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.

I think i was reading a newspaper article, cant remember which one, may have even been linked on here. A palestinian was being buried and another Gazan said to the journalist words to the effect of: this is the only way we will escape from here.

It is appalling.

ReigningQueen that Guardian article is a copy of one linked to earlier in the thread printed by The Ecologist. I found it very misleading, conflating statements made by the Israeli Defence Minister now and 7 years ago and linking them with a quoted opinion from a pro-Palestinian activist. The whole article is written by Nafeez Ahmed, who wrote a conspiracy theory book about 9/11. In all, very poor journalism that I am surprised to find reposted by a reputable newspaper like The Guardian.

Gosh, that poem is very powerful.

Andharry the Guardian has been doing sloppy journalism for a few years now. I was brought up on this newspaper and very rarely buy it now. Most of its articles are weighted one way or another.

Destruction at a UN school that people had fled to today.

Froth on IDF apologists, do. Get ever more high pitched as the world walks away from you in disgust. Wave your distraction techniques about and play the anti semitism card until you are blue in the face.

No one wants to hear it. The IDF shelled a UN school to which families had fled for cover. War crimes.

Israeli government is fooling its own people.

Israeli apologists, Israeli government is making a fool of you.

Where is the proof for human shields?

Where is the proof that Hamas killed the 3 boys?

Oh is it that Netanyahu said so.

He kills Palestinians and he kills young Israeli soldiers by getting them to do his dirty work.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he regretted each Palestinian civilian death, but said they were "the responsibility of Hamas"

he kills people but he is not responsible for their deaths? How can anyone rationalise this logic and I have seen it being repeated by all the apologists on every social media outlet in response to the pictures, tweets and status updates to show the mass murders of civilians.

Bibi must be thinking god bless Hamas. He uses them to legitimise genocide.

Twitter is awash with photos of israeli soldiers using young palestinian teens as human shields. Oh, the irony. The hypocrisy. The arrogance. The evil.

The Guardian is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed by an airstrike on a UN school that was being used as a shelter for refugees.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he regretted each Palestinian civilian death, but said they were "the responsibility of Hamas" - doublethink I'm afraid.

I don't understand all the apologists. I feel like I'm in some sort of parallel universe whilst listening to some news reports. The logic of the apologists for the actions of the Israeli government is twisted and makes my head hurt.

The UN have said that they gave precise co-ordinates of the school to the Israeli army and had spent the day trying to negotiate a window for civilians to leave but it was never granted.

Heartbreaking. I just can't understand how human beings can do this.

A former soldier's account of an IDF patrol tying a Palestinian villager to the roof of their jeep to protect the soldiers. I've read a lot of interviews in the past couple of weeks with reporters asking Palestinians why they stayed in danger zones. Not one so far has said because Hamas told them to.

Was going through a website which lists the names, pictures and information about those killed. So so many of them.

AndHarry a lot of them say that where should they run to? If even the UN places are not safe then really it dsnt matter if they run or stay, they are gna get hit.
I have been following a young Palestinian who hasn't tweeted for about 20hrs now. I really hope he is safe.

Raffef Ziadah wrote a very powerful poem describing her experiences of reporting in Gaza.

You can see her recite it here: www.upworthy.com/a-reporter-accused-her-of-teaching-hate-to-children-her-reply-is-angry-and-haunting-and-perfect

Nine Jewish Americans arrested in New York for protesting against the assault on Gaza on Tuesday - see www.democracynow.org/2014/7/23/not_in_our_name_jewish_activists

The UN have got to sanction and investigate Israel for war crimes striking shelters and refugee camps is so wrong I can't find the right words to articulate my anger and disgust.

I've just read in the dm that a child has died every hour for the past two days- how anyone can say that is Israel defending themselves is beyond me.

Horrific statistic! And many more will join that. How many will need life long care? This is such disgusting action and acts of horrific violence by Israel

This article sums it up for me - see www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/21/hospital-hamas-isreal-hiding-among-civilians

And the following link would make me feel quite nostalgic for South Africa circa 1989, were it not for the terrible suffering then in SA and now in Gaza. Clearly debate is not allowed in Israel by the present government.

Israel bans radio advert listing names of children killed in Gaza - see www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/israel-bans-radio-advert-listing-names-children-killed-gaza

Oh God! C4 is heartbreaking! Why are they targeting children. Grave concern (ha) but how does that help stop the killings

Israel trying to blame Hamas again. That is their answer to all their brutality. Hamas, hamas, as if that justifies their killing. Jon Snow is brilliant, as is Jonathan Miller and all the journalists and people reporting from gaza.