Overall I'm glad that we are no longer talking about the civil war.
Even though you didn't ask me, I'll offer my view. I certainly think that there are some parallels among people who do not feel represented by their government.
Overall, I think that the analogy breaks down. Certainly the symbolism of the Nakba / Israeli Independence Day suggests that the issue isn't the occupation of the West Bank or the Golan, but that the issue is the existence of Israel itself. On some levels this supports the view of the current Israeli government which having experienced Arab and Palestinian treachery since the 20's sees no hope to a two state solution. If there is no hope to a 2 state solution, then there's no reason for Israel to give back the West Bank.
The 44 year anniversary of the 6-day war is less than a month away. Presumably that is the day where protest makes sense. Why isn't June 10, 1967 called the Nakba?
To the extent that the protesters were trying to enter Israel proper, I appreciate the emotion, but it is a little weird. I don't know whether the Israeli response was over the top, but certainly a nation has the right to protect its sovereignty and itself from people throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails from across the border. For domestic disturbances, the Israelis use rubber bullets vs. the Syrian government's use of real ones. But when people are across the border, it is not a domestic disturbance. It is a kind of act of war or terrorism.
If the protesters are marching in the West Bank I think the analogy is more appropriate. People on the West Bank are represented by a government, bit it is not a democracy, and it is not a state. I support the notion that people have the right to protest both their lack of democracy and a foreign occupation.
Overall, I think it is great that the Arab people are trying to move towards democracy. They deserve that and it can best succeed if it comes from within. I also appreciate that the Israelis are concerned. For me, hope is more powerful than fear. But I haven't been on the front lines for close to a century.
Even though you didn't ask me, I'll offer my view. I certainly think that there are some parallels among people who do not feel represented by their government.
Overall, I think that the analogy breaks down. Certainly the symbolism of the Nakba / Israeli Independence Day suggests that the issue isn't the occupation of the West Bank or the Golan, but that the issue is the existence of Israel itself. On some levels this supports the view of the current Israeli government which having experienced Arab and Palestinian treachery since the 20's sees no hope to a two state solution. If there is no hope to a 2 state solution, then there's no reason for Israel to give back the West Bank.
The 44 year anniversary of the 6-day war is less than a month away. Presumably that is the day where protest makes sense. Why isn't June 10, 1967 called the Nakba?
To the extent that the protesters were trying to enter Israel proper, I appreciate the emotion, but it is a little weird. I don't know whether the Israeli response was over the top, but certainly a nation has the right to protect its sovereignty and itself from people throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails from across the border. For domestic disturbances, the Israelis use rubber bullets vs. the Syrian government's use of real ones. But when people are across the border, it is not a domestic disturbance. It is a kind of act of war or terrorism.
If the protesters are marching in the West Bank I think the analogy is more appropriate. People on the West Bank are represented by a government, bit it is not a democracy, and it is not a state. I support the notion that people have the right to protest both their lack of democracy and a foreign occupation.
Overall, I think it is great that the Arab people are trying to move towards democracy. They deserve that and it can best succeed if it comes from within. I also appreciate that the Israelis are concerned. For me, hope is more powerful than fear. But I haven't been on the front lines for close to a century.