Have the policy decisions of the current Israeli governmentimproved prospects for peace in the middle east?
107207
Nope, because there will never be peace in the middle east.
202546
I think they have given enough.  It's like the story, "If you give a mouse a cookie" - no matter what they give up, the Palestinians ask for more.  When Barak and Arafat met, Barak offered everything except for Jerusalem as the capital, and Arafat refused.  There is no negotiation in that.  And now that Hamas is in charge, which refuses to denounce violence and still states that Israel should be destroyed, the situation isn't getting much better.\nIsrael gave up Gaza, let's see the Palestinians do something now to forward the peace process, then Israel can look to give up the West Bank settlements (as the leading Prime Minister candidate is talking about).
681343
No, it is not true.  There are several reasons for our support of Israel.  For one, they tend to do what we say, which is not a common response from nations in that region.  They also allow us to have bases in the area.  Finally, many Jewish organizations lobby heavily on behalf of Israel, and that does have an effect on political thought.  But as to our government being largely Jewish, I would say that the Christian right currently have a monopoly on government these days.
521676
Israel is the only pro-western democracy in the middle east.  Isn't that exactly the kind of country Washington would want as an ally?
1070397
Yes many many many many times.  There is a ton of information out there.  Do a search using "Israeli peace talks".  Happy reading
1064395
Giving Palestine to the Jews after WW2, was a mistake, hasn't worked out, and should be recognised as such.\n\nThe policy of the USA leaders isn't helping matters, without their support peace will never be possible.\n\nWe need a revolution in the USA first before anything else can happen\nHopefully with the increasing national debt, dependency on and shortage of oil, and the worsening living standards of poor Americans ,the revolution wont be far off
402443
Israeldevelop a new policy in Palestine issue with Şaron's last gov't: ONE SİDED PEACE , in so İsrael withdraw from Gaza Stript and some areas of West Bank. this  withdraw is not about Mahmod Abbas or his gov't political success. Kadima will continue this policy and will withdraw from some part of West Bank additionally. Of course Palestinians own country will established, otherwise İsrael will never feel in secure. But the real problem is not the establisment of PAlestinian country but mainly the REFUGEE problem, THE BORDER OF THE PALESTINIAN STATE,and THE STATUE OF JURASALEM. to sum up Israel doesn't want to negotiate with HAMAS and its state policy doesn't need onether side... Because Israel want to draw Palestian sate border on its own self..
618731
Ehud Olmert is the new Prime Minister.
95846
What's changed?  The only difference now is they're in govermental leadership positions.  It's kind of hard to change your position when you believe that Israel should be pushed into the ocean.  Think on the bright side how much more extreme can Hamas get?
134780
Mr. Sharon, will not sound very happy with that news, and will not be able to deal with hamas.\nbut the question will rise, if Fath cant solve the problem, nor can hamas, who will finish all this trouble?\nanyhow israel will not deal with a government which doesnot respect the previous issues, and till the leagal elected government do not stop supporting terrorism.
967955
Yes.  They already do.  In 1949, the Arab population of Israel was about 160,000. Today, it is over 1.2 million.  Most of the growth in Arab population is due to migration. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs, even today, are choosing to live in Israel.  Why?  Because Arabs, including Palestinians, are much freer in Israel than they are in their native Arab police states.  There is simply a better life for them in Israel.  They vote, they enjoy freedom of religion, freedom of speech, women's equal rights, and a free press.  None of the Arab nations offer anything close to that level of freedom, not even to the most devout Muslim Arab.  Given this history, we have reason to believe that any Arab, including any Palestinian, who renounces violence would enjoy the same rights in Israel.
973979
Please do not take what this govt. does to be the will of the people.  Most of what happens inside and outside of this country is done by secret deals among the powerful.  Most of us detest what the Israelis are doing to their neighbors, and what their neighbors are doing to them, but our national policy is part of a deal most of us are ignorant of .  If you ask Americans, they are upset over a problem here of illegal immigration.  These are people who are not legal citizens who take up residence here to work, get paid, and then usually go back home.  The Jews moved in, forced everyone else out,confiscated the land, and established an army second to none, funded largely by the United States Government, and proceeded to enforce their will on the area.  If that happened here, the uproar would be every bit what exists where you are.  But, due to some clever propaganda on the public, we cannot see this clearly, and don't empathize with the Arabs at all, mostly blindly supporting our government's policy.  Israel was a bad idea that will haunt us all for a long time, maybe even being the cause of international war.  We here would love it to be otherwise, that everyone there would just get along.  That does not appear to be a likely  possibility.  And you are right, the longer it goes on, the more people in the Middle East will blame us.
712392
Israel will take care of the nut case government of Iran.  Those who know history well know all about the holocaust of the Jewish people under the evil monsters Hitler and Stalin. Israel experienced one holocaust and their memory is crystal clear.  The Israelis know first hand what happens when a country allows a monster to rule over them.  They will never allow themselves to go through another holocaust whether it be from gas ovens to radioactive mushroom clouds.\nThe very moment Israel truly believes Iran has the bomb and plans to attack the Jewish people that is the moment Iran will go the way Hiroshima.  It will go from a country to an ash pile.\nThe very survival of Israel is what will be threatened if Iran gets the nuke.  With Israel backed up against the sea and surrounded by Islamic radicals who have the spirit of evil itself Israel will not blink neither will she  hesistate when it comes time to push the button.
407650
A recent newspaper article discussed Syria's policy vis-à-vis Israel and Israel's strategic goals.
446154
It would be more appropriate to ask who is better for world/middle east peace.  \n\n1. Until they get their act together and stop all their squabbling (this means both Israel and Palestine recognising the other's right to a peaceful existence) it doesn't matter a dam (THAT is the correct spelling) who is in the hot seat.\n2. Until the US stops siding with Israel even when it is in the wrong, there will always be a problem in the M/E.
1015563
If that was the goal, they could have done it long ago.  No, the Israelis want nothing more than to live in peace and prosperity with all of their neighbors, including going so far as to create a new country out of their own land for the palestinians.  Unfortunately, this desire is completely one-sided.
818096
Israel is a delicate situation.\n\nIs Israel itself a great example of democracy, economy, etc.? A resounding YES! \n\nUnfortunately, that plays ZERO part in the mentality of their regional neighbors.\n\nIsrael was CREATED by the US and Britain after WW2, largely as a byproduct of the guilt associated with the holocaust's effects on Jews.\n\nThe US and Britain (primarily) created the boundaries of a new israeli nation, taking terrotory previously controlled by Turkey (Ottoman Empire) and then Britain (after WW1). \n\nImagine the city where you live, being suddenly designated as the "homeland" for a minority such as Native Americans, or Mexicans (what have you). You and all of your city's population are told... "move out". We are giving this city to this new group because HUNDREDS of years ago it was once predominantly occupied by them. \n\n"Pack up! We are going to give you two pieces of land on the outskirts and on basically opposite ends of the city. Move there." (Gaza and West Bank)\n\nWe actually had intended to allocate a great piece of land for all of your people right next door, BUT... the mayor we chose, made himself King and decided he didn't want you to sully up his town and said NO to any immigration (Jordan) and thus you are stuck in two essentially useless pieces of land, so we can alleviate our guilt. \n\nI know this scenario sounds over simplified, and it is, but the point is... WE (US and Britain) arbitrarily recreated a nation of Israel by wielding our power over weaker people.\n\nTHIS is what has caused the hatred of us and the Israelis as much as anything. \n\nBritain backed off of nation building and manipulation considerably after WW2, while we intensified our nosing in. Thus Britain took less and less direct attacks, while we were seen more and more as the enemy and the big bully supporting an illegitimate state (in Arab minds).\n\nI am NOT an Israel hater...dont get me wrong, but Israel is not this poor, pitiful nation that is unfairlyu beat up on by big arab bullies. \n\nShe is HEAVILY armed, nuclear capable and despite our wishes, has violated MANY UN charters (developing nukes, selling arms to South Africa during apartheid (even co-developing nukes with South Africa), selling F14 technology to Iran (while we were embargoing them), selling missile tech to China, Pakistan, India, et al for ICBMs, etc, etc. \n\nIsrael is a CREATED cause for the Arabs... and it was created by us. \n\nWith all ofthat said. Israel deserves autonomy, and deserves our support, BUT not our BLIND support.