N.N. (name removed)

Many Israelis believe in separation from the Palestinian populace. Some call for the erection of a segregating fence between ourselves and the Palestinian populace of the 1967-occupied territories, while some call for an agreement with the "legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people". In this way, they claim, the occupation will be ended and Israel shall be cleansed of its responsibility for the situation of the Palestinians. It is interesting to note that both "left-wing" and right-wing governments intend to achieve an agreement with the band of criminals at the top of the Palestinian National Authority. That is to say, even if the Israeli regime vilifies and indemns Arafat and the PNA, it intends to reach an agreement with him. The differences between the Israeli right and "left" revolve around the question of the extent of military pressure to be applied to the Palestinian populace in order to reach these agreements.

The conclusion to be drawn is that the guiding principles of practically the entire political spectrum in Israel are the same. This matter in itself should apparently be surprising, but I myself am not at all surprised by it. The nationalistic Israeli regime has come to understand what western powers have long known: that the use of military forces to attain economic goals is 'pass?'; not only is its appearance improper but it also fails to allow maximum economic exploitation of the territory. However, the maintenance of a powerful army and the occasional military intervention can definitely be of use.

Those who believe that ending the military occupation and the evacuation of the settlers will resolve the conflict are mistaken. It is naive to think that a flag, an anthem and an emblem will solve the Palestinian populace's problems. As long as millions of people live in sub-human conditions and perceive Israel - justly - to be the main culprit, this area will not know rest. At any rate, not for any long period of time. The only way to ensure stability in the area is the assurance of fitting economic conditions for the population - both the guarantee of a reasonable existence for the Palestinian populace and the solution to the problems of poverty in Israel, poverty which stems from the neglect of the weaker socio-economic strata in favour of grants to capital-owners and "welfare" for foreign corporations.

Peace will not come to this area while the state of Israel continues to exist in its present form. The difficulty of reaching a solution is not caused by the mere presence of the residents of Israel in this country, but rather with its rule by Zionism; a rule which succeeds, by means of propaganda, to impair the public's objective judgement of the situation. According to the Israeli version, "we" (supposedly myself and Gad Ze'evi [a well-known Israeli multi-millionaire] are equal in this respect…?) are always attacked by the "bad guys", we are the poor victim trying to defend himself… There is no legitimacy for the existence of a state based on foreign capital and military activity. Consequently, a change in the regional order is the solution. The Zionist regime in this country uses the term "the termination of the state of Israel" whenever such schemes are proposed. Have you ever considered the meaning of this term? Probably not, since the 'danger' of which the Zionist leadership warns is really the termination of the state dependence on the army and on foreign capital, a change in the economic order of the area.

If the current order lasts, a bleak future is in store for all inhabitants of this land. Even if a "peace agreement" is reached, it will but serve the American and Israeli capitalists. It will enable, in practice, a reduction of wages due to "competition" (a word so beloved by the capitalists), since for the same work an Israeli does at 3200 NIS per month, Palestinians shall be available for hire for a monthly wage 4 times lower.

I do not intend to partake in this game, whose outcome is pre-evident. As the political system, from right to "left", serves the same foolish purposes and the population has no real way of effecting policy. In public opinion polls, Israelis give their parliament a 'Failing' grade, and most of them know exactly who the politicians serve. Yet education has its effect, propaganda has its effect, and it is the very oppressed that uphold the system of whom they are one of the main injured parties.

"Whose state is it, anyway?"
N.N.