In your haste to thrust everything into the occupation = evil equation, you omitted a few facts that undermine it. If you are correct, why, as late as 1991, did Iraq attack Israel with missiles? Why has Iran repeatedly threatened Israel? Neither of these nations even has a border with Israel. If 'occupation' of the territories you mention is the whole problem, why was the PLO established in 1964, bent on the destruction of Israel, three years before any of these territories were disputed? Shebaa farms, in fact, is a key case with which to examine why your equation is not as clear-cut as you'd like to believe. Its ownership undisputed for decades (considered internationally as Syrian, pre-67), Lebanese Shiite's claims to Shebaa began in 2000, after the UN confirmed Israel had withdrawn completely from Lebanon. This claim was rejected in 2000 by the UN based on over 100 maps and documents and has also been rejected by many non-Hizbullah Lebanese. However, post UNSCRR 1701, because of the unending clamoring of Hizbullah, the UN and US began to reconsider the original ownership of this strip of land. What does this suggest? That 'history' can be changed, and Israel can be asked to give up more and more land (eventually Yaffo and Haifa?) if militant groups just scream loud enough about 'occupation' being the crux of all evil. By acquiescing so easily to this equation, by ignoring the complexity of the situation created by the hate propaganda Israel's neighbors (including many Egyptians and even some Jordanians) read to their children, you make it that much easier for their screams to be effective. That doesn't seem like common sense to me. Sorry.

So much for your self-destructive common sense theories. So sad that the left wing not only does not apologize for Oslo and the deaths it brought, but also refuses to learn from it.

The arabs, occupy stolen land streching from morrocco all the way to the borders with iran Including the arabs in gaza and Juda/Samaria that call themselves palistinians Nobody says anything about that since they have subjegated all those countless tribes that were natives, through extermination, and outbreeding/interbreeding over the generations. Arabs are from Arabia, but this doesnt ring true anymore, does it? Falling under their control leaves only one path for the Jewish race. Exile, or extermination. Just try and find an occupied race that flourishes under arabic islamization...then point out my mistake

MAMOUD,MIKE As you well know the Islamic jihadists see all of present day Israel as occupied by infidel Jews. PROVE YOU ARE MORE THAN JUST HOT AIR AND PACK YOUR BAGS and leave Tel Aviv forver You should march into the sea for the peace you are speaking of with moslems. That is the only time they,you will be satisfied.

What a sad unrealistic outlook you have. You really think there is a Palastinian people that we took land off? read this: Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member, Zahir Muhsein said the following in an interview 1977: "The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism You have no arguement!!!!

Haverim, It i s about time to understand what all this Palestinian thing will lead us to. A progressive weakening of our physical presence in the land of Israel. What the Israeli left want is peace at any cost. It did not work with Chamberlain and it will not work with Fatah...and Pals. History has a way to repeat t itself. It is time to wake up. Israel is in Mortal danger with all those UTOPIAN IDEAS...from Beilin and friends. Shalom From Houston Alberto

first, I want to underline that we nothing against the persians or shiites muslims generally. as a matter of fact, the saha saved many jews whom escaped from Sadam, so I thank about it. second, my grandfather was in Iran several times before the islamic revolution and he always remind me that most of the iranians are very nice people. to blame only Iran it's hypocrisy, what about saudi-arabia, as you mentioned. I read books and articles on your native country and I know for sure that the iranians teenagers are more secular and educated that the arabs. your brothers and sisters deserve democracy, it's up only yours! if the iranias will have democracy we will coexistence like we used to be, inssallah!

Hard to argue with you about Saudi Arabia, but yes, Iranians were both accused and convicted of terror against Jews in South America at the bombing of a Jewish community center. Even if SA is the source of this news, I don't find it difficult to believe - not by far. It seems, rather, consistent with behavior by the Iranian government for the last 5 to 10 years at least.