I often come across posts on the Web from people and their view of the Middle East.  And it never ceases to baffle me how some people will stand by anything, any one or any entity as long as it's against Islam & Muslims.  But I don't want to make it about Islam or even religion in general.  This is about the common perception out there, which many here in the US also have, about Israel.

It is without a doubt that Israel is a beautiful country, which despite all we hear and see on the news, enjoys a very "western" like lifestyle.  To mistaken that lifestyle for democratic, however, is a major error in judgment.  But not even that is the focus of this article.  If you're interested, there's a short mention of why I don't think Israel is democratic in my last article.

Israel, as a country recognized by the UN, has within its borders the infamous areas of the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights.  As in, the government of Israel controls and runs all public access of water, electricity, what goes in and out, housing permits, civil engineering, licenses (marriage, birth, profession, etc.) among many other things like most countries do for their respective municipalities.  And yet, there's a clear separation between the people in those regions, and those outside of it.

This separation is not only geographical in nature, it's also based on ethnicity and religion.  The Jewish state of Israel knows exactly who's of the West Bank, and who's not.  They know exactly who is Muslim, who's Christian and who's a Settler (a Jew) in any and all of those regions.  They also know who's Arab and who's not.  One could argue that the same is true here in the US as well; and ultimately, each country governs the best way it sees fit.  However, I'm not talking about statistical data here.  I'm not even talking about simple profiling.  I'm talking about taking action on such information in an unacceptable manner.  Action like preventing people from crossing at checkpoints despite hours of waiting and a thorough search.  Action like building a massive wall to contain the identified people, especially within those three regions.  Action like denying them things as necessary as proper medical care.  Or action as simple as stamping their paperwork or license plates to easily distinguish them from all others they might mingle with should they be allowed to exit those regions.

The people in those regions have been treated below second class citizens for a few decades!  And much of those regions are more like refugee camps than they are actual cities or even towns.  These people have been living in hardship for a long time, and have just started a third generation born in these circumstances.  Read my last couple of articles (part 1 & part 2) on that region to understand why surrounding countries won't take them in, much less invite them.  Jordan, the largest geographical neighbor, is the largest receiver of these people over the last few decades.  Some put the number of immigrants from current day Israel into Jordan near 50% of Jordan's population.  And most believe that Jordanians are a minority in their own country.  Any more, and the Kingdom will be overrun by the majority allowing for an easier change of government.  The Kingdom of Jordan won't like that very much, but Israel would hate it just the same if not more.  Should the majority take over Jordan, guess who's borders and even government is at stake now?  All other neighboring countries have their own political reasons too.

These people, I've been referring to, are not referred to as exiled Israelis or ex-Israelis.  They're not referred to as Arabs of Israel, the Muslims of Israel or even the Christians of Israel.  Instead, they're referred to as Palestinians.  And there lies the problem.  Until this last century, all "countries" didn't really exist.  The boundaries of kingdoms and empires weren't that clear.  And at no point was there really a recognized country called Palestine.  Yet, many within Israel and within the three regions I've referred to call themselves just that —Palestinians.  Now, I could spend a few hours writing the history of the "Palestinians" but that's not the focus of this article either.  But for ease of reference, I will use the word Palestinians to refer mainly to the exiled Arabs of Israel, and to those living in the three regions I mentioned:  The West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights.

Palestinians are not just Muslims, they can also be Christians and even Jews. Their religion matters not; instead, it's their current residence that's a point of contention.  Those Palestinians who live under Israeli control should be treated as all other citizens of Israel.  Period.  It's that simple.  Like all other countries who encounter rogue groups, the government of Israel ought to handle the likes of Hamas on a case by case basis.  Without punishing its citizens for it.

And although it's not valid justification, the fact is that oppressed people like the Palestinians are likely to revolt by joining the likes of Hamas and others.  What else will they do when they've been separated and segregated by a wall from the rest of society, the ruling government stamps their cars and papers as 2nd class citizens and that same government shuts-down water and electricity at random?  These Palestinians are very strong-willed and refuse to be intimated into leaving, into surrendering and/or into withering like others have before them.  They want to live like all others.  Instead, they're viewed as a sub-working class.  When they're allowed to cross a checkpoint outside their respective region, it's usually to go work for a settler doing jobs that the settlers would rather not.  Their state and lifestyle is worse than that of the illegal Hispanics that cross our borders and work such similar jobs here in the US.

I hate to reference them again, but go back and read my last couple of articles on that region and look for an example I used in part 1 (3 or 4 paragraphs from the bottom) on how you would be if the same exact scenario was to take place here in the States.   And before I continue on, make no mistake that Hamas and Fatah are not just for Muslims, although they predominantly are so.  They are simply politically motivated movement groups more than anything else.  And they sure as hell don't act in accordance with Islam.  For one, they've taken prisoners from each other —Muslim prisoners!  That's a no no in Islam.  Their treatment of civilians is not exactly Islamic.  God knows how they treat their prisoners.  Of course, they're going to be nice and spread rice or flour or something to those in need, but it's all with political intent —votes & support, if you will; except in this case it's recruits.

Israel is not the first country to have a movement or two within its borders.  So why is it that Israel is the only country to treat the non-Jews of its citizens so differently?  Why aren't they dealing with these movements like the rest of the countries of the World?  Worse, they're actually punishing the civilians for the acts of these movements.  Not surprisingly, some of you will argue, many of those movement are among (perhaps disguised as) the civilians.  Again, like all other countries, there are ways to deal with that.

When Hamas shoots rockets from Gaza, for example, they're doing a dozen or two at a time.  The impact is not as massive as one would think a "rocket" ought to cause.  Ever wonder why?  Those rockets are empty!  They are blanks!  Naturally, their impact is still no joke.  They can still come through a roof and injure many just like you would catapulting anything with the same weight.  And I'm not trying to take away from the seriousness of the action either.  All I'm trying to say is that to retaliate in the manner that Israel did late 2008 / early 2009 is simply an attack on civilian people  —Israel's people.  That is, if Israel ever recognized them as its people.  It would be like the FBI attacking all of Rhode Island for the actions of a few in the city of Providence.

Israel is not interested in peace.  It simply cannot.  That's why there are Jews against Israel's code of conduct, for Palestinians and against the occupation.  And that's why there are those that fight for human rights in Israel. Obviously, this is not about Jews or the Jewish faith.  Muslims need to know that.  The anger can easily be misdirected.  One YouTube commentator states (and it seems to be right on), "Jewish suffering [from the past] gives them the superiority to behave asbullies—that's what the Holocaust has taught them, the right to hurtothers. The erstwhile victims have now become these arrogant bullies. If these are Jews then I am no longer a Jew! "  Israel has moved way beyond Judaism.  It is strictly a Zionist regime with agendas to achieve.  At the heart of which (and in the way) are these Palestinians.  Israel is murdering people, crushing their homes (and in the process killing all that stand in the way ... and here), giving away their land, oppressing and segregating people.  And they (Israel) have done so for decades now.  And although it's not justification, I am not surprised at the paths some are taking out of anger, frustration and out of the loss of will to continue living in these conditions.

For some, Israel belongs to the Jews as Biblically prophecized ... regardless at what cost (in human lives).  For others, Israel has the right to protect itself; whether that be with a wall (ironically twice the Berlin wall in some areas), or with an all military attack.  For those that live there and have experienced both sides, they know the atrocities that Israel has and continues to commit ... not just against Palestinians, but against humanity.

For more information, I strongly recommend (in addition to the hyperlinks in this article) the below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJqsBNQjkRQ (please ignore the misspellings.  It's the message that counts).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCvicMVgM-c  —This video is a personal account from within.  The 5 part series is well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGSVMtyWyiY  —This one video alone is worth watching.

I'm sure I can find more, but that's not the point is it?  As I mentioned in my often referenced two past articles, Israel receives more of our tax money than all other nations combined.  Israel is the country with the most violations of any UN or ICJ sanctions and rulings.  And Israel is the number one country in human rights violations.   And you don't think that any of those actions will create the terrorists towards Israel, Jews and "democracy?"  Those are only labels that these people know are killing them.  They don't even know the meaning of democracy, but they do know they hate it.

For my fellow citizens here in the US, I ask you again, what would you do if the same took place right here in the States?
Put your media fed & driven hatred for a religion and people you don't know, and haven't bothered to understand, aside for a few.  Think logically.  Think for yourself.  Challenge yourself with logical questions.  I'm not trying to preach to you.  I'm just frustrated with the ignorance that surrounds me.  Muslims, Christians and Jews all believe that Jesus or the Messiah will re/appear.  When he does, and you know beyond doubt that it is really him, and he tells you to follow Islam; would you still follow him?  As hypothetical as that may be, I fear that many of you would not because of your pride, prejudice or plain ignorance.   Don't let how you feel about Muslims, as it was fed to you by bias media, blind you from the inhumane treatment that's committed against them in Israel.  How they're being treated is felt outside of Israel too; and is driving more and more people to take matters in their own hands.

As an American, the first step is to stop the financial support of Israel; and Egypt for that matter.  What if our meddling in other people's affairs is compromising our security as a nation?  What if ...