‚ÄúIsraeli military officials have been quoted as saying Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had backed a “limited operation” targeting the “terrorist infrastructure”.‚Äù (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5123262.stm)

How would your government react to the destruction of a power station supplying its much of its public with power? From the article you sourced:

“There is no doubt that Israel has not taken the precautions required of it in international law to protect the civilian population and infrastructure.”

Maybe the Swiss are being neutral. Being neutral means making accusations when one side behaves wrongly. And:

“Both the principle of proportionality and the ban on collective punishment are found in the Fourth Geneva Convention, which spells out the obligations of occupying powers toward the civilian population under their control. Israel has used tanks, troops, gunboats and aircraft to press terrorists to free a captured Israeli soldier.”

Do you deny collective punishment is going on? A kassam rocket has caused a forest fire? Let’s get some perspective, one Рwhat about the sonic boom attacks your planes carry out over Palestine which cause miscarriages. Does that not count as murder – can you tell if babies will grow up to be terrorists?

How would your government react to the news that two “militants” (“soldiers”?) were kidnapped?

(I use the word militant/terrorist advisedly as the Palestinians accused are suspected terrorists, but the Corporal kidnapped could be described as a terrorist by the Palestinians – another example of how easily words can be abused by any side). You are aware of this event I hope:

“Gaza Strip arrests

Israeli forces have detained two Palestinians, who the army said were Hamas militants, in the Gaza Strip, in what observers said was the first arrest raid in the territory since Israel pulled out of the area a year ago.” (Observer, June 25 2006)

What does “terrorist” or “militant” actually mean? Do you not think you are terrorising people who have as much right to live as you? Do you have more right than them?

Regarding your picture quiz – what are you like??? Are Israelis the only people with feelings? On a wider level this works with your point about propaganda and shows how easy it is for people to produce pictures of the grief of Palestinians and of Israelis. Hey, maybe that’s something you do have in common…?

Regarding comments made to my comment:

“Not a joke, actually. The palestinians who escaped into Sinai were Hamas terrorists Рnot innocent civilians Рso I would not have shed any tears had they been killed.” Aussie Dave

Where they all innocent civilians? I honestly don’t know but I thought your photo showed civilians being ordered along. Either I misunderstood the photo or you’re using a wrong photo to illustrate a point. Either way it shows how easy it is to create propaganda.

“Question, is Israel at war or not at war with the Palestinians? As per your comment most Paestinians believe they are at war. So what is Israel to do.“ NeverForget

Look at the problems in Ireland, or in Spain with ETA. These are areas with a history combating terrorism. Nobody can be perfect but some good ideas can arise. Like the idea not to always fight fire with fire. When the Omagh bomb tore a community apart did the governing bodies start a war? It’s worth looking into.

“The Palestinians need to be defeated to the point that they see violence is no longer an option and the world needs to let them be defeated.” NeverForget

Are you promoting the murder of a people? And violence only breeds violence.

“As for the EU and other peoples concern that Israel has broken international law by arresting Hama MPs, Israel own attorney general has ruled the action is illegal and is looking to have them released.” NeverForget

Good!

“Tell me are the PRC terrorist or soldiers?” NeverForget

Either term is propaganda and can be used by either side. The Israelis have certainly been terrorised by militants, and I would say the Palestinians have certainly been terrorised by militants.

”This is the best way forward. Show the Palastinian people that when they put murderous thugs with no sense of reason in charge of their country they will have to deal with immediate countervailing force, and all of the infra-structure damage and civilian casualties happen.” Kristopher

Given what Ariel Sharon has done, and celebrated, in the past – could they say to you he was a “murderous thug”? Should they do what you say? It would recycle the violence.

”You have noted that the faux outrage of the world seems to either not be as effective or as loud as before, likewise you have noted several editorials in favor of Israel.

I submit that because our Arab friends choose to attack Israel proper it took the teeth out of the “occupation” arguement that was playing as propaganda. This has changed the stakes of the game to the point where Israel doesn’t have to worry about international pressue stopping things.

In addition the IDF has demonstrated quite strongly over the last few days that it can strike in Gaza whenever it is necessary or proper. Because there are no settlers to protect that gives the IDF an offensive ability while not providing static targets.

In the long run I still think it is a winner. I could be dead wrong but that’s how I see it.‚Äù Anonymous

It’s an interesting point and it does seem there’s a full spectrum of view on the Corporal affair. I’m interested in what constitutes winning in the long run?

‚ÄúLet’s face it, the other Arab nation’s don’t care for the Palestinians – they’re rabid troublemakers – anymore than the west does (the arab refugees from 1948 onwards left festering, while the jewish refugees have been absorbed into mainstream life in Israel).‚Äù Chrisse

“Rabid troublemakers” might be a bit strong/racist – have you any evidence to back your claim that other Arab nations don’t care up?

‚Äù suggest you go back to the origins of this conflict and I mean around 1920′s. As a British citizen you will find some things there to hang your head in shame, eg Haj Amin al-Husseini, nazi war collaborator and criminal, uncle of Arafat, and responsible for bringing terrorism to the world as a method of bring the opposition to its knees in appeasement.‚Äù Chrisse

I agree the Brits have a lot to be shameful of. Not least our sponsoring of the White revolution in Iran in 1955 due to our interest in…oil. Is there a running theme here? In fact, there’s a good graphic novel on Iran which has been compared in it’s power and information to Art Spiegelman’s Maus – it’s called Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi. I wish we could learn lessons from our history and see how Britain, France, Holland, Japan etc went wrong, and what we did right, and how we can help to minimise future wrongs.

”There is a two-state solution in place now Рit is Israel and Jordan.” Chrisse

Is this seriously discussed?

Sorry for such a long rant. But for all this to kick off again after a century of war, the Holocaust, racial divide and ethnic cleansing, don’t you think it’s a shame few people look at if these problems can be tackled in a way that is positive for both sides. Killing the other person is just an easy way out – the lowest common denominator of actions.

Israellycool is still liveblogging the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Of particular note is an ultimatum from kidnappers of Ghilad Shalit, which has been rejected by Israel….