IDF builds fake Arab town

[Jenn! 918]

No one has to prove what they are allowed to talk about or not talk about, what they are allowed to show in pictures or not. I didn't say to stop doing anything you are doing.

But I am saying how someone from a different perspective would feel about all this, and would not feel truly welcome.

If people disagree with me, that's fine. But I am just saying what I feel about it.

Actually I would guess Wildroze is left leaning also (from her posts) and what happened in the photos thread was that she reacted to things turning too political. It's natural for those who understand Israel to be sensitive to Isreali bashing. This is something she has in common with the MENA posters who also face the same kind of anti-Muslim, anti-Arab bashing. People who do not have the human connection to the region can't really understand this reaction. We - an all sides of the middle east conflict- are so tired of unfounded accusations and sometimes we get defensive.

Wildroze has never expressed anti-Palestinian views only her concern that the thread was turning political. It was a disagreement and we can have those in MENA without being a religious conflict. Despite what we see on American media- many people in teh Middle East jsut get along fine with their neighbors and want peace.

:thumbs:

[chri'stina 190]

Szsz....Thanks...

but I don't really like conflict and do want to have peace with everyone possible.

I hope that comes across when I write my views. I may sound very opinionated at times, but I do like discussing things with people even if they disagree.

I don't know anything about the argument yesterday about the MENA mindset, etc.

I guess what I am trying to say is, that while I may debate sometimes, I do want to be on good standing with members here. I don't like to get down and dirty, and don't want to write off any people. I know I might make people defensive with certain things I say. But I do like the discussions, when they isn't mudslinging. I don't think there has been any mud in this thread.

[wildroze22 0]

wow im glad to see im the topic of a discussion

im glad theres at least semi coherent dialogue here. but some comments i want to make

i am not usually comfortable posting here. im shocked that someone mentioned that israelis should join the european forum. israel is very much a part of the middle east. there is a strong middle eastern culture there. no, most israeli citizens are not arabs, but that does not make them european. its this complex that we have to deal with.

no im not israeli, my so is. but ive lived there. im not a scholar on it, but i know what ive experienced. im not going to argue with people who will never agree with me, and are not open to discussion. but i greatly appriciate that people are willing to stick up for me.

im not going to make an emotional "you all suck and im gonna cry" post. but thank you to those who are open to my thoughts, and are willing to argue. its a very loaded topic.

lol, and me a lefty? not quite. but thanks i guess

Edited January 26, 2007 by wildroze22

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I looked at some of the pictures thread, and how wildroze was jumped on for being upset at seeing negative politically charged pictures about Israel killing Palestinians, etc. After all the pretty pictures posted. It was not the time nor place. I was annoyed as well. And just imagine if she had posted pictures of dead Jewish people killed by Palestinians first...that would have gone over well... Yet when she is upset about the pictures that are posted, people jumped down her throat. I don't get it. It's a double standard.

For the record: I did not post ANY pictures of "Israelis killing Palestinians."

[peezey 0]

im shocked that someone mentioned that israelis should join the european forum. israel is very much a part of the middle east. there is a strong middle eastern culture there. no, most israeli citizens are not arabs, but that does not make them european. its this complex that we have to deal with.

You are welcome to post here. I also want to say that the person who suggested Israelis should post in European forums is not a MENA member. We know Israel is MENA, and again, you are welcome to post here.

[jordanianprincess 0]

Szsz....Thanks...

but I don't really like conflict and do want to have peace with everyone possible.

I hope that comes across when I write my views. I may sound very opinionated at times, but I do like discussing things with people even if they disagree.

I don't know anything about the argument yesterday about the MENA mindset, etc.

I guess what I am trying to say is, that while I may debate sometimes, I do want to be on good standing with members here. I don't like to get down and dirty, and don't want to write off any people. I know I might make people defensive with certain things I say. But I do like the discussions, when they isn't mudslinging. I don't think there has been any mud in this thread.

You are right Stina, there has been no mud slinging in this thread either. Its a calm debate and yesterdays thread about MENA Cliques really has nothing to do with this debate at all.

I think what MBP said is totally on the money. We are all sensitive to what is close to our heart. Wildroze has lived a different side of it and would be most welcome to share it with us, but that would also mean hearing our side of it too. We can debate in a friendly way. Anyone who has spent time in MENA or VJ would know that these photos are not somehting new, WOM has been posting them for a long time.

[chri'stina 190]

But this is the MENA foum, not just for one country or nationality as it would be for India, Canada, as you mentioned above. I am not saying what has to be discussed and what doesn't have to be. But it would be intimidating I think to join in anywhere where you felt your issues or opinions were not supported most of the time. It doesn't even have to be an Israel/Arab issue. I would love to see discussion between Jewish Israelis and Arabic people on here in this regional section. I know it takes the other people showing up too, it can't just happen if they don't come. I understand that. But it almost seems like Israel(Jewish Israelis) being part of the MENA forum is forgotten.

I don't get this at all. Are all Indians the same? Canadians? We can all come up with a list of a dozen divisive issues in each of these countries. MENA is a set of countries, but they share similar ethnicity, religion, culture.

Not everyone in MENA shares similar religion. But I was just commenting on what JP was saying to me.

[jordanianprincess 0]

im shocked that someone mentioned that israelis should join the european forum. israel is very much a part of the middle east. there is a strong middle eastern culture there. no, most israeli citizens are not arabs, but that does not make them european. its this complex that we have to deal with.

You are welcome to post here. I also want to say that the person who suggested Israelis should post in European forums is not a MENA member. We know Israel is MENA, and again, you are welcome to post here.

I agree. You are always more than welcome.

[ya falaha! 0]

I agree. Like I said before, I would appreciate if you did participate in this forum. I would be very interested in hearing about your experiences living in Israel.

im shocked that someone mentioned that israelis should join the european forum. israel is very much a part of the middle east. there is a strong middle eastern culture there. no, most israeli citizens are not arabs, but that does not make them european. its this complex that we have to deal with.

You are welcome to post here. I also want to say that the person who suggested Israelis should post in European forums is not a MENA member. We know Israel is MENA, and again, you are welcome to post here.

[peezey 0]

Not everyone in MENA shares similar religion. But I was just commenting on what JP was saying to me.

That's why I said similar. There is far less religious difference in MENA than Canada. I realize what you were commenting on, but the analogy makes no sense. There are just as many issues in Canada that would heat up a bunch of Canadians, and the same with India.

[mybackpages 0]

im shocked that someone mentioned that israelis should join the european forum.

WOW did they really? how did i miss that one??? I am not sure if i should laugh or cry!

okay sorry for mislabeling you a lefty I meant left leaning only because i thought i understood a post to be supportive of finding real peace in the conflict without spouting off with ideological extremism. So I should have said, someone intelligent enough to understand the issue

[jordanianprincess 0]

But this is the MENA foum, not just for one country or nationality as it would be for India, Canada, as you mentioned above. I am not saying what has to be discussed and what doesn't have to be. But it would be intimidating I think to join in anywhere where you felt your issues or opinions were not supported most of the time. It doesn't even have to be an Israel/Arab issue. I would love to see discussion between Jewish Israelis and Arabic people on here in this regional section. I know it takes the other people showing up too, it can't just happen if they don't come. I understand that. But it almost seems like Israel(Jewish Israelis) being part of the MENA forum is forgotten.

I don't get this at all. Are all Indians the same? Canadians? We can all come up with a list of a dozen divisive issues in each of these countries. MENA is a set of countries, but they share similar ethnicity, religion, culture.

Not everyone in MENA shares similar religion. But I was just commenting on what JP was saying to me.

Right but what you were saying was this forum very focused on Islam and I disagree. Yes there are many topics here that concern Islam, but that is no different than daily life for anyone in a MENA country. No one has ever disrespected me because I am Christian.

Jordan is only 6% Christian and no one there has problems living side by side. I don't really participate is threads about Islam because I have nothing to contribute. I think we have a pretty well balanced forum.

[wildroze22 0]

okay sorry for mislabeling you a lefty I meant left leaning only because i thought i understood a post to be supportive of finding real peace in the conflict without spouting off with ideological extremism. So I should have said, someone intelligent enough to understand the issue

lol, thats right, i lean right. but im not an extremist. ive lived there, i know the situation, and extremism on EITHER SIDE is not the answer. so if thats what you meant by me being a lefty im all for it.

just dont get that confused with my other political leanings

[mybackpages 0]

Not everyone in MENA shares similar religion. But I was just commenting on what JP was saying to me.

That's why I said similar. There is far less religious difference in MENA than Canada. I realize what you were commenting on, but the analogy makes no sense. There are just as many issues in Canada that would heat up a bunch of Canadians, and the same with India.

I don't think Canadians get heated up like the rest of us over politics. Or at least they know how to take it in stride.

[jordanianprincess 0]

okay sorry for mislabeling you a lefty I meant left leaning only because i thought i understood a post to be supportive of finding real peace in the conflict without spouting off with ideological extremism. So I should have said, someone intelligent enough to understand the issue

lol, thats right, i lean right. but im not an extremist. ive lived there, i know the situation, and extremism on EITHER SIDE is not the answer. so if thats what you meant by me being a lefty im all for it.

just dont get that confused with my other political leanings