[Abcdxxxx]

Originally Posted by mburbank

I don't know enough about Abbas to have an opinion on him, but UI have to ask; Why would a puppet resign?

Arafat had already declared the road map dead 3 days prior, with the insinuation that this justified him. By making a big show over his resignation, it was supposed to add support for Arafat's methods.

Originally Posted by mburbank

Abdcdzzzr; Am I correct in thinking your opinion is the roadmap could not be described as failing now since it never existed at all in practice?

Well...It *was* the closet thing to a cease fire we've had since the start of the Intifada but....

In 88 days since the June 6 Aqqaba summit with Abbas, 64 israelis were murdered by terrorist, and over 1,000 were wounded, equaling about ten casualties a day. So, you tell me.

Originally Posted by mburbank

B.) The current government of Israel desires a Palestinian civil war.

I think you mean this as a negative thing. Israel would love to see the palestinian people rise up against Hamas and the PA and hold their own government liable for their mistreatment. Or the feuds between the various terror factions reach a boil point. There isn't enough dissention to even lend itself to those types of high hopes.... and if you're suggesting Israel wants to see palestinians eat each other alive, as a method to do away with the "problem", then you're confused. Israel recently set up an investment to establish natural gas resources in Gaza that the Palestinians will provide to neighboring countries including Israel. There's no reason to invest in creating an infrastructure when you're counting on a civil war.

Originally Posted by mburbank

Both sides ,work amazingly well together, and it seems a shme they can't collaborate on peace. Sharon demands an end to all terrorist activity, thus giving very small groups the power to disrupt the peace process, which they do with a will. All they ask in return is a small amount of overkill and assasination from israel to increase their public support and justify further terrorist activity, and Israel is happy to comply.

Oh shit, it's the conspiracy theory of the month club. Israel controls Hammas, Israel leaves Arafat in power because he gives them the excuse to attack palestinians. Yawn. You really believe this or did you just read something that sounded convincing. It's a seriously hateful theory put out there by people too ignorant to understand the situation beyond the "two school children fighting" metaphors. Save it for the idiots that think Mossad blew up the Twin Towers.

Originally Posted by mburbank

Certainly no one either side actually believes that the Palestinian Authority, even if it wanted to (and it doesn't) could get a handel on Hammas without civil war.

The Hammas charter refers to the PLO as their fathers. The recent hudna declaration proves that Hammas is under some control by the PA. I do think Arafat realizes he created a monster, but Israel is under the firm belief that Hammas is just another extension of Arafat and co. There is little to no opposition to engage in a civil war with Hammas, so I'm not sure what you mean.

Originally Posted by mburbank

The other would be to out real financial and diplomatic pressure on Israel. We are the only people in a position to do this and we absolutely won't. It would completely undermine our current stand on what we ourselves have a right to do.

Cutting US funds would result in a loss of the only English/Arab speaking support the US has in the region. Not smart at this time. . A good portion of US funding to Israel is really just paying itself back debt owed from loans in the 70's. Israel would just partner up with China instead.

Originally Posted by mburbank

non-violent movements on both sides. Why is it so much eaiser to willingly die for vengance than it is to risk your life for peace?

You already said you think a huge number of Palestinians want Israel to cease it's existance. There is a non-violent movement in Israel, and it's been inaffective without a legit partner on the opposition palestinian side. [/quote]