Is anyone following the Israel & Palestine Situation.

[redsn0w]

Once again, Hamas is violating the ceasefire and provoking the IDF.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/07/world/meast/mideast-crisis/

They provoke the IDF by launching attacks against the Israeli settlements, and then whine once the Israelis retaliate.

They didn't violate the ceasefire; but they did say they wouldn't renew it if the negotiations didn't meet their demands. To be honest, I don't see this ending anytime soon, unless the blockade is lifted (or at least greatly eased).

Of course they didn't violated the ceasefire .

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[Tusk]

Someone who tells it like it is, and has a real grasp on the situation in the Middle East

George Galloway MP Speech - The Crisis Of Palestine (FULL)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0gEzPG82pc

[cryptasm]

UK announces NHS staff will be sent to Gaza to treat wounded civilians

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israelgaza-conflict-five-killed-in-fresh-strikes-overnight-as-uk-announces-nhs-staff-will-be-sent-to-treat-wounded-civilians-9658834.html

Nice to see our healthcare system treating people in need, wonder how many private healthcare companies will be doing the same  

[Alphi]

A documentary about the Warsaw ghetto if you watch it you will see striking similarities between Warsaw and Gaza.

912 days of the Warsaw Ghetto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfbWsjeePKg

the real question is .. how far will Isreal go to pursue their Zionist dream of a Jewish only state between the Jordan river and the sea.

this is what one senior Likud party member had to say about the issue:

Attack – Attack the entire ‘target bank’ throughout Gaza with the IDF’s maximum force (and not a tiny fraction of it) with all the conventional means at its disposal. All the military and infrastructural targets will be attacked with no consideration for ‘human shields’ or ‘environmental damage’. It is enough that we are hitting exact targets and that we gave them advance warning.

Siege – Parallel to the above, a total siege on Gaza. Nothing will enter the area. Israel, however, will allow exit from Gaza. (Civilians may go to Sinai, fighters may surrender to IDF forces).

Defense – Any place from which Israel or Israel’s forces were attacked will be immediately attacked with full force and no consideration for ‘human shields’ or ‘environmental damage’.

Conquer – After the IDF completes the "softening" of the targets with its fire-power, the IDF will conquer the entire Gaza, using all the means necessary to minimize any harm to our soldiers, with no other considerations.

Elimination- The GSS and IDF will thoroughly eliminate all armed enemies from Gaza. The enemy population that is innocent of wrong-doing and separated itself from the armed terrorists will be treated in accordance with international law and will be allowed to leave. Israel will generously aid those who wish to leave.

Sovereignty – Gaza is part of our Land and we will remain there forever. Liberation of parts of our land forever is the only thing that justifies endangering our soldiers in battle to capture land. Subsequent to the elimination of terror from Gaza, it will become part of sovereign Israel and will be populated by Jews. This will also serve to ease the housing crisis in Israel. The coastal train line will be extended, as soon as possible, to reach the entire length of Gaza.

MK Moshe Feiglin
Moshe Feiglin is head of the Manhigut Yehudit [Jewish Leadership] faction in the Likud party and a new member of Knesset.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/15326#.U-YRuvmSy4Q

if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

[Alphi]

The dark side of Zionism as told by a Isreali author with a conscience

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/why-im-on-the-brink-of-burning-my-israeli-passport-9600165.html

EDIT: according to Wikipedia this account is disputed by Ayelet Shaked as a mistranslated but I guess there is no way to verify this unless someone who speaks Hebrew has access to the original facebook post and is willing to translate it properly.

in the interests of fairness here is the Jpost article defending Ayelet

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Exposing-militant-leftist-propaganda-363062

and the daily beast rebuttal.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/10/knesset-member-walks-back-on-facebook-post-calling-palestinian-kids-little-snakes.html


you can make your own mind up which one is the extremist militant propagandist.

[u9y42]

the problem is that they would have to be non Israeli citizens. the IDF is quite capable of to blowing up its own citizens to stop them from being taken hostage.

in 2010 the world tried to do something like this with the Peace Flotilla but they were turned back by the Isreali navy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_flotilla_raid

what we need is for all sides to agree than UN peacekeepers and peace activists should be allowed to go into Gaza and maintain peace and order.

if civilians go in there alone there is a very high chance that they will be abducted or shot by extremists on both sides for political purposes.

It seems activists are preparing another Peace Flotilla to break through the blockade, and deliver aid to Gaza: http://rt.com/news/179484-turkey-gaza-flotilla-israel/. Let's hope they make it through this time, without anyone being killed in the process.

[Daniel91]

Once again, Hamas is violating the ceasefire and provoking the IDF.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/07/world/meast/mideast-crisis/

They provoke the IDF by launching attacks against the Israeli settlements, and then whine once the Israelis retaliate.

They didn't violate the ceasefire; but they did say they wouldn't renew it if the negotiations didn't meet their demands. To be honest, I don't see this ending anytime soon, unless the blockade is lifted (or at least greatly eased).

I'm also not optimistic that any positive changes will happen soon.
It seems that both Hamas and Israel have good reasons to continue fight.
Hamas can control people (and stay in power), just if they are under attack and hopeless.
For Israel government this is good  way to show to their people that they are strong and they will do everything in order to protect them.
This will raise their popularity and help them in the next elections.

[u9y42]

They didn't violate the ceasefire; but they did say they wouldn't renew it if the negotiations didn't meet their demands. To be honest, I don't see this ending anytime soon, unless the blockade is lifted (or at least greatly eased).

I'm also not optimistic that any positive changes will happen soon.
It seems that both Hamas and Israel have good reasons to continue fight.
Hamas can control people (and stay in power), just if they are under attack and hopeless.
For Israel government this is good  way to show to their people that they are strong and they will do everything in order to protect them.
This will raise their popularity and help them in the next elections.

Yep, right wing parties love war - it often helps justify their existence. But for the Palestinians, I sort of understand, even if I don't agree - Hamas probably represents a desperate move to try and find a way out of the brutal occupation (and then the blockade) they have been under. For Israel, on the other hand, I really find it hard to understand - the protection and security the government promises are obvious illusions; they have no interest in a peace deal, at least in the form of the one or two state solutions, and continuing the occupation will only ensure further escalation of the conflict and radicalization of the population on both sides.

[kuroman]

the problem is that they would have to be non Israeli citizens. the IDF is quite capable of to blowing up its own citizens to stop them from being taken hostage.

in 2010 the world tried to do something like this with the Peace Flotilla but they were turned back by the Isreali navy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_flotilla_raid

what we need is for all sides to agree than UN peacekeepers and peace activists should be allowed to go into Gaza and maintain peace and order.

if civilians go in there alone there is a very high chance that they will be abducted or shot by extremists on both sides for political purposes.

It seems activists are preparing another Peace Flotilla to break through the blockade, and deliver aid to Gaza: http://rt.com/news/179484-turkey-gaza-flotilla-israel/. Let's hope they make it through this time, without anyone being killed in the process.

Apparently Turkey navy will support the flotilla this time, Which will make the Israelis think twice before breaking international law like they did last time

[bahrun55]

Few questions for Palestinian supporters: why do Palestinians tolerate Hamas' habit to put rocket launchers on or between their houses which effectively turns them into the military objects? Which are going to be targeted sooner or later. Are Palestinians okay with this tactics or are they just afraid of Hamas? And for fucks sake, why civilians are allowed (forced?) to stay in or nearby those buildings, it's like Hamas wants them dead.

[Sithara007]

Few questions for Palestinian supporters: why do Palestinians tolerate Hamas' habit to put rocket launchers on or between their houses which effectively turns them into the military objects? Which are going to be targeted sooner or later. Are Palestinians okay with this tactics or are they just afraid of Hamas? And for fucks sake, why civilians are allowed (forced?) to stay in or nearby those buildings, it's like Hamas wants them dead.

One of the problems with Islam is that it gives too much importance to martyrdom. So it is considered extremely prestigious to kill the infidels, or to die for Islam. That is how organizations such as the Hamas survive.

[frankbit]

Few questions for Palestinian supporters: why do Palestinians tolerate Hamas' habit to put rocket launchers on or between their houses which effectively turns them into the military objects? Which are going to be targeted sooner or later. Are Palestinians okay with this tactics or are they just afraid of Hamas? And for fucks sake, why civilians are allowed (forced?) to stay in or nearby those buildings, it's like Hamas wants them dead.

Cowardice is of poor quality. In Palestine the majority of the inhabitants of Hamas? If so then let them wait when Israel destroys military facilities that have turned to their homes. If not then let together fight against Hamas.