in 'kill them all and let God sort them out', but it appears the people of that region are headed in that direction. I have heard 'Clerics', the political and spiritual leaders of the middle East decree 'death to the infadels'. Fine, let us arm Isreal to the teeth, sever ties with anyone who doesn't want the benefit of relations with the United States, and, most importantly, rid our country of those who have come here to do us harm.
Glenn, Scituate, MA
No, I do not think the present method is going to do any good. Israel should help restore dignity in the area and removed themselves completely from the West Bank. After having visited the area in 2000, I found that the living conditions of the Palestinian people compared to the Israeli, where deplorable. I believe this present military activity, is just another ploy by Sharon to continue to annihilate the Palestinian people. Consentration camps for the Palestinian people, will be the next step. As long as there is in equality in this area of the world, terrorist attacks in America, would seem a possible future reality. Let's pray that the European leaders get involved in initiating a lasting peace proposal, because the American leaders have to many conflict of interest.
Concerned, Boston
I disagree with the Poll results. Such a big headline for a small population is very misleading. I was never called. Her is my opinion. 1. My sympathies lie with Palestinians. 2. Military response is not justified. 3. How can a question even be asked about 'the views of most Palestinians' The US New media only tells us 1/2 the story. The US and Israel call Palestinian action act of terrorm. One question for us all. How were viewed by Europe alittle over 200 year ago.
monty6, natick
In recent history, during Barak's term as PM of Israel, the violence and suicide bombings were significantly less, almost non-existent. This is the result of Palestinians feeling they had a reason to live and a purpose in life. Sharon has removed this belief in the Palestinians and the result is young Palestinians doing what they can to support their nearly hopeless cause. So, is the offensive from the Israeli army effective, absolutely not. The violence in that region from both sides must stop. Everyone in that city is living a life of misery. It will be difficult for the Palestinians to police the potential suicide bombers, when their police force has been dismantled by the Israeli army. The Israeli's have a right to protect themselves. But until one side takes steps to a positive resolution, nothing will change. Perhaps the US should encourage those they support to begin the process and end the occupation.
Al, Boston
No, I do not think the present method is going to do any good. Israel should help restore dignity in the area and removed themselves completely from the West Bank. After having visited the area in 2000, I found that the living conditions of the Palestinian people compared to the Israeli, where deplorable. I believe this present military activity, is just another ploy by Sharon to continue to annihilate the Palestinian people. Consentration camps for the Palestinian people, will be the next step. As long as there is in equality in this area of the world, terrorist attacks in America, would seem a possible future reality. Let's pray that the European leaders get involved in initiating a lasting peace proposal, because the American leaders have to many conflict of interest.
Concerned, Boston
The palestinians have been set up by the rest of the Arab world. They got kicked out of Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, etc. What is lost is the fact that Jews were kicked out of the Arab lands in 1948, but you don't see them in refugee camps. Nor do you see the millions of refugees after WWII still sitting in camps, just the Palestinians. If Arafat had been Ghandi, they would have had a homeland years ago. I think there needs to be a rooting out of terrorists, and then a wall built, that provides true, secure borders.
Larry, Chelmsford, MA
No ,I do not think that the Israeli offensive is a way to halt terror attacks against Israelis, it will only promote unrest and violence. The terror attacks are wrong, but two wrongs do not make a right and that is what is going on in the Middle East and unfortunately I think the US will be hit by terror attacks again because of this conflict.We, the United States are too one sided toward Israel to truly look at the situation objectively. I think every American should read the BBC history on Israel before they make up their mind as to what should be done about the situation. It certainly opened my eyes up as to what is truly going on and how wrong Israel is in this conflict.Israel has disobeyed the United Nation's resolution to withdraw from the west bank since 1967(resolution 242). That is at the heart of the matter.Every American should just take a moment to think how they would react if someone came to their home tonight and said it was no longer their home and they had to leave immediately never to return. I do not think any of us would take it too favorably. If I were President Bush, to stop the escalation of the conflict I would stop all foreign aid to Israel until they stopped the violence and agreed to the UN resolution 242 that they have already signed and disobeyed. In this world today, money talks . This would also show that the US wants to really solve the problem not just do window dressing. I would also urge all American reporters and news personnel to report both sides of the story. It is sad that I had to read a well respected European paper to learn the true cause of the conflict. Shame on us, that is why we have free speech even if the truth may be unpopular with the general public. I thought we did not like censorship in the US.
Well informed Patriotic American
Israel is using the US. There are 2 agendas here. Israel says it is "fighting terorism" to gather US support. Granted I do not approve of the attacks on Israelis.However the US is being pulled into this. This is a land battle that most people in the world seem to side with Palestinian.
Jimmy, west roxbury
This part of the world refuses to have peace. With any luck they'll continue to perform "Jew-ectomies" and "Anti-Terrorism" actions untilthey are all eradicated. Only then will the region be at peace.
Steve , Boston
