My thoughts on the Israel/Gaza conflict

First I have to say I am a little ignorant on the complete history of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.  I like to think of myself as someone keeps up to date as much as possible on all the current events of the world but there is an incredible amount to learn about on this issue.  you'd have to be a religious and political scholar to have a full informed opinion about the conflict in Israel/Palistine.  I also find the current conflict in that region to be very confusing.  But I want to comment on the way this conflict is being politicised. 

 The vast majority of people living in the United States and Canada have no idea what it’s like to live in such a war torn region.  But everyone in the media who like to fight in the left-right area seems to know who is to blame for the conflict.  Why is it that that Christian-Conservative right is the first to come to the defence of Israel?  And why is it that it’s always the Muslims and the left that come to the defence of the Palestinians?  While neither side like to talk about the underlying theological and religious conflict that I think is more relevant that people like to think.  I think everyone needs to take an agnostic stance to this conflict in the Middle East and just shake our heads at the needless and tragic loss of life.  We know very little about how the people on each side feel and we cannot empathize with people in such an apocalyptic world because we live in the most comfortable place on earth.  How can we say so confidently who is right or wrong?  There is clearly evil and wrongdoing on both sides but undeniably, the majority of people affected are innocent people just trying to live their lives.  So before you throw your unconditional support behind either side, do a little reading about history.  You'll probably find yourself as sad and confused about this whole mess as I am.