I have been paying close attention to events in the Middle East. I am an 18-year-old Jew living in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I cannot understand the activities this conflict is based on.
How is Israel to defend itself from terrorists? In the United States, we have always preached tolerance and compromises. Yet, in the wake of Sept. 11, we boldly made a direct statement aimed at destroying terrorism.
Can a suicide bomber be considered anything but a terrorist? How can we (the United States) tell the world community to support our actions in Afghanistan and to help plan future efforts in taking down Saddam Hussein and other terrorists, yet tell Israel to relax and to not respond to repeated suicide bombings?
Why are the surrounding Arab countries, which support Palestine so much, not offering to give up their land to this Palestine country? Why is Israel expected to give up land, when it is surrounded by Arab countries that have more land than Israel?
