Some questions for the Palestinian members

rafie
rafie Posts: 2,160
in A Moving Train
I am starting this thread as an attempt to try to understand the thought process of the Palestinian members here on some issues that interest me. The goal of this thread is not to start yet another Israel Vs. Palestine argument or to promote more propaganda. I am not trying to "bait" anyone, so please do not respond as if I am. The goal is to open a dialogue between people with opposing beliefs. I would like to hear personal opinions and not see links to news articles and twitter accounts (seen enough of those these last few days...).
I am not interested in hearing the thought of non-Palestinian members (sorry), so please do not try to "derail" the thread. Thank you.

Hello, My name is Rafie and I am an Israeli. During the recent conflict I have found myself contemplating many issues in an attempt to try to find a middle ground that might lead to the end of conflicts like this. There are a few questions I would like to ask you, as Palestinians, to try to understand your thoughts on the subjects. Feel free to ask me any question you would like to in return. I will NOT answer any accusatory questions that have a goal of turning this into yet another argument.

1) What are your thoughts on the current political landscape of the Palestinian authority? (I am referring to Hamas as opposed to Fatah).
2) What do you think of the actions of Hamas? Do you believe that their actions are helping or hurting the people of Gaza? Please elaborate.
3) I know what you think Israel should do to end the conflict (return to the 1967 borders), but assuming that this will not happen in it's entirety, what do you think would be a reasonable middle ground for both sides?
4) There are 2 distinct Palestinian controlled areas - The Gaza strip and the west bank. In your opinion, which area is doing a better job for the Palestinian people? What can the other side learn from them?
5) Do you have family that you are in contact with living in the region? If so, I would love to hear their thoughts on the subject.

Feel free to PM me if for some reason you do not feel comfortable answering these questions publicly.
Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
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Comments

  • benjs
    benjs Toronto, ON Posts: 9,398
    Palestinians, I would encourage you to reach out to Rafie. He's devoted much time to giving thorough and fair responses to the many questions I've asked him via PM. This is as good of an opportunity to begin meaningful dialogue as any.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • JC29856
    JC29856 Posts: 9,617
    really?
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    JC29856 said:

    really?

    Yes. Really. Anything wrong with actually trying to get to know the oposite side?
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • JC29856
    JC29856 Posts: 9,617
    NOW!
    when homes are destroyed about 10,000, one-quarter of the population displaced and no electricity!
    yhtbfkm
  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,605
    JC29856 said:

    NOW!
    when homes are destroyed about 10,000, one-quarter of the population displaced and no electricity!
    yhtbfkm

    What?

    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    rgambs said:

    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives

    There are at least 2 members here who have said that they are Palestinian. I would like to know their thoughts. As I said in the beginning of the thread, I am not looking to bait. These are not "loaded questions". Not looking to start an argument, looking to start a dialogue. If you have a problem with that, no need for you to post here. Thank you.
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,827
    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    josevolution said:

    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....

    Don't understand what you mean.
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • badbrains
    badbrains Posts: 10,255
    rgambs said:

    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives

    Exactly
  • badbrains
    badbrains Posts: 10,255
    josevolution said:

    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....

    I believe you are correct buddy. How's it going my friend? Hope you're doing well
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    badbrains said:

    rgambs said:

    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives

    Exactly
    Aren't you Palestinian? (At least I recall you saying you were. might have you mixed up with someone else). Is it so hard to believe that an Israeli has genuine interest in trying to see a Palestinians view of the state of their own people without it turning into yet another Israel vs. Palestine argument?

    I'll say it again (loudly): THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS TO TRY TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CONFLICT - NOT TO ARGUE. Why is that so hard to believe?
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,827
    rafie said:

    josevolution said:

    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....

    Don't understand what you mean.
    I mean that the people you are seeking have allready posted in the other two threads and made their feelings very clear and i'm not sure there are any posters here that are living in Gaza at the present time ...All good bb i hope you are doing well too !
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,605
    rafie said:

    badbrains said:

    rgambs said:

    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives

    Exactly
    Aren't you Palestinian? (At least I recall you saying you were. might have you mixed up with someone else). Is it so hard to believe that an Israeli has genuine interest in trying to see a Palestinians view of the state of their own people without it turning into yet another Israel vs. Palestine argument?

    I'll say it again (loudly): THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS TO TRY TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CONFLICT - NOT TO ARGUE. Why is that so hard to believe?
    Because, sadly, such a thread would be a rarity here on A Moving Train.

    I do applaud your efforts to try and start one. I sincerely do.

    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    josevolution said:

    rafie said:

    josevolution said:

    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....

    Don't understand what you mean.
    I mean that the people you are seeking have allready posted in the other two threads and made their feelings very clear and i'm not sure there are any posters here that are living in Gaza at the present time ...All good bb i hope you are doing well too !
    Jose, the other 2 threads have turned into a battleground, and I am looking to start something else here. I am looking to understand the people who actually have a personal connection to the conflict. Not looking to argue.
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    JimmyV said:

    rafie said:

    badbrains said:

    rgambs said:

    you wont find many people so heavily oppressed who have the time and means to answer loaded questions on a rock bands forum..thats for us privileged folks who lead comfortable lives

    Exactly
    Aren't you Palestinian? (At least I recall you saying you were. might have you mixed up with someone else). Is it so hard to believe that an Israeli has genuine interest in trying to see a Palestinians view of the state of their own people without it turning into yet another Israel vs. Palestine argument?

    I'll say it again (loudly): THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS TO TRY TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CONFLICT - NOT TO ARGUE. Why is that so hard to believe?
    Because, sadly, such a thread would be a rarity here on A Moving Train.

    I do applaud your efforts to try and start one. I sincerely do.

    It is sad that we have turned so cynical towards one another. The face that I felt the need to post that disclaimer at the start of the thread is proof of that.
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • mickeyrat
    mickeyrat Posts: 44,815
    May I suggest something OP? Try to reach out privately first? I think I understand what you are attempting. I applaud the effort. But I do think private is the way to start. be prepared though, that what you seek isnt going to be reciprocated in the spirit I believe this was offered.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • rafie
    rafie Posts: 2,160
    mickeyrat said:

    May I suggest something OP? Try to reach out privately first? I think I understand what you are attempting. I applaud the effort. But I do think private is the way to start. be prepared though, that what you seek isnt going to be reciprocated in the spirit I believe this was offered.

    Not 100% sure who here is actually Palestinian and who here just supports them. That is why I have again and again suggested that people PM me if they do not feel comfortable publicly posting an exchange like this.
    Just trying a new approach on the usual crap that goes on here. I have pretty much stayed away from the moving train the past couple of years (haven't really posted much at all the past year on the pit) because it just seems pointless. No one is actually going to sway the opposing side to their way of thinking. Instead of attacking each other, talk to each other. Sad that it is so difficult to do.
    Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!

    2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
    2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
    2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,827
    rafie said:

    josevolution said:

    rafie said:

    josevolution said:

    I believe the people you wan't to answer most likely have already done so ....

    Don't understand what you mean.
    I mean that the people you are seeking have allready posted in the other two threads and made their feelings very clear and i'm not sure there are any posters here that are living in Gaza at the present time ...All good bb i hope you are doing well too !
    Jose, the other 2 threads have turned into a battleground, and I am looking to start something else here. I am looking to understand the people who actually have a personal connection to the conflict. Not looking to argue.
    I hear you raffie and i applaud you for trying to do something like this , i hope people will engage you in a civil discussion ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • badbrains
    badbrains Posts: 10,255
    Rafie, I'm not Palestinian, I'm circassian. We're from south Russia and the Caucasus mountains. We actually have 2 villages of my people in Israel, kofer khaman and reihania (spelled horribly I know). They serve in the idf to because they aren't Arabs. I, like others on here, have been following this conflict/occupation for years and years. I think the time has come to stop this madness. I dnt give a shit if anyone's Muslim, Christian or Jew. We are all humans first. To accept this slaughter as humans is sickening. And I'm hopeful with seeing the people of Israel starting to say enough that it WILL stop. Because if they don't, THERE WONT BE A GAZA left.

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