Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 19:11:21 -0500
From: Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at radix.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Political Inventions
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Ted White wrote:

> In the meantime, the leaders of the Arab states have offered normal relations to
> Israel if it returns the lands it seized in 1967.  This is a Major Breakthrough
> -- and one Israel has turned its back on.

Couple of things that I've never understood.  It's my understanding that
in 1967 Israel had armies on it's borders, the Straights were closed,
and Israel decided to fight.  And, to everyone's surprise, when the
fight was over not only had they survived but they'd gain land rather
than lost it.  Now, 35 years later, if they want people to stop blowing
themselves and civilians up, they have to give the land back.  Perhaps
I'm naive but this doesn't make sense to me.

The other is that the Palestinians say that they just want a Palestinian
state.  When Israel was formed land was also set aside for just such a
state but was absorbed by the surrounding Arab countries -- countries
that are now in full support of Israel giving up land to create a
Palestinian state.

Elspeth