I've just finished running through the entire thread, the first two pages word for word and skimming through the rest, focusing in on things of special interest.
My answer to Percy's original post and question is that there's an ongoing struggle between the descendents of Abraham's son, Isaac and his half brother, Ishmael as prophesied over and over beginning with Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob, as well as by later prophets. The war/struggle/conflict has raged throughout Mideastern history, flaring up whenever Israel is in the land and has been prophesied for these latter days after Israel again re-entered the land. The central most bone of contention is the city of Jerusalem and particularly the Temple Mount. Islam has taken up the banner for the descendents of Ishmael, and of course Judiasm keeps the focus on the
Holy City and the Temple Mount and this keeps Israel intent on holding the city as their capital and location of their central government. Fundamental Christianity identifies with Israel based on the fundamentals of Biblical history and prophecy that Messiah Jesus will come to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount to become Messiah king to both Christians and Jews who then will receive him.
I don't expect this explanation to wash with most here, but this is the Christofundie answer to your question, Percy as to "why," in this otherwise senseless struggle. Of course, it doesn't take too much smarts to understand why Israelies must needs keep the upper hand in the struggle as it rages today. They are surrounded by nations, numbers and armies about 20 to one, all pretty much hostile and willing for their demise. It's either a step ahead all the time for them or death and destruction. When offered all his demands on a platter by Barak, Arafat said something like "Go to Hell." He'd say the same thing if they were seriously offered today, regardless of his fissad. Israel is not on any school maps in Palestinian schools and never will be. It's all or none. This is a war to the death. Casualties will continue to mount. According to the prophecies, it appears a pseudo truce may eventually reached, but will be fairly short lived, about three and a half years as most see it. Then all hell breaks out again and Armaggedon ends it all in an horrific bloodbath. It's Allah, Mohammed and the Koran vs Jehovah, Jesus and the Bible, all the way and the focus will continue all the way in the same Middle Eastern part of the world, with the Temple mount remaining the ultimate bone of contention.
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