The truth is that the West for at a certain time in hisatory felt the had done something really bad toward the Jews, I would say right after WWII. At that time there were only a few real countries in the world, the rest were colonies or should be colonies, according to the Western powers. Well, not caring about who actually lived in the area Palestine was given to the Jews, like "here is some land, now PLEASE leave Europe!" I think that caused the biggest problems in the area, not the Jews, not the Arabs, but that the Western powers took and gave something they did not have the right to take or give away!
I have seen the sad pictures of the terrible mess made by a young suicide bomber, he didnt have a choice he felt, he had to do something for his LAND. The same argument goes for the Israeli army, the protect their LAND. They are both right, and they both experience great sorrows, like loosing a son, father, mother or just a dear friend. I have the feeling right now that Israel has the most power, and therefore they should be more willing to try to start a peace process, if it goes wrong they can at least defend themselves, but with peace they can start a complete new life. Isnt that worth more than being able to defeat your enemy? But both sides need to stop violence, and FORGIVE! If they cant forgive, the peaceprocess will be struggling forever. A process like in South Africa, tell the truth and be forgiven, only that through that process can the country grow together and peace be established.
I was lucky enough to meet a Jew, and I brough up the very sensitive question. Of course he defends his country, and I respect that, but he said something very interesting. Both sides need new leaders, the old ones have too many past incidents, too many killings of innocent. If both sides had new leaders, that could start from scratch, maybe, just maybe, it could start going the right way. Untill then, more innocent people must die.
I still wait for the US to press Israel to negotiate with Arafat! IF, and that is an if, the US really wanted to, they could stop all financial support to Israel, and thereby force Israel to at least try giving peace a chance.
I think we all wait for that day, may it come soon, where the Palestine conflict will be over, and over in a peaceful way.