Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id PAA29112 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sat, 9 Mar 2002 15:53:49 GMT X-Originating-IP: [213.123.58.236] From: "Edward Turner" <e_a_l_turner@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Toward a solution: Israel and Palestine Date: Sat, 09 Mar 2002 15:48:34 +0000 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F249QR7j1HaKtKufVma0001fa13@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 09 Mar 2002 15:48:35.0129 (UTC) FILETIME=[DF213A90:01C1C781] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
"If a solution is to be found, these memetic locks must be broken. We must
look beyond the past and the recriminations that the past so richly gives
rise to. The nightmarish present is the only reality that really matters at
this point, that and the faint shimmerings of a cooperative solution, where
those may be discerned amidst the carnage."
IMHO the only memetic locks are in your head! :o) The recent escalation of
violence does not simply represent an unfortunate cycle of contagion (excuse
me for assuming that is what you were suggesting). I think such a position
may underestimate certain aspects of the past and future that IMO are
crucial to a proper understanding of what is now happening in
Israel/Palestine.
Two important aspects of past/future are:
PAST - The Olso Accords, the setting up of an independent Palestinian
Authority and security apparatus, and increasing hope - if not real hope -
in the hearts of Palestinian people that an autonomous and sovereign
Palestinian state would exist in their lifetime.
FUTURE - Long predicted and hinted at American war against Iraq. A war that
will no doubt require support of regional Arab governments (as much as the
war in Afghanistan has required their acquiescence).
How are these aspects of the past and future related to present events in
Israel/Palestine?
One good way America can achieve Arab support is by putting pressure on
Israel to make concessions over Palestine. After the Oslo Accords, however,
there are few real concessions Sharon can make that would be popular in the
Arab world and yet would be short of forcing Israel to endorse a slippery
slope towards a "viable" Palestinian state. Underneath his callous
exaptation of the term 'terrorism' for his war against the Palestinian
Authority, Sharon is calculating that an unravelling of Palestinian gains
thus far - territorial encroachment into the PA, undermining Palestinian
security force, de facto non-recognition of Arafat - will mean that when
concessions have to be made in the face of America's likely war in Iraq, at
worse, Israeli-Palestine affairs will be returned to status-quo ante, prior
to Oslo, and thus no Palestinian state will have had to be bargained into
existence.
..... or perhaps I'm victim of a conspiracy theory meme?
Hoping to be enlightened,
cheers!
Edward
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