Israeli Settlements in Occupied territory, a Facebook discussion:

EMILY LANDAU:
Pleeeeeeeeease! Stop the settlements!
I don't understand! Will somebody please explain to me why Israel is doing this?

לא יותר התנחלויות! אני לא מבינה!
בבקשה, מישהו להסביר לי למה הם עושים הזה. איך הם יכולים לחשוב שזה יוצר שלום??
אני רוצה להבין את הלוגיקה שלהם כי עכשיו... אוי וה ואוי

ARIEL CHAMISH:
RELIGION

BEN WALLACH:
I don't think anybody does believe it will bring peace.

It is surprising, most of the settlers aren't there because of ideology, the majority of settlers belong to (or used to belong to) the lower socioeconomic layers of Israel, many of them either Haridim or of Russian descent (just like our very own lil' Liberman). It's cheap, comfortable, beautiful and relatively safe to live in some settlements.

You get a lot of money from the state, and the land is cheap as is (It's usually like this with stolen earth).

What's amazing in the West Bank is that the occupation and the oppression are usually completely sterile. You don't see or hear the local population. You are fenced in your own little town, you use Jewish only roads (the Palestinians are usually forced to use dirt roads that are impassable at times).
There are fast roads connecting you to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, it's just like living in a very nice, green suburb. The roads and infrastructure are better there than in most places in the country.‎...

That's why the majority of settlers do it. There are of course those who started out like this but now need the religious motif to rationalize the reason that crimes are being committed in their name against innocents on a daily basis.
"If rational arguments worked on religious people there wouldn't be any religious people". Religion is a neat trick to keep you from thinking, really thinking, about what you're doing and quite frequently that's the case. When you ask them what they're doing there, they'll tell you that this land was given to them by god and that's it, there's nothing you can do or say to change their mind. It's like telling a child that his imaginary friend isn't real. It can be nearly impossible to make him believe you (Although a child usually doesn't conquer such massive terrains or massacres populations in the name of their imaginary friend).

Other than the semi-seculars there are of course the extremely religious settlements who are really committing their horrors in the name of god. The majority of them don't want peace, they believe that one day the Palestinians will just 'evaporate' and all their problems will be solved.

The settlements are a bone in everybody's throats, it'll just take a while till they all acknowledges that.

I am aware that what I wrote here isn't complete, it's just the short(ish) answer. I hope it helps.

EMILY LANDAU:
Thanks for giving me this economic perspective. I thought your perspective behind the economic sentiments of the settlers was very realistic and relatable. I have a bit more compassion for them now. I don't usually like to lean on socialist tendencies but it's really hard not to in this capitalistic world constructed and designed by money and self-interest.

I don't agree with you, however, on the religion part. Although in this case it is often unfortunately used as an "excuse" by many, there are people who do truly feel this way about the land. I do not feel that it is right to label someone else's beliefs as "unrational". What is rational, is completely subjective (but this is a philosophical discussion that could go on forever :). Although I don't feel that we should have to agree with what everyone has to say, I do believe that peace comes when we are truly ready to LISTEN to what everyone has to say with an OPEN heart, not a predetermined idea of what is rational and what is not.

Being a religious person (spiritual rather) myself, I found it hurtful to say "religion is neat trick to keep you from thinking". In my experience (coming from a highly secular background), religion has opened my mind to beautifully expansive way of thinking, far greater than that of which my Scientist father has every been able to give me.‎...

I think the religious facet of the struggle in Israel goes far beyond Islam and Judaism. I see some of the harshest judgment and hatred between the secular and the religious. The two cannot find a way to respect each other... I think this is the greatest threat to Judaism today, not Arab-fundamentalist-terrorists.

When I see decisions like this being made in Israel, I feel like that girl whose sister is addicted to cocaine. I love her deeply, but she is hurting herself to a point where she may just have to crash and burn to learn her lesson. That nothing I can do will help her. A lot of American Jews, with their blind Zionism... are in denial of this.

Anyone have more feedback on this perspective?


A. RAYAN (from Ramallah):

“Our neighbors! Stop the madness!”

In our street I am being told that no Palestinian will ever talk about peace in the next fifty years. They tell me that because they know that I still stand for peace and coexistence between the two nations. And when I ask them why, they tell me: because the Israelis are going mad and going off for vengeful wars for nothing. They ask: “why would they destroy entire cities in response to rockets that don't cause any casualties? Our revenge should be tenfold for the destruction of our towns and massacre of our children throughout the generations.”

And I have to restrain myself and think: soon or later the two nations will mature and understand that they have no other choice but to live together.

In all my travels in and out of the country I preach for mutual and egalitarian life for whoever lives on this land. This is because I believe that the humane, natural and historically justified solution is the living together in the same state and under the same rule. I believe that there is room in this country for everyone, even if all the Jews in the world would immigrate here. And if we will learn to live together there will be prosperity and progress: we spend so much money on the wars and the result is ravaging and destruction. Imagine how it would be if we invested in industry and development instead of in wars.

But who would want to prevent coexistence in this land?

I summarize the social elements that have no interest in coexistence as follows:

1. The first element that is interested in preventing coexistence is global imperialism, which initiated the colonial regimes in the East in the last century. Imperialism found in the Zionist movement an ally and a tool in order to conquer, oppress and steal oil from the Middle East, and turned the Israeli state into its police officer in the Middle East which prevents the native peoples from escaping the stranglehold of global imperialism.
2. The second element interested in preventing coexistence is the Zionist movement which represents the Jewish capitalist giants throughout the world. These are interested in preventing peace or coexistence in order to resume Zionist settlements. You can see for yourselves that the entire Israeli nation owes money to the banks which are the colonial tools of the Zionist movement. The Zionist movement steals and occupies Arab lands, builds houses on them and sells them to the Jewish immigrants.
3. The third element that is interested in preventing coexistence is the religious elements of both nations. The Jewish religious leaders are convinced that God gave the country only to Jews, and that all gentiles are enemies of the Jews, which should be fought against and turned into slaves. The Muslim religious leaders believe that the entire country is a Muslim Waqf and must not be delivered to the Jews, which are considered heretics which should be fought against until doomsday.

Now, the masses in both nations are being misled by these elements and their preaching of hatred and wars. They, in turn, become both the fuel and the victims of the ongoing conflict between the poor on both sides.

The humane, natural and fair solution is to live together and cooperate, to build and develop under the rule of law for ALL, and not to be victims of useless and unclear wars.

I call on the poor masses – the workers, the farmers, the dwellers of the villages and development towns, middle class and working class, to turn their backs on their support of the representatives of fascism on both sides. The war between the Zionist movement and the Arab-nationalist movement is a war between two elements that are on the same side: they are both allies of global imperialism, and we, the poor, pay unjustly in our lives for this war. We are the victims of an unfair conflict; we can live together and win without wars and without conflicts as soon as we will free ourselves from the influence of global imperialism and its tools, the religious elements, on both sides.

Let us rise and resist, let us stop sacrificing our children for the Zionist movement and the representatives of the fallacious nation, there is room for all of us and we can build the regime of us ALL.‎

EMILY LANDAU:
I agree with all of your points, and have no arguments. I do however, have opinions on how you can expand your ideas. How to make them, maybe, a little less offensive to some people I could imagine.

First... I can see you are a Socialist? :) Or at least have a Socialist's heart. I can sympathize with this. I myself am generally the same. I am a huge environmentalist and person of social justice and often find myself holding grudges against capitalism and imperialism. Unfortunately for many people, sympathizing with socialism is simply not possible. There is too much stigma surrounding it. Maybe this is something to consider revising in order to reach out to more people?

You number off three reasons why you believe the war between Israel and Palestine is being perpetuated. I agree with all of them. But to claim that they are the primary or only reasons would be a mistake. Often with this issue I find that people like to pinpoint "WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROBLEM?"

I believe that the fact of the matter is... there is not "exact" reason. I believe in the infinite nature of the interconnectedness of this world, and thus can never feel comfortable blaming one or a select few things as the problem.

This leads me to my next thought...
We all are responsible for this war. Not just the Zionists. Not just the Arab-nationalists. Not just the Imperialist stock-holding kings. Not just the grief-stricken terrorists.
Every person is responsible for the nature of reality as it is RIGHT NOW. Everything depends upon everything else. So, as soon as we can all realize this, and take responsibility for what role we play in this war, the sooner we can find peace.
I feel that claiming victimhood would be a mistake. The "poor masses" are as much part of the perpetuation of this conflict as the "representative of fascism".

This list I am about to provide you with below is call the "14 Mindfulness Trainings". They were developed by a Vietnamese monk named Thich Nhat Hahn, and I feel that they could be extremely helpful to our healing. They could aid us (the workers for peace) in being effective in our conduct. I have adapted them so that religious elements are removed and so that they can encompass people of all backgrounds. Number 14 may seem out of place (as it has to do with sexual conduct), but I truley believe that we need to incorporate every part of our lives into the peace-making process. Tell me what you think of them...‎
1. The First Mindfulness Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology. Our teachings should be guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.

2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.

3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others, we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination - to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue.

4. The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways, including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.

5. The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy Living
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed to living simply and sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those in need. We will practice mindful consuming, not bring toxins into our own and the collective body and consciousness.

6. The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Dealing with Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We will learn to look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those we think are the cause of our anger.

7. The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment
Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. We are determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation and healing in our consciousness.

8. The Eighth Mindfulness Training: Community and Communication
Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering, we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate listening and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or cause the community to break. We will make every effort to keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

9. The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful and Loving Speech
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might cause division or hatred. We will not spread news that we do not know to be certain nor criticize or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten our safety.
10. The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting the Sangha
Aware that the essence and aim of a Community is the practice of understanding and compassion, we are determined not to use our communities for personal gain or profit or transform our community into a political instrument. A community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

11. The Eleventh Mindfulness Training: Right Livelihood
Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that helps realize our ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political and social realities, we will behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not supporting companies that deprive others of their chance to live.

12. The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are determined to cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in our daily lives, to promote peace education, mindful mediation, and reconciliation within families, communities, nations, and in the world. We are determined not to kill and not to let others kill. We will diligently practice deep looking with our Community to discover better ways to protect life and prevent war.

13. The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. We will practice generosity by sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. We will respect the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.

14. The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: Right Conduct:
Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering, frustration, and isolation. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future suffering that may be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others. We will do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world, and will meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings.