I believe the cycle of hate among Israelis and Palestinians would be completed the day they realize they have only accomplished their own destruction, and an universal propagation of hate, which is all against God's will. He created this earth for all of His children to share it within the undestructible bound of love and compassion.

Palestinians and Israelis should part from the conscious premise that they're brothers.We only hope that, that day would come soon. We pray for our leaders's enlightment of their hearts and souls; guiding them away from the ego's rules of man, and obeying our Creator.

How about a one state solution ? Oh no ! Israel must be a Jewish state, even if it has to be done artificially. Israel is willing to bring in millions of Jews thousand of miles away from around the world, but not Muslim palestinians a few miles away from the West Bank. Does not that sound racist to you ? Israel just wants the land there, but not the people in it if they are not Jewish (especially if they are Muslims). After cleansing the Arab villages of Palestinians and making refugees of them, Israel have kept some token Arabs as Israeli Arabs, as longs as they are a minority.

So, now that the foundation of the state was made on shaky moral grounds, Israel tries to obfuscate each flare up by focusing on the symptoms, not the cause. Focus on homemade and Chinese rocket fire, not Israel’s total blockade of Gaza and periodic violent incursions. Focus on the smuggling of crude arms, not Israel’s blockbuster supplies of F-16s, Apache helicopters and much more.

It is the religion of the Palestinians that is the problem, not the occupation, not the blockade, not the bombings, not the land grabs, not the suffering of the Nomad arabs in Negev who cannot even get water lines and so on...

Nothing justifies inocent victims no matter what side of the border. Israel has the right to defend itself but not by becoming nothing different than what they are fighting against. Justice must not be mistaken with terror. Children must never be accountable as victims of any act of violence. Only when Humanism overcomes Politics we will have a chance for a Peace Treat in the Middle East. We demand intervention in this military conflict so nobody in any side of the border should mourn more victims, so no more children will be injured, we demand justice for Palestinian people so they can live with dignity in a territory that they also belong to, and in Israel there will be Peace. I'm calling for a truce, I'm calling for a cease of fire, I'm calling for a life change in Gaza, I'm calling for Peace in the region.
This fight is not against Palestinians, it's against Hamas, but in a war is easy to forget who is the one to fight. Hamas had exposed Palestinian children to violence before, now and then, they cover and hide themselves among inocents and Israeli incursion in Gaza is just giving them plenty of oportunities to use this practice as their ally. Israel should know better than that.

Israel is reacting after many years and thousands of rockets fired by Hamas. Of course the press didn’t mention them, so now the people are condemning Israel’s right to defend its population.
Those rockets landed on schools, malls, houses. But there was no single newspaper or TV show that mentioned them, or no single manifestation against it. Why? Wasn’t that important? Couldn’t that have changed the course of actions? Maybe the same people that now are protesting against Israel would have pressured Hamas to stop (although I doubt it). Maybe the international community and/or organizations would have felt the obligation to put some pressure on Hamas. But that did not happen, because when Israelis civilians die nobody cares.
People can not see the terrible danger that Hamas represents. Hamas is an extremist terror organization that sees anyone that doesn’t share their thoughts as an enemy and threatens with destroying them. What kind of civilized group is that? How can you talk to them? This terrorist organization that is considered to be suffering of an uneven power committed brutal attacks against US, Spain, London, Argentina to mention some of them. So I don’t understand why people still defend them and attack Israel. Yes, there are civilians involved but instead of calling Israelis barbarian, why don’t they call Hamas barbarians, that don’t care and intentionally put them in danger to achieve what they want, to have the international community supporting them. And the sad part is that they achieve that.
The rockets and suicide attacks that Israel has been under for long time are acts of terrorism not different from destroying the Twin Towers, or attacking the trains in Spain or London. The difference is that Israel lives with that every single day.
US invaded Afghanistan after one terrorist attack. Turkey invaded Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriots. And that was ok. So what is the difference with what Israel is doing now? Doesn’t it have the right to defend its people? Maybe there is more in the international reaction that the solidarity with the Palestinian people, there is a specific anger against Israel.

You are going back thousands of years now ? If that is the case then why not go back 50,000 years when people migrated from Africa and everything should belong to the Africans or Ethiopians.
Why is it so hard to understand. At the time of the mandate, two thirds are Palestinian Arabs and one third Jewish. If you go by democratic principles, the majority vote or desires should count. One state, do not divide. But no, you have outside powers and an outside body (U.N) going against the wishes of the majority indigenous people. This is a concocted problem.

The U.N, the Red Cross and the Vatican have all come out saying that Gaza looks like a concentration camp. Isreal has been hiding behind the "Holocaust" and because of that, they get to commit war crimes against innocent children? Why does everyone in the world seem to get it except for the U.S?

Isreal can argue that Hamas fires missiles first or who started it blah blah...lets not FORGET who is on who's land and WHY WHY WHY they are even fighting to begin with...THEIR RIGHTS. Palestine has ZERO RIGHTS. Isreal gets un-conditional, un-questioned support and 15 MILLION a DAY from U.S taxpayers money to support their genocide on Palestine. I'm neither jewish or muslim and I'm an american citizen that is about to call it quits on the U.S and move out of this country. this is wrong on every level you can imagine, where's the humanity?

Dear Semo,
Just to inform you, 20% of the population in Israel is Arab. They can vote and are represented in the Parlament.
But why are you mixing apples and oranges?

@ Icia Cohen.......... well said!! So true! War is not the answer. All the wars Israel has fought, thousands killed have NOT made Israel safer nor more peaceful!

For every Palestinian child killed, maimed or orphaned there will be many other children who will grow up to become terrorists!

Israel needs to find another solution other than war. And to answer, Danielle, I did not agree with the Bush invasion of either Afghanistan nor Iraq!

Terrorists can not be eliminated by war! We must win over the hearts and minds of the Palestinians and indeed the Muslim world.

Israel is losing American support, why? Because we do not see them attempting to live peacefully. Israel equals war.

Israel has a higher calling than it's own destruction. I pray for the peace of Israel because the word of God has told me to do so. I've heard and read of so many that are against Israel but I stand with Israels right to defend itself.. People Israel, is not going anywhere no matter who comes against it. The land they occupy was not given to them by man but by God Himself. Believe it or not 60 years ago is not where it started. Pick up a Bible, Israel is still standing in the end...
All have the right to exist without the threat of death at our backdoor. Like I said before the shedding of innocent blood on either side is tragic.

Why is this happening? the simplest answer... It just is. There has been fighting over this area of land for thousands of years. It is noone elses busness but that of Isreal and Palistine. In fact there is nothing in that part of the world that any country of the world especially not us americans have any reason to be apart of.
It is absolutely tragic the massive amount of civilian lives lost on the Palistinian side, and yet the dead on the isreali side can be counted on your hands... This is completely unfair. However, I still hold my position that it's noone's busness.
I am not concerned with how or why its happening, simply that I hope we stay out of it.
It's not our place to police the world, and this action of policing the world is a major contributor to our economic problems...

Nefira,
you should include in the dead count from Israel all the civilians dead by rockets and suicide attacks that happened in at least the past 7 years.

I agree with you absolutely Nefira in that it is not your country's place to police the world and that a lot of your economic problems and , by the way, the world's,derive from your policing of the world. The point is that your country's policing of the world is not neutral. Your country police's the world according to what is best for your country, according to the vision of your politicians and the economic powers of your country. This is not always what is best for the people of your country.

Danielle, it's clear your opinion is bias and blind. 20% arabs in Isreal living like hostages and dogs in a concentration camp doesn't count...

Lets use this as an example...China comes to the U.S and says you know what, we're pushing everyone to California and putting a wall around it, the rest of the U.S will now belong to the native indians...do you think that the a piece of land with that many people on it with NO rights and NO resources, NO jobs, NO money, do you think that this would frustrate the people living within those walls..... Cage someone long enough and they will lose their minds. Isreal is wrong and you know it.

And RUTH, Yeah you are right, read your own bible, because in the Judiasm religion, jews are not even supposed to own land...Isreali's are rebelling, it's clear.

NEFIRA – The WHOLE reason for what is going on is because of U.S Foreign policy, the U.S did this so it is their business just as much as Isreal and Palestine...

I think we, as Americans can never understand the conflict that is going on over there. That's why it disgusts me that we can actually take sides, in something we no nothing about. One thing I do know is that the Israeli invasion of Gaza looks very much like Russia's invasion of Georgia a few months back. Georgia fired the first shots, and Russia responded with a ridiculous amount of force. We, as Americans, were outraged that the Russians would respond so harshly to such a small attack. The truth is that the Isreali's have done the exact same thing in Gaza, and are being far less humane than the Russian army had been. We need to ask ourselves why, as Americans, we are not as outraged with Isreal.

It's time our Government checks it's prejudice for the darker complected at the door, and realize that no one, including Isreal, should be immune from punishment for the obvious slaughter of innocents.

Good historical overview – shows that the Israeli/Arab tug of war has gone on for centuries and may go on for centuries more. The Palestinians should have stayed in their homes rather than leave in 1948 as their leaders urged them to do; the leaders were operating from a mindset of wiping the Jews and their state off the global map and thought they would be back within a very short period. They did not figure on the Israeli tenacity in holding on to their state and have always underestimated it. If the 1948 Palestinians had stayed the picture might be a lot different now – with Palestinian and Israeli living peacefully side by side. I hope there is someone on both sides now that has the wisdom and the patience to broker a peaceful accord between the two camps where each can live and prosper in the Middle East; otherwise, this may go on for a very long time more.

It's happening because both nations are looking out for number one at the expense of anyone and everyone who gets in their way. They are like two little boys fighting until the bitter end, no one giving up, no one willing to talk things out and resolve it before someone is really hurt (and in reality one life is one too many). And what saddens me is America's enmeshment with Israel that is so dysfunctional we will never work for true peace. We're too involved to do so. I don't believe we should talk with Hamas, a terrorist state. But I am not sure what Israel is doing to the people of Gaza isn't terrorism in itself. We are no better talking to them and supporting them that what we are speaking with Hamas. You can't take that speck out your brother's eye until you remove the plank from your own. At least that's what Jesus said. Wise advice from a Jewish leader who rocked the establishment over 2000 years ago. Maybe we should clean our own house here in the US before we worry about Hamas and Israel and placating people who apparently are no better than the ones they are screaming about. After the last eight years and the loss of my friend to Iraq, isolationism is looking really good to me right now.

If Israel wanted to " Ethnicly clense Gaza " & Commit " Genocide" I think they would have turned the area into a radioactive glass factory long ago.

Hamas is reacting to the treatment of being ostracized and blocked from having full access in and out of their own land.

They are treated as criminals and can't live where they want to live in their own country. Forced to adjust traditions because of Israel.

Israel is WRONG and until the world stand up and says STOP this will continue.

I think the time has come, that we should ATTACK Gaza with all our force, so they can realise that the Hamas, the Hezbola, the Sourians, and the Iranians..That when we go out to war, we pay the price. If you have value for human life, avoid this war. It will be good for them, and for israel, and all of the middle east.

As for Israel, this is a problem of being able to exist, or not.

Shalom, Shalom for all the area.

Jim
don't forget they live in the same land so israel will destroy itself get it

mary
nice statment exept you should name thing what they are palistenian are not terrorist they are people under pressure and control what would you do.

A note for the "non informed" few who somehow are told to believe that Israel is acting in self defence... I would like to say that according to the united nations resolution 181 that recognized israel, the land that Hamas has "attacked" with the primitive rockets is actually non israeli land but palatenian land.

The wars are all around us, especially when we travel by air. It is unconscionable that the airlines do not give our military traveling first boarding. They are left to wait until the end of the line on Southwest and United. Our military should be given first class status on all of our airlines. Let us give our military a break when we can, especially while they are traveling to and from our war zones.

Dear Annie Kate,
Most Palestinians who fled Palestine did so after many massacres in numerous villages. My grandfather, who was a physician, left after his house was bombed. The other point that is sticking is that you think that someone should lose their home if they left it. The leaders of Israel at the time of creation of Israel never thought that the Palestinian would be still fighting for their homeland speaking for the tenacity of the Palestinians. The Palestinians should have a state in Gaza and West Bank and east Jerusalem. Palestine and Israel then would live side by side in peace. The Israeli occupation is the problem and should end.

Whomever paints this landscape; whomever is taken to task editing this quagmire; whomever mimics the lyrics of death with laughter,whomever it be,must have the servitude of satan ,or the patience of God;for both sides relinquished their souls;for all is nothing but pride,...PS. This is how I view this conflict that will never end, unless the powers to be, share in the responsiblity of true empirical consciousness.

Why are you not outraged that the US, the only one, did not sign the UN condemnation of the war in Gaza, especially the Israeli killing of children and civilians. The whole world is outraged. Condoleeza Rice is a coward, the same she was in the Lebanon war where she did not want to have a cease fire. This is shameful. Talk about it! The whole world does. We have to condemn this war. It is evil.

Thanks for posting this background info. It helps put it all into its very gray, very sad perspective.

Good article, as you have certainly stirred up lots of debate. lol

The U.S. and Canada do not, and will not negotiate with terrorist death cults and neither will Isreal. In Canada it is against the law to fund and negotiate or support terrorist activities as far as I know. After 9/11 the U.S. has done a pretty good job of hunting them down, kind of I think because they are still hunting of Osama.

Iran and Syria cannot continue to manipulate the ME through their funding of these terrorist groups, as Iran is well on the way to becoming nuclear by the end of 2011. By the way, I saw open sewers in Tehran also when I visited there in 1998. Now they have an even bigger open sewer with the stuff their Pres. Ahmadinejad spouts out of his mouth along with his other mouthpiece Nasrallah. If we want to rewrite history for Palestinians, then lets rewrite history for the outcomes of WWI and WWII and see how many countries will agree. Let Isreal defend itself as it has every right to live in peace.

By the way, how come nobody is thanking Isreal for taking out Syria's secret nuclear reactor in Sept./2007? Oh, I know that's just a myth. Isreal has never done anything good and doesn't even have a right to exist. They are just another group of the SS Nazi now but who actually kills their own people and practices the old salut, dressing similar to the old Klu Klux Clan in the U.S. with their faces always covered. The name begins with H, end with ass, sorry I mean Hamas. Think it was from Ft. Lauderdale, FL that last week that a lady was chanting at a demonstration against Isreal something about "Go back to the ovens, You need a big oven". Her words not mine. Get real people, we should be kissing the boots of the IAF and IDF right now!

Lets cry about a real humanitarian crisis in Darfur .... 5yrs. and counting, 300,000 plus dead, 2 million plus displaced and starving people because one of our Arab Muslim brothers, Omar al-Hassan al-Bashir and his militia groups (one called Janjaweed) decided to do a little cleansing of certain ethinic groups (mostly black African race). I don't think they have rockets, cell phones or satellite T.V. there, so they can't communicate as easily and haven't been able to decide when to stop yet.

The U.N. created ISRAEL can it dissolve Israel or the U>n> gave its self the power to create a state can it dissolve a state?

I loved the history...tho there are many extra details that would fill many texts...still the facts are the Gaza strip is like reservation..like many of our US reservations .....as I said before this is like our Western Expansion......now it an Isreali Expansion to beach front property....Isreal will probably keep on pushing until an adequete amount of Palistinians have relocated to another Arab state....for those that say it is Isreals land for thousands of years...well then ...I say I'm Blackfoot so get off my land.....think about it....peace

As a humanitarian, you become awfully concerned about what's going on in Gaza. What can be done to resolve this conflict? I wonder if they think to themselves, "We have been here before and not much has been done. Violence is not doing anything , must there be some other way?" We shall see.

Great article. Especially for those of us that are just too overwhelmed with understanding why there is so much violence in the area. As someone without any religous ties,I'm often disapointed listening to all the excuses both these people make for war and anger. There are so many excuses for peace.

The major concern for Israel is the loss of her image among people in the middle east as the strongest country in the region. Her defeat by Hizbullah in 2006 and now the strong resistance that Hamas is showing are building a new weaker image for Israel among arab and Muslims. A view that neither Israel or US want to accept so this why they want to change it even if it reaches a genocide similar to what is happening now in Gaza. I think Israel and the US must start negotiating with the people and not their leaders because the power is no longer in the leaders hand at least in Palestine and Lebanon.

Danielle- do you know how many Israelis were killed by the 7 years of rockets fired from Hamas? It was 2. How many Palestinian civilians were killed by the Israeli military during the same period? At least 1100 of which more than 300 were children. Check out the stats independently yourself. So why are the Israelis pursuing this murderous policy? Their won't be a military solution to stopping the rockets from Hamas, there has to be a politcal one.

This conflict doesn't seem to be accomplishing much outside of continuing the cycle of hatred between these two peoples.
It's unclear to me whether there can be a resolution to any of this without putting a stop to the violence from both sides.
Palestinians are angry because their children are dying, but Israeli's are angry for the same reason, and these deaths just add fuel to an already blazing inferno.

Personally, the entire situation bothers me on a level that I can't really articulate. Innocent people are dying on both sides and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of volunteering/medicinal aid/ food aid that someone like me can do.

-

Leaving ALL past reasonings behind and looking at the current situation of Palestinians and Israelis:
Two different populations each of whose ever growing numbers threatens the other, on a small piece of land wanted by both.

The implication of this picture is that that there is no solution which can eliminate problems in this setting-none.
Strangely, the decades-old "peace process" has chosen to ignore the realities of this setting completely:
Nothing can make the Palestinians not want all of the land, and nothing can make the Israelis not feel that they have the right to be in what they consider their homeland. Both result in constant conflict.

It seems that only a very drastic and original solution would go to the heart of the problem-the setting:

The neighboring Arab countries have vast lands. Syria, Egypt, Jordan, S. Arabia, Iran, can together absorb the roughly 2.5 million Palestinians. They can give them citizenship, homes, jobs, some land to cultivate, just like their own citizens have. A life for all those who up to today have absolutely nothing.

The aid amounts going to the Palestinians today can go to the governments of these countries to absolve the cost. Israel would also pay generously.

There is no black-and-white, yet the world likes to see the situation as the big bully Israel killing completely innocent Palestinians, which is not entirely the case. I would really like to know what they would have Israel do in response to hundreds of rocket attacks and suicide bombings from an enemy whose very charter includes the destruction of Israel. How patient would their own governments be under the same circumstances? This whole "world/UN condemnation" smacks of political correctness to me. Meanwhile, we have situations like Darfur, and the world sticks its head in the sand. Sad.....

If Gaza looks like a concentration camp, it's the fault of the arab nations, who send arms to Hamas, but not humanitarian aid to the populace, or money to build infrastructure. Why doesn't Israel just return Gaza to Egypt and be done with it? Let them be responsible for their "muslim brothers" and see if conditions improve. I'll bet not.

Try to imagine that Florida (just an ex.) is getting 10 – 30 missiles a day in 8 years!!! What will be the US will do about it ??? They are Lunching there missiles from Schools, houses and just kind of env because they know that the army will not fire on it.
If you can’t imagine it I am inviting you to one of the 5 biggest cities to try.

There are 20% of non jews in Israel and 8 % of them are christians and they are third grade citizens, no democracy,no human rights.No one has a clue abt their sufferings and media does not care abt them.

We whine about Palestine, but what about Darfur, Haiti, Burma and places that have been affected by political or natural disasters. There's suffering in the whole world and whether it's caused by a Junta, a fraudulent government or mother nature, we always want to pick out this one. There's more suffering in the world than just Gaza.

In the old testament it says "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." This rule was made because in the old days the offended party would retaliate to extremes and multiples of extremes against others for real and perceived offenses.
Today we see 3 Israel citizens killed by rockets and 700-800 enemies killed (and counting) plus 3,000 wounded as retaliation plus lots of infrastucture destroyed. I guess you can still be the chosen people and not follow your own religion.
I don't have sympathy for the rocket launch militants either. I see both sides as twisted and sick.

The world is a place where the stronger eats the weaker. The shark eats fish, the fish eat sthe shrimp. It can has it balances and checks. But if you are not strong, like the Palestinians, you get bullied. And why US does not want to have a sease fire, bully and bully are friends, as always.

Great but there are "palestinians" living in Israel as well. Do you think that the arabs would tolerate jews in their neighborhood? Israel is a tiny Jewish State. It pales in comparison to the size of the land that is arab controlled....Egypt, Syria, Jordan, U.A.E., Lebannon, etc. If you are not muslim, there you are persecuted. In Israel, if you are not Jewish you still get to live in peace.....just like the United States.

The past is past, and no one agrees on it. Let's focus on a workable future. Gaza needs a serious economic development plan administered by an Authority with real teeth (not the UN). Once the Gazans have decent jobs and hopes that their children can do well, they will have more of a stake in peace with Israel. Only then will they be willing to vote out Hamas. The plan would include: ... building, equipping and staffing hospitals and schools ... establishing savings and loans societies based on Islamic principles (which also work for non-Muslims) ... setting up market zones for the Gazans to buy and sell goods (some basics would be subsidized with cheap prices) ... building modern manufacturing facilities which can contract to produce for local and foreign companies. ... All this requires an Authority with policing, judicial and military powers. Seats on the Authority for reps from some Arab countries, India, China, South Africa, the Red Crescent/Cross, Al Fatah, Hamas, and the EU.

i think thats USA gov. want to have more influnce in the middle east , they use zion terrorist regime to achieve their naughty desires.
all of medias is under their influnce and they can accuse everyone they want.
documents around times shows that who was terrorists and who abused of weapon against civilians! who made Alqaida and Taliban to terroring innocent people? who was operator of 9/11!? who learned idiot Arabs self killing!?
So as your opinion Iran,Syria,Lebanan,Palestine and the other freedom seekers are terrorism supporters!? and timid triliarder Arabs wich just learned eating and F..king are inactives!? shame on liers and shame on those people wich close thier eyes agains the truth.
Huh...

And why doesn't Egypt just open the border from Gaza and let the "palestinians" enter peacefully?

it is not question whay is this heppening, the question is what?
this is an GENOCIDE and u must tell the true an call by real name
same sh.t hapens in bosnia few years ago
PALESTINA=BOSNIA=RAWANDA=GENOCIDE...WHO IS NEXT?

Peace might be achieved if God were left out of the mess.

As the author said, people on both sides of the fence will find the "history" lacking. But, lacking doesn't mean false.

So what's the issue?

The same as the beginning. The Muslims (Arab or otherwise) in the region do not want a Jewish state in the area.

Occupation has come to mean borders - Israel controls its borders - who enters, who leaves. For example, Gaza is not Israel and it shares borders with Egypt and Israel. Just as Gazians cannot enter Egypt without Egypt's approval, Gazians cannot enter Israel without Israel's approval.

Border control is not occupation and shouldn't be confused with it.

Shlomo

While growing up in Canada in the 1970's we went to school and learned about Isreal without much more then a mention of Arab culture. I've found the the Western world and leadership is one-sided in this. Even Hollywood has done the same by introducing Isreali culture in movies and a 'Halocaust' every 3 to 5 years to keep the memories fresh. If you want to level the playing field then both cultures should be treated equally.

Does it make sence for Isreal to have total control over another nation for over 40 years where they set limits, blockages, jobs and control enough of the economy so that the people feel like animals. Even caged animals will fight back at some point. I suppose that the Isreal's and American's as well as the British have a policy to just keep hitting with superior technology until the will of the other party is killed.

When was the last time Arab or Muslim people portrayed in the same light? Surely you will agree that a minority are terrorists. Why the one sidedness in the media, the political scene?

Looking for right or wrong, evil or good in any of this is pointless. Remove the over-emotional tone for a minute and examine the facts: two nations of people are fighting over the same piece of land. This plan will not be solved by countries not directly involved in the crisis. That being said, Hamas doesn't want the attacks to end because it brings attention to their cause. Israel won’t stop the attacks because they're sick of being rocketed. The UN proved repeatedly with North Korea, Iran, and Iraq that the resolution process is rhetorical and has no teeth. Nobody involved wants this problem to go away, and there will be no end to this conflict as long as Palestine is not an autonomous state.

I apppreciate the historical presenstation. Unbiased and basic. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware of how far back this conflict goes. and how it has evolved over the years. The biblical basis is interesting.

I, for one, believe there are many roads to God. We're all heading to the same place, just coming from different directions. I pray for peace...doesn't nature serve us up enough death and destruction? Why do we continue to shovel more on ourselves?

Thanks for this. I hope people read it. Much more relevant than whether Brad Pitt cheated.

it is simply senseless to justify this war, and death of children, Women, and the destruction of civil utlities.
shamless war for those who support it too.

Everybody involved and most of those watching are simply too emotional. Instead of everybody in the region trying to live as peaceful equals they are hung up on the bad things the other side(s) did. I hate to go Rodney King but, "Why can't we all just get along?" It is time to grow up, show some courage and maturity and treat others as you would like to be treated.
The outside global solution to the situation is to cease all foreign monetary and military aid of to all participants in the conflict until it is shown they can live in peace. Additionally don't do business with either side, don't send money, don't send aid other than food and medicine. Those things simply serve as fuel.

Danielle I do agree with you.This war has been on for generations.But I will continue to Pray for the Peace of ISRAEL just as the Word of God told us to.ISRAEL IS REAL AND IT IS A REAL COUNTRY. It is very vital to know who is our real enemy.Our struggle is not against flesh and blood BUT against the devil himself.This war is about JESUS VS SATAN.SHALOM!

it seems HAMAS should protect themselves and their people ....

Mr. Schechter thank you for your time and an interesting read. However, I don't think I'll ever understand this situation totally so much history and so many people to keep track of.

Safice to say, it's a sad state of affairs for all involved. I don't know that's there a right or a wrong for any group only misery and death. Only those who are experiencing this violence know their truth. But, it certainly looks as if Hamas definitely not helping the situation in the Mid East or elsewhere. I will continue to pray for the people of Gaza and all others in the midst of attack with no place for refuge.

At least now the media is showing the truth.Hamas was elected by the people but Mr. Bush didn't like it so he has givenn the green light to Israel to destroyed the Palestinians. Shame on the world to allowed women and children to be killed.As long as the Israelis and the Palestinians keep on thinking that they are the only ones with the right to that piece of land , there will be no pease.
Both should stop this attacks and the U.N should take control of gaza and provide their people with decent human conditions .
Hamas should accept the existence of Israel and a two state solution.

Religion is the poison preventing progress, and it is why things are at the point they are now. It was the main motivation for the Jewish settlers to occupy Gaza and the West Bank. And it is the fuel of Muslim suicide bombers. As long as we have Jewish "god gave us this land" settlers and Muslim "kill an infidel and earn points towards 72 virgins" jihadis, there will be no progress. Religion is like a cancer on humanity, and it flourishes in the middle – east like nowhere else on earth with predictable results.

Thanks for posting this background info. Well, the issue is not about 'WAR' nor Israeli or Gaza, but God is using it to recall the world's attention back to him that look the world is going to an end but most people do not know.
Mean why, I think UN and some other organization should call on people from which countries, states to come together and pray cos when the going get stop it is only fools and the mad once would be going.

ADESANYA MUNIRUDEEN
Nigeria, Ogun State

This is happening because a country that is largely supported by foreign aid is using military equipment that was bought by that foreign aid, to attack disproportionately another country. However, I am not seeing stories about soldiers attacking soldiers. Instead we have read daily news about how are tax payer dollars are being used to empower a country that largely cannot stand on it's own. It is like the mouthy friend you bring to the bar. You are going to stand up for him ot a bloody nose? So if you friend gets stabbed, and then the attacker puts his blade to you, you stand there surprised – 'what did I ever do to you Mr. Bin Laden'? Perhaps it's time you talked with your friend you buy drinks for all the time, and ask them to start taking some friendly advice, instead of one day getting us all killed.

I don’t understand why is the international committee is not taken any action to stop the attacks. A U.N resolution is defiantly not enough as the Israelis have been occupying the Palestinian lands since 1948 despite the U.N many resolutions.
Moreover, look into the history of most of the recent U.N resolutions that condemns the Israelis action and you will note that the US has never signed a single one and in most of the cases have used its Veto right to stop any action against the interest of Israel!!!
We need an international force than can keep the peace in the Palestinian land and the Israelis should go back to their lands as per the 1948 resolution.

I admit I am a simple American outsider. I am neither Israeli or Palestinian, and have no direct involvement with their conflict. But whenever I read about what's going on over there, it always seems to spring up an image of two young brothers, sitting in the back seat of the car, poking and hitting each other, and screaming "He started it!". As a parent, I would discipline them both equally. And I think if I were President of the United States, I would act similarly to the Israelis and Palestinians. I would be equally harsh to both sides. Neither side deserves sympathy. They both have committed atrocities that deserve punishment. I would refuse to provide financial, economic, or military support for either side, until they learn to "behave themselves", tell each other their sorry, and learn to play nice. I would also tell them to look up the definition of forgiveness and put it to practice, because that is the only way they will ever have lasting peace. It is only through forgiveness that you can put all past hurt behind you and move on. Nothing else will get you there, and the cycle will continue to escalate until that lesson is learned and put to practice.

Because they want more puding and this time around I won't give them that!!! There is no room for instant gratification unless we want a spoiled world.

While I pray for a lasting peace, I am sceptical. While a big obstacle is the entrenched sense of conflict (on both sides), I also believe that some nations and movements have cynically fanned the flames of conflict and (most distastfull) thwarted budding peace efforts. I think of how close to a "deal" they were with Clinton ten years ago (It sounded like they could have resolved SOO many issues – land, statehood, travel/work visa, money, etc.), but certain groups pressured Arafat to make outright ownership of old Jeruselum as a non-negotiable. I think some nations and leaders do NOT want the issue resolved (they love the conflict for their own purposes).

I think too much time has passed to keep talking about history.
People must be tired of the killing, broken families, and scared youth.
The fact is that Israel ís and Palestina ís. They have to find a way to live next to eachother.

What worries me though...56% of the population of Gaza is under the age of 18. Childeren who are witness to the damage of this attack. What will become of those childeren? Will they be the future peacemakers or will they will be the new "freedomfighters"?

I am enjoying the views of all involved in this discussion.

I am positive it is not the right of any people to condemn the beliefs of anyone else no matter how close they live in proximity to a mythical land in which they believe they hold claim too. Religion aside, I feel Muslims/Arabs and Jews could live peacefully as neighbors if it was not for the extremists who vandalize and terrorize the world. The entire Middle East and the world for that matter would see a greater way of life if it were not for the radicals who force their opinions down peoples throats by use of violence. This is true going all the way back to when people first grouped together in necessity for survival. There is always a better outcome when people share and help out one another to get through this short lifetime.

To fight your neighbor based on your beliefs should be considered the greatest sin, and I hope that if there is a heaven or hell, anyone who casts that first stone spends a period of time in the hotzone until there mind is set straight and understand that injuring or killing any person for any reason is wrong. Practice your beliefs in your minds and in your own homes, and if you feel it is your duty to your god to use force to get your point across that only your opinion counts and all else must obey to your beliefs, I hope you enjoy a much warmer climate.

I too thank you for posting this background info. I grew up listening about all of the fighting and really never understood why and when it started. I still don't understand why and I definitely do not have any thoughts as to whom is more right or wrong. Personally I feel they're both wrong. But thanks again Anderson.

I believe that the conflict with the Palestinians would have been over long ago if they were not so consciously paranoid of being accused of Nazi tactics. This is also an unconscious tendency in their various strategic war maneuvers that hinder a final conclusion to the this ongoing war.
Of course, after the Nazi cruelties again the Jews the Jews would not want to be accused of similar tactics; and this makes them hold back; hence the near gentle retaliations to the Palestinians.
Until the Jews get over this psychological mental block concerning the essence of war tactics; they will not do what needs to be done; and completely conquer the heathen Palestinians; either wiping them completely out, or driving them out of the area. It is time that the Jews looked at their savagery in the face and faced the fact that they must kill to survive; and to alter the course of the Middle Eastern
tendency toward the spread of terrorist Islamic philosophies. The Hamas circus must end before it spreads; and the Palestinians have made a mockery of the Democratic voting system by electing
terrorists to lead them into the future. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt in my eyes that the elimination of the so called Palestinian State is essential for the survival of Israel.
Mercy let be off, damn them who pity, kill & torture.

The question we all want answered is why this disproportionate US bias toward Israel - abstaining and blocking UN resolutions, never criticizing an Israeli action without criticizing 20 Palestinian actions first, always disgustingly saying "our best friend Israel" even as bombs drop on schools and people are being ostracized, murdered, and driven into oblivion. I was just in this Israel that people claim is 20% arab. Did you know that there are talks of making arab residents of jerusalem get a different colored license plate than jews - even though they all are residents of the city? How is this any different than what the Nazis did?

If this was happening anywhere else in the world, the US would take a more righteous stance. So, again, the question is - Why Israel?

And don't tell me it's for oil or our own security. The world is much more insecure because of this conflict. Arabs and Muslims all over the world would embrace the West if this bias was not shoved down their throats every day.

Gaza citizens have to be liberated from Hamas.

Where is the outcry for Israel when rockets and suicide bombers attack Israel.
Iran has said they will wipe israel off the map.
Why then are there protests if israel is simply defending their citizens as would any country on the face of the earth.8 years of this is enough.
Terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Hezbollah hide among civilian populations and are firing katusha rockets into israel which is an act of war.Is there anyone among the civilian populations that want Hamas to go away and have peace an a normal life?
I would hope so, because there is a great potential for Israel and the Palestinian people if they make peace and its up to the people of Gaza to choose not to live under hamas(a terrorist organization) and be deprived of a normal life.Someone there should make a wise choice.

I believe that the conflict with the Palestinians would have been over long ago if they were not so consciously paranoid of being accused of Nazi tactics. This is also an unconscious tendency in their various strategic war maneuvers that hinder a final conclusion to the this ongoing war.
Of course, after the Nazi cruelties again the Jews the Jews would not want to be accused of similar tactics; and this makes them hold back; hence the near gentle retaliations to the Palestinians.
Until the Jews get over this psychological mental block concerning the essence of war tactics; they will not do what needs to be done; and completely conquer the heathen Palestinians; either wiping them completely out, or driving them out of the area. It is time that the Jews looked at their savagery in the face and faced the fact that they must kill to survive; and to alter the course of the Middle Eastern
tendency toward the spread of terrorist Islamic philosophies. The Hamas circus must end before it spreads; and the Palestinians have made a mockery of the Democratic voting system by electing
terrorists to lead them into the future. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt in my eyes that the elimination of the so called Palestinian State is essential for the survival of Israel.

Mercy let be off; damn them who pity! Kill and torture; spare not; be upon them!

Excellent piece of reporting Dave. More reports of 'truthiness' should readily available like this. It is sad to know that ever since the Palestinian people freeely elected (moderated by the UN!) Hamas to be the majority in the legislative branch of the Palestinain National Council, the people have been marginalized and punished by the US and Isreal as a result. Gaza has been under an embargo unilaterally imposed by the Isrealis which deny basic human needs such as food, clothing, and raw materials for trade. Electicity is controlled by the Isrealis. Sewage is controlled by the Isrealis. Why? If Isreal says they want a free Palestine, then they need to act like they really want it. Hamas, like it or not, is part of the fabric of the people in these occupied regions. They provide hospitals and soup kitchens, they administer shelters and provide a better quality of life that Fatah could not. Who do you think will spearhead the rebuilding of Gaza once the Isrealis stop there assault?

I recommend a book: THE LEMON TREE by Sandy Tolan. A very clear, highly readable, picture of this awful situation.

And as to why the US supports Israel's strongarm...can't figure it out.

I think Iran is definitely the world's new boogeyman.

One last comment that Hamas is playing the sympathy factor.What about all the suicide bombings in Israel?
Has anyone seen the damage in israel.Report the facts on both sides as israelis are suffering too.
Maybe if they behave like normal citizens(i refer to the Palestinians),this conflict wouldnt have happened.
What have they contributed to society except to terrorize and bomb and burn flags of israel and the U.S.They should grow up,to me this is an immature display,at least make a genuine efort to make peace.Build a better society there instead of using the money from Iran to build bombs and rockets and use it to make a better life .

What is so sad to me is that as an American citizen, I am so un-informed. I've always known our government was involved in all this, and we basically hear only what American media wants us to hear. I hate that Americans, as individuals, are judged so harshly by the world because of government decisions that we have little control over. We are never told the WHOLE story. Sometimes I feel like the media is so worried about being politically correct that they water down all our information. I like these sites where I can get true opinions and people aren't afraid to say what they feel.
I do think it is true that the American government looks to what will benefit America before choosing sides in a conflict. If they put that same amount of energy/money/time into resolution as they do into aiding a particular country maybe things would be different. It would be easy for me, sitting in my safe, comfortable home in the United States to say what I think is right in this situation, but I do not have that right.
I do know that it never works to use a religious book to state your point. By saying that "God gave them that land" is rediculous to a good part of the worlds population who are not Christians and who do not believe that the bible is anything but a book written by humans.
Conflict only leads to more conflict...I will pray for peace.

It is easy for Americans to sit at home and criticize Israel for warring against Palestine.
What if the situation was closer to home?
If Mexico started lobbing hundreds of rockets a day across the border into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
After years of the US trying for a cease fire, the Mexican people elect a governnent that loudly claimed that it was dedicated to destroying America, and increased the rocket fire.
Your intelligence agencies find that the rocket fire is not from military bases, but cowardly firing from schools and hospitals, using the young and infirm as shields.
The US asks the other nations of the world to assist in the negotiations, with no result.
What would the American people call for?
What choice has Israel been given?

Dear AC,

That was a very well written article with the appropriate amount of history included. First off, I am Jewish and I am 100% supportive of Israel in this matter. Imagine, for a moment, if Mexico was firing literally...literally...1000 missiles a year into America or Canada was firing Missiles into the northern states. Do you think for 1 second the people of America would tolerate this? What Israel is doing now is NO different than what any country would do. This attack on Hamas in Gaza was expected for many days by virtually anyone who follows Mid East politics and the ONLY reason they are there is because hundreds of missiles were being fired. The fact that they aren't hitting any targets from a military standpoint is irrelevant.....the threat and potential to do harm is very real so it must be taken care of. My question to all the people in Gaza would be this..."What exactly did you think was going to happen when Hamas was elected in?" Their core philosophy is hatred and directly states Israel must be destroyed. As far as the UN goes, it could possibly be the most worthless program ever. I found it very unfortunate to recommend war crime charges be investigated for Israeli leaders, yet, not ONE thing was mentioned about Hamas leaders who fire randomly and hope they kill whoever they can. What would the UN say if Israel were to just fire shells into Gaza hoping to kill people?

I am totally pro-Israel and want this all to stop NOW. I want the rockets to stop firing into Israel and I want the bombing of Gaza to stop. I want everyone to turn their swords into plowshares and the Palestinians to have a rich and happy life. But in the meantime–which could be longer than my lifetime–why are none of our so-called leaders even at least suggesting an evacuation of the children and elderly into some 'friendly' country. Of course, we know it won't happen because the abject bullies and cowards of Hamas need skirts to hide among. But why is nobody at least suggesting it?

Good overview article and some very good comments here. The fact that they want Israel to not exist makes it very difficult to reach across the border for peace initiatives. I also believe Palestinians are sorely lacking in a vocal advocate who can speak on their behalf to the world. Israel's heavy handed approach with the Palestinians is wrong but neither party is completely innocent here. I completely agree with Icia Cohen and Remo's points. No one should live in fear on either side. Both have the right to live and peace and harmony and with a hopeful future. Here is the proposed solution:
1. I would like to see Hamas remove the line from their charter about the destruction of Israel. If their foreign policy remained "to restore the original 1948 boundaries of Israel in order to end the occupation by Israeli forces of Arab territory" it would be a huge statement that they would be willing to compromise with their neighbor.
2. US should have a more balanced foreign policy towards the region than the current – "Israel has the right to do whatever it wants to do". There are clearly atrocities being committed by Israel against the Palestinians and if there is no diplomatic outlet, a population will become radicalized and use arbitrary force if necessary. If US took a more diplomatic middle ground approach, this would reduce the power of Hamas since there would be a diplomatic alternative.
3. Israel (+US) must respect the democratically elected Hamas if they agree to Israel's right to exist.
4. Arab's must learn to accept Israel will exist. They must accept this rather than constantly plotting and supporting a further attempt at expulsion.

This entire universe and everything between the heavens and the earth including mankind was created for a purpose-to abide and worship the creator. When we truly understand this is there some hope for peace in the world.

So true Vanman! Peace is the only answer! Understanding is the problem, and with misunderstanding breeds negativity and chaos by those who insist to be loyal to an idea outside the true meaning of life. Opinions are healthy, but forced perception of any idea has lead to death which is the opposite of the goals of any being whose aim is to make it to an afterlife with a clear conscience. Man is not perfect, and will never be, but the most important goal of this lifetime is tolerance and good will to all things which exist.

One thing has to be clear to everyone – hamas does not want israels existance – israel wants to talk things over, hamas does not want to listen – thats a lttle absorde to me – the good guys are considerd bad – the bad are considerd good – and when the "bad " guys want to seat and talk, the "good" want war – think about that for a sec.
I think that until hamas will declair there recognition of an israeli state, this cycle of violance will never end.

Thanx and have a great weekend.

i think israel is going to distroy its troops and Hamas is moving quickly towards another arabic victory

These attacks have been effecting everyone, yet everyone has kept their mouths closed. I don't understand why. Can't you see people have been dying. Innocent people have been killed, wounded, or missing. Little kids are loosing their parents. You think this is right? Why doesn't anyone open their mouths? So far only two countries have opened their mouths to say something, France and Turkey. It's like what Sami Yusuf wrote in his one song try not to cry, how can it be has the whole world turn blind or is it because it's only effecting my kind. You sit there meanwhile those civilians keep getting killed for no apparent reason.

Israel is committing war crimes in the Gaza strip and the whole world is watching. how do you explain the fact that they are not allowing reporters into Gaza? You would be a fool to believe what is being reported from the borders of Gaza. They give you the information they want. It reminds me of Sadam Hussain's propaganda.

Maybe Israel is justified in living in this land and maybe not. However, I can't help but look at the bigger picture. The Islamic narative is almost exactly the same in every Muslim conflict. It is the same narative that created Pakistan out of India. It is the same narative in Kosovo, Philipines, Kashmir, Thailand, Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysha, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and so on. One is also starting to see this narative being played out in Europe where Western values are slowly being replaced by Sharia. England and the Netherland and even France are good examples of this. The Gaza conflict is just a small part of a very larger conflict. IT IS THE SAME CONFLICT INFLICTING THE WORLD. And Islam keeps repeating this narative to us over and over again in their Mosques and newspapers and op-eds and conversations. But we refuse to listen... I believe there will be only a one state solution. A one world solution. Living under Sharia.

Anderson –

Great overview of the history of the conflict, which I think does the public great service in understanding what is going on.

However – I think that you have left out one crucial and rather recent event:

In 2005, Israel retreated from Gaza. From every last inch of it. No Israeli civilian presence, and no Israeli military presence was left. Control was passed to the (democratically elected) Palestinian authority, which at the time was not controlled by Hamas, but rather by the secular Fatah Party. The retreat was to the internationally recognized boundary between Israel and Gaza.

The Palestinians in Gaza were not locked up, starved, or anything of the sort at the time. The border crossings were open to trade with Israel, the sea was not blockaded, and Palestinians were able to obtain work permits in Israel. The Palestinians had the opportunity to develop their economy and livelihoods.

However, in spite of the retreat, rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel continued. In 2007, Hamas took control of Gaza by force, and has vowed to continue the conflict with Israel until the latter "ceases to exist". Not a two state solution, not the even the UN partition plan of 1947. Total annihilation.

Although those aspirations are ridiculous an unattainable, they still take a toll on Israeli civilian life, placing about 1.5 Israeli citizens (about 20% of the population) in range of daily rocket fire, for over 8 years.

We can argue over whether the Israeli reaction is proportionate to the amount of damage it has suffered. But, there cannot be any argument as to the basic right of Israel to self defense in this case: Hamas has been firing thousands of rockets into Israel, unprovoked. The only outstanding question here is why did they wait so many years to retaliate?

It amazes me how some people try to justify what Israel is doing, and dare to talk about morality!! Israel = Occupation, where is the morality in Occupation??!! Did the Jews think about morality when they occupied Palestine??!! The Israeli’s have been occupying Palestine for the past 60 years, and the list of what they have done to the Palestinians is never ending!! Nations have the right to resist occupation Palestinians have the right to resist the Israeli occupation.

The time has come for the security of the masses. Israel, Palestinians, The Middle East, The Muslim world, the Arab states, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic movements and many more are a threat to the free world. The rest of the World’s nations should consider eradicating this two thousand year old threat with a barrage of nukes.

you forgot/missed the "Balfour Declaration" which sets the framework that affects the rool causes of this war.

Why is the west bank ..called the west bank,when its east of jerusalem?

As an American I always supported Israel because I thought it was a democracy. But since learning more I see now that actually Zionism is a racist and bigoted concept. What else can explain why a Jew and a non-Jew cannot be married in Israel, but must leave the country to do so?? Is it so hard to see why Israelis are so bigoted and hateful of the Palestinians? Look at the issue of the Ethopian Jews who would like to immigrate to Israel? At every turn you see racism and bigotry.
This is not a democracy. I am ashamed of the current administration who did not vote for condemnation at the UN vote. The whole world "gets it" but yet the US is the lone voice that condones death, destruction and violence instead of diplomacy and peace.

Believe in yourself and acknowledge that religion is the center of all this evil. No religion, nothing to fight about. Sounds like Abraham was a jerk. If you take the Muslim and the Jew out of the picture, we are all just people. Grow up!

Why the jews and the arabs hate each other, God only knows, they are cousins for history sake. Religion never unifies people, it just divides them. Case and point (Israel & the Arab World). Colonization is another part of the equation, therefore The Brits should be responsible for what is happening in Palestine. Then come the Americans, driven by greed $$ always favoring Israel over Palestine. If the Palestinians had enough clout (political & economical) things would have been totally different in that part of the world. Who are the lobbyists in washington? Are they Jews or Arabs? Go figure. One simple solution, start treating both Israel and Palestine the same way, therefore allievating the animosity.

close to 1,000,000 Jews had to flee their homes across the Arab world.
they left behind their homes,all their belonging and arrived in Israel as poor refugees.
they were not compensated for their tragedy.so, they started a new life in Israel and what an amazing country they have build.
on the other hand there are 22 Arab countries that could have easily absorbs the Palestinians in their countries.
the bottom line is that the state of Israel will never be accepted in that region.

The peace in the Middle East is IMPOSSIBLE since one side believes that life is sacred and should be protected and enjoyed here on Earth. And another one believes that death is sacred and the only way one can enjoy life is to become a martyr so he/she can leave this "hell" on Earth . So, there is no mid-point toward which two sides can move to in order to reach some sort of agreement.

The best article I have ever read on this sad situation. It's a tragedy that appears will never end. There are points to be made for both sides, however we are beyond that. If two of your neighbors were fighting, what would you do? It's a pity that the U.N. is almost worthless. My heart goes out to the innocent that are suffering.

By the way this article is worth reading. Just imagine this is happening to you or your family

It was great background information, and presented in a very non-biased manner. I don't agree with either side, but I don't understand how anyone can be so outraged with the fact Israel is reacting with such unrestraint. If I've got a big rock in my hand and someone starts pelting me with smaller ones, I'm not going to put my big rock down and go looking for smaller ones. These people choose to be at war with each other for whatever political/religious reasons, and the US is obviously having little success at brokering a deal to make them stop. We cannot change the way these people feel about each other. This is not going to end until one side wins, and the sooner this happens the better. It's a tragedy lives will be lost in the process, but this war is a tragedy.

When will people realize that there is no god, no allah, no jesus, no nothing that we can see, hear or touch? Stop doing things in the names of those who does not exist upon this world and do not walk among us all, live and let die peacefully!

Great article. Rarely are fair and objective historical overviews offered regarding this conflict.

Imagine if all of your neighbors constantly through rocks at your house, a house which you purchased fairly, (see the background history of the formation of the state of Israel, particularly the huge purchase of land from Arab land-owners by Dutch Jews), what would you do?

Why are there still Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon? Shouldn't the governments of these countries have offered these 'brothers' asylum by now? Or are the Arab nations happy to USE this entire population as a lever acting on the global opinion on the middle east?

Shooting rockets into Israel is a clear sign that Hamas wanted these hostilities. Sure they would have preferred killing more innocent Israelis before this happened, but what did they expect?

"Measured response" is the battle cry of the ignorant. In the long run "measured response" (only responding by killing a comparable number of your attackers) kills many more people by allowing terrorists to grow in numbers (without fear of damning their cause) and removing incentive to resolve problems permanently.

It's time for Israel and Hamas to either make peace or finish this... let's see how this plays out... Let's see if firing rockets into Israel was as good an idea as Iran led these children to believe.

Terrorism is terrorism, no matter what the cause. If terrorism is an ethnicity, then cleanse it.

Stay safe AC

Thank you for this article which provides historical information. So often these days I listen to news reports, or read an article on an event, but don't have any idea what started it, why did this happen, or the history behind it. This is not only on the Middle-East, but other world events as well. Journalism shouldn't be just reporting events, but providing the average person with some background knowledge on the subject. In particular, news reports on the Middle-East, Afghanistan, Iraq, and all those surrounding countries, i.e. what is Hamas, Hezbollah, Fatah?!?! Unless one takes the time to research and try to understand these "other language words", they mean nothing. Even though the subject of this article is not pretty, this article was refreshing. Thanks.

Unfortunately – history doesn't give us a lot of examples of conflicts resolved diplomatically. Most were resolved militarily after which long lasting piece prevailed. Think WWII and history of just about every nation from England to Japan.
Maybe this will be the first one, but I highly doubt it.

Israel is not calling for the destruction of the Palestinians, nor of the Arab nations. Their goal is not to eradicate the Palestinians, or they could have easily accomplished this years ago.

If one of the U.S. neighboring countries allowed their citizens to fire rockets into the U.S. That country would soon be an "occupied country".

Russia would not suffer any country to shoot rockets into it. Can you imagine what would happen if a country tried!

What the Arabs need to understand is, if they ever get enough force to actually threaten the security of Israel, .... Israel will use nuclear force.

If the Palestinians ever got military control of Israel they would try to slaughter every Jewish person. That will never happen.

The problem has always been black and white. if you leave a land
and return after 2 thousand years, no law in the world allows you
to repossess land already settled over this period. Euorpeans with
their history of appropriation of other peoples land and resources
and with total control over the media may succeed in re-writing
history especially with their own people, but that doesnt take away
pure facts that israel is a stolen nation and there has been nothing
but trouble since its inception.

Until each side loves their children more than they hate each other......

Why is the media ignoring the west bank where palestinians are living in peace (now that Hamas is not attacking them). They chose to tolerate Israel and accept that Israel has a right to exist and they live in peace with Israel.

Hamas wants war with Israel. How arrogant are we to want to stop it. Lets let the attacker see the consequences for their actions.

I love history. Looking at history proves to us that no war has ever ended at an empasse. For the sake of the entire world, LET IT END.

Thanks Anderson for everything you do.

I am grateful for the background and perspective offered by Mr. Schechter, despite its limitations, as it shows that the conflict is much more complex than some would like to believe. Nevertheless, this complexity should not prevent us from asking questions, thinking, and forming opinions about recent events. My own questions include the following:

First, what are the objectives of Israel's current military action in Gaza? If the goal is to stop the missile attacks by destroying Hamas, then one can't help but ask: hasn't history shown that Israel's use of overwhelming military force against the Palestinians merely breathes life into the most extreme elements of Palestinian society? In the longer term, won't Israel's military action actually help Hamas and similar organizations? Surely Israel must know this - if so, is stopping the missiles really the objective here?

If the objective (or at least some part of the objective) is to improve the Israeli Labor party's or Kadima's public image in anticipation of the upcoming elections, or to bolster the reputation of the IDF following its lackluster performance in Lebanon in 2006, is it far fetched to refer to the military action as something that approximates terrorism - the use of violence against a civilian population to achieve political ends - at least if one rejects the usual "collateral damage" euphemism and accepts the notion (recognized in American criminal law, for example) that reckless killing constitutes murder?

To my mind, these objectives seem either unrealistic or immoral. Maybe there are objectives of which I am not aware, but I can only form an opinion based on the information that I can realistically access.

My point is this: nothing appears to justify Israel's killing and wounding of hundreds of Palestinian civilians (including hundreds of innocent children) in the current Gaza offensive - even if one goes so far as to accept the destruction of Hamas as a legitimate goal and dismisses some of the blame cast on Israel (including claims that Israel’s blockade was starving Gazans to death, that Israel first violated the cease fire by launching a missile strike on Gaza on the night of the U.S. presidential election, that Israel is continuing to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, etc.).

So should Israel merely turn the other cheek while Hamas launches missiles at Sderot? No, but its response cannot involve reckless murder of civilians, plain and simple. This may limit Israel's military options, but it is consistent with principles of international law. Unfortunately, Israel, much like the United States, is fond of applying the law selectively, when doing so suits its interests (or, more precisely, the interests of its politicians).

Israel has no constitution; despite the fact that Israel is defined as the state of the Jewish people, providing special rights and privileges to anyone in the world who is Jewish and seeks to live there, over and above longtime Arab residents. This, despite the fact that Israel bars any candidate from holding office who thinks the country should be a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all. This, despite the fact that non-Jews are restricted in terms of how much land they can own, and in which places they can own land at all, thanks to laws granting preferential treatment to Jewish residents. This, despite that fact that even the Israeli Supreme Court has acknowledged the use of torture against suspected “terrorists” and other “enemies” of the Jewish state.

Both sides need to smarten up or be left with nothing. If this continues eventually both sides will be left with nothing but a land of dead bodies. Leaders of the world put your egos and beliefs aside and think about the people you so call lead.

Each side has its valid arguments for this peice of desert. But does all this matter when this peice of desert will be nothing but that when everyone is dead?

Israel has been and is occupying Gaza and the West Bank. In 1967 the UN passed a resolution declaring Israel needs to get out of there. They have not complied. Then they build settlements. Hamas shoots rockets at there settlements that are in there territory. Then American news outlets say the Israelis are the victims. Then the Israelis bomb the caged (Israel built a huge wall around Gaza) Palestinians in Gaza in the hopes of stopping Hamas rocketeers. Muslim extremists attack America because of weapons and money that America gives to Israel. Americans say that Muslims are terrorists that hate out freedoms and Israel is defending themselves. Israel plans to annex Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians die and the American media is too afraid to report the genocide.

At this point it is no longer a question of who is right and who is wrong. Both sides have a story, both sides have been wronged. . . The time has come for both sides to realize that the killing needs to stop. What has been done has been done. There are only more atrocities to come if things continue going the way they are going.

Put the weapons down and live in peace. We are all human beings.

Informative post. Appreciate the additional info provided by Moshe.

everyone,
its not all politics and religion. its about power, and keeping your followers distracted while you pocket millions. Hamas and thier friends dont want an end. they want to continue. it is healthy for thier bank accounts.

This really is not a difficult issue for Americans if you will look at our history and Israel's. Israel was given the land by God in the Bible – which is the foundation for US laws and constitution by our founding fathers. We have been traditionally a Christian nation supporting the Jewish people until recent history – we have a lot of ties because of our Christian heritage. We want God to bless our nation but we don't want him in our schools or courtrooms like we used to ... and look what is happening to our nation now. Even Jay Leno said, "[with all these disasters going on] are we sure this is a good time to take out "One Nation under God" from our pledge of allegiance?" We need to give favor to Israel because God says so. End of discussion. Every time the US has worked to help take land from Israel, something bad has happened to our nation – go back and look at the facts. If we work against Israel, God works against us. Plain and simple. The Palestinian’ are a terrorist nation – they train their children to hate from a young age. That attitude will not change. Read the website of Walid Shoebat, former PLO terrorist who was also interviewed by CNN and Fox News. This isn't rocket science. The Palestinians are in unison with Iran in wanting to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Where are the outraged human rights leaders in all this? Israel has the right to defend itself against continued acts of terrorism in a land that is theirs by divine will. Responsible journalism will stop giving any sympathy to terrorist nations by photo shoots of bloodied people. That only serves to strengthen Palestinian resolve and justifies their continued and determined effort to eliminate Israel as a nation. It also works against US efforts against terrorism. Any nation who works to take land away from Israel or support their enemies’ efforts against them has God to answer to – the same God who we ask to bless us. We would do well as a nation to support Israel because they are "the Apple of God's eye". I very strongly believe that God has so blessed us as a nation with that responsibility. Israel has gone out of their way to work with Gaza when they should have invaded and removed the Hamas long ago. We would have done the same as Americans. If someone was continually terrorizing you, you would take definite action to stop it!

By the way, I have to give it to CNN on the balanced coverage and analysis.

From the moment Hamas won a fair election in the Gaza strip, Israel and the United States have sought to undermine Hamas. Israel has maintained a tight blockade that prevented economic improvement in the Gaza strip and caused great hardship on the people who lived there. Every now and then Israel would assassinate some member of the Hamas leadership claiming he had committed some crime against Israel. In response Hamas discharged crude rockets that injured few Israelis.
You can see how terrible the situation was before the Israeli invasion, that in spite of their losses in the current fighting, Hamas sees nothing to be gained by going back to the old situation. They want an end to the blockade to be part of any settlement. "You take my life when you take the means whereby I live."

It seems to me that Israel has only retaliated, not struck first. It boggles my mind that anyone could condemn a country for trying to defend it's borders. We here in America were the victims of terror once; and went to war. Israel gets terrorized almost daily – and everybody urges 'restraint'! Israel gets attacked by Arab nations that freely admit their goal is 'to drive Israel into the sea'- wins several wars, gains land, then gives it back to get peace. Now that's not enough. The Palestinians are but pawns in a larger Arab effort to annihilate Israel. This conflict with Hamas is a calculated effort to get Israel to retaliate, and kill civilians- which is why Hamas hides in civilian areas. They are willing to sacrifice civilians to try and influence world opinion. But Israel has no choice – if they do not respond, Hamas will escalate.
The truth of the matter is, Israel wants peace, and would live with Arab neighbors. Arabs, however, will not live with an Israeli neighbor and will not stop until Israel ceases to exist.

Excellent overview! Of all the comments elicited, however, exactly none have touched upon the main reason this problem will remain intractable: Too many people, too little soil.
A few years ago, a story hit the news about the Israelis killing a "moderate" Hamas leader. I don't know why they called him moderate, perhaps he only moderately killed people. His thumbnail biography ended with the note that he left eleven orphans. E-bloody-leven!
A few days ago, another story mentioned the Israelis killing another Hamas leader, who refused to leave his house after the Israelis dropped leaflets warning that the area was to be bombed. Among the fatalities was the Hamas leader and most of his family, including his four wives. Four.
Do we see a pattern emerging here? At the time of the first Israeli war, the number of displaced Palestinians amounted to a few hundred thousand. Now it is at 1.5 million and climbing rapidly. If every Israeli were to disappear tomorrow– as dreamed by Hamas– how long would it take for the new, "restored" Palestine to become just another overpopulated, impoverished, and invincibly corrupt Middle Eastern dictatorship/theocracy?
I wish I could propose a solution for this conflict. Unfortunately, I can't. When religion dominates the conversation, rational discussion ends.

One state solution is the long term solution. Just like South Africa. But even that does not mean that Zionist (read Zionist NOT Jews) did not stole the land with partnership and connivence of British and Saudi's (read history).

History has to kept straight, however, it should not be used as an excuse to be enemies but be kept straight, nevertheless. Settlement in South Africa does not mean that the whites had not brutalized blacks. Civil liberties in USA now does not mean that the past was very good. Same way settlement of Plastenian land (now Isreal) would not mean that Isreal had not brutalized and humiliated the local population there for last 90 yrs especially last 60 yrs. Learn lessons from history positively and move on.

Perhaps, because I am not an American I find it hard to fathom how an overwhelming number in the American Congress are supporting Israel in its one-sided hammering of Hamas.
Yes, from the current Bush administration -that is a given!
But I had thought the American Congress was more reflective of the American people and the ideals of justice and fair-play.
Not, that it matters – Israel has shown it is a law unto itself.
For me who can afford to comment on the conflict from the comfort of my home, I can only say a prayer for all those innocent folks whose lives thrown into havoc.

Much has been written above regarding the rights of Israel to be a Jewish State, its rights as a soverign, the Palestinians, etc. Much of the critical language of Israel, if applied elsewhere, suggests the following:

The United States should immediately transfer all land to its Native American inhabitants, most of which were the victims of ethnic cleansing. The same argument applies to Australia, New Zealand and Canada to name a few. What is the statute of limitations on historical fact?

Any country threatened with its existence must immediately and henceforth allow its enemies to re-arm at will. When these enemies attack using its own people as human flak-jackets, the threatened country must not respond to these attacks for fear of killing these civilians. Using this guide, all of Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East would have been dominated by Nazi Germany as early as 1943 and its people would have been subjected to mass exterminations and slavery.

That a tragedy is occuring in Gaza today is fact. Any country on the receiving end of continued deadly attacks has the right, duty and the obligation to defend itself under moral and international law.

As Vatican condem by saying Gaza is a big concentration camp. I say that it is a grave concentration camp since all Gazans have no place to go other than die by the isreals bombardment.

Wars suck and people get displaced and they move on. Israel isn't going anywhere and the other arab countries just use the Palestinians to distract their populations about how f-ed up their lives are. They will continue to keep their people uneducated and treat women like second class citizens, and they'll end up back in tents as soon as we come up with other energy sources. And they'll continue to boame Israel and the US for their problems.

If San Diego was rocketed by Baja California, we would level it.

Israel was created by THEFT of land from the Palestinians by UN Resolution in 1947. The Palestinian people were not consulted, they didn't get a chance to vote on it, they have not been financially compensated for loss of land. That is THEFT in all legal codes of all nations throughout history.

The UN had no legal justification to "partition" Palestine in 1947, because it wasn't their's to give to anyone. So the Jewish occupation of partitioned Palestine, calling it Israel, is THEFT.

For Israel to cry "self defense" as the rationale for the current invasion and destruction of Gaza is a legal, logic, and moral absurdity. There is no concept in any legal system of any country, ever, for a thief to defend a theft (creation of Israel) from the victim (the Palestinians) by calling it self-defense.

I think so many lives were lost then and so many are being lost
now... all for what ???? because men aren't willing to talk it through
until an agreements has been reached. TALKING IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN WAR

Israel has become that which it fought against. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The new invasion of Gaza is a sign of desperation. Look at the risk they are taking. They are turning the world against them; worldwide demonstrations of a size never seen before. I think they see the end coming, otherwise, they would never choose to react with such violence. I don't believe Obama will give Israel the same blank check. Arab political, financial and military power has grown extensively in the last 10 years, especially in th U.S. This is Israel's last chance to try and destroy Hamas. Unfortunately for Israel, that reality is long since past; unless they want to kill everyone in Gaza. If they had openly shared political power with moderate Moslems in the 1960s, there might have been a possibility for success. I hear you moaning at that, but think of Northern Ireland. The British government finally decided to keep on talking with the Irish moderates, no matter what the radicals did. Eventually there was movement. I remember when Arafat was in charge of Gaza, and everytime there was any violence, Israel always said, "we are suspending negotiations until the violence stops". That has never worked, and never will. Now they are in a very bad position, running out of time, support and options.
Hamas only has to do one thing in order to win in the end.......survive
until tomorrow.

Re: Dave Oh by the way, I forgot to mention how wonderfully your article was composed, with such heart-felt thought for both sides. Anderson is a great guy for having you run such a timely ,unbiased slice of journalism,...

What has driven the intensity of this sixty years conflict since the original UN Mandate is the arming of Israel by Western powers, principally the United States. This availability of armaments has made the past and present Israeli governments sufficiently powerful to aggrandize land and impose overwhelming military domination.

The military power of Israel includes some of the most lethal non-nuclear armaments made by US armament industries. A case in point is US-made cluster bombs delivered by US-made aircraft have been recently used in Lebanon and now Gaza that have killed and maimed innocent civilians.

The present Gaza conflict is ready-made to result in many more innocent casualties. This will be another historical chapter used by Arab propagandists to inflame public opinion.

Superior might has made right for the Israelis and might has made wrong for the Palestinians and Arabs. It's almost impossible to see a resolution of this on-going conflict without there being more of a balance of military power and, unfortunately, destruction.

No one can predict how this will come about. But it may have to come about after a nuclear "incident" occurs against Israel. The clock may be ticking in the near future with the development of Iranian nuclear weapons. Israel will need to attack Iranian development industries before Iran goes nuclear with weapons.

I have a radical idea. How about we ratify our own constitution and make Israel and Palestine the 51st and 52nd states of these United States. Then the fighting will end. American states do not wage war on one another. Just a thought.

A people without land for a land without people
One proplem before the jewish people arrived to what is now Isreal
it was not a land wiyhout people the came to the wrong place
When the jwes arrived to the holy land it was called Philistine
Back then Palestine was called philistine.
The Palestinians have every right to stay there
And lets not forget Obama will not stand for Bush/Isreali ways
and will not support ethnic cleansing

As an American Jew with relatives in Israel, I along with the majority of my people, mourn deeply the destruction, the suffering of innocents and terrible Palestinian loss of life brought about by Israel’s attack on Gaza. Further, it must be acknowledged that Israel is not perfect, has done bad things in the past and like all nations has made many mistakes. But despite Anderson Cooper’s largely factual, historical account, I would hope that he could acknowledge the current reality: (1) Not all, but the majority of Israelis want there to be a Palestinian state, (2) Israel does not have a constitution, charter, position paper or political party within it that calls for mobilization to “obliterate” the Palestinian people. The Hamas charter calls for the “obliteration” of Israel and its people and calls for Israel “to be driven to the sea.” (3) Thus, “Proportionality” of response should not be the discussion. The discussion should be one of “Intentionality.” Is Israel asked to restrain itself again and not respond to provocation, until Iran arms Hamas and Hezbollah to the point that they can destroy Israel? (4) Hamas openly targets innocents through suicide bombings and rocket attacks. Sadly, in Gaza there is far too great a toll on innocent human life, but the cessation of rocket attacks on civilians is what Israel seeks, not the death of innocents or genocide. With Israel’s superior weaponry and military, Gaza could have already been easily destroyed. (5) Israel is at a huge disadvantage with the media, in that it will not sacrifice its women and children for public relations purposes. Further, I see Hamas rejoice when Israelis die. Have you seen Jews or Israelis dancing in the streets when innocent Palestinians die? Within all of Israel, you cannot find any monuments that celebrate Israeli military victories. We rather mourn the horrific loss of life on both sides that all these wars have wrought.

In efforts to be “objective” journalists and share both sides, there is implied a moral equivalency between an albeit flawed nation and people (as all human being tend to be) that wants to live in peace, a people that respects the multiplicity of faiths in the world, a people that believes there that there is one god who is the god of all people – Muslim Christian or Jewish, versus the Hamas organization whose charter calls for the obliteration not just of Israel, but of all people who do not accept Allah. Please read their charter.

I just read the number of Israeli civilian killed by these attacks and I couldn't believe it till I checked the records.
just 12 people in 8 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Israel is rich, spoiled by the American government and arrogant country. The world knows it except the blinded adopted mother the U.S.
You know why? becouse of all the rich, most influencial jewish Gurru in the American Media and the American government.

Obama had speak out when mumbai was attacked why he did not speak out about what is going on in gaza that is unfair as a president to be. He said that there is only "one president at a time" so then it does not make any sense at all, because he does not understand the concept of having one president at time. when the Americans will need help from the muslims state they will not have any because this will show them that when help were needed to help gaza there is no one speaking out . Also why no one is calling Israeli es terrorist when they are the one killing innocent people. but for muslim when they try to defend themselves and attack back their being called terrorist.

Thank you, Anderson, for an excellent article. This is the closest I have come to understanding what is happening there. You are an excellent writer and my favorite reporter.

The reason is obvious. Hamas fired rockets into Israel. No protests were made against Hamas. When Israel reacts, then all of a sudden there are protests. The problem is that you can’t negotiate with muslims. In 60 years nothing has been resolved in the Israel/l / Palestinian conflicts. Trying to negotiate with muslims is like negotiating with a brick wall. The living conditions in Gaza are the results of the muslim commmunity. Why aren't the oil rich muslim countries supporting there fellow muslim brothers?
What makes you so sure that talks/negotiations with Palestinians will work? Never has before. Muslims only understand one thing Brute force. It is absurd to try and win hearts and minds of muslims. 85% of them are not civilized. The best way to resolve the Gaza crisis it to give it back to Egypt. Otherwise, the citizens of Gaza voted for Hamas. They basically asked for it. They will get no sympathy from me..

And Most importantly, you cannot kill people for what they think. Hamas has not done much destruction, infact they've killed less than 20 Israeli's in the past several years. Isreal just killed nearly 1000 in 2 weeks. Why can't you people understand that Palestinians are human beings too? Human being that deserve the same life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that you enjoy everyday.

It's unfortunate Hamas are cowardly to the point of firing rockets from schools, knowing that Israel will return fire to the point of launch. Hamas has always been and will always be villains in the Middle East, and making Israel look like baby killers to gain support of other countries around the world is their main objective at this point. Israel should regain all the land back they gave up in 05 and then some, to make a good barrier of distance. If rockets and mortars weren't hitting inside of Israel, I doubt Israel would even respond with counter attacks. To all the people who think that Israel is in the wrong, you are weak minded and have been influenced by the tactics of a terrorist organization.

I think the best solution to solving this problem between Israel and Hamas is for Hamas to accept the right of Israeli existence , why Israel will accept Hamas democratic right. If not i will Suggest that all woman and Children and old people should be allowed to move out of Gaza and southern Israel, as to give enough space for Hamas and Israel to fight it out . People gives more room for hatred then love and selfishness for power leads to destruction s and killings ,

The assessment of the existence of two narratives that deny legitimacy of each others narrative is as accurate as can be, from my experience. I am an Israeli who had the privilege to spend a year living with Palestinians at the Arava Institute for Environmental studies, where Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, Americans and others live together on Kibbutz Ketura and study a variety of environmental topics.
Once a week we were mandated to attend a course where we addressed the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in a safe, facilitated environment. We had a chance to listen to speakers from both sides and each others narratives. Gradually were able to understand, if not always accept, each others perception of what happened and how we ended up in the situation we are facing today. This program is so affective and powerful that as soon as the war broke out, graduates of the Arava Institute sent an invitation over the Alumni network to gather together to deal with the pain of the situation. Although on two sides of the conflict, we bound together at a time of war and feel this situation to be a joint problem, where people are suffering on both sides. There is hope for resolution in getting to know each other and recognizing the humanity of each other. It's hard to think of the “other” as enemies when some of your dearest friends are from the “enemy” side.

Israelis occupation if Palestinian territory is illegal under international law.

The building of a wall not only outside of recognized borders but well within Palestinian territory is ILLEGAL under international law.

To say you are "defending yourself" from attacks targeting territories you illegally occupy is just a plan farce.

More of the international community is waking up and Israel will finally go down in history as a genocidial nation.

Let's look at the obvious here. The Jews are doing what has been done to them. They are trying to destroy a race and kicking people off of their own homeland. It's a holocaust all over again. History is yet again repeating itself! Whatever happened to the saying, "Don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to you'?

Let me remind you: Whether you read the Bible, Torah, or the Qur'an,
that land was called Palestine before it was ever called Israel.

Shame on those who support this war.

The war in Gaza is becoming worse by the day, people are begining to protest harshly across the world. I for one, do not understand what wrongdoing Israel has done. If you push a dog into a corner it will bite you. Same concept goes for a country going to war in order to defend itself. I can't grasp the thought of so many dying for being in the path battlefront. The reports are however that Hamas militants are firing from heavily civilian populated areas. Before the Israelis declared war on Hamas the militant group was launching rockets into Israel. The war is really in self defense. Now I am very diplomatic and would love nothing more than peace. Maybe this is more of an act of desperation to eliminate the threat. I mean the people elected Hamas into government on the promise that they would decimate Israel. Can they really complain about the outcome? Can anyone really blame Israel for not wanting to aid the enemy? Hopefully they can obliterate those terrorist tunnels before more people get hurt. But what is taking them so long?

We need better PR.We need to point out the comentators that are bias and put pressure on their sponsors and networks. We need more people to take the time to let their views be heard.

I am writing simply to correct some of the problems with how the "facts" are presented; mostly to highlight the errors of ommission. Take the section on 1947. Why was there a war? The war occured because the leaders of 5 Arab countries invaded Israel with the intention of destroying it within 48 hours of its independence. It was not because of spontaneous combustion. W hy were Palestinian displaced? Many did flee, but a a large number left at the urging of the Arab leaders to advised them to move outside the battle zone with the assurances that when all the Jews were dead they could move back. Were the Palestinians the only people displaced? No, actually at least as many Jews had their property confiscated and were expelled from Arab countries during the same timeframe.
I don't have the time to write about all the inaccuracies throughout the article, but suffice to say, the presentation is neither fair nor balanced.

Please tell me why you censored my comment. Feel free to cut the message in half if you think it is too long, but I made points in my comment that were not contained in any of the other messages. I do not think my comments contained inappropriate language, though I take a firm stand.

I always considered Anderson Cooper a great reporter with guts. I am however quite disappointed that when he was denied entry to Gaza, he just turned around and returned to Atlanta. Would Anderson have returned to Atlanta had he been denied entry to New Orleans after Bush's Katrina disaster? I think Not!

The denial of entry is all part of the Israeli propeganda to keep people from reporting on the ongoing massacre and genocide. I just lost a relative in Gaza on January 7th. He was a Christian and a civilian, 26 years old.Certainly would not be anything related to an Islamic Militant. But if we had western reporters on the gound, it would be really disruptive to teh Israli propeganda machine that dehumanizes the victim and portrays the aggressor as the victim. Hitler did the same to the Jews in WW2 and instead of learning what not to do, they actually took notes and in some cases improved on the genocide. Hitler also stopped reporters from entering the Auwshwitz ghetto as Israel is denying reporters from entering the Gaza ghetto. Shame on you!!

You don't have to take my word on this: Here is a link to what an Israeli soldier (with concious) is saying
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O0LS_La2ar0

The problem in midle East and particularly Gaza is the occupation. Isreal can fool the world that they left Gaza, but in fact they have created a concentration camp called Gaza. Isreal has sealed the area and with the help of Egyptian dictator who is on American payroll, have created hell on earth for the palestinians. CNN is toeing Iraeli line, sine the they are controlled and sponsored by the Isreali lobby.
How can American citizans who bank role Isreali killing of innocent civilians, get the real facts, sine there is a total black out in American media regarding women and children being burnt alive in Gaza. The world has seen those pictures, and they know the truth. When Bush and Chenny, who are war criminals ask " why do they hate us", the answer would be the pictures coming out of Gaza. Americans should wake up and learn what their government is doing in their name.
God bless America.

It used to be that neighboring nations would contest Israel's right to exist. Now they do it by proxy through terrorist gangs. They obviously can't learn from their mistakes. Since 1948, Israel has had a right to be where it is.

Why not change tactics. Why don't the Palestinian's adopt civil disobediance? It worked for Gandhi in India against the British, and it
might be better than hiding behind masks and shooting rockets and mortars from school yards and children's bed room windows in between going over to the Mosque for more ammunition.

Are we looking at what happens when a gang assaults a nation state, or are we looking at the difference between the violent logic of Islam and the peaceful logic of Gandhi? The latter was successful.

It is like the bet between the sun and the wind as to which could make the man remove his coat. If the Palestinian's would ever let the sun come out, the man might take the coat off.

Imagine the Chutzpah of the Israelis to have attacked five Arab countries with only a population or 250 million and humiliate them in 1948.

I followed the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon. I saw so much destruction and bloodshed I wanted to understand the underlying motives, so I began investigating... I collided with the term "Nakba". I had never heard of it. I studied it and came to the conlusion that it is just as horrendous as the hollocaust. From that moment on I have lived with only one question: how come noone ever told me about it... Has the free press an answer?

I Gaza war is as a result of collective failure of the international communities .