“Critics of the war plans (including myself) have pointed to the disastrous political results that must be expected: Iraq would break into three parts (Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the center, Shi'ites in the south), the Middle East would be exposed to the onslaught of Iranian fanaticism, pro-Western Arab regimes would collapse. Israel would be surrounded by aggressive Islamic fundamentalism, like the Crusader kingdom with the advent of Saladin.” WarWould BePoliticalThreeResultsBreakPlansMiddleSouthCriticsWesternIncludingIraqIsraelEastExpectedKingdomsIslamicAggressiveExposedRegimesMiddle EastCollapseFundamentalismFanaticismIranianAdventKurdsIslamic FundamentalismWar PlansSaladin Author:Uri Avnery
“In 1949, the country of Palestine was partitioned after the war in such a way that the State of Israel-proper consisted of 78 percent of this country of Palestine. What was left to the Arabs was 22 percent, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.” WayWarCountryStatesLeftPercentWestIsraelPalestineGazaGaza Strip Author:Uri Avnery
“There are lots of grounds for hope in Israeli society. We are seeing Israelis getting fed up with war, looking for solutions. The youngest soldiers are refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories. Some are volunteering for army combat units but are refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories. We have the elite of the Israeli army, the air force pilots, some of them refusing orders which they consider illegal.” WarOrderForceSeeingAirSolutionsArmySoldierIllegalFedsTerritoryCombatPilotsElitesUnitsVolunteerIsraeliAir ForceFed UpIsraeli Army Author:Uri Avnery
“There are lots of signs that average Israelis want peace. But after such a long war - this conflict has been going on now for 120 years - you have a fifth generation being born into it on both sides. Such a conflict creates hatred, fears, stereotypes, and demonizations of the other. It would be an illusion to believe you can put an end to this overnight.” WantYearsBelieveLongHas BeensWarEndsWould BeSidesBornGenerationsConflictIllusionHatredAverageStereotypeBoth SidesFifthBelieve You Can Author:Uri Avnery
