A very sad and unfortunate situation is developing in the Middle East
The escalating situation, the loss of lives, and suffering on both ends are regrettable...

The Israeli retaliation to a deadly barrage of rockets to the southern parts of Israel, is not just a justice, it is
the obligation of a country; state, to defend its citizens!

The Hamas (the militant / terrorist organisation) in the Gaza Strip provoked Israel, after a 6 month of (relative) quiet cessation of violence, the terrorist organization Hamas has launched a massive rocket attack on the civilians in the (southern) cities and villages in Israel.

The Israeli military (IDF, Israeli Defence Forces) has launched a massive attack on the sources of the distraction, terror, deep hate- rage and fundamentalism, in the hope that the massive operation will stop the launch of rocket barrages into Israel, a thing that I doubt will happen.....

It is very regrettable, the loss of human lives in the Palestinian (Gaza Strip) area, but it is the responsibility of the ruling party (Hamas) in the Gaza strip to prevent the militants from staging a grinding war, a war of terror at the cities and villages in the Southern part of Israel, bordering with the Gaza strip....

I do hope that both parties (Israel and Hamas) will understand that violence is not the right way; it is not a solution, both parties should cease fire, and stop the evil and devilish cycle of pain and suffering,

But I don’t believe the circle of violence will stop, as long as radical fundamentalist groups of militants are free to stage a terror war on Israel, with support from fundamental countries and regimes.

Israel is the only democratic nation in that area,  with western roots, a country / state fighting for its right for peaceful and prospers existents..... between a (mostly) dictatorships and radical and fundamental countries with one desire..... to spared terror and to destroy Israel!

I am sad and worried, I am outraged, some of my close family members are living in Israel....

Michael

I don't know Mel.  Virtually all reports say Israel never fires first, they always return fire when fired upon.

I really don't know if that is true, but if it is, I certainly hope they continue to do so and do not give up. 

I see firing first as a crime.  Firing second is a moral obligation.  Israel has given up land in order to stop the violence, but that didn't work.

Sad indeed. It seems as though they are destined to fight through this millenia as they have in the past. How do you stop people from killing each other when that is all they know?
sad
the bb

and it is about religion...

Oliver

This is a sad situation.  There will never be peace in the Middle East.  Whenever peace looks possible, the fanatics know exactly how to ensure that bloodshed and hostilities continue.  I don't know why anybody thinks this has a solution.  The Israelis would love to live in peace, but their 'occupation' of the area is something that cannot be peacefully resolved.  They pulled out of Gaza thinking it would bring some peace... instead it only gave Hamas another victory and encouragement for more terrorist acts.

The 300 rocket attacks launched by Hamas produced 1 Israeli death.  The Israeli IDF attacks have killed at least 245 and wounded over 400.  The Israelis have already dropped over 100 tons of bombs on Hamas targets.  That is the way this works... Hamas provokes until Israel retaliates.  Then Hamas uses the retaliation as proof that Israel is heavy-handed.  Magic, war continues.

Sad indeed.

I support Israel all the way.

Pascal.

Potter wrote on Dec 28^th, 2008 at 3:14pm:


Dear Potter and the rest of Clusterville:

That is NOT the way that it happened.  It all depends upon where you start looking.  The British controlled Palestine after Napolean.  There was an infamous "white paper" outlining a plan to return some of the land to be a Jewish homeland.  During the period between the world wars, there was a movement by Jews to buy up land in Palestine, which was considered worthless by the land owners.  The British made it impossible for Jews to move to the Holy Land during WWII.

In 1948, the narrow state of Israel was formed and was immediately attacked on all sides as the British turned over all arms to the
Arabs.

During the '67 war, Israel did sieze land that belonged to it's neighbors as a "security zone".  According to International Law, this is legal, as long as the country was attacked and defending its borders. 

It is horrible that this strip of land is fought over (and over).  Israel has a right to exist and to defend its borders.  One of the signs that Armageddon is coming is when all of Israel's friends turn their backs on them.  Although the USA preaches that they support Israel, many of their concessions are forced by financial means (loan guarantees, etc.)

I could go on and on, HOWEVER, it would be better that you look up the REAL history yourself.   

Ray

Quote:


Thats the way I see it.  You spit in my eye and I will chop your head off and hang it from your front door for your family to see.

Pascal:

I had to cut my ramble down to the bone to type that out.  There's oh so much more to the story.  The bible section I was referring to in the previous post comes from the Old Testament prophet, Zechariah.  At the risk of offending anyone who is not "bible friendly", I thought I could copy a few verses from there to continue discussion.

Quote:


Wishing you all the best,

Ray

Michael,

Have you been able to contact your family members to see if they are safe?  If you do, let them know I will keep them in my thoughts.

My friend from high school, his wife and children also live in Israel. 

Hamas was warned, now it is time to pay the price....WHAM. The UN did not call for a cease fire when Hamas was launching 80 rockets into Israel a day!

Payback is a bitch!  

We have been trying for 60 years to keep them from killin each other, and they are still killin each other… A futile waste of money and effort to delay the inevitable.