Replies to post #156 on Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[jbennett53]

Zeev and Fred, I think we should learn from the past but not dwell on who did what when or who deserves what reparation for what was done here or there or who deserves more of what. We should not place blame but rather try to move forward. Somehow the Palestinians need a home where they are not used by anyone, the Israelis need peace and their country. I do not know the solution but what both sides are doing now is increasing the risk that neither side may have much of a future.

[Koikaze]

Zeev, I said "acknowledge" and I did not mean "apologize". There is a difference. Among other things, and in the way I intended, the difference includes something called "the color of right".

When parties attempt to resolve differences, it is not unusual for one party to assert that their side has the color of right. In some cases such assertions stand in the way of a resolution. I submit that the Middle East is such a case. If I may say so without giving offense, invoking the Balfour Declaration asserts the color of right. The Balfour Declaration was a politically motivated pronouncement by a member of the British government intended to accomplish specific British aims. It was seized upon by those whose interests it served, and publicized in support of their position. It resulted in a fait accompli. We live with the result of that circumstance.

I understand that your views differ from mine. I don't share your heritage. That does not make either of us "right" or the other "wrong", but it does inform our views. Balfour died a little less than a month before my first birthday. He is no longer here to help us deal with the fruits of his declaration. It is up to us to find a way to do that. As jbennett says, we should try to move forward.

I'm sorry you found my opinion objectionable. If so modest a suggestion is unacceptable, serious matters will be difficult to resolve.

Fred