Palestinian Boy Kidnapped and Murdered.

[The Flash]

Where did he call you anti-Semitic?

Where was anyone Jew bashing?
Or is that the persecution card being played early?
Just out of interest, and the fact your answer may prove amusing, just why do you think Uncle Sam has been bankrolling a morally corrupt Israeli regime forever?

You do realize the U.S also funds the Palestinian Authority too, don't you?. The difference is, Israel use their money to improve the lives of their citizens and PA use it for rockets.

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Where was anyone Jew bashing?
Or is that the persecution card being played early?
Just out of interest, and the fact your answer may prove amusing, just why do you think Uncle Sam has been bankrolling a morally corrupt Israeli regime forever?

You do realize the U.S also funds the Palestinian Authority too, don't you?. The difference is, Israel use their money to improve the lives of their citizens and PA use it for rockets.

My keyboards soaking wet mate - I think Popcorn Cat just pissed himself laughing at that last post.

 

[Barker]

You do realize the U.S also funds the Palestinian Authority too, don't you?. The difference is, Israel use their money to improve the lives of their citizens and PA use it for rockets.

My keyboards soaking wet mate - I think Popcorn Cat just pissed himself laughing at that last post.

Prove to me they don't then...

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

The question of who started this is almost irrelevant. The real question is who will finish it and how. It sounds very cynical but a short sharp conflict suits nearly all the political players. There was a analysis somewhere about how the key players on the two sides almost need this situation. It went something like this:

From the Israeli point of view, Netanyahu is a weak leader who wants to appear to be strong. He vacillates between the softer side of the right wing and the extreme right wing depending on circumstances and who's shouting loudest. At the moment, there's little doubt that the vast majority of Israelis, on all parts of the political spectrum, support the action he's taking. They are fed up of the rockets, 1000 of which have been fired this last week alone. If he does nothing he looks weak. If he does something, the rockets get worse but he looks strong. There will be a point where public opinion starts to desert him if it drags on aimlessly but he's safe for the moment. The fact is no Israeli leader could survive in the fractured nature of Israeli politics with its fragile coalitions if they appear to be weak on security.

On the Palestinian side, this also suits Hamas as they are weak as well. They've lost public support and the support of the Egyptian government since Morsi was toppled. They were elected but that was as much to do with disgust at the corruption, venality and ineffectualness of the PA. They're seen as less corrupt but no more effectual and have actually made life more difficult for the ordinary Palestinian in Gaza. They are unlikely to get elected again or, if they are, with the same level of support. So it suits them to be seen in the Arab world as the victim as they feel that this will force Arab governments to support them.

Where exactly do I stand?

- I support the right of Israel to live in peace and security but I also support the right of the Palestinians to achieve the same.
- I do not support the policy of expansion via the settlements.
- I do not support the use of overwhelming force by Israel against people who may not be the direct cause of the problem but I also do not support Hamas hiding behind those same people and letting them pay the penalty for their aggression.
- I don't like the term "disproportionate response" as this implies there is an acceptable level of killing, whereas no killing can usually be justified.
- I believe both sides tell lies, use propaganda and are potentially guilty of war crimes.

In the foreseeable future, the only viable solution is a two-state one. That will only be achieved when both sides agree that they have more to lose from fighting each other than they have from co-existing. I would propose a step-by-step approach starting with a ceasefire monitored by independent observers. As part of that (though maybe not from Day 1) I would propose that both sides gove something concrete, with Hamas recognising Israel and Israel loosening the economic blockade on Gaza and even working with them to rebuild the place. If the two Koreas can manage an economic co-operation zone then anyone can. As part of that both sides would give a commitment to work towards a peaceful solution.

After 6 or 12 months of this, I would propose full recognition and a timetable to be agreed whereby all restrictive border controls would be lifted and the two sides would talk directly to each other. Gaza is less of an issue longer term as they have complete territorial integrity, without any settlements or Israeli control. The West Bank would require a different approach, first agreeing borders (which would involve a land swap) then a phased relinquishment of Israeli control over Palestinian areas.

I've always said that the key to this is not only giving the Palestinians self-determination but co-operating economically to make them wealthier. The better off people are, the more they don't want to disturb the status quo.

Eventually at some point (thought it may be years and years off) there could be a secular state in which neither group dominates the other and which guarantees religious freedom for all groups, which was always the original intention.

 

[Blue Til Death]

Oh Lord.. Im off to the gym before the NF rockets start getting fired.. Good Luck Mr B.. You made your bed, so to speak.. !

 

[The Flash]

My keyboards soaking wet mate - I think Popcorn Cat just pissed himself laughing at that last post.

Prove to me they don't then...

Nice try, but burden of proof lies with those making the claim. Which is you, in this instance.
So off you toddle. I'm sure there's a video on youtube of some Palestinian housewife stating that all of the
$400m the PA receive is spent on rockets, true story bro.

 

[west didsblue]

Where was anyone Jew bashing?
Or is that the persecution card being played early?
Just out of interest, and the fact your answer may prove amusing, just why do you think Uncle Sam has been bankrolling a morally corrupt Israeli regime forever?

You do realize the U.S also funds the Palestinian Authority too, don't you?. The difference is, Israel use their money to improve the lives of their citizens and PA use it for rockets.

I'd love to see the amounts of money passed between both.

I bet the Palestinians get BILLIONS as well :-)

Why don't you look it up? Full details are on Wikipedia.

All US aid to Israel gets spent on US hardware; this consists of 15-20% of Israel's defence budget or about 1% of its GDP so if the US withdrew the funding, it wouldn't actually make a massive difference.

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Ok - to lighten the mood somewhat, I suggest a little competition.
You simply have to complete this sentence;
'The Real Reason Why The United States Props Up One Of The Most Morally Dubious Regimes In The World Is...'
The winner gets a pint of Guinness and a packet of pork scratchings.
Although clearly the scratchings won't be included should the winner be Jewish.
Or Arabic, come to think of it.

 

[Skashion]

Rocket attacks from the West Bank is a news to me as well. I must commend The Barker on getting a scoop no-one else in the world has gotten.

 

[Barker]

Ok - to lighten the mood somewhat, I suggest a little competition.
You simply have to complete this sentence;
'The Real Reason Why The United States Props Up One Of The Most Morally Dubious Regimes In The World Is...'
The winner gets a pint of Guinness and a packet of pork scratchings.
Although clearly the scratchings won't be included should the winner be Jewish.
Or Arabic, come to think of it.

It's sad they you can actually sit there and make jokes about this whole thing.