Click here (Ynetnews) to learn about possible repercussions of this week's Muslim protests for Jerusalem... Is the Holy City fated to be a magnet for such disputes? Justifiably so, or not?
4 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I think that the problems surrounding the Holy City will simmer down when everyone realizes that they have to live in peace there for everyone to live without worry. I think the riots against the US based on a film that some extremest in the US made are really silly; not all people from the US are that extremist, just like not all Muslims/Islams/(people who we have no understanding of in the Middle East) are extremist terrorists (yes, I do think that a lot of the stuff the US did after 9/11/01 was a bit crazy). Mutual understanding will come in to play very soon, (I hope).
The US-Israeli relationship is something I'm really interested in learning more about. This article definitely warns US citizens from possible violence. However, it also has the feel of inciting fear. It made me remember a day when I was visiting Israel: there was a striking contrast between the perspective of the woman representing the Tel Aviv tourist agency ("Don't go to Gaza, or the West Bank--it's too dangerous, and be very careful in Jerusalem") and the American student who stayed in our hostel, who described his reception by the Palestinians in Gaza as extremely friendly and welcoming. Of course, this happened before the movie attacking the Prophet of the Islam faith. And of course, like Shaun I hope for a mutual understanding of the diverse opinions we have--just as not all Muslims are terrorists or rioting, not all Americans are anti-Muslim or in any way support a production like this film.
4 comments:
I think that the problems surrounding the Holy City will simmer down when everyone realizes that they have to live in peace there for everyone to live without worry. I think the riots against the US based on a film that some extremest in the US made are really silly; not all people from the US are that extremist, just like not all Muslims/Islams/(people who we have no understanding of in the Middle East) are extremist terrorists (yes, I do think that a lot of the stuff the US did after 9/11/01 was a bit crazy). Mutual understanding will come in to play very soon, (I hope).
-Shaun
The US-Israeli relationship is something I'm really interested in learning more about. This article definitely warns US citizens from possible violence. However, it also has the feel of inciting fear. It made me remember a day when I was visiting Israel: there was a striking contrast between the perspective of the woman representing the Tel Aviv tourist agency ("Don't go to Gaza, or the West Bank--it's too dangerous, and be very careful in Jerusalem") and the American student who stayed in our hostel, who described his reception by the Palestinians in Gaza as extremely friendly and welcoming. Of course, this happened before the movie attacking the Prophet of the Islam faith. And of course, like Shaun I hope for a mutual understanding of the diverse opinions we have--just as not all Muslims are terrorists or rioting, not all Americans are anti-Muslim or in any way support a production like this film.
Just kidding...Actually our fellow hostel-goer went to the West Bank.
Very interesting encounters, Valerie, and also very telling about the vastly differing perceptions of risk and danger in a hotly contested land.
pdk
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