I think it's a mistake to understand this (or most) conflicts in terms of an argument about ideology, or history. Those play a role, but it isn't a philosophica

I think it's a mistake to understand this (or most) conflicts in terms of an argument about ideology, or history. Those play a role, but it isn't a philosophical debate. It's a war. Palestinians and Israelis are not on the Palestinian or Israeli side because they are convinced by the arguments of Edward Said or Ehad Haam. Its because they are Palestinian and Israeli. That's what war is, for the most part. They (we.. I am Israeli) are not going to read the others' literature and adopt their position. Ideologies, philosophies, political takes and such came about to make sense of the reality that exists, not the other way around. If you talked politics with locals, I assume you encountered a great variety of views. Honestly, I appreciate your honest bewilderment. It is quite disturbing to me when tourists and foreigners take extreme, unyielding, anti-comromise positions... including (especially) pro Israeli ones. I am quite certain that many Israelis, Palestinians & Jordanians feel the same way. I cannot speak for other arab countries, as I have never been.