'Thailand recognizes Palestine as independent state

[Sofiyya 1,687]

So I dont understand are you a Jewish or Palestinian? Can a jew be a Palestinian and a Palestinian a Jew? Because it seems that "not even all Jews are equal" then a Palestinian is a Jew. Or are they Palestinian Israelis and Jews are Jewish Israelies. Or is its because not all Israelies are equal. But if Israelies do not believe in Isreal then are they Palestinians and not Israelies? How does your thinking of nationality work. What constitutes a Palestinian, his past or present. I ask because I was born in Soviet Union, so am I a Soviet or a Russian or an American. I am lost in what is my nationality.

I understand how you feel about national identity. Mine is a hodge-podge. I'm a Palestinian Israeli-American Muslim. There are Palestinian Israelis who are Muslim, Christian and Jewish. We are the natives who were forced at gunpoint from our homes; we could have been expelled, but we managed to stay within the territory that was designated as Israel in 1948.

The Jews were eventually compensated and made whole, regaining the property they had lost, but the rest of us were resettled away from our homes and businesses, which were confiscated by force by the Israeli forces to allocate to immigrating Jews from other countries. We are called "Nokhehim Nifkadim", present absentees, and subject to the web of property laws designed to legalize the taking of our land, and housing discrimination.

In return, those who survived the expulsions were offered Israeli citizenship in 1951. My family accepted because, as business owners and extensive real estate holders, they had a great deal already invested. That is how I am a Palestinian Israeli. Think of it in terms of what was done to European Jews during WWII, and how they have fought to regain the funds, stolen art, property, etc. that they lost to the Nazis and Vichy forces back then. We feel much the same way about our losses.

[Dan and Judy 614]

North Dakota!

South Dakota is better since that's where the Mount is.

Giant carvings of Abraham, Moses, King David and Leonard Cohen

[AMP 54]

I understand how you feel about national identity. Mine is a hodge-podge. I'm a Palestinian Israeli-American Muslim. There are Palestinian Israelis who are Muslim, Christian and Jewish. We are the natives who were forced at gunpoint from our homes; we could have been expelled, but we managed to stay within the territory that was designated as Israel in 1948.

The Jews were eventually compensated and made whole, regaining the property they had lost, but the rest of us were resettled away from our homes and businesses, which were confiscated by force by the Israeli forces to allocate to immigrating Jews from other countries. We are called "Nokhehim Nifkadim", present absentees, and subject to the web of property laws designed to legalize the taking of our land, and housing discrimination.

In return, those who survived the expulsions were offered Israeli citizenship in 1951. My family accepted because, as business owners and extensive real estate holders, they had a great deal already invested. That is how I am a Palestinian Israeli. Think of it in terms of what was done to European Jews during WWII, and how they have fought to regain the funds, stolen art, property, etc. that they lost to the Nazis and Vichy forces back then. We feel much the same way about our losses.

Yes, I see your point and respect it. Even though it greeves me, you and I both know that the proability of you and your family of getting everythign back is minumal. I know even jews havent recieved everything back from WWII.

[Dan and Judy 614]

I sense another group hug coming on

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Yes, I see your point and respect it. Even though it greeves me, you and I both know that the proability of you and your family of getting everythign back is minumal. I know even jews havent recieved everything back from WWII.

Thank you for that, AMP. I don't think we'll get everything back either and I'm against all the violence on both sides. It's so hard to understand how people who were so abused in Europe could inflict the same kind of misery on others who had nothing to do with it at the same time. Now, most of us just want to go home.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I am in agreeance to give them a state. Jerusalem will belong to Israel, since its thier only holly city, Pals can pic any other city within the decided borders.

Second its not a issue who runs it, because in a year or less there will be a strike on israel and a war will commnece and the new Pal state will be abolished again.

Sad but true. I am hoping if it happens its will not be true.

Actually there are 4 "holy cities" in Judaism - Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, and Tiberias (remember, that was the excuse for the illegal settlements in Hebron ?)

Like it or not, Jerusalem is just as holy to Christians and Muslims as it is to Jews.

The whole world (except Israel) is in agreement - two states based on the pre-1967 armistice lines, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. (Of course minor border adjustments may be negotiated between the two parties.)

But since Israel refuses to abide by international law and world consensus, the path it insists on taking will eventually lead it to a one-state solution - a single state from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. The status quo is unsustainable - the Palestinians are not going to accept a series of Bantustans in lieu of a viable country. They will disband the PA and say ok - you got your way, it's all Israel now. But Israel will not be able to continue keeping half its population under an Apartheid system with rights based on ethnicity. All those millions of Palestinians will inevitably become full citizens of Israel. Demographics say that's Jewish-Arab parity in 2020, and an ever-increasing Arab majority after that.

Then, it's only a matter of time. All those millions of Arabs will use their political leverage to change the laws of Israel, and force the Right of Return law to be amended to apply to millions of Palestinian refugees, who will finally be coming home.

Hope you like what Israel hath wrought.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

not if Pal gets it. Christians will be persicuted and killed.

Don't be silly - many Palestinians ARE Christians. Many of them have been leaders in the struggle for Palestinian rights:

* George Habash - Palestinian from Lod, founded the Arab Nationalists Movement and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) - Christian

* Naif Hawatmeh, Palestinian refugee from Jordan, founded the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine - Christian

* Kamel Nasser - Palestinian PLO leader - Christian

* Hanan Ashrawi - former Palestinian Authority legislator, now leader of Third Way party, Christian

* Huwaida Arraf - co-founder of International Solidarity Movement, chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement and activist with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, Christian