At least you, Strewth, are able to accept that the Israeli state is a long-term necessity. Many other pro-Palestinian advocates do not. Perhaps I am emotionally unattached because I do not have any friends or family involved in the conflict. My grandad fought in Palestine in the 40s, but that's about it. Feel free to trivialise my thoughts all you want, and feel free to continue belittling me. Personally, I think that sitting on the fence allows a clearer picture of the issue than taking one side or another. I don't make apologies for not siding with the Arabs or the Israelis. Refusing to take sides does not indicate apathy, it indicates an ability to see that neither side is right and neither side is wrong. It may even help to understand what must be done if the situation is ever to draw to a close.

Oto, Israel isn't a long term necessity, but a long term calamity that will end in destruction for all. I agree that European jews invaded Palestine, and are still carrying out terrorist attacks. I see the palestinians as being silly try and remove Israel, but they are justified. Just as the Iraq's are entitled to kill their invaders, the USA, Britain and Australian troops.

Wow Strewth, you cite one source 'The Other Side of Israel' and declare that it will tell you all you need to know about the Arab-Israeli conflict. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL VERY THOROUGH & BALANCED RESEARCH. No beating about-the-bush with you!
[It sounds like one of those scenarios where you formulated your views first, then sought out a book which supported those views]

Gee, Horus, were Nathan's book the only one I'd ever read on the subject, it'd probably be one more than you have. But please, when you're lucid, feel free to point me to where I "declare that it will tell you all you need to know about the Arab-Israeli conflict"?

Strewth I would suggest that the most influential book(s) you have read on the issue would have been ‘The Adventure’s of Robin Hood’ (or fables of a simular ilk),and you are still trying to live out their plots.Your still see the world in terms of (good) “underdogs” and (bad) overlords, with no grades in between.

I think your views on the Middle East have less to do with history and more to do with pop journalism and skilful marketing.

Are the Palestians plight markably different to the Armenians who the Turks massacred & dispossessed, or the Greek Cypriots who the Turks dispossessed, or the stateless Kurds. These other groups, though equally deserving, are not in the public face everyday, they do not have the militant sponsors/marketeers the Palestinians have.

The crowd that you move with Stewth have a little pantheon of worthy causes, and one needs to register to get recognised-sorry to say the Amenians,Cyriots & Kurds (& others) are not newsworthy enough to get you fired up.

Thanks, Alchemist, for your comments. By long-term necessity I mean that, if we were to displace the Jewish population of the region, we would be doing to them what they did to the Palestinians. Strewth has the right idea when talking about a binational state. The trouble is that most people seem to agree, but nobody can find a way to make it work.