# An idea for peace in the Jerusalem/Isreal **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 24, 2015, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693 "2015-08-24T05:24:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/101 "2015-08-25T20:22:29Z")
Even if we did manage to move Israelis to Long Island and Muslims to Argentina or someplace, what’s to stop them from going back? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/102 "2015-08-25T20:32:20Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > So, another question about the OP’s scenario. Lets say hypothetically, in spite of all the other problem, you manage to move the Israelis to Long Island and the Palestinians to Patagonia. How are the Long Islanders and Patagonians going to react? Probably not very well. So now instead of Israelis and Palestinians clashing with each other, Israelis are going to be clashing with Long Islanders, and Palestinians with Patagonians. So now instead of solving the problem, you’ve doubled it. You’ve replaced one ethnic conflict with two. Instead of Long Island and Patagonia, the real solution would be to move the Israelis and Palestinians to some place no one else wants. Maybe in some godforsaken desert with no natural resources to speak of. What? Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/103 "2015-08-25T20:35:32Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > what’s to stop them from going back? We’ll build a really big wall and make Jordan pay for it! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/104 "2015-08-25T21:13:26Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Will these permanent settlements of restaurant, hotel, and tourist shop workers only accept people that are not Jewish, Christian, or Muslim? In what way would that be verified? Do wannabe workers have to take an oath of non-belief and/or an oath of belief in some other religion (e.g. Buddhism, Scientology, etc.) to get their residence visa? Will it be based on ancestry, so atheist children of Jewish people will be barred, current nonbelief notwithstanding? The Baha’i are already occupying Akko. They can take over. 🙂 And who is going to bell that cat? ---
**Author:** ![juicebrah92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2acd7d/32.png) [@juicebrah92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/juicebrah92)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/105 "2015-08-26T05:10:00Z")
The only way peace between jews and muslim could exist is majorities on both sides realize their religions are based on BS, they can maintain their respective cultures but understand that fundamentally their holy books are false. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/106 "2015-08-26T06:40:55Z")
They don’t have to reject their religions, just modify them slightly, to permit compatibility. Christians managed that (by and large) with regard to Jews. The overwhelming compulsion to convert them by sword and torch has (mostly) given way to sullen glowering and the occasional “They’ll come around, by and by.” There’s no reason that Muslims and Jews can’t live together in the same way, not renouncing their faith, just renouncing those few terms of faith that deny togetherness. (Islam and Judaism are not intrinsically incompatible, in articles of faith. Christianity is: both Islam and Judaism deny that God ever had a son. If Jews and Muslims can live with Christians, they can surely live with each other.) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/107 "2015-08-26T12:26:03Z")
Finally, a homeland for atheists! The fact that it’s right in the middle of an ongoing religeous and ethnic war is hardly material. If anything can unite the Jews, Muslims and Christians, perhaps it’s the opportunity to slaughter large numbers of atheists. Sign me up. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/108 "2015-08-26T12:39:53Z")
You know what would really cut the amount of violence on US streets on a daily basis, and save literally thousands of lives every year? Taking guns out of the hands of every sod who fancies one! So simple, so obvious, saves lives of children, works everywhere else in the world, and yet, as self evident as it seems Americans just can’t get on board. When you get that straightened then we’ll listen to your suggestion on how other countries ought to deal with city violence and conflict. Not before. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/109 "2015-08-26T12:53:22Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Finally, a homeland for atheists! The fact that it’s right in the middle of an ongoing religeous and ethnic war is hardly material. If anything can unite the Jews, Muslims and Christians, perhaps it’s the opportunity to slaughter large numbers of atheists. > > Sign me up. Perhaps if there _were_ large numbers of atheists out there, your idea might work. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/110 "2015-08-26T13:04:19Z")
> [@juicebrah92](#): > > The only way peace between jews and muslim could exist is majorities on both sides realize their religions are based on BS, they can maintain their respective cultures but understand that fundamentally their holy books are false. There’s a fairly large chunk of history proving your statement wrong about both sides being able to coexist. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/111 "2015-08-26T13:21:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Perhaps if there _were_ large numbers of atheists out there, your idea might work. They’d probably have to recruit mosts atheists from Europe. I understand it’s much more popular there. But I’m concerned how the religious people will be ID’d by the atheist cops who will have to keep them out at night. I suggest tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/112 "2015-08-26T13:27:04Z")
> [@juicebrah92](#): > > The only way peace between jews and muslim could exist is majorities on both sides realize their religions are based on BS, they can maintain their respective cultures but understand that fundamentally their holy books are false. I repeat, most of the early leaders of Israel WERE atheists or agnostics! David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir weren’t devout Jews! And for that matter, most of the leading Arab politicians (like Nasser) of that era were secularists. And yet, secular Jews were going to war with secular Arabs for decades! The idea that religion is at the heart of the conflict is utterly wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/113 "2015-08-26T13:46:28Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Boy, that “White Man’s Burden” rests heavily on your shoulders, doesn’t it b’wana? Why would you assume I’m white? ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/114 "2015-08-26T13:49:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But physical proximity is not the issue they are fighting over. The Jews and the Muslims both believe Jerusalem is a holy city to their religion. Moving them five thousand miles away from Jerusalem and ten thousand miles away from each other is not going to change that. Sure But if they are 10,000 miles away and no one is allowed to permanently occupy the land in question, don’t you think the bombings will be a lot less? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/115 "2015-08-26T13:49:43Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > Why would you assume I’m white? You’re a Westerner, aren’t you? An American, in fact? White American, black American, it’s all the same from here. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/116 "2015-08-26T13:52:41Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Will these permanent settlements of restaurant, hotel, and tourist shop workers only accept people that are not Jewish, Christian, or Muslim? In what way would that be verified? Do wannabe workers have to take an oath of non-belief and/or an oath of belief in some other religion (e.g. Buddhism, Scientology, etc.) to get their residence visa? Will it be based on ancestry, so atheist children of Jewish people will be barred, current nonbelief notwithstanding? I detect sarcasm But lots of people already take religious pledges for various jobs. Usually at a religious institution of one type of another. So a pledge of non religious affilation doesn’t really bother me, nor, is it uncommon. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/117 "2015-08-26T13:55:30Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Know what you’re doing is demonstrating you know very little about the conflict. > > It’s not about religious beliefs but about nationalistic pride. > > You keep referring to “the Muslims” and “the Jews” she it’s actually Israelis vs Arabs(who are both Muslims and Christians). > You might want to visit there or at least read up on it. Well, I’m no big fan of patriotism either. If you prefer we can call it an Israeli vs Palestinian conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/118 "2015-08-26T13:56:30Z")
Let me ask you a question - why are you interested in ending the conflict? Who are you trying to benefit? ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/119 "2015-08-26T14:01:07Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Let me ask you a question - why are you interested in ending the conflict? Who are you trying to benefit? I was really more interested in talking about it as a hypothetical situation. I’m not sure why everyone is freaking out and accusing me of wanting to commit genocide against two groups of people. The idea is simple. If Reds and Blues are fighting over Purpleandia then neither one of them should be allowed to live there. It’s just not worth it. No place is. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693/120 "2015-08-26T14:06:39Z")
The response to the OP is a regular trail of jeers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693.md?page=7)