#david f

Thank you for your apology.

We agree on far more than you think.

We agree that a one state solution or a two state solution is not possible without a war. There are too many powerful forces aligned against either such solution ever occurring by negotiations.

We agree the status quo is dangerous.

So what is left to try and end the status quo? Only the union of the Arabs of the West Bank and Jordan as I see it.

You believe this will not be enough to avoid another war. I on the other hand whilst not dismissing your view - believe it must be tried in an attempt to bring the current status quo to an end. I believe that the successful conclusion of any such negotiations by two States that already have a signed peace agreement will act as a stabilising force to resist any attempts to overturn that negotiated agreement by force.

We also agree that David G is a Jew hater. I think we would also agree that there are lots more Jew haters all over the world who harbour the same sentiments to get rid of me and you.

Dear David S.

I do not apologise for my comment that you should be ashamed of the fact that you got your education in a pluralistic society but put other people together by ethnicity.

You wrote:

We agree that a one state solution or a two state solution is not possible without a war.

We do not agree on that. I don't refer to either outcome as a solution as a solution is something that will end the conflict. I see almost no hope in two states but more hope in one state. Actually, as much as I appreciate what Israel has done I want it to be a democracy and do not think it can be a democracy and a Jewish state.

You wrote: "We agree the status quo is dangerous.

So what is left to try and end the status quo? Only the union of the Arabs of the West Bank and Jordan as I see it."

I see that as more dangerous. I think Amayreh wants it so the Arabs will be better united to destroy Israel. In that I think he is right.

David G and Amayreh are both Jew haters. Of the two Amayreh is far more dangerous. He wants Jordanian-Palestinian unity for his purposes, and I think such unity will serve his purposes.

Dear David S,

You would have the Palestinian Arabs unite with Jordanians on the basis of their shared culture, ethnicity and religion.

I think it is very wrong because I would want it done to me. The people I am probably most close to in culture, ethnicity and religion are the Jews of Israel. I do not want to be part of Israel regardless of how close our backgrounds. I would regard some entity who tried to make me part of Israel as a great oppressor.

Can you see the analogy?

#david f

I find your thinking very confusing.

1. You state:

"I appreciate what Israel has done I want it to be a democracy and do not think it can be a democracy and a Jewish state."

For me a democratic state is one in which there is freedom of expression, the rule of law prevails, each citizen has one vote and free and fair elections are held at regular intervals.

Why is Israel not a democratic state just because the majority of its citizens are Jews?

2. You further state:

"I think Amayreh wants it (unifying West Bank and East Bank Arabs in one state} so the Arabs will be better united to destroy Israel. In that I think he is right."

So why do you denigrate Amayreh as a racist anti-semite and a bigot if you agree with what he wants to achieve? Isn't he a hero in your eyes?

3. You also state:

"The people I am probably most close to in culture, ethnicity and religion are the Jews of Israel. I do not want to be part of Israel regardless of how close our backgrounds."

You can make that choice and still continue to lead your pleasant existence in Australia in an environment you apparently relish.

The Arabs of the West Bank are in a different situation. They may not want to reunify with the East Bank Arabs however close their backgrounds - but they do live next to each other, have familial ties extending across the Jordan River and all live within an hours drive of each other. If however it is the wish of the majority to not reunify then it will not happen. The current status quo will then be maintained and an opportunity to transform their miserable lives will be missed yet again - as occurred in 1937, 1947, 1948-1967 and since 1993.

The consequences of the West Bank Arabs not wanting to be part of Jordan - regardless of how close their backgrounds - have far greater ramifications to them personally than your choice to not become part of Israel.

Dear David S.,

Thank you for responding. You asked: “Why is Israel not a democratic state just because the majority of its citizens are Jews?”

Israel can be a democratic state with a majority of Jews. Israel has some features of democracy with an independent judiciary, a free press and a robust civil society. It cannot be a full democracy if it makes distinctions among its citizens on the basis of ethnicity or religion. It cannot be a democracy unless it has separation of religion and state. I apply the same criteria to Australia. There are two current law suits based on S. 116 of the Australia Constitution that claims the funding of religious schools and the National School Chaplaincy program violate S. 116. I support them both.

Not only does Israel make distinction between Jews and non-Jews, but it also makes distinctions among Jews. A Knesset committee determined that grossly unequal infrastructure funding has been applied to Jewish and non-Jewish villages. There is no civil marriage. Either Jewish, Christian or Muslim clergy must approve.

The Treaty of Tripoli treaty unanimously approved by the Senate, June 7, 1797, states the US is not a Christian nation.

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...

Democracy has evolved. The Athenian democracy denied participation to women, slaves and foreigners. The US Constitution ratified in 1789 allowed foreigners to become citizens but denied the vote to women and slaves. Currently most democracies have universal adult suffrage, separation of religion and state and laws that do not make distinctions among its citizens on the basis of ethnicity or religion. Those are my criteria for democracy, and Israel does not fit those criteria.

Amayreh wants neither democracy nor Jews. I want both. I want equal rights for all.

Amayreh remains a racist antisemite who wants the destruction of Israel. I want the transformation of Israel/Palestine to a full democratic state. It is not politically feasible at this time, but that is the most reasonable way I see to peace and justice.

David S and Davidf, I don't want you boys fighting among yourselves. Remember that disunity is death.

Look what happened to the the Palestinians when Hamas was democratically elected as the Government. Fatah, the losers, with some help from Israel and America, refused to accept the will of the people and split the Palestinians. They are traitors.

Davidf, you seem to have some redeeming attitudes and qualities even though you are Jewish.

DavidS, sadly is a lost cause! He is drowning in hatred.