Part 3: Israeli-Palestinian conflict

[AndHarry]

New thread as part 2 is nearly full.

Part 1 is here.

Part 1 was started when 3 Israeli boys were found murdered.

Part 2 is here.

In part 2 we mainly discussed the legality and human consequences of Operation Protective Edge.

[PigletJohn]

I hope I'm not being left out.

[Springheeled]

Depends what's considered abuse? Very strong differing opinions have been aired, but that's not abuse is it? We're all adults and if our arguments don't stand up or are in opposition to each other, or are heated and emotive that's surely fine.

[mathanxiety]

Wordsmith:

NAME NAMES IF YOU THINK SOMEONE HERE IS A POLITICALLY CONNECTED TROLL

[Yruapita]

Somewheresafe, i am so glad that israelis are protesting. Israeli government tends not to give a voice to the liberals in its society, or other liberal jews around the world. it also tries to quash their voice with cries of anti-semitic. So so happy to see its not working anymore. I still have a little hope in humanity. richard falk is a straight talker. Wonderful man.

[Springheeled]

Blimey, what have I said?! I'm not fucking off anywhere!

[Yruapita]

I still dont know why people engage with math. Not because of the differing opinion, but the rudeness/abuse shown just now to posters who have still been quite civil with her considering her appalling total disregard for the Palestinians and their children.

[Yruapita]

wordsmith, just ignore. You are under no compulsion to engage with someone who is abusive.

[zinher]

I hope the ceasefire extends for longer so talks can start.

[somewheresafe]

Wannabee - I'm sorry you feel attacked. I know I have posted strongly worded posts on all 3 threads but I've always tried to argue that this is not about being Jewish and I have learnt a lot about the psyche of those who support Israel. I have reported on dissent from within israel and about the work of groups like jews for justice and Jews supporting palestinians right of Return.

If you feel any posts cross the line then please report.

But on a thread discussing a genocide where over 1,000 civilian men women and children have
been slaughtered it's unlikely that you will find support for Israel.

It was great to see 92 year old Walter Wolfgang, a peace activist, address the protestors today and denounce israels barbarism and call for an end to the siege.

[wordsmithsforever]

Yes, Yruapita, no longer engaging. It's very good to see protests - hopefully the start of more debate and questioning the path Israel/Palestine should take. Will look at the Richard Falk link, thanks.

[mathanxiety]

Depends what's considered abuse? Very strong differing opinions have been aired, but that's not abuse is it? We're all adults and if our arguments don't stand up or are in opposition to each other, or are heated and emotive that's surely fine.

What's considered abuse is bullying, browbeating, accusations of supporting baby boiling if posters don't express unconditional sentiments about violence on the part of one particular party to the conflict and trying to drum other posters off a thread by accusations of policitally connected trolling.

What's not abuse is abiding by the Talk Guidelines.

[somewheresafe]

What does everyone think of the boycott movement? There is an app now which many people have downloaded which indicates which products are israeli. There are also local boycott groups forming. There was a boycott demo outside our local tesco and Macdonalds today.

Personally I think boycotts can be useful. Soda stream are no longer being sold in John lewis and this is in part due to boycotts and complaints. My dad also tells me that boycotts and eventual sanctions played a big role in ending apartheid in South Africa. It certainly allows you to take action on an individual level, but may have a devastating effect on local economies.

[thecatfromjapan]

I'll pitch in with some thoughts, somewheresafe, though I really know nothing.

My thoughts on boycotting: Boycotting can make people feel empowered, and keep a momentum going thought that feeling of involvement/doing something.

I do wonder if they actually work, though.

[mathanxiety]

HoppinMad, who wrote that poem?

[wordsmithsforever]

What worked for SA was the sports boycott because as a nation it really showed strong disapproval - literally, "We don't want to play with you!"

[mathanxiety]

It punishes the innocent as much as the guilty.

Interestingly, boycotting originated in Ireland. It was first used by rural terrorists who later morphed into the Irish Blueshirts.

[somewheresafe]

I think sanctions have to go hand in hand with boycotts. And like word said, sports boycotts would are useful. Ultimately, I think trade sanctions are needed. Israel needs to know that although it has the financial backing of the US the world will no longer be complicit in its lawlessness.

I will be boycotting israeli produce, as far as it is possible to do so.

[ThunderbumsMum]

Ooh, better avoid google then. And loads of modern medicine. Good luck with that

[thecatfromjapan]

I'll be boycotting (again ) but I would really like to see some sanctions.

[bakingnovice]

www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/eight-hundred-dead-palestinians-but-israel-has-impunity-9629726.html

Brilliant writing by Robert fisk. Apologies if it has been posted already. I too want to know why the world is in mourning for the innocents who lost their lives on the plane, yet the level of sympathy for palestinian deaths is subject to shouts of hamas and human shields.

Another shocking piece if news emerging from al jazeera is that Israel only allowed ambulances into devastated areas 11 hours into the 12 hour ceasefire. If this is true then it cements my belief that Israel is a rogue terrorist state.

Sky news reported that many hundreds of palestinians have been captured following protests in the west bank. Israel refuses to term them prisoners of war, and insists they are only terrorists. No trial no charge no protection under international law. How fucking dare they? Israel is the world's biggest terrorist today. It has been allowed to butcher children and entire families. Yet it insists the victims are terrorists. Free them or kill them israel. Let this be the beginning of the end of israels state terrorism.

[runes]

math You have the audacity to describe The Irish Land League as rural terrorists whilst defending the monstrous slaughter of innocent civilians by Israel. Unbefuckinglieveable! STILL waiting on your condemnation of the Zionist terrorism that helped found Israel.

[Yruapita]

I think boycotts work too. I will also be boycotting. I am glad that Most stores are taking Israeli products off their shelves. It is up to us, the people, to keep the momentum going.

[bakingnovice]

I will be boycotting too as far as I am.able to. I will shop at the co-op and try and do my bit. It would be impossible to avoid anything to ever come out of Egypt but I will try my best to ensure not one penny of my money goes to that despicable regime.

Glad soda stream has left the UK. Recent reports have suggested they sacked a group of palestinian workers this week.

[somewheresafe]

Israel not Egypt.

Although Egypt have acted deplorably too.

[bakingnovice]

Yes israel not Egypt