Inspiring Facebook post from a friend living in Israel

[democrattotheend]

I normally avoid this forum like the plague because I am so torn about the issue that I usually wind up pissing off both sides. But I saw this post on my friend's Facebook wall and I thought it was worth sharing:

This morning in Jerusalem during my commute I noticed an old Arab man dressed in traditional clothing having difficulty paying for his train ticket. A Jewish Israeli assisted him in putting his card in the right way. The train was crowded and there was a man (also old, with grey hair, a kippah, and a long grey beard) who gave up his seat so that the old Arab man could sit in comfort. What impressed me the most was thinking of the fact that this is not unusual; it happens every day. People get along here. If we can do it on the micro level, there has to be a way we can achieve peace on the macro level too.

[KaryninMiami]

1. I truly believe that most people in Israel- want peace

I also believe that most people- Arabs and Israelis - realize that there has to be a better way because they know in their hearts, that this way, which is a path to nowhere, will only lead to continued violence. I understand your being torn- check out http://jstreet.org/ - they are doing great work to build bridges and mend fences- pro- Israeli and also pro-peace.

[Skittles]

2. this is just common courtesy

or SHOULD be

[holdencaufield]

3. You're going to have a hard time ...

... convincing some people here that this represents the true Israel as they have become accustomed to believing in and referring to the "blood-thirsty" Zionist who wakes up every morning craving Palestinian land.

They won't believe the truth of it because it interferes with their deeply held belief that all troubles in the Middle East -- and by extension the world -- spring from the machinations of Israelis of a particular ethnicity.

[Scootaloo]

4. It's amazing how much projection you guys do, Holden

I think we all realize that most Israelis are considerate, decent people, as are most Palestinians, most Nepalese, most French, on down the line; people are generally decent to one another.

There are of course exceptions, and the truth is those exceptions tend to be the one with the spotlight and the microphone. Which seems to result in them gaining political power... For example?

“Anyone that penetrates Israel’s border should be shot, a Swedish tourist, Sudanese from Eritrea, Eritreans from Sudan, Asians from Sinai. Whoever touches Israel’s border – shot.”

That's Ayreh Eldad, chairman of the Otzma Leyisrael political party. Now of course, these guys don't have any political power (having formed just last month!) but there they are, running for government positions, while the two gentlemen in the OP are probably about as far from the political machine as you can get. That's usually the way, right, the people who most deserve power are the ones least likely to seek it.

Edit: My mistake; Eldad is a current MK. So. well, there you go.

[ocpagu]

5. I have no doubt most Israelis are peaceful, reasonable and decent people.

Can't say the same about the lunatics and facists that they choose for the government, though.

[LeftishBrit]

6. k&r