I know the simple answer--a Palestinian state would be a Hamas terrorist state with one goal, the utter destruction of Israel. But what perplexes me is the word state. I know it is used interchangeably with nation but when it comes to terms such as a Palestinian state, state sounds deceptive to me.
Why aren't people writing about the nation of Israel and the Palestinians wanting a nation? Word association again--When I hear/read state I think of it in American terms. It seems much different in a Middle Eastern sense. Are the Palestinians seeking Commonwealth status? That is, the rights of Israeli citizenship but also the right to self governance? THAT is alarming! They would have the right to vote in Israeli elections, influence government etc.
So there is my problem with the word state when we're talking about Israel and a "Palestinian" state. Why not nations? They want independence then stop depending on Israel for everything.
I'm probably splitting hairs but the whole state/nation terminology is bugging me.
I am pleased however that more and more Israeli writers are using PLO. If you were a child in the early 1970s as I was, PLO was the term for Palestinian terrorism. Palestinan state elicits one reaction. PLO an entirely different one, and as I mentioned in a post a while back the Israelis were heroes in the media (at least entertainment media): The Woman Called Golda; Raid on Entebbe, others. The image of Moshe Dyan with his eye patch and in a fox hole. Strong images, and again, the term PLO was universally accepted as the Palestinian terrorist organization led by the Arab with the tablecloth on his head. Childhood memories, but lasting ones for a lot of people.
In any event, I am very glad the media is using PLO, but find something deceptive about the use of the word state.
Splitting hairs but my gut instinct is that they really want commonwealth status, which would be even more dangerous than a Palestinian state.
Just my opinions though. I've only really followed Israeli matters since 2005.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
What Is a Palestinian 'State'
"yes they basically want it all, no matter how contradictory it is"