Part 2: Israeli-Palestinian conflict

[AndHarry]

Starting a new thread as the original is almost full.

The original thread is here. It was started on 1st July after three Israeli boys were found murdered, before the murder of the Palestinian boy and the resumption of sustained rocket attacks and Operation Protective edge.

There are lots of excellent posts and links in the original thread showcasing a variety of views. The main consensus was that there is fault on both sides. We also considered various options for people on both sides of the conflict to work towards a lasting peace.

There was a stupid bint on LBC this afternoon who actually asked why the children were playing on the beach in the first place and that their mothers should have had them indoors in a shelter what is wrong wth people? why do they take all leave of their senses when it comes to defending Israel?

Oops posted by mistake.

Sorry to be dipping in and out of the thread. I just get really upset reading the links on here and the videos. My mind cannot cope with it. I don't pray much at all but for the past few days that is all I've been doing for the people of Gaza!

m.aljazeera.com/story/201472394058635836

I've just come across the above link on Facebook (sorry if this has been mentioned already). It seems finally the UN is taking some action. I just can't help but feel whether it will be of any use now or even if they will actually physically do anything. I hope they do follow it through with some actions.

With all this information available, how can people still be defending Israel?

I read the news earlier regarding what the UN were saying. It's very weak - war crimes MAY have been committed they said

I agree reigningqueen re UN statement but I was thinking at least they have acknowledge the situation!

I hope Navi Pillay remembers her own long and hard struggle for human rights here in South Africa when she is considering whether or not the Israeli state may or may not have committed war crimes. I hope she thinks about the Palestinians and their non-existent human rights. Having said that, the Israeli government has been sanctioned by the UN before and it hasn't seemed to make a blind bit of difference - and won't - not when David Cameron and Barack Obama are defending the Israeli state's right to "defend itself" by shooting little boys on the beach.

But yes I am glad that there's been a tiny bit of acknowledgement.

There have now been 149 Palestinian children killed and literally 'no safe place for civilians' in Gaza, according to the UN - thanks to the 'pinpoint' operation.

See www.smh.com.au/world/no-safe-place-for-civilians-in-gaza-says-un-as-child-death-toll-reaches-149-20140723-zvvz3.html

I was quite impressed with the Lib Dem MP until he apologised. He wasn't condoning the rockets, he was seeing why people might turn to those actions in utter desperation. It was refreshing to hear someone get angry to be honest- I was also a little more pleased with Ed Miliband than usual yesterday. And the UN woman today, though she hedged her bets FAR too much.
We can all bloody see these are war crimes!!! There's no may be about it

Following the twitter of gazans. One tweeted that gazas only mobile phone company may close down soon due to bombing of infrastructure. Can't believe the horror being inflicted on gazans in full view of the world. Words are so inadequate.

Some of the tweets are very distressing. Especially the ones from teenagers in palestine who are tweeting to confirm they are still alive, or hoping to be alive tomorrow.

There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

Im sure the Israelis want to make it a priority to cut off the communication that keeps social media updated. Fkn bastards.

I want to give some money to a charity that's helping out there directly. Anyone got any info on that?

Not much else I can do.

Human appeal are a great charity and have a very active appeal for Gaza. They're raising money for family survival packs (food, blankets, hygieine and medical kits), a&e beds, emergency shelter units and clean water .

Reigning Queen there are some charities mentioned early on in this thread.

Good article in Haaretz

I donated to Medecins Sans Frontiers. They're working in Al Shifa hospital.

Thanks though I wonder if anyone will be left to benefit from charity soon. My heart breaks when I read about the lives being taken and the lives being devastated.

emma some of your points are coming across as racist. There's no call for it.

"their red gingham tablecloths over their heads"

That is hugely racist and ignorant. Also, have you not heard of the Keffiyah scarf, widely worn by men in the Levant?

Qatar is trying to intervene, but Israel won't accept their involvement. Besides which, with the US vetoing everything, what else could Arab countries do?

However, while the leaders of neighbouring countries may be inept, I guarantee that charitable donations from people in those countries will be huge. Every mosque will be donating to Palestine.

it was a bleedin lighthearted joke in the middle of a serious post....chill out...cant even make a joke without being called racist........if any rich neighbouring country has actually helped tangibly we would have heard about it, would we not? Instead of doctors at the hospitals at the end of their tethers?? With little supplies?? I aint racist I just look at words and actions so take back your accusations please and if I did come across as racist then my bad..must conform to politically correct speech from now on

Yes, please do. The situation is horrific enough without hyperbole with racist undertones distorting the message.

Absolutely sickened by the rape comments. What a vile human being.

This has just come up on my news feed:

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/students-offered-grants-if-they-tweet-proisraeli-propaganda-8760142.html

Unbelievable.

Uncalled for Emma, let's not descend into playground arguments on the thread. I don't see how anyone is trying to 'drive you off this board' but for what it's worth, I too found your comment about tablecloths on head rather unsavoury.

Not really had chance to catch up with what is happening in Gaza today but it looks like they are no closer to ceasefire?

Actually sorry, that news story is from August 2013, still, why would a government need to pay off citizens to write good things about them? . Doesn't sound very democratic.