Thanks to everyone who's been in touch over what I wrote about our visit to Israel and Palestine. All your messages are appreciated, and people's willingness to enter into dialogue is in itself encouraging. I'm sorry to say I don't have time to respond to every question individually, but in fact many of you have answered each other's questions. For example what Daphne says in her message from 22/4 answers the point made by Dubi and our anonymous fan that it is too dangerous for Israelis to go into the occupied territories. Quite a few people have made arguments either in favour or against a boycott of Israel, and it seems that what I said about not going back to play in Israel while the occupation is continuing attracted attention in sections of the Israeli media. I must admit to being more than a little taken aback at my opinions being so newsworthy. I never actually called for a boycott, just said I wouldn't go to play in Israel. This was a personal decision, based on how I felt after doing the show with Aviv in the middle the rest of the trip, and I confess, written slightly hastily in response the questioners who wrote in saying they weren't aware that there was such a place as Palestine. I was, of course, using Palestine to refer to the occupied West Bank and Gaza, not the whole area, and apologise to anyone who thought I might have been denying Israel's existence or right to exist. But I stand by the rest of what I said. By going to Tel Aviv and doing what was normal for me to do (i.e. play a concert) I felt complicit in causing the suffering we'd seen over the rest of the trip, and in the same circumstances I wouldn't do it again. I did try to talk to some of the people we were talking with after the shows, to get their perspective, but no-one really seemed that keen to talk at the time. At least that's changed now.
On matter of the history of the region I'm well aware that almost everyone who's written in probably knows more about it than I do, and for that reason tried to avoid making broad historical statements. On our first day in Gaza a middle aged gentleman carrying a large monkey wrench gave me a lecture on the Balfour declaration and end of the British mandate, which George translated. The look on my face needed no translation. I know that it's a part of the world where history is deeply ingrained into almost all the people, but I'm not so completely ignorant as some of you seem to think. I've read and heard enough to know there's hardly an incident been mentioned- the original 1947 partition plan, the three no's, the wars between Israel and various Arab states, the various peace negotiations, Barak's generous offer in 2000, the origins of the second intifada etc- on which there is not disagreement over either the context or the actual facts. These have all been dealt with in many books, so I won't go back over them here.
There are a couple of events though which are of key importance to understanding the conflict, which may be familiar to the Israelis and Palestinians who have submitted questions but are often glossed over, or assumed as background knowledge the viewer already has in reporting of the conflict here. So at the risk of repeating myself I'll mention them again here. Firstly, when Israel was established in 1948 large numbers of Palestinians were displaced from their homes and land. Secondly, since 1967 Palestinians in the Occupied Territories have lived under various forms of military control in which they are ultimately subject to the power of Israel. The land, water and economic resources of the territories have been extensively exploited by Israel. Both sides have their own accounts of the legitimacy and justification for their actions.
It is also the case that the UN has recognised the Palestinian's right to self-determination and to 'struggle for liberation from colonial and foreign domination and alien subjugation by all available means, including armed struggle. (UN General Assembly resolution 3246, 1974. See http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/unga34_44.html for the full text). In turn the PLO has recognised UNSC resolutions 242 and 338, as well as Israel's right to exist. The right to armed struggle does not extend to suicide bombings, which as indiscriminate attacks on civilians clearly constitute a crime against humanity. Unfortunately I have also seen footage of Israeli helicopters firing rockets into a crowd a unarmed Palestinians who were demonstrating in the Gaza strip. The helicopters then returned and fired on the ambulances which were taking away the wounded and dead. I find it hard to draw a moral distinction between the two, and regrettably I'm sure many actions undertaken by the UK and US during the recent invasions and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan would also fall into this category. In reply to those who mentioned the actions of my own country over the centuries and more recently I can say that I wish there were international bodies strong enough to hold the likes of us and the US to account and would certainly support calls from the international community for penalties against us for any number of reasons e.g. the invasion of Iraq, failure to act on climate change, failure to find the measly 0.7% of GDP that could half the number of people in the world in extreme poverty etc. etc. Given the choice between the law of power or the power of law I know which I'd prefer.
On the subject of house demolition I maybe did not stress enough in what I wrote previously that the overwhelming majority of houses demolished are nothing to do with terrorists, or suicide bombings. They are simply in the way of settlements, or the wall, or have been built without permits which are impossible for Palestinians to obtain. The occupants have neither carried out, nor even been accused of security offences. A few people have asked about a view for a way forward. As some of the correspondence shows any discussion of the conflict calls up some extreme partisanship and emotionalism. Framing discussion of the conflict in terms of universally recognised human rights and international law could help avoid this. A win-win solution is essential, and such a solution must be based on human rights and international law. I have been accused of presenting only one point of view in what I've written. Even if that is the case I would defend it on the grounds that is a point of view that is almost never heard; ordinary Palestinians, trying to get on with their lives.


Date 26/04/05
From: sara
Q: I could be mistaken, but all the supposed "occupied regions" are regions of land that Israel has previously won in wars started by arab nations. No one is asking America to give Texas back to Mexico. Also, you talk about the hardships of living in "Palestine" but I can't imagine its very easy to ride the bus to work or go out to eat when you could be blown up by suicide bombers, supposed "freedom fighters." Your stories lose some credibality when you only present one side of the issue. Another thing is you make Israel seem like it doesn't want peace with Palestine, or at least isn't trying hard enough to make peace. Maybe you haven't heard the stories of Palestinian children being taught in schools that Israel doesn't exist or that Israelis are bad. Maybe you haven't seen the videos of palestinian kids whose goal in life is to kill as many Israelis as the can. It doesn't sound like they're trying very hard either. Someone else already mentioned the chance they had for a free Palestine but refused several years ago. Maybe because they don't want Palestine and Israel, living in peace together. They want Palestine instead of Israel. Of course this isn't true of everyone, but the people in power aren't doing a very good job of making palesinians seem very peaceful. Of course, thats just my opinion. We're all entitled to our beliefs, but they should at least be well informed.

Date 26/04/05
From: Jennifer
Q: Hi Chris, I've been reading the questions/comments people have been making regarding your trip to Israel and the OT and I really have to applaud you on the quality and tone of your answers. As someone who studies this conflict in grad school, I'm sure I wouldn't have been so calm! You're definately right in pointing out the differences in basic day-to-day life between Israelis and Palestinians. Most Israelis simply don't have a clue or prefer to remain comfortable behind the official information wall. And those that do have an opinion that differs from the mainstream hawkish rhetoric are branded as self-haters or lazily, as traitors. As someone who has worked with both Israelis and non-Israeli Jews, I've seen how devastating it can be for them to be denied the right to an opinion by the state that is apparently their salvation. I'd also like to point out the differences in tone and notions of reality when most Israelis mention various 'peace plans' that have been offered since Oslo in 1993. When viewed through an objective lens, it is glaringly obvious how humiliating the said plans thus far have been, denying Palestinians their most basic sovereign rights. The plans would only work if all Palestinians resigned and re-defined their whole existance along the Zionist narrative. It simply borders on ridiculous. Yet, Israelis are being fed the same line about how generous they have been. They are yet to make any concessions and a great example is Sharon's Gaza "pull-out" plan. It's a great PR stunt because if this plan was to actually be carried out, all media would be focusing on the great initiative of Israel pulling out of Gaza, meanwhile ignoring the continued systematic expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, even to the annoyance of the US. Belle and Sebastian have always been one of my absolute favourite bands and I'm really thankful that Stuart and yourself have taken the time to go on such a trip and relay back a great wealth of info for your fans who might not know anything about this conflict. I guess my only question would be if you have any plans to get involved with any groups in the UK or return to the region? Looking forward to your new album. Peace.

Date 26/04/05
From: Maya
Q: This is a purely political question. How could you come to such extreme decisions over such a short visit? I agree with you completely that the current conditions in the Palestinian territories are not ones that anyone deserves to live under. I agree that changes have to be made and that there should be two seperate countries ruled by their own chosen leaders. Yet there are two sides to every coin... I was under the impression that you are one to study issues in depth, and I have a feeling that in this case the complexity of the situation has not been fully taken into consideration. The major problem with that (as I see it) is that as a public figure, your opinion is one to which people listen, and will follow, if you have studied both sides, talked about the situation with people on both sides, looked to see what they are really thinking and feeling, not just showing, and your opinion still holds strong, then I completely respect your opinion and this you should act on it, but, if this is not the case, and your opinion is based on a couple of days of "site seeing" than how can take such a strong position? This, by the way, has nothing to do with the fact that I was so sorry to hear that you will not concider another show in Israel for the time being at least. I saw both shows and it was incredbile!

Date 24/04/05
From: Maayan
Q: When discussing the political situation in this region in which I live (something that happens often if you're an Israeli), nothing irritates me more than people who form their opinion without taking under consideration the historical background of this region and the peoples living here. So you have travelled to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and you found some very disturbing sights there, as any rational and reasonable person would. But did you take a minute to contemplate the complexity of this situation, its origin, the reasons things now look as they do and the people who were and are responsible for it? I find it somewhat hypocritical of you to take such a uncompromisingly decisive stand, especially as you are a public figure, whose opinions are being regarded seriously by many people around the world, who may not know much about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Yes, the Palestinian situation is grim. However, is it completely Israel's fault that now, after about a hundred years of friction between Jews and Arabs in this stretch of land, that the Palestinians are living the way they are. Yes, the Israeli occupation definitely doesn't leave much room for the economical development and social prosperity of the Palestinian population. But is it because some Israeli bigots in the key positions in government just don't want Palestinians to prosper? If you would be so kind to look back in history before forming your opinion based on superficial sights in 2005, you will see that back in 1948, the Palestinians had the opportunity to receive their own country, much bigger in territory than the pre-1967 territories they will now have to form a new state. Israel was happy back then to settle for a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, side by side, whereas the Jewish state would've been much smaller. The Arab leaders turned it down and instead started the 1948 war, which would later be named the Independence War by Israelis and the Naqba (disaster, or holocaust) by the Palestinians. While I, as an Israeli, do not think Israel is completely innocent in this situation, I also don't think it is the sole nor main element to blame here. Had the Palestinians accepted the very reasonable offers for a state offered to them by various Israeli prime ministers in the 1990's, they'd have a very prosperous state by now, aided by Israeli economy and international aid money, and this region would've truly become thriving. Instead, Yasser Arafat decided to turn all these offers down, so that the problem could be preserved, and so that the Palestinian people will continue to live throughout the generations on myths of hatred, and will always think of the Right of Return instead of anything practical. Why did he do it? Because while doing that, he became the second richest leader in the world after the Queen of England, putting the international aid money in his own bank account. So one might want to consider the fault of the Palestinian leaders in their situation, and the structure of Palestinian society, where leaders are followed blindly and are never criticised. Now, let's consider the situation today: today the Palestinian Authority territories are in complete and utter chaos. Even Abu Mazzen himself cannot implement some order there. Israel has made concessions in the past, such as withdrawing from entire cities and giving power to the Palestinian authority in those cities. The result was the strengthening of terrorist infrastructure in those cities, and making it very difficult for the Israeli forces to prevent terrorist bombers from being sent from these cities. Israeli forces must occupy these lands in order to keep Israeli streets safe and preventing bombs from going off in cafes and clubs, much like the one you gave your concert in during your visit. It is unnecessary to speculate on the sort of opinion you would've formed if a bomb would've gone off during your concert. Finally, I would very much like to emphasize that the situation here is extremely complex. It is a hundred years old conflict, filled with prejudices, bloodshed, remarkable friendship between the two peoples at some times, and a lot of mischief by the leaders of these peoples which makes it almost impossible to resolve. It would be hypocritical of you to voice an opinion like the one you hold without fully understanding the intrigues of the region, and most of all, based only on what you saw during your visit.

Date 23/04/05
From: Eran
Q: Hi. I read all the previous Q&A regarding the Israeli occupation, and I was wondering why Uri mentioned only the time before 1987 for opportunities for Israelis and Palestenians to meet. I recall the time before the year 2000. When Gazza and the West Bank were largely under the Palastenian authoritys rule. My parents were building a new home, and that home was built by palestenians. It was a time before the second intifadah broke out, when Palestenians could cross the border without too much hassle and work in Israel. I remember sitting, talking with them, making jokes. We wanted to invite them to a barbeque when the house was to be finished, but then the second intifadah broke out and the house was completed by other workers. Why did the second intifadah break out? You have to ask the people who initiated it. I think the situation here in Israel is very complex. The vast majority of Israelis have no desire to rule over 2 million Palestenians, to build walls and to take down houses. Yet this is the situation, and I wish it can be resolved quickly. But ignoring the complexity of the situation will not bring about the solution more quickly, and boycotting Israel shows, in my eyes, an opinion generated over a few too many over-sweetened tea cups and not much else. I hope that you will find the time to talk to a well spoken Israeli representative to learn a little more about our tough and complicated predicament.

Date 22/04/05
From: Daphne
Q: I am the mother of the young guy who came to Stuart after the show and asked his permision to translate one of your songs. I, too, like your music very much. that is why I appreciate your taking a firm stand on the issue of the occupation and the oppression of the Palestenian people by Israel. Yes, Israel needs to be boycotted, and I wish more people will follow in you footsteps. I am an Israeli and belong to a group of women who man constantly the main checkpoints in the West Bank, MACHSOMWATCH (www.machsomwatch.org.). Most of those checkpoints are within the West Bank, they don't protect Israel - they prevent the Palestenians of life itself - of working, going to a doctor or even visiting their grandmother. They are crime against humanity. Everytime I come back, with my heart broken, and my guts full, and I see my fellow-Israelies living such a normal life, shopping, going out, even to your performance, going to caffees and restaurants, I feel I could explode with anger. A few miles from them people don't have a life, they are miserable and broken, humiliated and oppressed, and the people of Israel don't want to hear about it! Yes, each one of us is responsible for the Occupation, by not doing a thing to stop it! I am against walls in general, but would not object to the Wall if not for it being ON PALESTENIAN TERRITORY, taking away the bits of livelihood still left to them, tearing familes apart, closing them is little prisons. There might be other attrocities in the world, but this one is ours, and it is our duty to fight them, or we cannot truly belong to the family of nations. I call upon all your fans who have written here - on Wednesday 27.4 there id a non- violent demonstration against the wall in the Palestenian village of Bil'in - leave your comfortable life for a day and join the Palestenians in their just struggle over their land taken away. Witness the violence in which those non-violent people are met by your army - maybe you'll understand why some people resort to suicide bombings, in desparation (don't get me wrong - I'm totally against those bombs, I, or my family could easily become the victims, but I am also against the terror attacks of the Israeli army on innocent Palestenian civilians). There is only one solution - THE END OF THE OCCUPATION ! a just and respectable solution for both sides.(which Oslo, or the all American Road Map aren't) Unfortunately I haven't been to Gaza - Israelies are prohibited from going there, but I hear from friends the situation there is even worse. Now tell me, how can a people who have throughout history suffered from oppression and injustice do the same to others ? Bless you and may you pave the way to others, because I believe only pressure from the world might bring about change (as in South Africa)

Date 22/04/05
From: Lali
Q: First of all, Chris, I'd like to agree with everything you said about the situation. What Israel is doing to the Palestinies is obsurd and cruel, and as an Israeli, I'm completely ashemed of my government and of those whom you called, "kids with guns". I watched miself how friends of mine turned into them, becoming animals that take pride in humilliating and assaulting Palestinians, when they got drafted. You are also right, that very few people in Israel know or want to know what's going on in Palestine. And now comes the part where I stard disagreeing with you: I think that the decision not to come to Israel is childish and not effective. It is very simple to ban us, and to punish your Israeli fans, but how exactly does is help the strugle of the Palestiniens? As a well known band you have a lot of power, because you can draw attenton to subjects that matter to you, such as this issue. To state that you don't want to come to Israel 'cause you didn't like what you saw is one thing, that will soon be buried in this forum and forgotten. But another way is to really do something. There are many people in Israel who think the same as you, so don't ban them, come again and help them, make the world know what's really goin on here. As for us, Israelies, most of us are just numb, because it is easier to ignore the Palestinien suffering or even our own. As fo me, your performance at the "Zappa" was a sweet and sane moment in the crazy routine, and I'd like to thank you for it.

Date 22/04/05
From: arie
Q: hi Chris. I'll try keep myself polite as much as I can. I see too many Israelis here try to explain / enlight you with many facts and aspects of the conflict, and I read you answering them with all your mighty understanding from your point of view. I'll tell you what really bugs me. as much as I respect you and your opinions, and I don't expect you to learn anything about Israel or its history, i'm really sick and tired of all the great minds that breed from media, websites and other so-called reliable sources. true, you were actually in Israel, but as a biased man already who just looked for prooves for your believes. opinions like yours are widely common in the world. you can find it in any forum / community from china to brasil and back. I can't really relate to you seriously for you are totally ignorant regarding Israel and its legacy. it's not a course, I must emphesize. I really do not expect you to understand anything on Israel more than you know about Beliz or Chad, but you must realize that your opinion is based on a shallow 20th century basis and upon already-made colonialized state of mind. few basic question on Israel and Palestinians will expose your ignorance right away. it seems you are really have interests in this conflict issue. the questions you need to inquire (and answer yourself!) are like: you are pissed of the occupation, but Israel is so young. where were the palestinians for 800 years before? did you ever heard about them? did you see any intifada against the turkish? against Jorden and egypt who formerly controlled the "occupied territories"? can it be it's fine with them as long as muslims control them but not jews? do they really own this land or is it a part of the golden era of Islam led to real occupation of non-muslims territories, from Morroco to Indonesia? ever heard about palestines in history books as a crystalized country with habbits, holidays, traditions, famous people and such, or only in a context of the everlasting conflict between 2 parties? (france and britain, turkey and britain and so on...) regarding previous question about right of return: do you acknowledge that jews are the only pure race on earth that sits on its long-time homeland? ever though what is scottish or briton? most of you are conquerers yourselves. great Britains are comprised of a european blend - westgoths, vikings, celtics, french, germans, saxons...none of you originally from those isles. lets here you say that on jews and Israel (which is actually the palestinians' demand...they tell us to go back to where we came from...isn't it ironic?) there are about 100000 more questions. it's very serious issue, not recommended to be dealth by nice scottish like you. in my point of view, if you really really want to explore this conflict seriously and thoroughly, you'll have to come and live here for a year or two. absorb the feelings, the way of life from both sides. only then, you'll be honored to be a respectable witness and not just a 3-second-scottish-visitor-in-the-hollyland with an artificial agenda about the conflict. but I do thank you for your kindness and time to answer everybody here. and do us any favors. we survived 5768 years of wars. we might as well survive the absence of Belle & Sebastian.

Date 22/04/05
From: Craig
Q: Chris..while I believe the occupation is wrong, I beleive intimadating Israeli people (children especially is even worse). The walls main reason for being built is to prevent suicide bombings. As you may have learned the wall is a new thing. It hasn't come to issue until the suicide bombings got out of hands. It is strictly for protection which any nation is allow to protect themselves. Most countries put up barbed wire but sometimes that is not enough. BTW the hebrews land (Currently Israel and further) was occupied by the palistinans before 1947 (Israels inception). Do you think it is fair that Israel which is smaller than New Jersey is the only land that the Hebrews can call home while the arbic population has Saudi Arabi, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Turkey etc etc. The land was the land of the hebrews from the BC's..but hopefully in the future everyone could live harmonously but I think you still need a little more education on how the conflict started.

Date 22/04/05
From: Liran
Q: Hi Chris and other readers. Without getting into political issues and regardless of what my politcal views are, I think that the solution of "not coming to Israel until the occupation is over" is not fair. I am sure that the Israeli government, who makes all the operative political and military decisions in Israel, won't mind that B&S won't come to Israel. But I would mind, and all of the Israeli fans of B$S, who now know that if there was a chance to see one of their favourite bands performing in Israel, it's now gone. Punishing the fans (which is clearly what's being done here) doesn't serve any goal. Cheers, Liran, Israel (currenly in Australia),

Date 22/04/05
From: anesthesi
Q: Hi there. You talk a lot about Israel and the Palestinians. That's good. But before you continue with that, I have some disturbing questions regarding the issue, and I advice you to find some decent answers to these questions before continuing any further. The questions are: 1. Why did the Palestine Arabs reject the UN generous offer (from their point of view) of splitting the land between the two people, back then at 1947? 2. Up until 1967, "Palestine" was under Jordanian and Egyptian domination. Why didn't anyone demand a Palestinian state then? 2a. Why didn't anyone rehabilitate the refugee camps then? 3. After the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, they got billions of dollars, why didn't they use even a single cent to rehabilitate any refugee camp? 3a. Why did they use this money for armory and explosives used later in suicide terror attacks? 4. Why did they refuse our prime minister's - Ehud Barak - offer to give them almost 100% of the territory (incl. parts of Jerusalem, including territorial compensation for the rest of the percentage) in exchange for the declaration of final peace between Israel and the Arab countries, with no more demands of one side from the other? 4a. Why, if they didn't like the offer, didn't they continue the negotiations, but rather blew it, and started a violent rebel a few months later, that included huge suicide attacks on civilians? Find the REAL answers, dude. Don't let the apparent misery fool you. Find out why - although all the chances the Palestinians had to rehabilitate - they're still where they are. And you know what... The big answer might also answer your wonders why, after all the oil and petrol, the Arab countries are still, and will be, third world tyrannies. Regards.

Date 22/04/05
From: michel
Q: I dont know why do the israelis even bother to ask you questions or write here there remarks. the band was visiting in israel for a few days and thay've already formed a whole opinion about an issue with a history of dozens of years. write songs , leave politics for politicians. your so called "palestine" is nothing but a greenhouse for terror. you can find thousands of witnesses in the israeli cemeteries. dont pretend to understand the complicated history of the middle east after a short visit . all the more so when its instructed by a declared pro-palestinian organization. I'm sure you have better things to do in scotland.

Date 22/04/05
From: nuphar
Q: hi well you see i heard what you think about this country and you are just wrong. you know only what they told you bit to make a desicion such as you took you don't know enough. i can tell you a lot i have a family in kfar-darom eich is in the gaza strip, i can tell you by history why we are different than other conquests. i can tell you whatever you want to know and you will see that your opinion is based on so little facts. and about that site the problem with the internet is that there isn't any "editor" so you can read facts or someones way of making you belive it is facts. and you wanted to know why they don't diserve to live here. well thats not hard why we can't go to vacation at bali why are we th conquerers if they attack us why did the nazis kill the jews (if we are conquerers than we are different from the nazis because we let live). i have a question for you my friend. have you ever lived a life that you are afraid to go outside the doorway so you won't die in a bombing and you are actually scared to live at home because you know there is a chance that the terrorist will attack your!! house did you? well i don't think so. have you heard what happened in "maxim" a both israeli and arabic resturant? familys both arab and israeli familys just dissapered and that will show you that the people who send these people to there deaths should not diserve to live and for real i have no problem with the palestines i have the problem with their leaders once they die the palestines will live a lot better belive me. thank you for your time.

Date 22/04/05
From: Dorit
Q: Yes, it's another Israeli with the burning itch to comment (right after I kicked myself in the head ten times for having missed you guys while you were here). Unfortunately, my computer won't let me listen to the show, so I'll just have to comment based on what you wrote here. A better comparison between Israel and any situation that the UK has been involved in is Northern Ireland. Like the Occupied Territories, it's a situation that got worse when the government decided to encourage settlers to move into conquered land. Now many people on the occupying side agree that the land belongs to the conquered, but it's too late; the settlers don't want to leave. What's really depressing about this comparison is that the Irish dispute has been going on for 800 years, which doesn't bode well for us... I agree with many of the points you raised regarding the situation in Palestine, even if I think that your understanding of the conflict will always be a little lacking, seeing as there are things about it, mainly emotional baggage on both sides, that you can never understand as outsiders. One (very small) example is the people here who got "offended" by the use of the term Palestine- I think I can safely say that most of them commented on this because they thought you were referring to the whole country as Palestine, and there are few things more terrifying to Israelies than the thought of losing their right to independence. The only thing I can say is that perhaps you may want to consider supporting the separation plan. I know it's one-sided, and covers a very small part of the occupied territories, but it's an unprecedented start. Ariel Sharon, a figurehead of the Israeli right, is putting into motion ideas that the left has been voicing for years. The more support this thing gets, the better chance it has to encompassing the rest of the territories and leading to the end of the occupation. Finally, I can only hope that one day you'll come as a band to tour Israel without any feelings of unease, and maybe you'll see the better side of a country that *does* have a lot more to offer than politics, whether or not you can see it now.

Date 22/04/05
From: sarit
Q: Are you aware that you have been brain wash Are you aware that the terrible condition that the Israeli Arab are in is self inflicted? Are you aware that the houses that you saw were the houses of Terrorist and were used to inflict terror? Are you aware that the money to help those people is held in Arafat's accounts? Are you aware that the Palestinian Authorities are keeping their people in that terrible state so they will be want to kill more jews? Are you aware that you were brought to Israel by an Anti-Zionist organization ? Are you aware that they were offered a state in the west bank and refused? are you aware that there goal of destoying Israel is still in their agenda? Do you know how many jews they killed,just for being jews? Are you aware that they stated those killing long before they were occupied? I was very sorry to read your words. you have implied that their poor state is our fault -have you knonw all the facts you would know different. and last i must ask- How would you feel if a suicide bomber would have explode in your show,killing and maiming your audience-would you still be so forgiving ???? after all -it always the jews fault!

Date 22/04/05
From: tim
Q: dear chris, i am gald that you are taking a position different than that portayed by western media on the status of palestine/israel. over the years israelis and palestinians have been the subject of many horrors, and many people who don't live in the area just don't understand how bad it is. you and stuart have been brave enough to go and report your experiences which is commendable in itself. if people get mad about how you feel about the situation based on your personal expierences are just foolish. you shouldn't have to defend yourself because you believe people are being treated poorly, when many people know they are, and there has to be a palestine if there are palestinians. there cannot be a people without a land, that is just malarky. this is not to say that violence against civilians is warranted or justified, to make my position clear. but people should not be mistreaed just for living where they do. it is not their choice to be born where they are, but if they feel pride for their land and people it is their right. keep up the good work. tim from america

Date 22/04/05
From: ayman
Q: Hi Chris, it's not a Questions but after i have read all entries, i decided to write opinion on this discussion. i'm a palestinian arab from Arabs48, "Arabs48" defines a million of Palestinians who live inside israel and are israeli citizens who stayed and struggled after the war in 48. first of all i wanna say that you are amazing and your music is the best.. chris, it's really amazing how as a forign you can understand the conflict more than any israeli who live here near us! it's says that israelis are really disconnected from reality and intentionally developed unconsious ignorence to what is being done to their neighbours. even more, they prefer not to talk about anything can twist their silnce inside israel while they are surronded by their kids-soldiers "protecting" them from Arabs!! just today, as usual in every year, they encompassed all the west bank to prevent palestinian from moving because there is the passover! taking their freedom in order to feel free in their country. i'm sorry but i read some entries which i can not ignore, like, (1) "Arafat is an egyptian" What?!! Arafat's family is from Jerusalem and he was born there. and , the power to make peace is not in the hands of leaders. (2) the state of palestine had always been exist, in our spirits. (you mentioned that) chris :) (3) as you said chris, occupation is the prime obstacle to peace. most of israeli's don't think so, they justify it by the palestinians revolutionary acts. they call it "terror" in the american way with american support. (4)we ,here (arabs in israel) suffer from humilations all the time, not only in the airport, i mean in buses, trains, government offices, discotheuqes, bars and pubs, every public place. some arabs are loosing there identities because they fear to speak arabic among israeli's !!! israel is trying to israelize the arabs for more than 50 years, idiologically. (5)you are right, palestine is what is now israel. i loved the examples you gave when you were exposed to that analogy about china!!!. about the apartheid thing, it's reality here, you can see it at the Wall. Chris, I agree with every answer you gave, just one thing i disagree, you said that everyone can live anywhere. here in israel not anyone can live everywhere, besides to the right of return's point, arab couples from both sides, (israel and gaza or west bank) can't live together, Palestinian Arabs from israel can't bring their wives/husbands to israel, thay can live together outside israel. it's the israeli democracy! where, in the the whole world, you have laws like these. it's a law in israel !!!! finally, if you read the israeli reply's in the internet articles in www.ynet.co.il, about your declaration not coming to israel till the end of occupation, most of them wrote that you are antisemitic!!!! mess with them and that what you get!!! i'm really sorry you are not coming back to here, i was at the "zappa" club in tel-aviv, you were great!!!! after all, most of my friends are israelis. and i'm sure that all israelis/palestinians can live together in peace and harmony. but about the "end of occupation", pessimism is taking me over... so meet you guys in europe :((((( Ayman. Yaffa,Palestine.

Date 22/04/05
From: Roy
Q: I'd like to say that as an Israeli I appreciate very much the stand you're taking. Many young people in Tel-Aviv feel they have nothing to do with the occupation, that it is happening somewhere far away, and don't bother to check how things look like from places which are a 30-mins-ride away. Your stand has just reached mainstream Israeli press. Perhaps it might help to wake some of us up.

Date 22/04/05
From: Dror
Q: Hello guys, given your strong awareness of human rights, how come you perform in England while it's occupying the poor Iraqies? Have you been to a refugee camp in Iraque? Can you perform anywhere where the government is not blamed for hearting human rights? After all you chose to go back to your causy homes and do your music. Only becuase it's 5,000 miles from Gaza doesn't make you less recponsible for the situation than me - we're all victims of the circumstances. Israelis and Palenstinians are equally guilty for not solving the problem. As an ISraeli I sencerely fear for my current life and future. My son's best friend lost his eye in a suicide bombing in Herzlia and other I know were killed. WHat should we do to stop this? Yes - let the Palestinians take care of themselves, improve their education and quality of life - something that was prevented from them - not only by Israel but also by their leaders that chose to maintain suffering to increase rage - this is why hundreds of millions of aid dollars never arrived to Gaza and other Paelstinian areas. DO you really believe I have no right to live in a modern city like you? What do you want me to do? Leave my home and live in poverty until the end of occupation? For the first time im many years - there is a chance for a resolution - THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ENCOURAGE. Negative reaction - or exclusion of one side - is totally childish and will get you exactly the opposite results to what you expect. It could be compared to pouring poison against weads and in the way - poisons the soil - while the rigth thing to do always - is strengthen the good plants so they will overcome the weads. My hope is that your natural tendency for involvement will make you this too. Finally - I still love your music and hope you come to Tel Aviv again. Dror

Date 21/04/05
From: Jonathan
Q: Chris, Stuart, I can really relate to the way you're feeling after a trip through the palestinian authority. The conditions there are awful, and I was once one of those teenagers with machine guns, so i've been there. But, you do still present the issue in a unilateral manner. The single important fact about this conflict in the years since 1987 is that the violent part of this war is between the israeli army attacking terrorists, i.e. armed men (and very few women), while those terrorist are targeting CIVILIANS, that is shooting and bombing Men, Women and children without discretion. The use of suicide bombers - walking human bombs - has made this conflict what it is. The current state in the occupied territories (the PA, Palestinian Authority) is there because the almost only measure that can be taken against a person who decided his life is expendable is a road block. They've been trying to move explosives into israel in vegtable and fruit trucks, under their clothes (men and women), on the bodies of children, in specially dug tunnels and recently even in ambulances, under a person acting as wounded or ill or wherever. This leaves any government that wants to protect its citizens with two choices - occupation, road blocks and preemptive attacks or a peace process. All recent israeli governments went for both - which can't be said about the UK's handling of irish terror or the french handling of algirian terror in the past, for example. We have a peace process, a limping one sadly, and we have less and less attacks on the PA recently. Terror had declined as well, for now at least, although calm periods like this already came and went away before. The picture isn't as one-sided as you try to paint it. Ofcourse we live (almost?) western/european lives while they live in third world conditions, but this is because Jews brought their european roots to Israel while the palestinians go in the arab way of tyranny. Democracy brought us U.S. funds which helped us achieve our good lives. This doesn't mean we aren't victims of this situation, as they are. Just because our living conditions are better, doesn't mean they are the only victims here. I am a left winger, my best friend is a palestinian who lives 200 meters from my Haifa home, so I really can't believe the story about atta. The israeli judicial system is the one official system which can't produce atrocities like making a person pay for demolishing his own home. Such a verdict would have got wide media coverage here - the press in israel is very left winged, much like me. So my question to you is, can you and other left-wingers around the world (i also believe in "people of the world - unite") see both sides of this grim situation?

Date 21/04/05
From: Kleber
Q: Why don't you ban the UK? It makes much more sense not to preform in the UK than in Israel: 1. The UK is responsible for more innocent Iraqi deaths in months, than Israel is for innocent Palestinian deaths in almost 40 years! 2. The UK was never attacked by Iraq, certainly not in London, while Israeli civilians are being attacked by Palestinian suicide bombers in Israeli towns. 3. The UK's existents was never in question by the IRA or Iraq, while 22 Arab/Muslim countries, plus the Palestinians, declare daily that they seek Israel's destruction, and tried to achieve it in wars. 4. What they UK did for imperialism and power, Israel did not even for self-defense. Yes the Palestinians are suffering. Yes, their lives are very hard. But so the lives of other in any Arab countries - without any occupation... visit parts of Egypt, Syria and Jordan and you'll see it... The Palestinians, and others in the Arab world, suffers only because of their leaders. Israel occupy the WB and Gaza AFTER she was attacked by countries who wanted her destruction. Israel offered to return this land for peace, right after the war, but was turned down by the famous 3 No's of Khartoum (look it up.) The Arab world turned down UN partition plans in the last 56 years... and most recently, Clinton's 2000 plan... Blaming Israel for the Palestinian suffering will be like blaming the UK for bombing Nazi Germany in WWII - yes, many innocent German suffered, but we all know who started this war... My question, therefore, is why don't you ban the UK? Thank you. Dr. M. Kleber

Date 21/04/05
From: Methos
Q: I invite you to take a look at www.rotter.net/israel

Date 21/04/05
From: gily stein
Q: The right of return question is an amazingly complex subject, and one that i find really interesting. i used to think that it wasn't a crucial matter for the palestinian, since it happened more than 50 years ago and they have many current and urgent problems. but when meeting with palestinians, i realized that there is a great need to address the issue. and because i'm a jew i know tons of stories about jews chaces away from their homes by the nazis during the 2nd world war, and the emotional trauma they still live with (my german part of the family fled to south africa before the war, others were refugees inside england and the rest lived in arab countries). i never understand why the isreali media and goverment always speak of "The right of return" issue as if hundreds of thousands of palestinians are gonna flood isreal and leave no room for the jews. first of all- there are probably not that many actual 1948 refugees. and most are probably so old that they won't be able to return. i'm starting to think that it's more an emotional matter and myth for them and for their offsprings. they need to see their old towns and villages and realize the dream. but i think they'd be heart broken to see that almost all of their houses, villages,neighbourhoods and so on are ruined and other people are leaving there. if the isreali goverment only had the guts to come out and say- an awful mistake was done in 1948, great damage has been caused, only then would the healing of the emotional wound be able to begin. of course they also deserve financial compensation- it's not much, but it's more than they're currently getting... by the way- how come you have so much time to answer us? aren't you busy with the final touches to the new LP? you said you won't perform in isreal before the occupation ends, but since i have a british passport i'll be able to see you in palestine in case you come. of course that would be sort of breaking the law, since isreali citizens are forbidden from entering parts of the palestinian authority. but you guys are worth it :)

Date 21/04/05
From: israeli belle and sebastian fan
Q: hi there. did you try to ask yourself why is it that israelis have never seen those palestinian territories??! well, the answer is quite simple. if you did try to enter those places as an israeli, it is most likely that no one would ever found your body (and i'm sorry about being too harsh, but this is the truth!). I would love to live in coexistence with the palestinians. but the down thing is that there are a lot of fanatics on the other side that still don't want to accept us. I'm not saying that israel is a perfect example of moral excellence. quite the contrary! however, no palestinian is afraid to walk around israeli territories and work here, while NO israeli can feel secure about visiting the palestinian territories

Date 21/04/05
From: Jonathan
Q: Hey I just wanted to say I respect and support your decision about Israeli occupation. I am an Israeli currently studying in NY, and the time away has made me realized just how unjust life in Israel/Palestine is. While I get to live here and watch you guys play in Park Slope (which was great!), Palestinians can't get a decent job. I was originally disappointed and surprised to see that you are playing in Tel Aviv (it's like - yeah, let's see the poor arabs but then go out and have fun in a really cool town with people like us). Now I'm glad you declare this position publicly and hope it would make more Israelis realize we need to get out of the territories. Israel since 1967 can be comapred to a dear friend with a drug problem. Sure, you love him, but the best thing to do is to force him to quit - by pretty much any mean necessary.

Date 21/04/05
From: yael
Q: Hello, i have just read in an Israeli website about your position on the Israeli occupation. as israeli who tries to be as much as possible involved in the anti wall, anti occupation activities, i find it encouraging. It is about time that Israelis will start to pay the price for their deeds. I am sure you will get all kind of terrible reaction from israelis who never saw the wall or never saw a road block, claiming that israelis are the poor victims etc. i thank you

Date 21/04/05
From: Shmoolik Dagan
Q: Regarding your attitude towards the Israeli "Palestinian" issue, you behave like a bull in a china store!!! You burst into the scene out of nowhere and "think" that a brief tour, guided by an extremely misguided Israeli, is sufficient for you to pass "judgement" on the situation??? Well, it reflects on YOU more than anything else....!!! I'm not going to "enlighten" you here about the details of the Israeli/Arab("Palestinian") conflict, but you better educate yourselves about the subject matter before you pass any judgement on anybody here!! One of the more recommended sources of information for you can be the book "From Time Immemorial - The Origins Of The Arab-Jewish Conflict Over Palestine" by Joan Peters. I think you can still get it at Amazon.com. This does not come to say that the "Palestinians" are not suffering. However, their suffering stems from reasons far beyond anything Israel has ever done to them!! Before you start smearing a whole Nation over you web site and in interviews around the world, you better educate yourselves with what REALLY is going on, and not rely on the "teachings" of an opportunistically deranged Israli "guide"..... Shmoolik.

Date 21/04/05
From: Dubi
Q: hi. just a quick note: you wrote in the discussion that Israelis don't visit in Gaza - only soldiers. I'm an Israeli, and I would very much like to visit Gaza, but I can't. You know why I can't? Because it's dangerous for me to go there. It's dangerous now, and it was just as dangerous during the Oslo Accords years. I'm sure you saw dreadful things over there. We in the Israeli left are trying to battle the occupation as well, but as a veteran of the war for peace I must tell you that we are not getting much help from the other side, and it's quite frustrating. When we're getting all the rap from people like you without any acknowledgement of the suffering that we have gone through with war after war after war since Israel was established, with suicide bombings in buses and coffee shops, with lynches of both Israelis and Palestinians who opposed the terrorists - well, it kinda bugs us. You should know that Israeli soldiers have not been inside Gaza for several months now, and guess what: things are actually worse now than they were when Israel was there. Why? Because the Palestinians Authority is not even trying to do its job, because the terrorists are rulers of Gaza. Israel is defending itself, bottom line. We make mistakes - tons of 'em, but we are not the sole perpetrators here, and it's infuriating when people come from the outside and judge us based solely on what the Palestinians are saying.

Date 21/04/05
From: shon
Q: if u dont mean to come beck to israel to play because the occupation , so what about usa occupation? there u can play??! its such stupid judgment, all your fans in israel are against the government. so who u punish here??!! p.s sorry about my english

Date 20/04/05
From: Paul
Q: Not so much a question as just support for Chris regarding the trip to Palestine/Israel. Good for you for standing up for your opinions and beliefs on the situation and for taking the time to go over there. The reaction of (some)your Israeli fans to the mention of Palestine as a state says a lot about the entrenched nature of the situation. It's nice to see a band take a real interest in affairs outside the immediate environment and take the time to actually go and do something. Err as I said, it's not a question so no need to answer but cheers anyways.