Syrians greeted me with acceptance and affection

To be sure, what Foster has done is important in advancing any realistic chances for peace; but we need to throw a little dose of reality on our reactions, as well. I travel extensively inside the Muslim world, most recently in South Asia, but in the Middle East as well. If we Americans make the effort to interact with the people there, I think we will indeed be charmed by them and their culture. What should strike us the most in both areas (and which I have tried to take as an example in my life) is how they LIVE the concept of hospitality--not just formal acts but a genuine sense of kindness toward guests. It is in a very real way like the hospitality Abraham showed God's three messengers--washing their feet, running not walking to care for them, and so on.

We need to realize, though, that the conflicts besetting us are not about "good" people and "bad" people; never have been, never will be. I have interacted with courageous people standing up for others, average people just trying to get by, and some pretty nasty folk who would have lined up to take part in the 9/11 attacks or blow themselves up in an Israeli shopping mall. And I can tell you that these conflicts will not end via unilateral concessions. The one making such concessions really are seen by the other as weak and easily defeated. (That is another aspect of understanding the culture.) In fact, as long as the west seems to be pushing things in that direction, it is only lengthening the conflict by giving one side the impression that they will have their way without having to compromise. Let's take Israel, Syria, and the Golan as an example.

The Golan had been part of mandate Palestine until 1920 when the British and French made it part of Syria. So, we need to get it out of our heads that this is some sort of historic homeland of the Syrian people. (If anything, it was once part of Ancient Israel.) The Golan Heights is strategic, period. Until the European colonizers came, borders other than natural ones, such as the Jordan River, were fluid anyway, except at the tribal level. Discussion about the Golan Heights must begin by noting that; there is noting sacred about who controls it. No one has a priori "rights" to it.

Regardless, between 1948 and 1967, Syrian gunners used that high ground to terrorize the Israeli civilians in the Hula Valley below, who faced sniper fire every time they had to work their fields. I have looked down on the Valley from the ruined Syrian bunkers on the Heights. Anyone could seem like a marksman shooting from there. That is why the Golan became an important, strategic objective during the Six Day War in which the Syrians attacked the Israelis--from the Golan.

Now, here's the point. Thus far, schemes for peace in that region all call for Israel to act unilaterally on the hope that the Arabs will respond by accepting them (which they refused to do before Israel controlled the Golan, West Bank, or all of Jerusalem). But if I were the Israeli negotiator, I would say, 'Well, all we have to go on is how you acted before when you had the Golan,' and I would point out that Israeli snipers are not using the Heights to shoot at Syrian farmers. I would say, 'Since that is all we can know, tell me what you will do (not promise, but do) so we can do this with an expectation that you have changed.' I would add that their alliance with Hezbollah, acting as a safe haven for terrorists committed to Israel's destruction, providing material support for those terrorists, refusing to consider us a legitimate state, and calling for our destruction all make a strong statement that they have not changed. That would be the start of real negotiations not the. So far, all Israel is offered is non-negotiable demands. Just this week, after the US asked the Arab League to negotiate some of the provisions of its peace proposal (which in effect kills Israel as a Jewish homeland); the Arab League reiterated that no part of it is negotiable.

So, we can promise that--US or not US--there will not be peace between Israel and Syria if the entire effort is only one giant demand on one party. Begin with a recognition that peace requires work--and respect--from both parties. Then, there might be peace; but not until then.

We need to get behind that because, make no mistake about it, what happens to Israel will happen to us. Israel is our canary in the coal mine.

I like what you said about the diversity within the Muslim faith. They have their extremists,even as we have ours. They have their 'in name only' even as Christians have those who just wear a name but have no inner change.

As you say, "those who only show up for Christmas and Easter and do not embrace the divinity of Jesus or the fact they are designed to "die to self" and become a channel of God's love to others and a blessing to all they meet. "

Bingo brother. That's real faith!

Check our www.redletterbelievers.com -- we don't just have a name -- we actually should believe that the words of Christ can change lives.

David Rupert