"I remember when he was President of Israel and every time I turned on the news I saw something about him invading Palestinian areas, bombing them, cutting off food and medical supplies to them and much much more."
Such decisions in Israel are made by the Prime Minister. The president's role is mostly ceremonial. In any case, I strongly recommend you check what Shimon Peres has been doing for the past 20 years. I am the last person to support war or violence. Or those who promote it. But that's hardly the issue here.
Religion is... bad. I have respect for faith, but once you organize it and "aim" it at things, it gets ugly. Nationalism is similar. Now, when you mix the two? Shit proceeds to hit the fan. Personally? I don't care who "owns" this land according to what religion or archeology. It's had so many owners over the centuries, it matters little. I just wish people would stop giving so much power to lines on maps and imaginary friends in the sky when it ends up costing in people's lives and suffering.
Just to compare - I've had friends die in terrorist bombings. It tore my soul to bury a peace-loving hippy musician who was at the wrong time and wrong place and died because he's a Jew living in Israel. And I refuse to let that turn me into a war monger or hater. It hurts, but the pain makes me desire peace more, rather than retaliation.
I used to watch a show called Babylon 5, and an alien named Delenn once said something very wise: "In an eye-for-an-eye and tooth-for-tooth world, everyone will remain blind and toothless."
This reply came out waaaay longer than I intended.
I love Babylon 5!
I have Ivanova's Playboy autographed. I spent some time with her when she visited Israel. #showoff
Yes I know, but go ahead and rub it in some more!
I have pictures.