Bernadotte

Where do I see hope? Demographics.  The birth-rate continues to be much higher among Palestinian Arabs than among Israeli Jews and the rate of Jews moving out of Israel is also much higher than Jewish immigration.  I guess the Palestinians discovered that the best way to make war is to make love because the bottom line is this:  For the first time ever, at some point in 2002, the population of Israel plus the Territories will cease to be majority Jewish.  When this finally happens, Israel's extreme right (what got Sharon into power) will no longer be able to swoon over annexing those territories without mass deportations. (Hmm... Mass deportations...  Where have we heard that term before?  Better call it population transfer instead. ) I pray that this inevitable turn of demographics will neutralise the Greater Israel ambitions of the rabid right and its settler following.  Maybe then, Ben-Eliezer (with Dalia Rabin) will have a chance against Israel's favourite embezzler demagogue, Netanyahu, in the next elections. Where else do I see hope? In the growing number of Jewish organisations that will no longer put up with one of the world's greatest religions being hijacked on their supposed behalf by a powerful group of fanatics. Tikun Magazine Not in My Name Coalition Jewish Voice for Peace Gush Shalom Jews Against Occupation Jewish Peace Fellowship Truth, Justice, and Human Rights in the Middle East Jews NOT Zionists Yesh Gvul - supporting IDF reservists refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions B'Tselem (Israeli Human Rights Group) Bat Shalom, Israeli Women for Peace Occupied Territory Rabbis for Human Rights Oz v'Shalom – Netivot Shalom (religious Zionist anti-Occupation) Jewish Alliance Against the Occupation Association for Civil Rights in Israel Prominent Jews writing articles in Haaretz Alliance of Middle East Scientists and Physicians Visions for peace with justice in Israel/Palestine Middle East Crisis Committee Search for Justice and Equality in Palestine/Israel ..to name just a few.  But, where do I see the greatest hope? Right here.  An off topic thread on the Middle East reaching 138 pages in a video game forum just proves how much people care and want to see the conflict end.  I'm deeply grateful to every member who has kept this thread alive for over 3 months, no matter what your opinion may be.  And thank you for taking the time to read mine. -- Bernadotte "The Israeli government could solve the Palestine/Israel crisis tomorrow. It actually would be in the best interests of its citizens to do so because random acts of terrorism against Israelis would cease if Palestinian demands for a viable, independent state were accepted and compensation for Arab losses made. The position of the Jewish community in America would also be enhanced, not threatened, if the above program were adopted. We have been thoroughly assimilated into the mainstream of society and hold positions of power and influence in every field of endeavor. We do not need to be in a defensive mode anymore- we can afford to change. At the very least, the American Jewish community needs to let the Israeli government know that we will not support them (literally or figuratively) if they continue to jeopardize the chance for a just peace by further encroachments on Arab territory. And that all human rights abuses must cease at once."  -- Rabbi Michael Lerner of Jews for Justice in the Middle East (Edit: removed Neturei Karta from list)