tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915315601746686664.post3719172900175946614..comments2024-03-24T19:32:14.632-07:00Comments on Knickerbocker Village: Robert Meeropol: 2009David Ballelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11350201711497257207noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915315601746686664.post-69681154842396805852009-06-24T14:17:55.026-07:002009-06-24T14:17:55.026-07:00Hey...great to see Knickerbocker Village online. I...Hey...great to see Knickerbocker Village online. I have lived here for a few years and love it. I saw the video you posted on Shministim in Israel. I have to say, as a progressive who believes in the rights of all indigenous people...that video way over simplifies a complicated situation and is misleading. Those in the video are entitled to their opinion, but they should be jailed if they refuse to serve in he IDF...as military service is mandatory in Israel. Jews have been living in Judea and Samaria for 3,000 years...so kinda hard to sell the line about Jews living on this land as occupiers...Jews are indigenous to this land. The truth is, the land is disputed. Both peoples have valid claims to said land. Israel IS occupying Palestinian people...and that is a shame. But you can't stop there. You have to ask why this "occupation" goes on in 2009? How did it begin? Do not forget that Jordan attacked Israel in 1967 and lost the land. Do not forget that Israel offered Arafat a Palestinian State in 98% of Judea and Samaria (the west bank), all of Gaza, almost half of Jerusalem and vast sums of money to develop the newly formed state of Palestine...not to mention a right of return for all who want to live in the new state of Palestine. Arafat said NO and started another intifada...this all according to Dennis Ross and Bill Clinton. <br /><br />The truth is, the Arab/Israeli conflict is not about the so called "occupation," as there was no peace prior to 1967 when Jews liberated Judea and Samaria. The conflict is really about the refusal of Ababs to accept the right of Jews to self-determination in their historical homeland--on which they have lived as an oppressed minority for over a thousand years. And on which they have lived for over 3000 years. <br /><br />Notwithstanding, great to see a fellow Knickerbocker online. Be well!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com