Originally Posted by Bobcat1

Thanks for your response, ziggy. It is well-written and well thought out.

We've been discussing the radicalization of Palestinians. After forty years of non-stop Palestinian violence, I think one can speak to the radicalization of the average Israeli, too. To me, this explains the present stance of the Israeli hard-liners you describe. They are fed up with Muslim intransigance. The second layer of your pyramid was "security." There is no question the average Israeli has been deprived of his sense of security.

In my opinion, on the Palestinian, - indeed, on the Arab - side things are different. While segments of their population indeed have been radicalized, that does not explain the hate that is spewed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. What does explain it is the Muslim view of their place in the world, i.e. their understanding of their religion, and the destiny of Islam as it interacts with non-Muslim nations and peoples.

The Koran makes it very clear that Allah is the owner of all infidel lands:

"Allah gradually reduces the land controlled by the unbelievers..." 21.44

"Allah grabs the land of the unbelievers…" 28:58

"Allah promises believers His sovereignty on earth. He will establish the authority of His chosen religion (Islam)…" 24:55

These lines from the Koran all imply military victory by usurping infidel territory. It implies that Muslims are the legitimate heirs of all the land on the earth. This alone, in my opinion, explains 80 years of Arab and Palestinian intolerance. Historically, Israel has offered peace. Perhaps the present day political situation in Israel is not so inclined to pacifism. I will accept your interpretation of public opinion in Israel. Even so, the fact is that the Muslim states are the real stumbling block, for, while it is possible to reason with Israel's hawks, if their security can be gauranteed, nothing you say will convince the religious extremists on the Arab side to lay down their arms.