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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I am terribly saddened by what is happening in the mideast. And I am so upset after reading page one of responses. There is a tremendous lack of knowledge of history among the Globe's readers. In 1947 the British Mandate divided this land into 3 new countries: Jordan, Israel, Palestine. The Arab leadership, both Jordanian and Palestinian, chose not to accept this partition and instead began a war to destroy Israel. Again in 1967, Israel was attacked and won. They did not steal any land. For many years the refugee camps were under Jordanian and Egyptian rule. There were few improvements made. Even when the Palestinian Authority was given millions of dollars, very little was done to help the Palestinian people other than arming themselves. And how can people forget Arafat's long history of terrorism? Sharon made a wrong decision to allow the Lebanese Christian soldiers free reign in Shatilla, but it is far different than planning, funding, advocating, and participating in terrorism.

Lesley, Canton

Two peoples that continue to murder each other...... I'm sick of hearing and reading about "negotiations", phony peace rhetoric, and media assassinations by both sides. Let the killing rage on I say! When one into the heart of this matter, the reality of the TRUE HATRED both religions have for each other becomes crystal clear.

DJ Green, Boston

The Israeli offensive is clearly not a way to stop the problems facing the Israelis. One need only look at the increasig number of Israeli casualties since the IDF re-entered refugee camps. Our nation's unfailing support of Israel not only harms key Arab support for our campaign against Iraq, it undermines our credibility in the international community. Although anti-American sentiment in many parts of the world has far deeper roots than just the unflinching US support of Israel, the Palestinian cause remains a rallying point for most of the Muslim world; and remember that Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. That the US plays such a biased role in the region cerrtainly increases the likleyhood of further action against the US and US interests abroad by people from nations who feel themselves to be an afterthought to, or worse yet, an enemy of, the US. I believe that the US is far too biased a party to play an effective role in the region. The US should not veto any attempt by the UN security council to send UN peacekeepers to the region. An impartial third party military force is necessary to put an end to the cycle of violence and I do not believe that the US is capable of, or willing to, provide that function.

Brian, Medford

Both sides have good reasons to fight, but still they are both wrong. Israel is using too much force against Palestinian civilians, though only to protect it's own civilians. The Palestinians are wrong to attack, but they want better lives. There is a disturbing cycle of violence here with no forseeable end. Israeli citizens are angry and scared. We all remember how we felt on Sept. 12. They are unlikely to ratify any agreement that Sharon will make with Arafat. As for the Palestinians, even if the majority were to agree with a truce deal, it does not matter, because Hamas has vowed to continue its attacks until Israel no longer exists. This will cause Israel to retaliate again. Someone needs to make these people understand that both sides are losing. They are losing family and friends every day. Pointing fingers is not the answer. We should all have the same goal: peace at all costs. Yes, the US should be involved, but so should the EU and the UN. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a neutral third party to help broker peace. For those who think the US is neutral, think about this: we need Arab oil, and we can hardley tell the Israelis they're wrong while we're bombing Afganistan.

Julie, Somerville, MA

This conflict is greater than any of us can comprehend. It's roots go back thousands of years. As a country, Israel is obligated to protect it's citizens and borders. At this time all parties should be looking at what it will truly take to create a situation where the Israelis and Palestinians can coexist without further fighting. However, most of the world is concerned with placing blame, finger pointing, and condemning all parties involved. We need to look towards the future and focus on what will work as opposed to what doesn't work. As far as Bush is concerned, his lack of experience in foreign policy is obvious. He is way over his head in this one.

DG, Boston

Israeli offensive has totaly turned world opinion against them. they need to pull back and start negotiations quickty before the conflict gets out of hand and other Arab countries get involved.U.S.has been very ineffective we need to make both sides talking. At this time terrorist attacts on US is very liketl

Harry Kalajian, Eustis FL.

The consensus here seems to be that Israel has "invaded a soverreign nation, murders its citizens, assassinates its military leaders" and relegates its citizens to refugee camps. And this "justifies" the suicide bombings and terrorism. If you examine our own history, didn't Europeans come to this country and do the very same things? Only we call the refugee camps "reservations". Would you accept any terrorist acts from the Native American population as "justified"? Let those who are without sin cast the first stone...

someone, anywhere

It should be clear to anyone who is aware of the events in the Middle East over the last few years that the Israeli government never intended to to give the legitimate aspirations of the the Palestinian people any chance of succeeding. The Israeli government, under several Prime Ministers, have refused to move on the most basic demands not only of the Palestinians but also of the international community through the UN to give the peace process a chance to work. The government of Israel was and is more than willing to talk, but that is all they are prepared to do. This is a classic stalling tactic, for as talks continue, as terms are made as a basis for peace, the Israelis are undermining the process by allowing extensive settlements on Palestinian lands. With the settlement creep into disputed territory come the inevitable destruction of vineyards and homes and the disruption of countless lives. In addition, the volatile and irresponsible pronouncements of those in authority in the Israeli government serve only to inflame an already mistreated people to arms. Case in point: Sharon's comments on the Temple Mount that began this latest conflict. The reaction of Palestinians to Israeli influx into their lives and their homes is a legitimate cause to invoke self-defense. This does not mean terror, because terror is never just. But the Israelis must realize that they will never be at peace unless they are actually willing to take steps toward a just settlement in the Palestinian territories. To use the excuse of the Holocaust to treat others in the brutal way Jews were treated in WWII is to make a mockery of that suffering, especially when it is imposed upon another culture. The terror that now reigns in Israel is unforgivable: innocent people are dying. But the Israeli government bears as much responsibility as the Palestinians for such retribution. If they seek to let their own people live in peace, they must seek peace for all and not seek to provoke Palestinians into attacks as an excuse to acomplish aims that are otherwise illegal and unjust. It should also be remembered that many Israelis are not Jews, but Arabs. And not all Palestinians are Muslim: there are huge groups of Christians among the Palestinians. It is a sin for these Christians to commit suicide, yet they are suffering as much as their Muslim brothers and sisters. The US government should stop unconditional support of a rogue nation such as Israel and bring them to heel. In controlled talks, actions must follow to stabilize the region from which so much suffering eminates into the rest of the world. We have suffered the consequences of inaction. Let us not repeat those mistakes again.

R W Cormier, Durham NH

Arafat is and has always been a terrorist. The Israeli offensive is state sponsored terrorism, because they are making no effort to protect the innocent in their way. George Jr. could give two poops about what is going on there.

Nick , Keene

Now we know how it feels to have innocent civilians attacked by extremists. Israel has lived with this situation for all its short life. However, the bombardment of the West Bank civilian Palistinian Israelis is just as obscene as any terrorist attack. A child doesn't care if the shell that blows up its life is lobbed by an Israeli Army weapon, or carried by a lunatic suicide bomber. Israel is a country, and though Northern Ireland is not, the Palistinian citizens must learn to make the most of it, just as have the Catholics in Northern Ireland. We must remember that the Protestants in Ireland are just as Irish as the Catholics, no matter what has gone before. What Sharon and Arafat both must accept is that the only way to come to any kind of peaceful agreement or solution is by talking. Each side must relinquish something, or several somethings, in order to accomplish peace. The US must now mediate fairly, without taking traditional sides. If we don't, we will be open to the blame of the extremists who made their feelings about us known last September. We are still likely to be attacked. Even peace won't satisfy those who will settle for nothing but an absolute victory. But at least if we have been fair and as helpful as we can, we will know that we are blameless. It isn't much, but it's better than nothing.

Nora Shaughnessy, Saugus