Things are not going well here...

[Anat]

It looks like the summit today in Egypt was not a big success. I'm listening to the news on the radio and the Palestinians keep attacking in all sorts of places...

This is so sad. We were really hoping for final peace agreements in the next few years. Now it looks as if everything is falling apart... :(

What do you think about the crisis in the Middle East?

Anat.

[jamesglewisf]

I think it is a real shame. I also thought that progress was being made. I hope we don't end up with another world war.

[jamesglewisf]

It looks like Arafat is no longer or never was interested in a diplomatic solution to Mideast peace. Now he is calling for the Palestinian uprisings to "continue, wave after wave...until victory." YIKES!!!

I read this on www.cnn.com
In reaction to continued clashes and the Arab summit's condemnation of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said Israel would have to take a "time out" from the peace process. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said he "expected this" from Barak, and indicated he had no intention of giving up his quest for Palestinian statehood. "Our people [are] continuing the road to Jerusalem, the capital of our independent Palestinian state," Arafat said. "To accept or not to accept it, let him go to hell."
This is beginning to make me really nervous. It sounds like they are going to solve the Jerusalem issue with war, not talk. I'm sure the US and other nations will jump into the middle of it also.

What do you think of all of this?

[jamesglewisf]

Why do you think Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright is in North Korea today? Is it to draw attention away from the Mideast peace talks? It seems strange that this story is the headliner on most news outlets when Jerusalem is such a more important issue. I'm not saying there is a conspiracy or anything, but I would rather see her helping out the President with the peace talks than flying to North Korea.

[TWTCommish]

Ugh, what a big mess out there - I can't imagine living in such a place. I'll admit I am barely educated on the subject at all, but suffice to say that I've basically GROWN up hearing about failed peace talks in that area of the world...

[blinc]

I saw an interview on CNN last week with Mr. Barak. He really impressed me with his passion. He seems to be of the mind that he will not tolerate his countrymen being harmed and retaliation will be swift. On the other hand, he did strike me as a person who is completely open to a peaceful solution. It IS a terribly sad situation and I can only hope with all my heart, that some day peace will find it's way home in their country.

[unseen1]

Anat,

I really hope for all of that this whole situation will resolve its self in a peaceful manner. I really believe that this is the sort of thing that can get out of hand much too fast (not that it already has'nt).

Our countries are strong alies and I have my doubt America would completly stay out of such a conflict if it escalated

I am a service member, I have always said that I would like to visit your country. Though I would rather not come to see it riding in the back of a transport plane.

I spent six months in the gulf during the war. As bad as it is for those of us who get deployed, I have seen first hand what war does to those who live in the theater of operations. This is some thing we can all do without.

Hoping for peace,
Jason

[Anat]

Yeah, it's a real disappointment, to put it mildly. During the last seven years, despite the many hardships, we felt there was a partner for peace and that there is hope of reaching a peace settlement. Now it looks like the end of it.

It's a shame really and I can only blame the Palestinians. During the previous government, with Benyamin Netanyahu as PM, I would say that the blame is shared. But Barak was willing to give so much. For the first time in history, Israel was negotiating over Jerusalem - that was a revolution in terms of public opinion over here. Jerusalem was always a taboo and Barak changed that. He was offering very far-reaching terms for peace, that no Israeli leader has ever offered. And he was open for further negotiations. So I don't know what else the Palestinians could have asked for really.

Barak is a stateman, but he comes from the military (he was Chief of Staff of the IDF). I know how dedicated to peace most of our senior officers are. They're the ones who were really in wars, defending the very existence of our country. They know what war is really like and how terrible it is. I believe Barak when he says he will do anything to reach peace and avoid war. I think the Palestinians missed out on a very singular opportunity for peace and it's a real shame. They could have acheived their own independent state on virtualy all of the occupied territories, including east Jerusalem with almost all of their conditions being met.

I still hope for the best. That maybe we'll wake up one morning soon to hear Arafat announce the end to violence and his agreement to the continuation of the peace process. But I'm not hopeful anymore. Chances are that we'll have elections soon and Barak will probably lose (because of the failure of the peace process). Then it's Likud government and bye bye peace for several more years.

):

By the way, Chris, it's still a lovely place to live in. I think Israel is one of the most beautiful and special countries in the world. It's very safe too. I'll bet it's much safer then most places in the USA.

You really should visit some day. You're welcome as my guest :)! Imagine following in the footsteps of Christ, visiting all the places where he was born and where he performed all the miracles. Imagine visiting all the biblical places. And they're quite beautiful too - especiall in spring. I can post some picture for you if you like.

And to end on a positive note - it's raining really hard outside! That's brilliant. We need all the water we can get plus it may keep the rioters at home... :)

Oops - sorry about the long post...

Anat

[In_His_Shadow]

I was telling my husband about you living in Israel last night and he was asking what city you live in. I didn't know but told him I would ask.

I loved reading what you had to say. Over in the States we can only rely on the news media to be truthful to us about what is going on. And not always sure anymore that they themselves don't have an agenda.

I would love to someday come as see the sites you are talking about are you that close to those things? Also I would love to see pictures of your country.

I will be getting a scanned picture of Tosha and forwarding it to you as soon as I can.

You have a wonderful rainy day.

CJ

[Anat]

Thanks everyone.

CJ - Israel is tiny compared to Texas. I live in Tel-Aviv, which is by the coastline and pretty much in the middle. Jerusalem is 45 minutes away by car. The Galilee (where there are many holy site related to Christ) is less then 2 hours away. The farthest you can go up north would be to the Golan Heights (2.5 hours drive) and to the south it would be Eilat (4 hours drive).

We go on short trips on weekend. We sometimes camp outside, but not because we can't get back home... The sea of Galilee is a popular resort (good water skying).

Jason - I do hope you'll visit someday and not on duty... I was in the IDF until 3 months ago (Captain res. now...) and I met some of your collegues when they visited. We had several visits of US ships and carriers.

Things to do and see in Israel are virtually endless. A very partial list would include:

Jerusalem (the old city, the wailing wall, fascinating churches, the Via Dolorosa and an atmosphere you get nowhere else on earth).

Nazareth (a must for Christians)

The Sea of Galilee and its surroundings (Mt. of Beatitudes, Tabcha and more)

Armageddon (there is such a place - it's the excavations of a 5000 years old town!)

Eilat (an amazing coral reef lots of sun and swimming with dolphis)

Tel Aviv (me!) and old Jaffa

The Karmel Mountains (churches and lovely woods)

The Dead Sea (the lowest place on earth and Masada)

And there's so much I probably missed... I really envy tourists to Israel in a way - it's a very special experience. It's usually very very safe too. Three weeks ago there were riots in the Galilee (first time ever), but I hope that things have settled down for good within the country. The occupied territories are where the trouble are. Israel itself is very safe.

I'll look for some nice pictures I have. Meanwhile, here are some nice links -

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00080

http://travel.yahoo.com/t/Middle_East/Israel/attract.html

http://www.israelimages.com/home.asp

http://www.goisrael.com/


We're very friendly over here and you're all invited :)!

Anat

[In_His_Shadow]

Amazing. Israel is the one and only place that I can recall that I have heard about since birth (church). All the places you mention I feel like I know but to actually see it with you own eyes, wow. Do you ever tire of the sites or are you always aware of the spectacular country you live in?

I am enjoying reading all your posting so be sure to hurry back when you have worn your boyfriend out :)

CJ