To be honest, I am like having compassion burn out from all the issues that used to bug me before. Well, not really burn out, more like why bother so much when the people involved in it don't seem to care much about resolving it. The Israeli-Palestinian issue is one in particular.

But reading this really brought home again how a huge political issue can affect the lives of ordinary people in a very personal way.

More often than not, people like to say that politics do not interest them. But what if politics have a direct effect on one's life?

I am sure Jasmine Avissar and Osama Zaatar are not very fond of politics, but theirs is a case where they can't escape from it while living in their very own home. Neither side welcomes the other. The only way for them to live in peace like any other married couple and worry about mundane things like rent, money, kids, etc. is to move to another country, and if need to, sever all ties to the very place they have known as home since their earliest childhood.

Jasmine has since left for Europe, and if God is willing, Osama will be able to join her at the earliest opportunity. They deserve a shot of happiness even if their own people prefer to fight and kill each other.

BBC News - Star-crossed lovers quit West Bank

Labels: israeli-palestinian

It's been ages since I've written something substantial. I know, I know. I've been very slack. I blame work and the lack of inspiration.

But I have just read something that is so fucking heartbreaking. No, it's not about love or the lack of it. It's the story of someone whose life has been such a victim of circumstances, bad decisions and bad luck that it's so pathetically tragic.

And there I was, pissed tonight for no apparent reason (chemical imbalance once in a while lah) when this guy has so much more reason to piss with what life has dealt to him.

I've always said that life is what we make out of it and that we are usually responsible for whatever happens to us - based on our decisions and reactions to what life has dealt to us. To me, life is neither fair nor unfair. Life is just life and knows nothing about fairness. But how does that explain this person's predicament?

Sure, he may have a part in some of the things that went wrong in his life. But where lies his role when forces that are so much greater than his wields such an overpowering direct influence over his life thus far?

This is the personal story of someone who is probably representative of a lot of his peers caught in the same tragedy.

This is the tragic story of a Palestinian who is caught between two forces greater than himself, his own people and Israel.

This is probably a story that never really gets told much. The only time I recall it being mentioned was in the movie "Paradise Now" when the history of Said's family and his father's tragedy was told by Said when he explained his determination to go through with the attack in the hopes of rehabilitating his family's honour.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not just a physical and mental conflict; it is one that unravels the very fabric of morality as we know it. Maybe this conflict will not prove who's right or who's wrong, just who's left.

I just hope Nadim's desperate cry for help is answered. If not, the only way I see it ending is when he puts a bullet though his skull.

Labels: israeli-palestinian

Bush and Olmert are playing a very dangerous game. The longer Bush waits to respond and stop Israel's attack on Lebanon, the more intractable the conflict will become.

Death toll so far: 230 Lebanese dead, most of them civilians, to 25 Israeli dead, 13 of them civilians.

Now Bush wants to wait a week for Israel to finish its "job" of "degrading" Hezbollah position before sending Rice in. By then, it might be too late. By then World War III may have already started. I have a feeling that if it goes on for too long, Iran and Syria will join in the fray and then the rest will get dragged in as well.

I have said repeatedly that Bush is a dangerous man to have as the president of the US. He is not cut out for the international/foreign affairs aspect of the role and he will end up making a mess of everything. Just like now.

Anyway, the US has lost whatever "moral authority" they may have had before. No one will buy whatever they say. Their opinions are worth the same as every other country. Their only "authority" left is force and armed might.

Then again, everyone involved in this are villains: Hezbollah, Israel, some of the neighbouring countries, the US and the paralysed international community. There are no good guys. Well, the only innocent parties are the ordinary non-Hezbollah Lebanese and foreigners in Lebanon (both Muslims and Christians) as well as Haifans who are caught like ducks in a cross fire.

BBC News - East conflict: Who stands where

BBC News - Haifa hospital in the firing line

CNN.com - Dobbs: Not so smart when it comes to the Middle East

Labels: america, israeli-palestinian, middle-east, politics

...As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee

Just when you thought that things might (and a big "might" at that) have a chance to quieten down after Ariel Sharon is gone, it gets worse.

Just what the hell is Hezbollah thinking? I am not trying to justify the Israeli political and military position, but what does Hezbollah think it can achieve by practically declaring war on Israel? Bolster its status in Lebanon after the Syrian pull out? Try to be more relevant by being the greater enemy of Israel than all the other anti-Israel factions?

Just when Lebanon is starting to rebuild and move towards some sense of normality, this has to happen. What's the point? I don't get it. Why sabotage their country this way?

The way I see it, I think Iran (Hezbollah's backers) may have a strong hand in this. They are probably trying to distract the world away from their nuclear issue. And what better way to do this than by getting Hezbollah to attack Israel and provoking them to retaliate. Maybe their aim is to start another war and possibly giving them the needed excuse to launch a nuclear strike against Israel. After all, the professed aim of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad is to wipe Israel off the map.

On the other hand, Hezbollah may be trying to reassert itself against an Israel led by a supposed peacenik, Ehud Olmert; possibly thinking that Israel may not retaliate.

But if I see it correctly, Olmert may end up even more aggressive than Sharon.

Why so?

I have a feeling that Olmert realises a lot of people see him as a softie for (1) agreeing to Israel's pull-out from the Gaza and some occupied territories, and (2) for his agenda in trying to define the final borders and hence trying for lasting peace in a two-state settlement.

In such a case, Olmert will have no choice but to show that he is just as strong or even stronger than his predecessors.

No matter how we would like to see it, I frankly doubt Hamas or Hezbollah wants peace with Israel. In which case, a two-state scenario wouldn't even be in the picture. As far they are concern, they seem to only want a one-state situation, and that state would be Palestine with no room for Israelis or Jews.

How will this end? I really don't know. None of them are obviously in the mood to sit and talk. The only way it can end is when the international community get their act together and twist the arms of all the parties concern. Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah cannot be trusted to resolve this on their own. It's plain stupidity to even think they can.

Meanwhile, oil prices will go up and so will the cost of everything else.

You know what would be great? The whole Middle-East sinking into the sea and disappearing forever, taking their stupid wars and stupid accursed leaders along with them and sparing us their stupid drama.

Peace is obviously not in their dictionary. To them, peace is probably only for cowards.

      "Only violence pays," has been the lesson often taught both by Israel, and by the many militant groups who oppose her in the Middle East. And pupils on both sides have graduated with honours - Nick Thorpe for BBC News, "Becoming Israel's greatest enemy"

Labels: israeli-palestinian, middle-east, politics