how we knew
My stepbrother was serving in an army post right where we were. We stopped to say hi. We pointed to the spot and he told us it was a Hizbullah bunker (which we suspected anyway). And no, I dont think its hatred. I dont think people - on either side - specifically hate people on the other. I have met many a Palestinian, Syrian, Iranian, Lebanese and others. Some were from places like Ramallah and Jenin and whereever. Some had very personal losses, and some even had family members who were tied to terrorism. Not a single one hated me. I didnt hate a single one of them. We always just talked. Now, some hated "Israel & Israelies" with a passion. I always felt the same - I hated "the terrorist Palestinians" (as an example), but somehow never specifically the people I met (even though they were the ones I was supposedly talking about). Once they had a face, I could relate to their side of the story - and so could they. Its easy to hate a nameless, faceless opponent. Its not so easy to hate someone who is sitting down and talking to you. I do think that a lot of this conflict has to do with old traditions and nationalism that is stronger than individuals. Because when individuals meet, they usually find that hatred is really just shared sadness and helplessness and frustration. I know that we always end up agreeing on practically every point - that on both sides, we do not know how to resolve this situation that neither of us really wants. I have "solved", jointly with Palestinians, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at least 50 times already, in different fashions, including the toughest issues like Jerusalem and water rights and the rights of refugees. I have "signed" peace agreements with Syrians many times, with both sides happy. Its like the situation is bigger than our personal wills. And then we separate, we have some hope in our hearts, until the next time a bomb explodes or the IDF causes "incidental civilian casualties", and the emotions all surface again. Dont mean to bore you with my view of this conflict. I do hate them, every single one. Until I meet one of them and then quite on the contrary, I like them and enjoy their company. See what I mean? *sigh* That's why we waved, and why I suspect they waved back.
