Can someone who knows a bit about it explain summat?....

RE: I hear what you're saying mate....

I think you'd probably get a positive response from Israel and a negative one from most other states of the middle east, but what Israel says and what Israel does are two very different things. Do you know how many Palestinians have been jailed for attacking Jewish settlers? Do you know how many jewish settlers have been jailed for attacks on non-jewish homes?

I'll give you a clue - one of the numbers is much larger than the other.

Anyway, the reason I deleted my message above is that this is an argument I don't like to have; the Israel/Palestine debate depends to a huge extent on who you listen to, where your information comes from and your wider political beliefs. I know how I feel about it and, while I can see your point, I've seen enough evidence of Israel's mistreatment of Palestinian residents to think that siding with that state is something I wouldn't be comfortable with.

I don't think Hamas or many Palestinians are angelic either, mind, but I sympathise with them because I just don't see what choice they have against a state which doesn't want them to live in their homes.

 

RE: I hear what you're saying mate....

And is that the Muslims?

 

RE: I'm not proposing a solution....

And I wasn't proposing who's right or wrong, as far as I'm concerned both sides are as bad as each other, they are both terrorists....however the response is extremely disproportional.

 

RE: But Hamas-Alkieda-Muslim Extremists

Some condemnation from the US might not go amiss either, however given the content of speeches that both the Presidential candidates made to a Jewish conference in the run up to the election I wouldn't hold my breath that there'll be anything other than full and complete backing to whatever Israel wants to do regardless.

 

To be honest the whole thing is just a depressing situation

Ultimately zionism and the creation of a Jewish state came about because of the terrible persecution the Jewish people have suffered and particularly the lack of interest Europe showed in housing Jewsih refugees fleeing persecution. On the flip side I can't imagine how it would feel if the world's major powers tried to create a new state in my own country without asking my people. In addition ot this although Hamas control Gaza, Israle effectively has it landlocked, controlling its airspace and sea access. I can't see how a compromise can ever be reached but there certainly seems to be a lesson about the artificial creation of a state born out of guilt.

I think in this instance though the condemnation though is due to the sledgehammer and peanut reaction, and to be fair I don't think Hamas has many apologists.

 

Fair dos. nt

 

Stop being naughty.

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I said I'm not proposing a solution. Not that there isn't one.</p>