Let's get this right: Israel, not Hamas, started the war in Gaza

[sherazade]

Israel broke the four month ceasefire in november 2008 after a raid into the territory which killed six member of hamas.

Hamas responded with the rockets.

Prior to this, Gaza's people has been subject to an almost 2 year long siege involving harsh sanctions against its people which has resulted in appalling life conditions. According to Ann short a ridiculously high percentagte of Gazan children are 'malnourished' because of the siege.

Hamas is asking for the siege to be lifted.
Hamas is not a terrorist organisaiton. It is a democratically (first fair elections in the middle east) elected polticial party made up of highly qualified and educated doctors, lawyers, and engineers and is amongst the most highly educated governing body in the world with over 500 phD's between its members. It is certainly not 'misogynistic', with many women amongst it upper ranks.

It was hamas' internal, not foreign, policy which got them elected.

Now with almost a thousand innocents dead, the lack of compassion on this forum has sickened me beyond belief.

This is a sad, sad, world we live in.

than it is very stupid.. Vendetta for vendetta...So then not Israelis but Palestinians are guilty if their own kids are killed. and their blood is on the hand of their parents who breed hate!!!

well, to me yes it looks like Palestininas started the fight with all the terrorost attacks during long years. And what do you say to those who lost their kids and relatives in those attacks...

we live in a far developed world, why not to argue all the subjects in some court or something like that??? Why it does have to be everytime with bombs and then crying mothers on both sides??? Why do not palestinians talk??? why do they fire bombs???

And I do not compare this situatuin with our situation but we all know what Russia i capable of after chechnja and georgia.

Ukrainianmum sometimes there are many reasons behind the hatred, many understandable, if not justifiable.

I agree it's self defeating and just perpetuates a cycle of hatred, but just to say 'you are stupid to hate, if you hate, it is your fault' is very naive understanding of human nature.

The Palestinins have suffered decades of injustices and degredation, the current conflict invovin Hamas and the Israel bombarment is only the latest manifestation of a long history of injustice.

Could be. I do not claim to understand this situation in full. I just say what I feel.

wish i hadn't looked at the photos.

i may be naive but israelis have other places to run to. where can the palenstine's go.

it's just got to stop.

ukrainianmum - you did know, didn't you, that Israel came into being in part at least due to terrorist activities on the pert of Zionists?

And you di know that Israel has been blockeding Gaza for 18 months during the so-called ceasefire, and launnching military attacks to assassinate members of the democratically-elected government?

And you di know that Israel is in breach of dozens of UN resolutions, whilst the Palestine is in breach of none?

Ukranianmum look here for some background on the conflict

I think you need some knowledge and history about this tbh.

It's a BBC website fairly balanced I think.

Ukranianmum - "I do not claim to understand this situation in full"

well at least you got that right.If nothing else.

And you of course, Donnie, are the fountain of all knowledge on this subject. My arse you are.

anyone else here noticing that those on the pro israeli front , since they don't have a leg to stand on anymore, have turned to rudeness as a last resort?

Agreed sherezade. Winky - I would prefer it if you kept your arse to yourself thanks.

That is a good article rev, I read it on the other thread.

Actually, I've found lots of sneering and jeering rudeness from Donnie throughout all the threads on this conflict. She's been pulled up on it before.

Rudeness to people who have different opinions to her and sneering at people who at least admit they don't have the greatest amount of knowledge on the subject.

Please don't let Hamas screw up this cease fire.

Rev, are you in the diplomatic service? You really should be!

me? Are you sure?