Will There Ever Be Peace In The Middle East

They say religions are responsible for most of the wars if not all of the wars that have occurred on this planet. Well the middle East is really no different, more complicated than people hating the fact that other people believe in a different god but pretty close.

I have been very fortunate to visit Israel, twice. My family isn't Jewish, I say this because this is usually the first question I am asked after mentioning that I have visited. No I had some family members that lived there and worked within Israel's burgeoning hi tech sector. So why would anyone living a rather peaceful life in North America want to live in a sometimes crazy place like Israel?

I can only answer this from my perspective, as mentioned I was there twice and both times it was roughly 2 1/2 weeks for each visit. First off because there is a lot to see and do while Israel does have some amazing beaches this vacation will require another vacation to wind down upon your return. Israel really is a place for the history buff especially if you are into the history of religion or for that matter unless you are Buddhist you will pretty much find your religion within the small confines' of the old city in Jerusalem.

While I was there I did on occasion see soldiers walking around with machine guns and the only shocking part was the fact that they were so young. All Israeli's upon turning 18 spend at least two years in the army. Anytime you entire a large public place or restaurant you are greeted with something that looks a lot like airport security, before 9/11. So while you notice the fact that a war is going on it didn't really interfere with life too much.

Here is the problem every 6-12 months of somewhat normal living in the middle east there is a crack in the wall and the fighting starts as it did a week ago. Either the Israeli's are fighting with the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Iran or Egypt, everyone appears to be after the Israeli's. Regardless of whose side your on imagine living in a country where every single country that surrounds you wants you dead. This is how these people live and surprisingly they live really well. The food is excellent, the architecture is world class and so is the shopping if you are into that.

This hatred between sides is very complicated and is more than just a religious issue. It really is a land issue. The Jews owned the land after they were marched out thousands of years ago, then the Arabs or Palestinians took it over during that time the British took over the land and let the Palestinians use it. Then after the second world war they allowed the Jews to come back and start rebuilding what is now Israel. The story I have read is the Jews where to rent the land from the Palestinians and while they were renting the land the British instituted their land title system and the Jews now officially own the land. Confusing isn't it?

First off I might be off a little here and there but this is based on reading many books during the time so while this interpretation may not suit everyone's needs this is close. So who is wrong, how could you possibly pick sides, this is one complicated mess that is only becoming more complicated. I don't have the answer and apparently nor do any politicians I can only hope this mess resolves itself sooner than later.

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