This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

Your reaction

Your comments since the programme

It doesn't matter how much land Israel will return to Arabs they will never be satisfied until Israel is completely destroyed. Those heroes that declared war on Israel now want to look like victims to the rest of the world. Palestinians want to show the rest of the world how bad Israelis are, by provoking them to fight. Even a thirteen years old teenager that throws a rock towards an armed solder knows exactly what he is doing and age is not an excuse.
M/N, Canada/Israel

Israel should know by now that nothing short of withdrawing from all occupied Palestinian land, will bring security to the Jewish people. The Palestinians are not willing to vanish because Israeli leadership want them to.
S Zabian, Canada

An Israeli correspondent for National Public Radio came to speak at my university campus on the Middle East Crisis. What surprised me most about her talk was learning that death is a daily risk for both Jews and Palestinians have to take and learn to deal with. The idea of sending your child to school with a heavy heart is hard for us, in the "developed world", to comprehend - we take freedom and peace for granted. Our speaker also made a morbid prediction that the violence was likely to escalate which seems to be exhibited with Sharon making threatening moves toward neighbouring countries to show Israeli superiority. This is a hard matter and everyone taking part in the peace process should tread carefully.
Linda , College Park, Maryland, USA.

What Mr Gold said in the programme was nothing unexpected. He put the blame on Palestinians for disruption in the peace talks. Facts indicate that demonstrations by Palestinians were ignited by the provocation by Mr Sharon who visited the Wailing Wall. There was an arrogant show of force, which angered the Palestinians. Israel is now refusing to resume negotiations on the excuse of alleged violence. In the beginning there was little violence. Killing of Palestinians by Israelis aggravated the situation, but still negotiations can be held.
Mukhtar Ali Naqvi, USA

Watching this conflict, the basic impression is that both sides have yet to accept the legitimacy of each other's claims. Both sides have to agree not only that each is there, but that each has a right to be there - the Israelis because they are the heirs of Biblical Israel, the Palestinians because they have lived in this land for so long. Both sides are willing to say, "you are here", but neither has yet been able to say, we both have equal, if different, rights. Once that happens, everything else will be worked out.
Gabriel Motzkin, Jerusalem, Israel

There will be no peace unless there will be justice. The Palestinian people should consolidate their strengths once and for all and give their best shot to regain their land.
Arteniani, Philippines

Israel must try as quickly as possible to sit down to negotiate peace with Arafat Kevork, Montreal, Canada

Compromise is the best solution for the peace. Since Arafat showed to the world that he was ready to negotiate with Israel, while the other Palestinian groups continued violence, Israel must try as quickly as possible to take the time and sit down to negotiate peace with Arafat. After all if Arafat will disappear from the Palestinian politics, there is no other leader in the Palestinian side who is willing to solve the problem peacefully. Therefore the problem could take forever and it will be disadvantage for two nations.
Kevork, Montreal, Canada

How can we blame the Israelis for protecting their own national interests by land given to them after agreement with the Arabs, when we and the Americans are doing almost identical things in Iraq, perhaps even worse? We in the west think it's okay when we bully someone, but when anyone else does it they are wrong. If we want to criticise other countries then we should put our house in order first. Some have suggested the Israelis shouldn't have the land because they have only been there for 50 years, does this mean that Americans can't live in America because they 'stole it' from the natives, does this mean the English can't live in England because they 'stole it' from the Celts? If you play that game it will never stop, the Israelis could also claim more land in the Middle East, as it is their 'traditional land'.
Andy, Bolton, UK

Once again we Jews are accused of "existing" somewhere, where some other group feels that it should be in control. Jews, once again, are forced to abandon their houses and move to the "line of settlement". NO, not this time. All we wanted to do was to create a state of our own. We came to be farmers and builders, not soldiers and policemen. Attacked once and once again by dictatorial Arab regimes, Israel defended itself and took land to stop Arab snipers from killing Israelis. Now, Palestinian snipers are shooting at Israelis again. Why is it our moves to defend ourselves from Palestinian forces are seen as aggression?
Maksim Shligold, Brooklyn, USA

If the whole world condemns Israeli terrorism and requires them to leave occupied territories, we will see tangible peace in the Middle East Name Here

I sincerely believe this platform will help most Europeans to understand the Palestinian cause. I grew up in a country (Namibia) where I witnessed destruction of our houses, killings of my relatives by the South African apartheid forces. The last I could think of was reconciling the white people for what they did to us. But believe it or not Namibia is probably one of the best-reconciled nations in terms of black-white relations. Against this background I honestly believe that if the whole world (the West in particular) condemns Israeli terrorism and requires them to leave occupied territories, we will see tangible peace in the Middle East.
Victor Hamutenya, Windhoek, Namibia

Israel does not have enough land and secure frontiers to survive as an independent nation. Until that happens there can be no sincere and positive peace process for the simple reason that nobody really wants it. Arabs are hurt to see their land confiscated and their people pushed out and therefore cannot bring themselves to accept it, while for Jews stopping their conquest at the present stage does not make sense. Both Arabs and Jews suffer for the sake and prosperity of the Western Christian civilisation. Divide and rule policy works very well in the Middle East.
Ergun, Melbourne, Canada

I am struck by the surreality of many of the Israeli and USA comments to this forum. This conflict has its origins in the relatively recent forcible disposition of Palestinians, seizure by force of their lands and their forcible subjugation by a superior and overwhelming Israeli military force, operating in defiance of UN resolutions and international law. This breach of international law and Palestinian human rights is aided and abetted by the USA, the most powerful country in the world. The USA has also connived in the acquisition of nuclear weapons of mass destruction by Israel - the only country in the Middle East which has them. The fact that the Palestinians do not meekly accept their fate is to their credit and to the eternal shame of Israel, the USA and the United Nations which sits meekly by the sidelines.
Nick, Canberra, Australia

Money not Military: If the Israelis would instead infuse the Occupied Territories with massive financial capital instead of massive military might, you would see a VERY dramatic end to the violence and quite a difference in the entire nature of the debate. Instead of all the money going to build a huge military force, what a difference in peace it would be if it went to massive societal infrastructure which has been denied so many people for so long. Wake up. The choice is real. Money vs. Military. Life vs. Death.
Terry, Seattle, WA, USA

Israel has the right to protect itself from internal and external aggression MK, USA

Palestinian supporters claim that "their land" was taken from them in 1948. 1948, 1967 and any other date in history is just an arbitrary period in time that can be used to further one's political agenda. The land of modern-day Israel has changed hands numerous times during the course of history. Presently, the fact remains that Israel is an established nation. Because Israel is an established nation, it has the right to protect itself from internal and external aggression. Therefore, the fa�ade of peace negotiations must be torn down and seen for what it really is: a ransom message from the Palestinians that calls for Israel to cede land in return for the promise of the curtailment of violence against Israelis.
MK, CA, USA

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is quite deep-rooted. It will continue until the UN takes charge and sends observers to monitor the violence. The US should be neutral and even handed in advising both sides towards lasting peace. Israel should get the Jewish settlers out of Gaza & West Bank, and hand over both Gaza and the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority. Palestinians then must put an end to terrorism. Israel should stop diverting the Jordan River. And possibly then peace may prevail.
Helen, West End, USA

Contrary to popular opinion, the only way to achieve peace in the Middle East is not to get MORE involved, nor to bring in a peacekeeping force. Instead, cut off both Israel and Palestine. End their foreign aid, the military aid, and stop all grants and gifts to both countries. For Palestine, this will hurt, but for Israel, this will hurt much worse, since Israel is more dependent on assistance from other nations. After a year or two of economic sanctions, perhaps both sides would be more willing to reach a truly collaborative peace. Hey, it worked for South Africa.
Dan Andrews, Cairo, Egypt

If human civilisation is to prevail, then we have no choice but to adopt what is just Ndumiso Dlamini, Johannesburg, South Africa

At the core of this conflict and many other conflicts is the failure of individuals and institutions to recognise the essential oneness of humanity. The leaders and peoples in the world should work to set up and support institutions and proclamations that have as their premise the essential oneness of humanity. Such a proclamation, among many others, is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. If human civilisation is to prevail, then we have no choice but to adopt what is just.
Ndumiso Dlamini, Johannesburg, South Africa

Sadly it looks as though the violence and pain in the Middle East cannot be solved. It is in some ways similar to the problems in Ireland. One group wants one thing and the other group wants something else but sadly neither will budge.
Bert, Exeter, UK

To end the violence, we must first address the causes of this conflict, and not the outcomes. The Israeli occupation must end and the refugee problem must be solved.
Fadzli Hassan, New York, USA

How can people who oppress for thousands of years 50%-60% of their own people, talk about equality and the anger of the oppressed? The Arabs and the Palestinians should first free their women and give them equal rights, and only then talk about oppressors, apartheid and so on!
Rosi Albertini, Rome, Italy

There were always Jews in Jerusalem and Hebron and the Galilee northern mountains Gissele R., Jerusalem, Israel

There were always Jews in Judea and Israel and Jerusalem! The Jews were exiled by the Roman Empire conqueror of Israel (today's Italy). They called Israel 'Palestine', after some Phoenician seamen who tried to conquer the coastal area of Israel, but were driven out by Samson. Millions of Jews were forced into living as refugees around the world, but there were always Jews in Jerusalem and Hebron and the Galilee northern mountains. Of course there were many other conquerors, such as the European Crusaders, the Muslims, the Turks and the British Mandate. None of these conquerors allowed the Jewish refugees go back to their homes in Israel.
Gissele R., Jerusalem, Israel

The only solution to this dilemma is to stop the new settlements projects, to stop the European-Jews' immigration in the disputed Holy Land, and to send UN troops; and for the Israelis to give equal rights to the Palestinians. It is a simple as that. I live now in the USA where there are not only two religions, but multi-religions. Everyone seems to be getting along well with others (on the average). Why is there peace? Because we have justice and equality, regardless of religion and ethnic background. Why can't it be the same in the Holy Land?
M A, USA

Israeli occupation and aggression backed by the US and Britain is the root cause of the conflict. Humanity will one day be ashamed of how its silence encouraged the instigation of crimes against humanity.
SB, London

How can the Palestinian leadership claim they want peace whilst actively encouraging the uprising to continue? Dan W, London, UK

How can the Palestinian leadership claim they want peace whilst actively encouraging the uprising to continue? Israel refuses to negotiate whilst the violence continues, why should they? Sharon said categorically that whilst the violence continues there would be no talks and has stuck to that line.
Dan W, London, UK

Jordan is the key to peace. A Palestinian state made up of part of Jordan (where most Palestinians live) and most of the West Bank with Hebron as its capital, will give them the homeland they have been deprived of by Israelis and Arabs alike. Gaza should be given to Israel to allow for the removal of the "settlers" on the West Bank. Jerusalem can only be an international city where all religious monuments are equally respected.
Graeme, England

In the US there is peace between the races only because there is general economic prosperity (even if not fully shared by the lower classes). So long as that is there, there is little scope for intense conflict. That is because economics is one level higher than politics. The same can be true for the MidEast. If the Palestinians enjoyed the same prosperity as the Israelis, they would not feel so left out. If there can be serious joint economic initiatives between the two parties, the political tensions could ease, setting the stage for greater negotiation and possibility of peace.
Roy, San Francisco, USA

How can anybody talk about peace, when Sharon's government is bombing Palestinian civilians, destroying their houses, and imposing a total curfew on the Palestinian population? The only way to stop Palestinian massacres and move towards peace is to implement UN resolutions and OSLO accords.
Basheer Azeemuddin, Villa Park USA

Is this a world where some people are more equal than others Rami Mansour, London

Peace has to be based on equality between two parties. You cannot drag the other party to the negotiating table and enforce your perceived peace treaty simply because you are on the strong side. Of course Israel would not act solely with impunity the way it does without being backed up by their supporters (the United States and their strong British ally). The United States vetoed the United Nations intervention into the region, what was the British role then? Without the Balfour declaration, during the British mandate to Palestine, the Palestinians and the Israelis would not be in this bewildering situation. The United Nations intervention is the short-term solution to stop the waste of human lives. However, are the Americans and British up to it? Can they enforce it on the Israeli state the way they did in other countries? Or is this a world where some people are more equal than others and human rights can be only regarded where our interests reside.
Rami Mansour, London

Many years ago Golda Meir was asked when will there be peace. Her response still holds true: "When they love their children more than they hate us."
Susie, Melbourne, Australia

The first thing ... is to implement a UN peace force Teodros Beyene

The first thing that needs to be done to stop the violence in the area is to implement a UN peace force, then pertaining issues can be dealt with, but I can't see any kind of solution as long as the US controls such important keys for resolution.
Teodros Beyene, London, UK

I am struck by these continual references to 'secure boundaries'. As an ex-soldier I know what that means - the high ground, observation, command of roads and railways and rivers. Therefore, by definition, if Israel has 'secure boundaries', the Arab countries do not. My solution would be to give the high ground to a UN force. Only in that way could both sides feel 'secure'.
Tony Cooper, Melbourne, Australia

I am a Lebanese national and have lived with the hostilities between the Arabs and the State of Israel. I think that the only way to finish the problem, is for the western world in general and the United States in particular to see the situation impartially, and not only from the Israeli point of view.
Edmund Khoury

Your comments during the programme

Don't Israelis understand Palestinian anger? Ken Kn�pfli, Switzerland

Having lived most of my life in Apartheid South Africa, I and many of my friends had to deal with our conscience living in a land taken from the African. Some of us actively fought the system, a high percentage of our group being Jews. How does the average Israeli deal with the knowledge that he or she is living on territory taken from the Palestinians? Do some of them live in old Palestinian homes? We hear of Palestinian refugees who in some cases still have the front door key to their homes in what is now Israel. And don't Israelis understand Palestinian anger?
Ken Kn�pfli, Switzerland

What is the role of the UN in maintaining world peace? Is the UN Security Council just a philosophy of its kind? I think it is time that UN troops are sent, for the sake of the lives of innocent people. Otherwise, I do not see why the UN should boast of being effective in peace keeping. Why can't it do what it has done in the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia before initiating peace talks and resolutions? UN resolutions are being violated in this conflict, but there are no measures being taken to enforce the same. Should we declare the UN "toothless", just as we did with the League of Nations?
Edgar, Blantyre, Malawi

Peace will come when both Jews and non-Jews have equal rights John, Jerusalem

Peace will come when both Jews and non-Jews have equal rights in all the land west of the Jordan. This means an end to differential legislation and policing both in the West Bank and pre-1967 Israel. This will happen when Israel runs out of Jews to absorb from abroad, and as Arab population growth within the borders of Israel continues. A democracy can still be a Jewish state with 20% non-Jews. When that figure reaches 50%, the state will cease to be a Jewish state, and will have to become a multi-ethnic one.
John, Jerusalem

The hot topic now in western circles, particularly in Europe, is multiculturalism. People are learning to live with others from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. That is the nature of our world. Yet Israel maintains a policy of "Jews only," others out, or at least not too many others allowed. US support of Israel for domestic political reasons primarily seems a contradiction to other US-backed policies, for example in Bosnia and Kosovo where ethnic and religious tolerance is stressed, indeed enforced on the various groups. How long will Israel be able to impose its demographically defined state? Does it smack of racism and intolerance?
Christopher Baker, The Netherlands

The conflict isn't just the responsibility of Israel and the Palestinians but rather a direct result of British and UN intervention Paul Cina, Tel Aviv, Israel

The violence instigated by the Palestinians is to a large extent played out to the media. The intended result being that these images will be shown around the world and garner support for the Palestinians. The media has turned the whole situation into a David and Goliath scenario - the big menacing Israelis with their tanks against the weak unarmed Palestinians. This image has led, over the last 6 months, to everyone formulating an opinion on the Israel-Palestinian conflict - primarily based on media coverage. Unfortunately, the issues are far more complex than that. It's not just a case of "Why doesn't Israel withdraw?" We're talking about a conflict that has been going on since 1897, a conflict that isn't just the responsibility of Israel and the Palestinians but rather a direct result of British and UN intervention prior to and including the mandate period. It's a far larger issue than the simple sound bites the media portrays.
Paul Cina, Tel Aviv, Israel

I believe the Palestinians and Arafat must accept the blame for the current violence. They are trying to win by violence what they could not obtain by negotiating with the Israelis. It is a sad shame really because they were very close to an agreement last year when Barak was in charge of Israel. The Palestinians must accept that they lost three wars with Israel and that is why Israel controls the territories. If the Palestinians want peace, they will go back to the negotiating table with the Israelis and work out a just peace. I also believe that Bush is not working for peace as hard as the Clinton administration and the Bush team seems to have given a free pass to Sharon to use force to put down the Palestinian uprisings. I would prefer that Bush pressure both sides to go back to the peace talks and Bush or Powell get personally involved, as the Clinton team was.
Norman Delamater, Florida, USA

Your comments before we went ON AIR

What's left - the last resort of all desperate people - violence Suzi Balaban, Cairo, Egypt

The State of Israel was formed by violence and by driving Palestinians from their homes and land. There are three million refugees to prove it. If it was legitimate for Israelis to use violence to form their state, could it be legitimate for Palestinians to do the same? Is there any other democratic nation that demolishes people's homes and razes their land as a means to reduce violence? Is making women and children homeless justified in any circumstances? Picture this: Jewish women and children sitting amongst the rubble of their demolished homes? How would the world, the UN, the US react? During the years when the Palestinians were passive, Israel was taking bit by bit the 20% of land they still have - by building settlements - illegal according to international law. What means do Palestinians have to oppose this? Legal means? Israeli courts do not recognise that international law. Peaceful means? They haven't worked for 50 years. What's left - the last resort of all desperate people - violence.
Suzi Balaban, Cairo, Egypt

Let us face the truth, there has never been true peace in the Middle East and there will never be true peace.
Saladin, Australia

One approach that could be tried to bring peace and security to the Middle East could be for the USA to stop their military and financial support and for the EU to stop economic co-operation with Israel. Maybe, if Israel were a little bit weaker, it would withdraw from the Occupied Territories. I feel that as long as the Israelis believe they are militarily superior they will always try to impose their will by force.
Ruggieor Lomonaco, Italy

Israel was the first country to have offered the Palestinians a framework and land for statehood Aleck, Cleveland,USA

Israel was the first country in history to have offered the Palestinians a framework and land for statehood .Almost everyone wants to live in dignity, security and prosperity which only peace can bring. Unfortunately the Palestinian masses are at the mercy of their leader/s who cynically manipulate and sacrifice their own people for their own personal gain. What has the PA done with the millions of dollars in aid they have received since Oslo was signed? What has become of a democratic opposition to Arafat? At least Israel has a democracy that changed its government -the Palestinians unfortunately are incapable of this because their leadership doesn't tolerate dissent. Arab regimes [who only give lip service to the Palestinian cause] prefer to see the status quo maintained.
Aleck, Cleveland,USA

There is only one way to peace in the Middle East, end the occupation. As long as the Palestine people are under occupation, humiliated, killed and their homes bulldozed to make a way for Jews, there will be no peace for Jews.
Yonas Gizaw, Ethiopia

It is difficult to see how anything but an international authority with the powers of a world government, which every modern sovereign nation seems to abhor, could bring the tragic events in the Middle East under control. Such a government would embargo all weapons; hold all heads of state in the dispute up to the same stringent standards of violations of international human rights standards as the West is doing with accused war criminals in the Balkans; and, most importantly, put in place, forcibly, if necessary, an international police force to shut down the violence and police the disputed regions. Something like this approach seems to have worked in Cyprus.
Louis B. Massano, New Jersey, USA.

The Israel-Palestine conflict is the result of the love of sovereignty of their land for both sides.The Israelis don't want to give more and the Palestinians don't want to take less. Thus the conflict continues. If both sides really want to bring an end to the violence, they should be ready to soften their stances. Yasser Araffat and Ariel Sharon should be prepared to accept a balanced proposal made by a third party - the UN would probably be best, then peace could be reinstated.
Rajan Kafle, Kathmandu,Nepal

Palestinians shouldn't have to pay to make up for the world's guilt over Nazi atrocities to the Jews Raghda Azizieh, Amman, Jordan

How can anybody accuse an imprisoned nation by an occupying force, of assault? Who has the power to de-legitimise a nation's struggle for independence, and right of existence? Israel is an occupying force that generated a state. Israel is founded on the outcome of two occupations, in 1948 and 1967, which were made legitimate by the 'civilised' world. This is how we Arabs view it. The conflict can never be sorted out, until international law is made to dominate over Israeli aggressions. Palestinians shouldn't have to pay to make up for the world's guilt over Nazi atrocities to the Jews.
Raghda Azizieh, Amman, Jordan

Prior to the 1967 War, all of the West Bank and half of Jerusalem was under King Hussein of Jordan's occupation. All of Gaza was under Egyptian occupation. Neither Jordan nor Egypt gave the Palestinian Arabs self-determination. Last year, Prime Minister Barak of Israel offered Arafat 97% of the West Bank and half of Jerusalem. It was apparently not enough for Arafat. For over a thousand years Jerusalem was the undivided capital of the physical Jewish nation of Israel and the capital of Judaism. Jerusalem has never ever been the capital of an independent Arab state. Palestinian violence must cease before real negotiations may continue.
Dr Simon Barnard

The only solution is to turn the Old City of Jerusalem over to the UN Peter Myers, Australia

The Peace Process failed because it left the difficult questions until later. The most difficult question concerns the Jewish hope of rebuilding the Third Temple, on the very site where the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque now stand. If Israelis were content merely to have a small homeland in Palestine, there would be no need for a war; but the Religious Right in Israel is advocating demolition of the Dome of the Rock. It was such thinking that killed Rabin. The only solution is to turn the Old City of Jerusalem over to the UN, with protection for Al Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, and an agreement to allow the building of the Jewish Temple on an adjacent site.
Peter Myers, Australia

First, the Israeli government has to stop its policy of aggression and should not enter the Palestinian-controlled part. And Ariel Sharon should be made aware that force only makes things worse.
Durket, Germany

We keep forgetting that the Palestinians are not occupying Israel but exactly the opposite. It is not the Palestinians that are taunting the Geneva Convention, UN Charter of Human Rights and the UN Security Council Resolutions, but Israel, which is not abiding by them. While the Palestinians in the Oslo Accords conceded 78 percent of Palestine to Israel, Israel is still implementing a settlement policy in the remaining 22 percent, which the Palestinians are hoping to build their state on. In the civilised world might should not be right!
IKT, United Kingdom

These two peoples have much experience in common so surely the name of the land, which they love and tend, is a minor issue when peace is offered. Israel seems to make sense as a home for the Jews but there's no real reason why the Arabs who see it as their home cannot live alongside them and vice versa. We humans overcomplicate things because we hold grudges and cling to irrational prejudices.
Ruth, UK

What is there to negotiate? Diane Langford, London, UK

What is there to negotiate? If Israel implemented UN resolutions and respected Geneva Conventions there would be no need for negotiation. Why doesn't Israel dismantle its illegal settlements, return to 1967 borders and start behaving like a law-abiding state which respects its neighbours?
Diane Langford, London, UK

One should only take a close look at a Middle East map and see the size of Israel in proportion to all of the hostile Arab nations that surround it. This is about survival. Arafat's PA has proven time and time again that they can not be trusted. Although many countries around the world are critical of the Israeli position, what would those countries do if their citizens were blown to bits in buses, and shopping malls? Palestinians initiate and execute many terror attacks against Israeli civilians in Israel, could those be the same people who keep on vying for peace. What peace? Where?
Nick, Toronto, Canada

First we should ask ourselves, who has the mighty military power in the Middle East Region? It is without doubt the Israelis with the partial support of the USA and the West. The victims, who are the Palestinians, have become the terrorists for just struggle with stones and their weak and primitive weapons in order to defend themselves against the constant Israeli aggression. To come back to the negotiating table, means to treat the other party as an equal partner and not as a subordinate subject ruled by a colonial master. Mutual respect and understanding to the oppressed will make mountains move.
Hany Rengier, Cologne/Germany

Peace in the Middle East will only occur when Israel's withdraw from occupied Arab land, allows the refugees back to their homeland and stops being a racist country. Israel must comply with United Nations resolutions. What is the world waiting for?
Ahmad Hassan, Australia

Why is the blame all directed against the Palestinians? Dr A Abdelal, USA

The Palestinians have the strongest cause in the world to defend THEIR land, THEIR homes, and THEIR lives. This is why they are sacrificing their lives daily, while the civilised world is watching quietly. It is the Israelis who are causing the violence by their existence in the Palestinian territories. Let them get out and see if the violence will stop or not. Where in the world are all the human rights activists? Where are all the UN laws that were issued against the Jewish state? Why are UN resolutions applicable only to Islamic nations like Iraq and Libya? Is it not time for the world to shake itself from its inhumanity and do something about this? Why is the blame all directed against the Palestinians?
Dr A Abdelal, USA

The test of time proves to be a false indicator for peace in the Middle East - too many broken promises by all parties over the years. Peace has been measured by lack of conflict under one regime or another. Since it is Israel that is responsible for the protection of its citizens and security of its nation, Israel has the obligation to use all measures necessary to provide for its citizens - including physical separation. True peace will occur when Israel establishes its terms and the Palestinian Authority ends its corruption and places the well being of its constituents before instigating uprisings and violence against Israel.
Morey Kogul, San Diego, CA United States

Conflicts can only be truly resolved if the outcome is win-win Andy Millward, Broxbourne, UK

Conflicts can only be truly resolved if the outcome is win-win. If there was a permanent way to stop the warring parties and achieve this, it should be applied in Northern Ireland and the many other conflicts rooted in race, religion and territory around the world. To us on the outside, they seem petty and vindictive, but to participants they are bound up in an historical prerogative which cannot be resolved until the other side has capitulated. In other words, I'm sad to say that true peace will only result when hell freezes over or until one side dies out.
Andy Millward, Broxbourne, UK

We are talking of two sides here. One side is always starting the violence, and the other always retaliating, thus the violence escalates. The only way to stop the violence is NOT to start it in the first place, especially when the consequences are clear.
Eunice, Switzerland

As more and more people in Europe read about the history of the conflict, there is a growing awareness of the unfairness of the Balfour Declaration and therefore a growing sympathy with the Palestinian cause. But Israel as a country is here to stay. To end the conflict governments need to put pressure on both sides to abide by UN resolutions, with strong leadership from all sides. Unfortunately Sharon seems too belligerent, Bush doesn't want anything to do with the region, while Arafat appears to lack control over the diverse Palestinian groups.
Richard N, UK

The Palestinians will always get the Israeli government they deserve. Having spurned Barak's peacemaking efforts, they now have Sharon to contend with. Back in the 1980s, Israeli pop star Shalom Hanoch released a song called 'Jumps Red Lights'. It concerned the recklessness of a person who flouted all the good advice of his friends and loved ones. Recorded after the 1982 Lebanon debacle, Israeli friends told me the song was a pointed reference to Sharon. Nowadays it could apply equally well to Yasir Arafat.
HG, London, England

They've been fighting over this same piece of ground for a few thousand years. Hatred that goes back that far is hardly going to be cured overnight.
Tom Leers, Antwerp, Belgium

What the Palestinians really need now is some leadership Michael Dickson, London, UK

What the Palestinians really need now is some leadership. Yasser Arafat is leading his people to ruin. What kind of leader can send hundreds of people to their death because of his stupid refusal to agree peace time and time again at the negotiating table?
Michael Dickson, London, UK

The Middle East conflict stems from a colonial legacy, religious fanaticism, unnecessary foreign intrusion to 'balance the power' in the Middle East and the political realties facing Israel, Palestine and the other Arab states at home. Such a multi-faceted conflict cannot be resolved unless it is in the clear interests of all to stop the violence.
Wan Ting, Singapore

As a journalist who spent several years based in Beirut and Jerusalem, I think the basic rights and grievances of the Palestinians have to be addressed firstly. This should be in accordance with UN resolutions which Israel blatantly refuses to acknowledge and abide by. Once these basic rights have been fulfilled then any violence from both sides should be cracked down on by an international force and sanctions against either Israel and or Palestine.
Mel Frykberg, Sydney, Australia

It saddens me deeply to see the simplistic "they are both like toddlers" formulations - this is a way of blindfolding ourselves against what is really happening. The final bit of old Palestine (most of which was taken over in 1948) was occupied illegally in 1967. The first step to dealing with the problem would be to begin to face the roots of the conflict - call on Israel to abide by international law and withdraw from the illegally occupied territories. More problems would remain but there would be room to breathe; a dialogue could begin.
Nandita Dowson, London, England

One cannot change history, but one can strive towards a reasonable present and a better future.
Sheila Prema Roy, Chennai, India

Israel made the greatest compromise and personal sacrifice in terms of the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin Uchenna, Manchester

Before the election of Ariel Sharon, Israel made the greatest compromise and personal sacrifice in terms of the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, the initiator of the peace process who was slain for it. Now it is the turn of Yasser Arafat to reach out to the Israelis by renouncing violence as a bargaining tool and by making compromises for peace as Rabin did, even if it will incur the wrath of his people as his comrade for peace did. He wants the ordinary Palestinians to suffer martyrdom while he and his family continue to enjoy life and comforts at the expense of his own people.
Uchenna, Manchester

Get over it, Israel, the roots of your issues lie almost three thousand years ago, and now it is you who are acting with complete disregard for the very virtues that you are (supposedly) standing up for. Talk about double standards, it was less than 100 years ago that the Jewish people were in a similar situation to the one the Palestinians are in now. Is your memory so short, and when this is all over will you be paying the people of Palestine back the same repatriations that have been so sought after by the population of Israel in recent years?
David, London

This mess can only be resolved if the Israelis accept that the Palestinian people have a right to land, water and other resources under their own government, that those in the squalid refugee camps in Lebanon have a right of return and that Arabs are human beings too. That however requires a huge cultural change in Israel, for the prevalent racist attitude towards Arabs to be challenged, and for a shift away from the victim mentality, which allows Israeli spokesmen to justify tank attacks on civilians as "self defence". Maybe if the USA pulls the rug on its support and insists on Israeli adherence to UN resolutions, it might happen but I doubt it.
Eileen, UK

This is a somewhat pointless debate - it is bigot vs bigot, there is no short-term answer. Does either side's religion condone this sort of violence?
Bob, UK

To end the cycle of violence there has to be sensible international intervention to create a period of calm between the two sides and allow tensions to settle before negotiations can take place. This was why it was such an outrage that the US vetoed, and Britain abstained on, a Security Council Resolution which called for sending an unarmed observer force to the Occupied Territories. International law must be the bedrock of an agreement not the dictates of the more powerful, occupying power - Israel. If this does not happen it will not be long before Sharon and his colleagues on the one hand and Hamas and Islamic Jihad on the other will be the "moderates" on both sides, and the whole region will be threatened within instability and conflict. International inertia, as is the current vogue, is not the solution.
Chris Doyle, London UK

How would the rest of us feel if our countries were invaded and we were forced to live in camps? Irene, London, UK

The USA is the only great power left in the world and for the last 50 years or so, it has chosen to support Israel and turn a blind eye to human injustice. Israel was Palestinian land... how would the rest of us feel if our countries were invaded - with international support - and we were forced to live in camps? It's outrageous and it's ludicrous. The Palestinians can never live up to the military might of Israel...for the simple fact that they are not armed and will probably never get the international support Israel commands. Their 'terrorist' actions don't help, but they are helpless, but for the support of their Arab nations. International pressure should be put on Israel and they should be reminded that they were once oppressed, but that, in a nasty twist of fate, they have become the oppressors. I personally have decided never to go to Israel again, as I cannot willingly fund a regime and nation who, after their own struggles, would have such disregard for another race.
Irene, London, UK

I don't understand how everyone can blame Israel for the current situation. At the Taba talks in October, Israel (under Barak) offered the Palestinians all of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem as the capital to build an independent nation of Palestine. This is what everyone is advocating - Israel offered to end the "occupation"! Yet, the Palestinians refused this offer. Please help me understand how it is Israel's fault when the PLO rejected everything they and their supporters supposedly want?
Elizabeth Anne Goode, Boston, USA

To all of you who are questioning the Palestinians' rejection of Ehud Barak's "generous" offer of "most" of the West Bank and "parts" of Al-Quds; I would like to come into your property, take over everything that belongs to you, bring my relatives and friends and build up some houses for them on that property which I will call mine. After that I will negotiate with you over how much I can give back to you; and you must agree to forfeit your right to the rest of the property. If you reject my offer, I will have somebody else who is less generous than me come in and beat you up, kill your children, and you better not resist, because if you do, I will consider this a provocation, and I will not be nice to you any more.
Eyad Ghani, Milwaukee, USA

Both sides are at fault for the violence and it takes both sides to bring it to an end Andrew, Manchester, England

Both sides are at fault for the violence and it takes both sides to bring it to an end. Once trust is rebuilt and the Islamic states including Palestine, which do not have democratic systems, stop saying they want to push Israel into the sea, then Israel may feel at ease to let Palestinians back to their old homes.
Andrew, Manchester, England

Israel must remember the past. There was a time when the Israelis did not have a homeland. Israel must allow the Palestinians to realise their ambitions for a nation of their own without the arrogance they have shown. This would include sharing Jerusalem and the cessation of further Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. I would also suggest the Palestinians refrain from future attacks, as this seems to legitimise Israel's heavy-handed use of its military. The tide of public opinion is turning in favour of the Palestinians, and a more peaceful method of protest, while requiring discipline, would enable the Palestinians to eventually realise their goal without losing the youth that their new nation would need.
Steve, Pittsburgh, USA

How is it when the Israelis enter the Gaza Strip it is considered an act of war - at least as reported by the left wing press - but when a Palestinian enters Israel and blows up civilians with a bomb strapped to his body, he is merely a freedom fighter?
Phillip J Hubbell, Dallas USA

The conflict will not stop until the Arabs learn to accept other religions Sanjai, USA/India

The conflict will not stop until the Arabs learn to accept other religions and distance themselves from fundamentalism.
Sanjai, USA/India

The U.S. supplies Israel with $3 billion a year in economic and military assistance as well as using its power of veto on the Security Council to aid Israel. With such a powerful big brother beside them and willing to support them in the face of growing condemnation and ethical dilemmas, why should Israel back down? The only country they will listen to is the US so action from the States must be the first step.
Nicholas Bradley, UK

Why is there a problem on how to control the violence? Let us take facts on the ground. Israel retaliates for Arab attacks. Okay, so if you retaliate, the problem lies with who started it ie the Arabs on two fronts. Simple. Furthermore why are Palestinians disillusioned with the peace process? In 7 years of negotiations they have received half their land back. In 7 months of violence they lose their land. I let you take it from here.
Harry, Newcastle, England

I believe this is a very tough subject, and will come down to full-scale war between the Jewish state, and most, if not all Arabs. I think it has been shown the Muslims want to push the Jews into the sea, and the Jews will fight back with everything they have. For those people who live there it appears to come down to a religious issue over Jerusalem, and the Arabs who were pushed out in 1948. Although I feel bad for the loss of life on both sides, I think the West should get away from that area by developing oil fields in Mexico, and South America. Then we will not have so much at stake when a war between these two said factions happens. It looks like it has already started. Good luck to anyone who brings peace there while religion is involved.
Mark Morris, Denton, TX. USA

The question should have been "When will the Occupation end". I am sick of the Western media ignoring to mention the cause of the resistance, and that is Occupation. The Palestine people have all the right to defend and fight by ANY MEANS NECESSARY to liberate Palestine. I have Ethiopian Jew relatives in Israel and it makes me sick to know that they are committing crime against humanity. FREE PALESTINE.
Daniel Alemu, Nazret, Ethiopia

The only concession large enough will be the eradication of the Israeli state Barnaby, London, UK

Will there ever be acceptance among Arabs of the existence of the State of Israel in any shape or form? Unfortunately present events indicate that the answer is no, the only concession large enough will be the eradication of the Israeli state. Until there is the fundamental acceptance of Israel as a state with the right to exist by the Palestinians and Arabs as there has been in Israel with respect to a Palestinian state, there will never be any real prospect for peace despite the optimism held in Israel before last September.
Barnaby, London, U.K.

I often wonder whether the United Nations is playing the role it should play to stop violence in some countries. Also, I wonder whether the UN is controlled by the US. Why should the US play the mediator role when it is considered by Islamic nations as a strong supporter of Israel? The cycle of violence will stop only if both Israel and Palestine have faith in a common mediator. In my view the US cannot play an impartial role.
Albert P'Rayan, Kigali, Rwanda

Give and take is the phrase. Israelis should please swallow a bit of their pride and pull out of Palestinian land. Likewise Palestinians should respect Israelis and realise that Israel is there to stay. They should stop provoking Israel through violence. Violence, no matter what form or shape and how long it takes, will never give them whatever they want. Never.
Louis Sibande, Blantyre, Malawi

It is time for the UN to implement its resolutions. It must do this to remain the least bit credible. Let the Palestinians have their land and I believe there will be peace. If the UN chooses to sit and watch the carnage instead of acting, it isn't worth anything at all.
Richard, USA

Accountability is the key for this conflict James Geofry, London, UK

Accountability is the key for this conflict. There is no way around - the Palestinians cannot get away from responsibility for their own people, whether it's the Hamas or other individuals who engaged in terror acts. The Palestinians have all the equipment to do so - they just lack the will. The Israelis on the other hand should not get away from breaching their own rules of engagement. Good journalism can make the change. Because both sides rely heavily on public opinion.
James Geofry, London, UK

Yet again the same question is posed and we get the same old answers. The issue is portrayed like some catfight between two neighbours who don't get on without even a discussion about why it's been happening for the last 53 years. The simple fact is that there was a land called Palestine, full of Arabs that the Jews stole and called Israel. And that is that. Unless Israel acknowledges this simple fact, unless Israel adheres to international law and justice and lets Palestinian refugees back, unless Israel stops the apartheid treatment of Palestinians, then why should we expect peace otherwise? Would those same people calling for peace have called for black people to make peace with their white oppressors? Or would they have asked for justice? Unless the Palestinians have justice first, it is unfair for them to have to put up with a 'peace' that only suits their oppressors, the Israelis.
Bilal Patel, London, UK

The Palestinians have been playing a very clever propaganda campaign and the Europeans have allowed themselves to be duped. Arafat was offered a very equitable deal by the previous Israeli government, which made unprecedented and unreciprocated concessions. In the words of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak this deal was the best that could be achieved by "PEACEFUL" means. Quite simply Arafat is of the opinion that he will get more by war and by playing a very cynical game of Real Politik. No individual is more responsible for Ariel Sharon's election than Yasser Arafat himself. In the words of Golda Meir, peace will be achieved only when the Arabs start loving their own children more than they hate those of the Israelis.
Stewart, Australia

If we stand by and do nothing to halt the violence, then the rest of the Arab states may be drawn in Pat Vincent, Milton Keynes, UK

From the moment Ariel Sharon was elected, most of the world knew there would be an escalation of the violence in the Middle East. The man only knows one response - attack. His leadership coupled to the fact that for years the Israelis (with the full support of the US) have ignored the UN resolution to withdraw from the occupied territories, and that hard-line settlers, protected by heavily armed Israeli soldiers, have continued to build, and claim Palestinian land for themselves, was bound to lead to greater conflict. My chief concern is that if we stand by and do nothing to halt the violence, then the rest of the Arab states may be drawn in.
Pat Vincent, Milton Keynes, UK

We need an international observation team in this area and any act of violence on either side should be strongly condemned by the international community. The Israeli side is using excessive force and are primary occupants. However the terrorist Palestinian attitude doesn't show they are any better. The long-term solution is definitely a land for both. The problem is that Arafat and his team are bunch of guerrilla terrorists who have no experience of running a civilised government. Israel is wrong but Arafat's gang are a bunch of fools.
Paul, New York, USA

The violence will stop either when America pulls the plug on the Israeli military, thereby forcing the Israelis to negotiate with the Palestinians on an equal footing, or when the Israeli genocide against the Palestinians has been completed.
Tom, USA

The Israelis will either have to make concessions or they will continue to face war every day Johnathan, USA

The last ten years, and especially the recent Israeli election proved to the world just how ill-prepared its citizens are to make the sacrifices necessary in order to have peace with the Palestinians. There is no question that Yasser Arafat is a man of war more so than a man of piece. However, his position has been weakened significantly with the end of the Cold War, as well as the fact that his health is failing and he wishes to leave this planet having created a Palestinian state in one form or another. He is thus ready to make certain concessions in order to strike a compromise. However, the Israelis know that the US will always back them if bad comes to worse, and they are prepared to wage war rather than talk. Although Rabin's assassin was an extremist, the next election showed the world that most Israelis did not back the Oslo Accords because they brought a candidate like Netanyahu into the Prime Minister's office. The Israelis will either have to make concessions that are not too popular, or they will continue to face war every day.
Johnathan, USA

The best Sharon is offering is a permanent form of humiliating apartheid. Barak had offered an improved version of humiliating apartheid. As long as the United States insures that Israel is never held accountable and Jews continue to think they have a God-given right to treat Palestinians the way they condemn everyone else for having treated them throughout history, we won't see an improvement. Jews want to make life as miserable as they can for the Palestinians, eventually driving most, if not all, out. Then they will have succeeded in creating for Jews in Israel what the Aryan Nations only dream of creating for white Christians in the United States.
Robert, Seattle, USA

There isn't an easy answer to this situation, I don't think that the West realises the depth of feeling in the region - passions run high. The only solution that many Palestinians could accept would be for the Israelis to leave completely. They cannot forgive and forget or even simply forgive and get on with their lives. Many are stuck in limbo until their lands and properties are returned. Even those that know that this is an unrealistic dream won't totally accept it. The solution to the violence? I don't know if there is one that could be acceptable to both sides.
Fiona Weir, Amman, Jordan

The great irony is that only Israel has provided the means of a state for the Palestinians Mike, Philadelphia, USA

I would like to hear an Arab representative discuss what Arab nations in the region have done to ameliorate the situation of the Palestinians. Why are Palestinians kept in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon and NOT ALLOWED citizen status? This is the great irony of the crisis in the Middle East--- Arab nations only 'care" about Palestinians when it is referenced as a condemnation of the Jewish State. Like the Kurds in Iraq, the Christians in Lebanon, and the Sunnis in Iran, we see a great exploitation of people by pernicious leaders for diplomatic gains. The great irony is that only Israel has provided the means of a state for the Palestinians, while the late King Hussein massacred thousands and kept many more in refugee camps as political thorns to use against Israel.
Mike, Philadelphia, USA

Why is it so easy to forget or ignore some of the most critical factors in this situation? Why, for example, do people so rarely mention that Israel has held the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip under military occupation for 34 years - an occupation during which Palestinians have been physically and psychologically brutalized on a daily basis, seen their land confiscated for the exclusive use of Jews, their houses demolished, the fields and olive trees on which they depend for their livelihoods destroyed and 70% of their water diverted to Israel - all violations of international law? Why are so few unaware that this current round of violence actually began on Septeptember 29 when Israeli forces inflamed Palestinian rage by killing seven unarmed civilians in situations in which Palestinians had no firearms? Israel needs to comply with international law and the most basic standards and norms of human rights.
Shirin, USA

The current conflict will never reduce unless there is a sincere change of heart for peace. The Israelis who are the powerful ones are in a better position to initiate this. Unfortunately, Israel is too security paranoid to move forward. If they are not careful, without realising it they will do to the Palestinians what the Nazis failed to do with the Jews.
Ram Nair, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

I am 52 years old and from the time I can remember, I have read about the conflict between the Jews and Arabs. This isn't about Israelis and Palestinians; it is about Jews and Arabs. This is so sad that neither side can look past the religious hatred they spit at each other. The only thing that can be changed is the now and future. The past is history and nothing will change that. The Palestinians will always be the subjugated ones even in other Middle East countries. It is convenient for the other countries to encourage the Palestinians to fight Israel because that keeps them from dealing with the problem. This had burned for thousands of years and will continue. While I have taken no side outside of an abhorrence of violence, I suggest the Palestinians use the Mahatma's guide to independence. It worked for India. How many more have to die for religion? Neither side's creator would be pleased to find people killing in his name...ridiculous...
Gary-Paul, Seattle, WA

Israel has no right to be in the Palestinian occupied territories Altamimi, London

The Israelis have consistently shown themselves to be the perpetrators of state sponsored terrorism in the area. They have no right to be in Palestine, we had no right to give them the land in the first place. I have not bought anything made in Israel for over 30 years and never will. The only way to make the Israelis move back within their legal boundaries is a world wide embargo on all their goods and services, and ban on tourism. Cut off their money supplies they will soon sit down and negotiate.
John, Stratford, England

When will people start understanding that this has nothing to do with religion and everything with water and the security of having it. The Arabs will have to understand that we in Europe (on the continent) all see that the Palestinians are being oppressed and not taken seriously but they have also got to understand that our history rightly prevents us from judging Israel too harshly.
Jose Fernandez, Amsterdam