For the past few weeks, I've avoided reading or commenting on this topic.  First heard about it when I was in Germany while watching the BBC.  For all the talk about religion being a motive, war on terrorism, rights to defend, and what nots, everyone seem to be taking sides. But we forget something - both sides suffer casualties and these are not "acceptable" casualties, meaning those who are stupid enough to start bombing and killing each other, but the casualties are the non-combatants, the civilians (women, the old and infirm, the children).  So when I came across this article http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur27772.cfm by Morris W. O'Kelly, I definitely agreed with him. 

What the article basically said is:

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah and Palestinians overall have had ‘enough.’ Neither side wishes to coexist in peace, only for the annihilation of the other.  The moment they both want peace, the violence will cease…and not a moment before.

And I believe that is the gist of it - if we want to harp on the history of various injustices, bloodsheds, etc, it will never be over because it will only fuel the anger.  For there to be peace, there has to be a want, a longing for it despite all the baggage.  And right now, none of the parties are willing to let go of those baggage.

Peace,

Sid