The Alternative Truth Behind the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Using Manipulation to Survive
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is likely to bring what if questions to the mind of the average American. What if the Israeli takeover of Palestine is partial justice for the atrocities committed against Jews during World War II? What if an Israeli state is simply manifest destiny as promised to Abraham in the Book of Genesis? What if Arabs and Jews have been fighting for thousands of years, and they will continue to fight forever? These are valid questions, but none of them strike the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite the pro-Israel messages from the vast majority of American politicians and media figures, the conflict is so much more than Americans really know—no thanks to the seemingly one-sided media spin (Omeish 2007) and the Israel Lobby. Because of this lack of information, many Americans are on a pro-Israel rant as “Israel is often portrayed as David confronted by Goliath, but the converse is closer to the truth” (Mearsheimer and Walt 2007).
Common views on American-Israeli policy would probably be different if opinions were better informed, and this paper seeks to do just that. It will first explain the lesser-known truths regarding the conflict, give an alternative view of so-called terrorist groups, and offer different and perhaps more sound ideas regarding the U.S.-Israeli relationship. The central message is this: while Palestinians and certain so-called terrorist groups are criminalized for their actions, a deeper knowledge of the subject is likely to bring a greater understanding and sympathy for the true victims; that known, the United States should alter its current relationship with Israel so as to bring about a more stable Middle East—something that is truly in our best interest.
Before getting to the meat of the thesis, it is important to discuss the beginnings, development, and status quo of the conflict in a more balanced way. In other words, it is important to understand the conflict in a non-American-media-spun
Despite the pro-Israel messages from the vast majority of American politicians and media figures, the conflict is so much more than Americans really know—no thanks to the seemingly one-sided media spin (Omeish 2007) and the Israel Lobby. Because of this lack of information, many Americans are on a pro-Israel rant as “Israel is often portrayed as David confronted by Goliath, but the converse is closer to the truth” (Mearsheimer and Walt 2007).
Common views on American-Israeli policy would probably be different if opinions were better informed, and this paper seeks to do just that. It will first explain the lesser-known truths regarding the conflict, give an alternative view of so-called terrorist groups, and offer different and perhaps more sound ideas regarding the U.S.-Israeli relationship. The central message is this: while Palestinians and certain so-called terrorist groups are criminalized for their actions, a deeper knowledge of the subject is likely to bring a greater understanding and sympathy for the true victims; that known, the United States should alter its current relationship with Israel so as to bring about a more stable Middle East—something that is truly in our best interest.
Before getting to the meat of the thesis, it is important to discuss the beginnings, development, and status quo of the conflict in a more balanced way. In other words, it is important to understand the conflict in a non-American-media-spun
Cited: Mearsheimer, John, and Walt, Stephen. 2007. The Israel lobby. London Review. At < http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html>. 03 June 2008. Omeish, Sufyan and Abdallah. 2007. Occupation 101: voice of the silenced majority. 90 min. Triple Eye Films. DVD. Pape, Robert A. 2003. The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism. The American Political Science Review 97 (August): 343-361. Rand, Matt. 2007. US support for Israel spurred 9/11. The Jerusalem Post. At <http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle %2FShowFull&cid=1191257274889>. 03 June 2008.