Pinigol

A very interesting part of history, one that isn't covered in our schools. Our history education in this country seems to be medieval kingdoms, industrial revolution, WW1, WW2 and JFK. Maybe if kids were taught from a young age that Britain and the United States weren't the only imperialistic countries with blood on their hands they wouldn't have such a narrow minded view of the world as it is now. Because the only logical explanation I can come up with for al-qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah sympathisers in this country is ignorance of what these people really stand for and a lack of understanding on the history of conflict throughout the rest of Eurasia.

That's rich coming from him.

Does anyone in this thread not have SS-18 on ignore?

Chomsky is a fud. Used to be worth listening to but I stopped giving a f**k about his opinion right around the time he became an apologist for Serbian genocidaires. Israel does not call it war, they call it surgical strikes against terrorist targets. Israel has a right to defend it's people from rocket fire, and taking out launch sites is critical to doing that. Lay the finger at Hamas and similar groups who use civilian shields such as the aforementioned schools, apartment blocks and mosques. Now, we must all agree that these rocket attacks can not go unanswered, the question is is there a better way to deal with them than precision strikes?

I agree with Reynard. Again, Hamas hide behind their social activities and their crown as defender of the downtrodden, when in reality they only further the suffering of the people they claim to support. If they wanted to help the people of Gaza, they'd stop importing vast quantities of missiles and mortars for attacking civilians and use the money from their financial backers to reconstruct the territory. Rebuild in collaboration with the UN, instead of leaning on them to make the provisions for the people that are their responsibility. How many mouths could be fed with the money that paid for one of those Iranian design rockets they so righteously fired at Tel Aviv?

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good one. Fact is, its easier for you to just brand anyone that disagrees with your position right wing, when that couldn't be further from the truth in the majority of posters that you're labeling in this thread. We might not agree with the actions of Israel in the past, but unlike some our default setting isn't to automatically side with maniacal fascists because they're anti-western and have falsely been given the tag of defenders of the oppressed.

Gobshite.

That seems to be your stock response, by accusing others of anti-semitism despite the fact that you hold some bizarre views when it comes to jews and their role in the world. I'm against Zionism, in that I believe the state was founded on an injustice (although that's the case with many countries) and that the illegal occupation of land is wrong. But none of that changes the fact that Israel exists, and has a right to protect it's people.

Whereas you're copying stuff you got from Zeitgeist and other "eye opening" documentaries.

:lol: :lol: Tin foil hat stuff from SS-18.

Genuinely, how do you get through life believing that there are global jewish conspiracies and shit like that? I mean, your default setting is to attack the Israelis and then some bizarre David Icke-esque stuff nabbed from RussiaToday (a beacon of unbiased journalism ). I see it the same with the anti-war folks and the 9/11 "truthers", evidence is only legitimate if it supports their story, and anyone who disagrees with them has been brainwashed by the corporate propaganda machine etc.

You're off your fucking head lad. f**k me... :lol:

I've stated it before, Hamas will not consider the score settled until Israel is wiped off the map. They believe they have god on their side in this conflict and have no interest in relenting, even if Israel were to take steps to improve the situation in Gaza it would have little impact on the actions of hardline militant groups. As always, when under pressure people are more likely to side with the extremist parties, and the people of Gaza have been suffering for a long time. The majority of people in this situation on both sides of the border want peace, the problem lies with the right wing religious who veto any attempt at progress. Most Israelis understand the suffering that goes on, it's brought to their attention constantly, and they know they have to improve the situation, but the fact that they are under constant threat of rocket attack gives the extreme parties more weight when they take a harder stance. I stand by what I said, it needs to be Hamas that takes the first step back if they really care for the people of Gaza.

Does it give a breakdown of civilians/militants? I'd also say that there's a good chance they bear some responsibility for a number of those casualties by launching rockets from civilian areas.

They are, but currently it's going to take Hamas and similar groups to take the first step back if we've ever to see an improvement in the situation. Israel will never lift restrictions as long as their civilians are under threat. They will continue to strike on rocket positions as long as they're aimed at Israeli towns. More needs to be done from the international community, but it's difficult to see either side climbing down when you've got two sets of peoples who both feel aggrieved at past injustices, blame each other for escalation in conflict and are convinced they have a devine right to occupy the land.