Future of Israel/Palistine Relations

I really enjoyed this talk on Israeli/Palestinian relations because I know so little about it. It is such a complex issues that I don't think I had the background knowledge for some of the issues he mentioned, but it was very interesting to me nonetheless. The whole problem is so multi-faceted because of all of the different countries and factions of people and how they deal and relate to each other. I didn’t know about the differing peoples in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and how they really dislike each other. It is very sad to me that other countries do not help out the Palestinians even when barriers into Egypt and Jordan have been broken down. If someone other than Hamas helped them perhaps they wouldn’t be quite as bitter towards Israel. It boggles my mind that the United States has different definitions of these groups as either terrorist or non-terrorist based on what they say to the public. It is very naïve to think that the PLO and other groups like Fatah would work with Israel. To say something behind closed doors and to do it are two very different things. The fact that the Palestinians aren’t unified poses an entirely different problem. How do you stop bombings, when all of these groups do not listen to the same leader. Negotiations clearly have not and will not work because of this problem. This conflict will not end unless something is done to change the schooling, media, environment, and recognition of Israel. More and more children are being brought up to hate Israel and blame them for their economic hardship. If they could see that the other countries around them aren’t helping them either maybe this problem could be more easily resolved. The speaker talked of a three state solution, but I think at this point that will not end the violence. Palestinians will still be bitter towards Israel and the violence will not end. I have been to Israel and have seen why it is so important that it keeps strong as its own nation. Hopefully other nations will see its importance as well someday.