Posted by Student on September 04, 2014 at 08:36:25
In Reply to: Re: For me it is not about taking sides posted by humanist on September 03, 2014 at 15:52:42:
I believe there is an assumption with humanitarian ideals that if you treat people fairly, with dignity and respect for basic human rights that they will reciprocate and behave as similar humane individuals. The fact is, you can empower an oppressed, dispossessed people with equality, respect and dignity only to discover they are more than willing to eliminate you and subjugate your kind.
Perhaps this is what Jesus was referencing when he advised his followers to be "Wise as serpents, harmless as doves."
There is a place for idealism and a place for realpolitik (a system of policies based on what a country needs rather than what is morally right or wrong). Israel is a conundrum that way, because it was founded on sweeping ethical principles, including democracy. In order for Israelis to govern themselves as a Jewish state, however, they have to be a majority, which they aren't. To enfranchise Palestinian Arabs in some way, even with the two state solution, Israelis would have to believe that Arabs of the region will behave humanely, respect diversity and Jewish peoples' right to exist.
What Israelis realistically expect--based on 3,000 years of history and the currently stated objectives of Hamas in Gaza, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon--is to be eliminatated. Actions that are perceived as being in the best interests of survival is not necessarily ethical and some conflicts come down to survival of the fittest.