Submitted by Dave Levy, Dec 5, 2007 19:23

The conflict has never been about who should reside on the land between the Med. and Iraq, it's always been considered Muslim.

Nothing has changed since Israel was created as a Jewish state, part of the former British Mandate. The Arabs simply don't want it and have tried everything from outright war to boycott, to secondary boycott, to diverting the waters, etc.

No matter what Israel has tried in 60 years since it's approval by the UN as a state, side by side with another Arab country, to affectuate peace, it has been soundly thrashed, in every forum the conflict has been discussed (UN, EU, League of Arab Nations, Arab League, etc.).

Whenever Israel has withdrawn from any territory captured as a result of the several wars forced upon it (had it lost one war there would today be no discussions or right of return of the Jews), the Palistinians have used the area vacated to launch guerrilla attacks (1s and 2nd Intifada.

Israel does have signed peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt, due to the efforts of Henry Kissinger after Israel routed it's attacker. The treaties as we all know, have not in any way brought peace any closer to both sides in this really 100 year old conflict.

Israel took a big gamble costing billions, by dismantling it's settlements in the Gaza Strip. It got Hamas. It withdrew from Southern Lebanon, and got Hezbollah.

Israel has withdrawn from the Sinai, but smuggling of arms and terrorsts from Egypt into the Strip goes unabated, even though Egypt agreed to stop same.

Bush's visit to the M.E., may be long overdue, but it really doesn't matter. Only continued support for Israel with arms (to counter balance the arsenals of the Arabs), economic support when needed, political support in the world, by US can allow Israel to survive, and flourish.

A cornered Israel, without US support and the support of friendly nations, who remember the Holocaust and tragedy of World War 2, will not benefit anyone.

Bush's visit to Israel is a great photo-op, but, as with Annapolis, will achieve little. I am very pessimistic given Arab hostility still towards a Jewish state in its midst. Time is not on Israel's side.

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