What a ridiculous statement. You personally obviously have little knowledge outside of the USA, have you? Or even with non-white, non-Christians?
On the topic at hand, in the meanwhile.
Right now, the region is at a significant crossroads, what with the acting PM, Ehud Olmert, saying that Israel
needs to withdraw further (
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4644950.stm), and Hamas significantly toning down the rhetoric and admitting the possibility of negotiating with Israel in order to gain votes in the forthcoming Palestinian elections (
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4640334.stm).
I believe that,
if Hamas can take a significant grip on the reins of power (unlike Fatah, who have been riven by infighting - often amongst internal factions), then we could well see a transformation into a Sinn Fein/IRA role - fighting for a Palestinian state 'through the Armalite and the Ballot Box'. The question in my mind, however, is dependent on who wins the forthcoming Israeli elections. Will it be someone who can grit their teeth and play
realpolitik with the party who have often called for the destruction of Israel, or will it be back to Ariel Sharon at his worst - or even beyond?
Personally, I'm optimistic about their ever being peace - but I think people who expect a quick-fix instant solution are mad. 20, mebbe 30 years before we see a comparable situation to N.Ireland as it is now, is my guesstimate.