I normally don't write about these things because instead of promoting discussion they have a tendency to bring out irrational argument. I'll take the chance this time.

The Middle East is at it again. And trying to understand both sides, a novel concept in this day and age, is not an easy thing - especially since there hasn't been a demonstrable presence of anything outside of pro-Israel news out there. A lot of things are taken as gospel when it comes to this situation and much that has to do with Israel in the past. When people stop asking questions, I wonder. And when I wonder, I start researching. It isn't that I'm against Israel. It's that I want the truth, and the truth being presented by most media seems to revolve around a segment of Palestinian society that the media portrays as either 'evil' or crazy. Who would launch feeble rockets against one of the most powerful military forces in the Middle East, if not the most powerful military force in the Middle East?

The tired concept of people strapping bombs to themselves because they hate others so much is incomplete, too. Where does that hatred come from? Some say oppression, and a read of the quality of life in the occupied territories does seem to be a breeding ground for hatred. If I grew up in those circumstances, I don't know that my actions would be much different. People have breaking points. So do societies. I can't imagine growing up with a military force I have to see daily at checkpoints. Or wondering if that bulldozer is coming for the house I am living in. At some point, I might throw a few stones. I'm not saying it is right. I'm just saying that under the circumstances that most Palestinians appear to live, people might feel righteously anger. And righteous anger is a dangerous thing... and it also has the benefit in this context of explaining a lot of things that are portrayed as evil or crazy.

Is that so? I don't know. But I leave that as a possible explanation - something that media and governments don't seem to think necessary.

In looking more into things like Israel admitting it hit a U.N. School without provocation and other things along those lines, I came across some interesting things.

While not the first thing I found, it does set a context: War and Natural Gas: The Israeli Invasion and Gaza's Offshore Gas Fields:

...The issue of sovereignty over Gaza's gas fields is crucial. From a legal standpoint, the gas reserves belong to Palestine.

The death of Yasser Arafat, the election of the Hamas government and the ruin of the Palestinian Authority have enabled Israel to establish de facto control over Gaza's offshore gas reserves.

British Gas (BG Group) has been dealing with the Tel Aviv government. In turn, the Hamas government has been bypassed in regards to exploration and development rights over the gas fields.

The election of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2001 was a major turning point. Palestine's sovereignty over the offshore gas fields was challenged in the Israeli Supreme Court. Sharon stated unequivocally that "Israel would never buy gas from Palestine" intimating that Gaza's offshore gas reserves belong to Israel...

Interesting. Suddenly the Gaza Strip becomes about oil, which seems to be at the core of most problems in the Middle East. It fits with the bulldozing of 200 year old olive trees by the Israel Defense Force (IDF). Is Hamas fighting for the same thing? By all reports, it is possible - but first and foremost, it seems that Hamas has been fighting for international recognition that it has yet to receive as a democratically elected government.

Israel and the United States say that Iran is not moderate, but then they have also quote Iranian President saying, "Israel must be wiped off the map" - or something along those lines. Yet a full translation does not appear to support this.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Force chooses what does or does not get published by media within Israel. Somehow, this video slipped:

I think that one would have to be a saint to live under those conditions and not pick up a weapon. Had the man not children to worry about, would he have behaved the same?

But out of all of this, it's a video from the Young Turks which seems to make the most sense:

But what about the Oil? Could this not also be seen as another 'Blood for Oil' program?