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    <title>Middle East Forum @ Middle East Facts</title>
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    <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:17:17 -0500</pubDate>
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    <category>Middle East Forum @ Middle East Facts</category>
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    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Media] Is the Media Biased Against Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?11,18,18#msg-18</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The Main Stream Media (MSM), especially in Europe and the US, has been criticized extensively for it's reporting on the Middle East.  Many of these criticisms are completely valid - doctored photos, unvalidated sources and questionable affiliations.  Many heads have rolled over the above issues, but it seems that things remain the same.

Will the media ever treat Israel as an equal in this conflict, and will they continue to make excuses for Arab violence?  Only time will tell.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Media</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?11,18,18#msg-18</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:17:17 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,17#msg-17</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Happy New Year!

I stand corrected - perhaps Egypt, Syria and Jordan do try to discourage any Islamist opposition, but I don't know if I believe that Saudi Arabia and Iran are doing it as well.  From what I've heard, religious police are a standard part of society, enforcing Islamic rules amongst the people.  If you could provide alternative information, I'd like to be educated about it.

As far as the American Government is concerned, perhaps it is wishful thinking.  I have no basis for saying this, but maybe if democratic systems were put in place and the majority voted for an Islamist party, they would soon see the stupidity in their ways.  For instance, I can't imagine too many Gazans are happy about voting for Hamas these days.  Sure, some might blame it on the sanctions against Hamas, but that's part of the price that they have to pay.  If they realize that there are consequences to their votes, they might reconsider.  Of course, this could be the same thought process as the US government, which could be wishful thinking. :)

As for the Islamic forums (which I don't check often :), where are the people writing from?  Are they from the West or from Muslim countries?  If it's from the West, it might be scary, but they're doing that from a comfortable place...if they're from an Islamic country, they might feel the repercussions of their Islamist hopes.

Regarding the media, perhaps I should be putting this conversation in another forum labelled &quot;Israel and the Media&quot;?  I agree with you - the though process on the left has recently been contradictory - they expect the highest standards of rights in the West (which is great!), but then excuse every action of those they deem to be &quot;oppressed&quot;.

I hope your comment about secularism leading to leftism isn't right...I can't imagine people being more stupid as we get more secular. :)

Steve]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,17#msg-17</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2007 23:38:01 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Palestinians] Re: Will there ever be peace between the Palestinians and Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?3,7,16#msg-16</link>
      <author>erizito</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Both Israel and arabs of Palestine are the small figures in a big political game.Various very influential and  economically very strong groups support the fire of the conflict and do not let it go down.
In the times of the cold war it was USA and USSR.Now-itīs USA and those countries which pretend to occupy the political vacuum left after the fall of the Soviet Empire,above all the oil-exporting arab countries.

There was time when the Palestinian frontier guards gave chocolates to the  Israeli children and brought coffee to israeli women,if some Israeli family landed in Gaza airport.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Palestinians</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?3,7,16#msg-16</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:42:39 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,15#msg-15</link>
      <author>erizito</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi,Steve.

Happy New Year.

Not that i disagree totally with what you said 

&quot;they are (1) trying to keep their power and (2) encouraging Islamic thought amongst their people&quot;

but the item number 2 is not 100% correct,in my modest opinion.
The leaders of islamic countries do not,actually,encourage islamic thought among their people.Moreover,many of them fight the ideas of converting their respective countries into Shariaīs-governed ones.For such regimes as Egypt,Syria,Jordan it will mean political death.That is why Mubarak puts in prison without mercy the members of &quot;Islamic Brotherhood&quot;.The same is done by Abdullah II of Jordan,and even by Bashar Asad of Syria.Even Saudi Monarchy fights islamization.

It looks like the only people in the world who still do not understand that the alternative to the dictatorships in islamic countries is not democracy,but radical islamic regimes, are the members of American Government.

If you visit other islamic forums,you will see that a lot of muslims attack Mubarak,Abdullah,Saudis BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED &quot;NOT SUFFICIENTLY ISLAMIC&quot;.Incredible,but itīs so.And the result is very evident;as soon as muslims are given the chance to elect freely,they immediately elect Hamas,Hezbollah,Islamic Republic of Iraq,Islamic Republic of Afganistan...

&quot;Islamic Republic&quot;;what a nonsense! 

About mainstream media and their interpretation of the situation.You can not expect that the people who were yesrerday the active members of numerous &quot;human right&quot; defending groups,i.e.total &quot;leftists&quot;,will today become patriots of the right wing.For the people of the left wing of the political spectrum itīs more important that Rachel Corey died under Israeli military bulldozer,than the fact that what she had been doing in Israel would mean certain  death for tens of Israelis.When these Israelis die in the terrorist attacks of those whom such Rachels Coreys support and defend-these people will say that &quot;itīs time to put end to the conflict by peaceful means,through negotiations&quot;,and will add something like that &quot; you can not expect the civilized behaviour from the people driven to despair&quot;,and it will not bother them in the least that the first part of their senseless blether contradicts the second.They have gone nuts on  human rights,like muslims have gone nuts on their islam and their Muhammad.

And of course,the factor of general trend to secularism in the West,together with the general fall of the peopleīs educational level,also plays the important role in this process.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,15#msg-15</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:31:22 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,14#msg-14</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi Erizito,

Thanks for listing the sources - it's definitely good to have sources when it comes to matters like this.

Reading your post frustrates me, because you and I know why the Arab leaders do what they do - they are (1) trying to keep their power and (2) encouraging Islamic thought amongst their people.  However, the mainstream media seems to ignore these factors and accepts the excuses of the Arab leadership - that everything is Israel's fault, because of it's existence, it's &quot;treatment of the Palestinians&quot;, or &quot;the brutal occupation&quot;.  The mainstream media rarely looks at the faults of the Arab leadership and their role as terror enablers.

Iran will be a continued threat to the whole region, especially if they develop nuclear weapons.  We've seen in Iraq, there doesn't seem to be any hesitancy for Shiites to kill Sunnis (and vice versa).  I think these meetings that you describe in your original post are actually a scary sign - they indicate that Iran is a bigger threat than most people think and finally, the Arab world is acting on it.

Steve]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,14#msg-14</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:49:58 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,13#msg-13</link>
      <author>erizito</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi,Steve.
This info appeared first in the Atabaian newspaers and later then on the Interfax.

You attack the poor arab leaders,but actually,they have done nothing that would not be in accordance with Quran.The practice of hating Jews,Christians,and in general ALL who are not muslims was founded by Muhammad.The practice of killing them-too.The practice of converting all muslims in zombies equal in their ignorance only to their &quot;prophet&quot;-also.

There is nothing new in the policy of arab leaders today.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,13#msg-13</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 30 Dec 2006 10:15:10 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,12#msg-12</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hello Erizito,

No, I'm not from Oklahoma. :)

Interestingly, I never heard about this meeting.  You have some interesting insights into the situation happening in the Middle East - how do you have all this knowledge?  

I can totally see all of what you described happening - Arab governments have always tried to deflect attention from themselves by telling their countrymen and women that all negative events are due to Israel, America or &quot;the West&quot;.  This stance has let to a great increase in worldwide terror and has affected all of the Arab countries too.  As you said, this is something that the governments are pretty much responsible for - they actively brainwash their people, and I believe now they're seeing how dangerous that was - they've created monsters who just want to kill.

My opinion is that while the Arab countries are coming to Israel for &quot;help&quot; now, they'll resume their propaganda campaign as soon as the pressure on them, from the Shias, and primarily Iran, is reduced.  The breakdown in Iraq has caused a big divide that obviously existed for centuries - Shias and Sunnis killing each other en masse.

I think the Arab leaders have to get their acts together and realize that at this point, they have two options - peaceful coexistence or all out war.  They can temper their masses by promoting peace and love or they can continue to brainwash their people into hating the Jews (and everybody else).  Contrary to what they'd have us to believe, the Arab leaders created the situation we have today - and only they can stop it.

Steve]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,12#msg-12</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Dec 2006 01:42:57 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Re: Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,11#msg-11</link>
      <author>erizito</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi,Steve.
Arenīt you from Oklahoma,by the way?
Your question.Islamic world is very pragmatic.If the interests of the ruling group are endangered,like it happened with Egypt and Jordan,they will accept the existance of the Devil himself.
Not long ago,on September,18,2006,there was a very interesting meeting in Aqaba.The diplomatic sources of Sunni countries say that the activity of Iran in Islamic world,its development of the nuclear programme and the growth of the popularity of the financed and sponsored by Teheran Hezbollah made the countries of the region take certain active measures. 
And these measures are simply astounding. 
Someone could imagine 6 months ago the alliance between Saudi Arabia and Turkey?Hardly.And if there is Israel in between?Impossible.But here you are: The Alliance of Five include Jordan,Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt-and Israel. 
Moreover, Israel was presiding at the first meeting on the 18 of September in Aqaba.And the representative of Israel at this meeting was Meir Dagan,the Head of the most  loved by muslims Mossad.Dagan informed his colleagues (Prince Bandar from Saudi Arabia,the representatives of Turkish Milli Istihbarat Teskilati,King Abdallah II and the General Al Bakhit from Jordan) about the current state of the nuclear programme of Iran and about the information captured by Tzahal during the last operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.The special attention was paid to the programme of Teheran of expansion of the Shii revolution to the countries-allies of the Big Satan. 
The King of Jordan Abdallah II supported Dagan,adding that he is well aware of the Iranian programme of expansion and pointing out that Hamas has already become the instrument of Teheran.He,together with the Prince Bandar,called Israel to save Fatah as the only sane element on the Palestinian political map.

And according to israeli sources,Meir Dagan and Prince Bandar warmly welcomed each other and shook hands.

They will recognize israel-when they run out of oil,or when Iran starts to threaten their interests more than Israel.
Seems itīs not the leaders of the islamic countries who are insane;itīs more the people who are crazy.On the other side,the people are brainwashed by their governments,and until these governments start to shift the accents in brainwashing,an average muslim will hate the Jews.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,11#msg-11</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Dec 2006 11:20:29 -0500</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Christian World] The Christian World and Israel</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?10,10,10#msg-10</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Israel and the Christian world have had a difficult past.  Now, many Christian groups are embracing Israel and are supporting it wholeheartedly.  Other groups, seem to be working for Israel's enemies.  What is the future of Christian relations with Israel?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Christian World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?10,10,10#msg-10</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:06:57 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Muslim World] Will the Muslim world ever accept Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,9#msg-9</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Ever since the creation of the modern State of Israel in 1948, it seems the Muslim world has done it's best to crush Israel, both militarily and politically.  Will the Muslim world ever accept the existence of the State of Israel in the Middle East?  What will it take for that to happen?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Muslim World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?6,9,9#msg-9</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:00:56 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Jewish World] What can the Diaspora do for Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?9,8,8#msg-8</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Israel always needs support from the Diaspora.  How can Jews outside of Israel best help Israel?  Financially?  By visiting?  Politically?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Jewish World</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?9,8,8#msg-8</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:58:53 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the Palestinians] Will there ever be peace between the Palestinians and Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?3,7,7#msg-7</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[So many peace agreements and peace talks, but no peace.  Today, peace looks even more elusive than it did in the past.  Will peace ever come between the Palestinians and Israelis, or will the two always be living in a constant state of tension and war?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the Palestinians</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?3,7,7#msg-7</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:57:00 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and Lebanon] Can Israel and Lebanon have peace once again?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?4,6,6#msg-6</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Lebanon has historically been an ally of Israel.  With it's dwindling Christian population and with the unimpeded activity of Hezbollah, this alliance looks like it is gone for good.  Can Israel and Lebanon ever live in peace?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and Lebanon</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?4,6,6#msg-6</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:55:00 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and Europe] Europe and Israel - Historical Enemies?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?7,5,5#msg-5</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Throughout history, Europe has not been good to the Jews.  Is Europe continuing this relationship in their dealings with Israel or are they a fair broker for peace between Israel and the Arabs?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and Europe</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?7,5,5#msg-5</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:53:05 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the United States] Is Israel too close to America?  Is America too close with Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?8,4,4#msg-4</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[This forum is a place to discuss the relationship between Israel and the United States of America.  Are the two countries too close?  Is a close relationship helpful or detrimental?]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the United States</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?8,4,4#msg-4</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:51:01 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Israel and the United Nations] Is the UN biased against Israel?</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?5,3,3#msg-3</link>
      <author>Steve</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Everybody seems to have their own opinion about Israel's history at the United Nations.  Is the United Nations biased against Israel, or is Israel just a bad country?  Let's discuss the history of the United Nations and it's relationship to Israel.]]></description>
      <category>Israel and the United Nations</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?5,3,3#msg-3</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:47:20 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[Middle East Commentary] Israel and Lebanon</title>
      <link>http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?2,2,2#msg-2</link>
      <author>Willsen</author>
      <description><![CDATA[What are we supposed to make of this situation?  Is Israel capitulating?  What do you think they should do?]]></description>
      <category>Middle East Commentary</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.middleeastfacts.com/middle-east-forum/read.php?2,2,2#msg-2</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:02:46 -0400</pubDate>
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