I think I must defend what I've posted, as it's somewhat unfair to post remarks after I said I would not engage in further discussion.
After repelling two huge Arab invasions Israel was left with more territory. However, Israel had no intention of expanding its borders - its intention was to trade land for peace.
In 1974 Israel returned some territories to Syria that it captured defending its borders in 1967 and 1973 and in 1979 they returned the entire Sinai Penisula, a mass of land rich in oil, with Jewish settlements and three times the size of pre-67 Israel.
In September 1983, Israel withdrew from large areas of Lebanon to positions south of the Awali River. In 1985, it completed withdrawal from Lebanon, except for a narrow security zone just north of the Israeli border. That too was abandoned, unilaterally, in 2000.
After signing peace agreements with Palestinians, and a treaty with Jordan, Israel agreed to withdraw from most of the territory in the West Bank captured from Jordan in 1967. A small area was returned to Jordan, and more than 40% was ceded to the Palestinian Authority.
As I said, finally, all Israeli troops and civillians were evacuated from the Gaza Strip and the territory was turned over to the control of the Palestinian Authority. In addition four communties in the West Bank covering an area larger than the entire Gaza Strip was also evacuated.
In total as previously stated, Israel has withdrawn from approximately 94% of the territory it captured in 1967, which is 70% of the territory it once held.
Grandura, when fighting a war, it is usual to capture territory, as that is what the other side are trying to do. Do you think the Palestinians would return land if the situation was reversed?
JessM, I don't have to convince myself. The facts speak for themselves. The key to all this problem is for Hamas to accept the existance of the State of Israel and declare that their mission in life is not to try and wipe it out. Israel will continue to defend its borders and protect its people until then.