  The Modern History of Israel as I understand it: Through the late 19th century up to WWII, Jews were being persecuted in Russia and Eastern Europe. To avoid persecution, many refugees returned to the "Holy Land", which was populated by Arabs. The indigenous Palestinians didn't approve of this migration and reacted accordingly. The U.N. stepped in and proposed two states, Jews agreed and the Arabs didn't. With Syrian and Egyptian troops lined up at the border, preparing to wipe out the fledgling nation, Israel pre-emptively struck, wiping out both armies in 6 days, expanding their territory.
Israel eventually gave up territory (Sinai Penninsula) after international pressure. The Palestinians were forced into the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, where they are encroached upon by Israeli settlers. Peace talks, Infantadas, assassinations... and now what? The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin on Nov. 4, 1995 by a nationalist, Jewish zealot brought down the best hope for peace that region had seen in decades. Arafat can't be trusted. Ariel Sharon is a maniac. All the while, 14 year old kids are strapping bombs to their chests and blowing themselves up on buses.
If anyone would like to correct any of this or add an insight, e-mail me and I'll post it. Non Sequitir: The first day of bass fishing I hit the beach at 6:15 this morning. Sixty degrees, blue sky, Dunkin' Donuts, and calm seas. I drowned a couple clams. The guy next to me got a bump. Still better than sleeping. 
