Israel’s hearts-and-minds campaign ‘a great success’
An eye for an eye, a stone for a fighter jet
by Kieren McCarthy
Peace in the Middle East moved a step closer today as Israel's new "hearts
and minds" initiative was presented to a sceptical Palestinian population.
The campaign, which hopes to rebuild communication and understanding between
the two groups, started when the previously disliked Israelis troops placed
explosives in the territory's radio station and helped it to fall over.
As Palestinians saw their public voice go up in flames, they expressed their
delight through the traditional exchange of rocks with the armed troops.
Soldiers responded in kind by offering valuable metals and ores, even placing
some in a 22-year-old boy's head and neck for him. He is said to have died of
joy.
And in an tremendous act of generosity, the Israeli army thanked Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat for his part in honouring a banquet in Hadera - at
enormous expense to themselves - by removing eyesore buildings around his home
using bulldozers and fighter jet missiles.
Arafat — a lifelong fan of tanks — was also reportedly elated when the
Israeli army said it would leave their vehicles within sight of his
headquarters so he can admire them during the day.
Israeli leader Ariel Sharon — who isn't responsible for the massacre of
hundreds of Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Chatila refugee camps in
Beirut 18 years ago, despite what people say — was thrilled with the
initiative, calling it "a great success".