I'm an American who has spent the last 25 years traveling the middle east (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iran, Iraq) doing civil work and conducting socio-political research on differences between the west and the middle east. Through my research, I've found that regardless of religion (while mostly muslim, many Christians in the region as well), economic standing, political affiliation, race, gender, or age, there is a common theme: a disdain for the Israeli government. I found it interesting until I witnessed it all first hand. I held a small child (no older than 5) who had just witnessed her entire family die from an Israeli bombing of her neighborhood. She was in a UN school when it occurred. No "extremists" were stationed in the area. That's not an opinion, it's a fact. As I pushed the clumped hair out her eyes (clumping due to blood and dirt), I tried to make sure that she didn't look down and see that she was missing half of her left leg and her left hand. She was quite literally shell shocked. Two days later she died. In another instance, I was on the radio with three UN peace keepers stationed in Lebanon discussing how they would be returning home soon on holiday. They were so excited to see their small children, hug their wives, tell their parents how much they loved them. Four hours later they were bombed by an Israeli air raid. If you look hard enough, you can find the recording of them sending radio messages to the Israeli military as the bombs were getting nearer and nearer to their outpost. "500 yards away. 350 yards away. 200 yards away. Please stop, we're UN peace keepers. silence" All three were killed. I could tell you all about the invasions of surrounding countries or the constant attack on the rights of Palestinians (all war crimes under international law), but it seems you'll just brush it off as "ignorance." My research in the region led to my feelings about the country, not the other way around. Now, do tell, what makes you such an expert on the region?