Barak: Gaza-bound Libyan aid mission - unnecessary provocation

One may be anti Israel without being anti Jewish. Many international Jews take issue with the actions of Zionist Israel.

I am not historian nor an expert on the issue .One thing I can proudly say that I am true jewish friend . But you are totally wrong to reject your national paper b'cause they make independent statements . Wake up .because of similar attitude as yours whole world is turning againist state of Israel

I am in the USA and read Haaretz to get my news concerning Israel. I have read Haaretz for years but I find that what you write is true. It seems Haaretz is anti-Israel and some type of self-hating jewish publication. I find myself cringing at some of the naive articles. I regret that...but can't help feeling this way esp. while the Genocidal threats are so severe. I wish I could talk to you and share more of how I feel... So 'just know' that MANY people here in the USA (Jews & Christians) feel as you do. I will check out Yisrael Hyom. maybe we will meet there someday. YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!

I don't know to whom you are a Jewish friend to. If you mean Israel, please, please read other Israeli publications, not necessarily instead of Ha'aretz, but at least in addition to. I have to keep reminding myself that Ha'aretz is an Israeli paper, because it is so consistently slanted against everything this country is and does.

Weak. But no surprise. hard arguing with facts--huh ????.

IE foreign Workers. Grow up Mr whataboutery. Israel,s new favourite saying ---"Ship Ahoy". Allah be praised---there are thouisands of them. Duh---what do we do now"(Barak). Send in the Commandos oh and re arrange the deck chairs. One smart military genius you got there psm. Real smart.

which is probably just as well

hame on you! You'd better get out and study a lot more about these issues before you bask in your BS. You'd probably surmise it was shoddy Israeli journalism when Israel countered the Egyptian news reports at the height of the Six Day War back in '67 that Tel Aviv was in flames. Jordan entered the war on a third front based on that propaganda and the rest is history (actually His-Story, if you believe in G-d).

israel and gaza are in an armed conflict. israeli-arab mk's who are siding with gaza are not simply expressing their opinion on a political matter. they are siding with the enemy. no country can survive if members of parliament side with the enemy. any mk has the right to question policies, but none have the right to side with the enemy.

But actively working against the state, both by spying and by violence, is another altogether. And I was thinking the same thing Devoshkes.

I suppose it's about n,d.. You said."This is the result of a female being deprived of sex for a long time".............................Now come on. In all honesty who would want to even touch this wrinkled, & shriviled up old woman ?................Shakespeare said, that he preferred people who are robust & smiling & not thin skinny people who never have enough rest & are always scheming & plotting like Cassius....He & his gang stabbed Caesar to death in the Forum.

They get "apoplexy fits" about so called "self hating" Jews too. If a Jew is against the siege of Gaza is he/she "acting like an Arab" in your opinion?

I usually disagree with Natalie Durson, but this time I will say she makes a good point. Those thinking that Arab MKs are disloyal to the State of Israel obviously have no real knowledge of the Arab community nor a balanced perspective themselves. I suppose those folks also feel that American Jews are totally in within their rights when they blindly support Israel even though some of the latter's policies may be harmful to US interests. And by the way deVoshkes, yours was a totally crude and uncalled for comment. If you are a grown man you should be just a bit ashamed of yourself.

Gazan and Palestinian enemies, Lebanon, enemies, Syria and Iran enemies, every foreigner that enter Israel and want to visit Palestine, enemies. Academics like Chomsky enemies, famous Spanish clowns not allowed to cheer up Palestinian kids, enemies, thousands and thousands of peoples of all the corners of the world that go on the streets ,reject your views and support Palestinians, enemies. The majority of the world represented in the UN that reject your actions with resolutions vetoed by your friend uncle Sam, enemies. My goodness, too many of them. Poor you!

Don't worry de Voshkes they make good and cheap vibrators in China and this "lady" can always buy them at Val-Mart in L.A....Ger problem is different...She's a paid palestinian "ball-pen" cyber terrorist spreading her brain fertilizer any time the haaretz prints a new topic...She's a rotten egg laid by the goebbels snake...

is a one angry and stupid person, that has such ahate to all jewish people that she caqnnot differentiate betweeen right and wrong. Tibi was in contact with Libya. that is why he has to be in jail. If any member of American senate would be in negotiatians, supporting a Al Queda he would be long rot in jail and charged with treason.

....is not siding with the enemy. The enemy of peace, more than anything, is Israeli intransigence. Israel is addicted to armed conflict. Israel does not want peace. And of course, Israel despises Arabs (including Arab MKs). Get a grip on reality, lady.

couldnt have said it better

Hamas, the ruling power inGaza, has declared its intention of destroying Israel and has committed and is still comtttingf acts of hostility against Israel. This means that a state of war exists between Israel and Hamastan. In wartime, it is perfectly legal to blockade all enemy ports of entry.

"The fact that Gaza has not been allowed to export its products is proof enough that the blockade is not for millitary purposes and is therefore illegal under US maritime law" It's legal. There is no such law which says you must allow a blockaded enemy entity to export.

Well teh other judge can take a flying F&&k. Since tehse judges dont live in ISrael they cannot comment and should not comment. Anyone who thinks they know better can come and live for six months under the threat of anihilation from Hamas, Iran, Hizbullah and Syria. That is if you dojnt run home crying to your mamas.

Hamas would never allow peacekeepers. Other nations don't want to endanger their troops. And so-called peacekeepers do nothing constructive, as is witnessed in Lebanon. Why don't you suggest bringing in sophisticated weaponry and handing it to Hamas while you're at it?

"flotilla's", eh!

Those of mine don't cost lives.

To get rid of extremists, bring in moderate elements. That's my point. The siege didn't bring safety, and only strengthens Hamas. So did Cast Lead. Time for a new approach.

To get rid of extremists, bring in moderate elements. That's my point. The siege didn't bring safety, and only strengthens Hamas. So did Cast Lead. Time for a new approach.

Are you aware that "parvo" is a lethal canine disease?and in Portuguese it is a sinonimous for IMBECIL? The main income of the gazans is the moneys the unwra pays them from 1947/1948 on...The second source of income is money from their moslem sugar daddies,for their terror/propaganda work.Present sugar daddy being iran...thierd source are the moneys they collect from the hamas cruminal activities in the Americas,both South and North...don't worry about them.Their chieftains probably make more money per capita than you'll ever make in your sorry life time...

UNIFIL maybe ?

You, know, there is an English word "hypocrisy".. Didn't you ever learn how to spell it?

The but is they ignore it.While I read the talbacks my eye is =on the breaking news and see the constant killings dily in Iraq,Pakistan etc. Muslims killing Muslims.

Some spell "hypocracy" Instead of "hypocrisy" No offence ha?

He's objects to Arab pretensions to hipocracy. Israel is the only true hipocracy in the Middle East.

The Quartet, the PLO, Egypt and Israel all endorsed the blockade until Hamas renounced violence, and accepted previous agreements. Have they done so?

Everybody could have endorsed a blockade (although I don't believe everybody did), but the question is, what is the legal basis: Occupation or "armed conflict". One allows taking actions outside of territorial waters and the other doesn't.

israel and gaza are in an armed conflict. hamas has not renounced armed resistance. more importantly, hamas has attacked sovereign iisraeli territory and iisraeli civilians with missiles fired from gaza. hamas has made numerous attempts at cross border raids into sovereign israeli territory, including the raid that cost the lives of israeli soldiers and the hostage taking of gilad shalit. hamas has continued to smuggle missiles of various ranges, rpg's, explosives and anti-tank weapons. israel had declared gaza to be a hostile territory. all of the above is independent from the issue of control over waters adjacent to gaza. there is no siege on the west bank since the west bank at this point is not in armed conflict with israel.

CJK: "israel and gaza are in an armed conflict." No, untrue. The "armed conflict" was Operation Cast Lead, and it ended when Olmert declared a ceasefire. Neither side has repudiated that ceasefire, and so there is no "armed conflict" currently going on between Israel and Hamas. I'll point out that there isn't an "armed conflict" between Israel and Hezbollah either, and the moment THAT armed conflict ended in 2006 (by ceasefire, remember?) Israel had to end its blockade of Lebanese ports.

they only put a pause in fighting. armed conflicts end only with peace treaties. furthermore, hamas has not renounced the use of arms nor has it stopped arms smugglings.

CJK: "israel and gaza are in an armed conflict." Numbskull: "No, untrue." Actually, it's very true.

In war time you have a war, so you act according to the terms of the the war. This is not a new phenomenon i a war, it was practiced in WWII. Blockade is not Illegal in this case if you see it from the perspective of faithing an enemy! Somalian make business when a ship is taken at sea, and they demand money for the seized cargo, that is piracy.

They are lucky the whole bunch of them is not arrested and jailed. If they were SO concerned with Human Rights, they would be banging Hamas' heads against the wall to release the illegally kidnapped Shalit, or at the very least, allow Red Cross visits (NOW THAT is a violation of International law). These Anarchists bring shame to their families with their insanity.

Despite Israel's promise to allow in humanitarian aid there are still 500 tons of cement plus prefabricated buildings languishing on the Rachel Corrie in Haifa port. Gaza has to be rebuilt, not only to give people homes, but to rebuild the manufacturing capacity. This nonsense that letting building materials only allows Hamas to build rocket launching bunkers (and rockets according to the MFA website!) has to be set aside. The 60 tons of cement a month that Israel allows into Gaza is derisory. Until there is a realistic humanitarian policy on what is allowed in and out of Gaza the blockade will remain both illegal and immoral.

You have a fine way of pampering them in their militant, futile stupor while disingenuously criticizing Israel at the same time for the opportunities they do offer the Palestinians to grow. Please don't raise your children with that kind of parenting or they'll turn out to be monsters. How is it that an ordinary Israeli can work productively in those Gaza greenhouses preparing beautiful roses in the morning and reaping profits from their sale in European boutiques that same evening while the talented Gazans can think of nothing more but ransacking and pillaging that same agricultural infrastructure when it was handed over to them for free? Please save up and go visit this area and learn something before you broadcast your bias and embarras yourself internationally in print.

under customary international law, a blockade can disallow exports. the only legal requirement is to provide the civilian population with humanitarian aid. goldstone's "opinion," is not based on any cited precedent. nor is goldstone's "opinion" a legally binding judicial decision. indeed, the international community will not embrace such an "opinion," since it would deprive all other states from exercising a very important tool of warfare.

"deny their right to leave and enter their own country..." Gaza is not a "country" -- that's the whole point. If they want to be a country, they have to make a peace deal with Israel, such that they will no longer be a threat. Until such time, Israel has the right to take whatever measures necessary to keep Hamas in check.

and it still makes no sense

then it is a country. Hamas considers itself the loegal ruler of Gaza. Therefore, Gazam or Hamastan, is a political entity and, for all practical purposes, a country. Moreover, trhe Hamastan entity is at war with Israel, with the declared intention of destroying Israel.

If you read the title of my post, you will perhaps realize that the purpose of the post is to offer a way to stop the "flotillas". Israel is already beginning to follow the route of removing the "siege". So please don't waste our time with arguments about whether the siege was legal or not, whether Israel had the right to impose it or not. The siege is damaging to the country that imposed it and that country will be better off without it, both from the point of view of "flotillas" and perhaps the Hague. Sorry, but this is a question of wisdom, not a question of legality. And if you insist on arguing about the legal question, why not bring some expert's opinion to counter Goldstone. He is a legal expert, while you are not in the proper league.

It would make a good start. The way it's going, Hamas will be canablizing her own materials until they can't sell anything on the black market. Hamas is correctly called a terrorist organization voted in by the same people who suffer most at their hands. their votes, their problems.

since you want to continue the blockade for purposes of preventing arms smuggling, the legality of the blockade is highly relevant. nor would anything short of a total lifting of the blockade stop the flotillas. the sole purpose of the flotillas is to undermine israel's very legitimacy. furthermore, it is highly unlikely that there would be a flotilla problem if there were a different president sitting in the white house. the entire show has been coreographed from the start. iran and lebanon were told that america would not tolerate their ships coming to break the blockade.

So many poor egyptians starving and Mubarak does not help them.So it will be a nice bonus if it all goes to them.The Gazans are faring jolly well,and need it NOT

to make a comment like that, either you are completely ignorant or you are an arrogant twit..

Lieberman is a talented diplomat of the same calibre as Amir Peretz was a brilliant tactician and general. Really, in both cases, it would have been hard to find less suitable people for these posts if one tried. Avigdor Lieberman is from Moldavia (Moldova). He couldn't even convince this tiny dirt-poor nation that was his own former homeland not to act against Israel. They don't even let him near the foreign ministers of more important countries.

Endowed with evrything you'd be jealous to see how well they fare.Cars,motorcycles, fruits GALORE, meats,vestments,computers,washing machines.............you name it they have it. On tyop of it all Isrel sends TYRUCFULL OF goods. Haniyeh even refused any help from the flotilas . The only thing he is very happy about IS THE PROPAGANDA MACHINE he is enjoying by these fools.Oh i forgot...they also have ample matrials tobuild their TUNNELS....wow. So much f or needing help

If you want to help free the Gazan people from something, spend your time undocking them from their futile attachment to Hamas' militant charter which brings them only grief and perpetually distances them from realizing any kind of a State.

are you mooshnoonie

I would hardly call Turkey's role commendable when Erdoghan was not aware there were THUGS among the peaceful ones who came with varied weapons and caused mayham. And now the turks are in a huff. Had not the IDF in the end defended themselves and resorted to firing,they were on the point of being LINCHED.

You are sooo right about the propaganda achine. The Arabs can't win a war even w/ the media, but they keep trying.

No wonder they're blockaded and in self perpetuating non ending misery. And no one cares.

How you can wish peace for all, when the ship is loaded with fanatics interested only to become a shahîd! What is really Happening in Gaza and Hamas. See the video and you will understend. No mercy, No nothing. Just killing. That is way israel is fighting Hamas and Teror in Gaza. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNbIUiMFAs

These mujaheddin "holy warriors" seek Jihad, not peace. To Muslims peace means when there are only Muslims left. Did you not know they had a different interpretation of the word?

Your historical geography is amiss here, Russia holds no territory that belonged to Germany in 1939. And for the record the Fourth Geneva Convention did not apply at the end of that war anyway, but it most certainly did in 1967. Now tell why me dissenting with your opinions makes me an unscrupulous villain and a rogue? (If the moderators were up to speed they should have deleted that remark of yours.)

Poland regained its lost territory. Russia regained lost territory. All international agreements state that land occupied by force must be returned at the end of the conflict. I'm not sure where it says you can blockade them, and build a wall around them just because you don't like who lives there.

Check again: Kaliningrad aka Kenigsberg. The remaining German population was expelled by the Soviet Union from 1945–48.

Poland and Russia didn't started an armed conflict with Germany. And Germany did loose it's territorry.

Jordan and Egypt captured those territories in 1948. Did they, "return" them? Israel captured them in 1967. Egypt and Jordan don't want those territories, "returned," either. I don't think the Ottoman territory exists any longer, so they can't be returned to the Ottomans. Who are the territories supposed to be "returned," to -- given that they were haven't been ANYONE'S sovereign territory for over 2000 years.

The wall was build for protection, and result with a minimum of terror activities done by people living on the other side of this wall. Was there no terrorist coming from the other side of the wall, the there wouldn't any wall at all!

I can cite several instances when Mandate territory was occupied during the course of WW2, and in none of them was it ever argued that International Humanitarian Law did not apply. Syria, which was wrested by the British from Vichy France. New Guinea, which was occupied by Japan after seizing it from Australia, and the Caroline Islands, which were Japanese Mandate territory when they were invaded and occupied by the USA. All were subject to the full gamit of int'l law that existed at the time, and quite a number of Japanese ended up swinging from a rope because they violated those laws during the Japanese occupation of New Guinea.

17: "Still Poland and Russia keep the territories lost by Germany in ww2 and no anti-Israel scoundrel ever questioned it." You can not UNILATERALLY retain territory that is seized by war. That is forbidden. Germany surrendered UNCONDITIONALLY, which meant that the Potsdam Agreement was perfectly legal i.e. Germany's agreement was a given.

Read SDHD's post again, and you'll see that what he is really arguing is this: when a country's sovereign Exists Stage Left then that country becomes "terra nullius", and whoever can mount an expeditionary force can lay claim to that land. SDHD is wrong: sovereigns "reign" in the name of the people, so if the sovereign disolves then SOVEREIGNTY devolves to the people on that land i.e. THEY decide what happens next, without the interference of the nosey neighbours. That is equally as true when those neighbours are "Jordanian" as it is when those neighbours are "Israelis", and so SDHD's reference to Jordan and Egypt is irrelevent.

Israel left. Hamas is now the government. You are obtuse.

The ship intended to sail to Gaza, not Israel. The coast of Gaza is NOT Israel's border.

Gaza is not part of Israel

However, Gaza does not belong to Israel. The ships don't plan to touch on Israel's borders.

Meanwhile, Gaza is at war with Israel and attacks are launched toward Israel from there.

In war time there are no borders, just a war front!

Israel is at war w/ Hamas, remember?

SDHD: "Meanwhile, Gaza is at war with Israel and attacks are launched toward Israel from there." Since 1945 the legal framework is "armed conflict", not "war". There is no "armed conflict" between Gaza and Israel, precisely because Israel called a ceasefire to end Operation Cast Lead. Neither side has repuditated that ceasefire, and until they do then there is no "armed conflict". After all, how can two simultaneously recognize a "ceasefire" and also be in an "armed conflict"?

Where is that "war"? It can't be between Hamas and Israel, because Israel declared a ceasefire to bring Operation Cast Lead to an end. Don't you remember? Jan 19, 2009? Olmert? Ceasefire? Don't tell me he had his fingers crossed when he said it........

P: "Israel is at war w/ Hamas, remember?" I do seem to remember Olmert standing up on Jan 19th 2009 and declaring a ceasefire to bring Operation Cast Lead to an end. Care to explain to me how Israel can both be "in a ceasefire with Hamas" and also be "at war with Hamas"?

The one which is right in front of everyone's face but fails to register somewhere between your vacant eyes and empty skull.

Who's the "we" you talk about in reference to the Palestinian people? Are you talking about the "we" who imposed demands upon Hamas in relation to Israel?

I don't see the "we" you are blathering about taking the position you say they have taken. However, I have seen them take a strong position against Hamas.

There you go again, defending the terror thugs. HERE is what we should do. Return Shalit within 24 hours, unconditionally (He Was Kidnapped). If not, all electricity to Gaza as terminated. In one week, if Shalit is still not free, an Arab prisoner is executed daily. Bargouti is the leadoff hitter. NO MORE Mr. Nice Guy to the terror slime from Hamas. Got it, Linty ??? By the way, you got it all backwards; it is the Palestinian policies toward the Israeli people. Quit defending terror, speaks volumes about you.

So does libya, they have signed up to the Arab Peace plan which includes the normalisation of relations with Israel in return to Israel withdrawing behind the greenline of 1967 with variations because of population etc. Look it up on t'internet

They are about Gaza's right to use it's border with the rest of the world, their Mediteranean coastline. Why should Gaza have to depend on the hateful rules of their beligerant neighbors in order to import or export what they want.

coming through that border are inspected by Israel.

"unless the arabs in Egypt are not interested in helping the arabs in Gaza" I am assuming you mean "unless the GOVERMENT in Egypt is not interested in helping the arabs in Gaza." Egypt will likely change a lot when Mubarek dies and I doubt the govenment's action towards Gaza could stand up to any move towards even slightly more democratic rule in Egypt.

Until Hamas Destroys its Charter,stops the terrorism, recognize Israel and not say:All of Israel; belongs to palestinians(A MYTHIC PEOPLE),and than maybe,maybe then Israel and Hamas can go hand in hand being friends forever more.BUT until then THE BLOCKADE will remain in place so help us God...amen,or amin

Too bad the World Cup had to come along and rain on the flotilla movement's parade. Too bad also for those 2 muslims caught watching the World cup and then executed for their "crime".

Tell that to the Swiss.

Maybe it would be much wiser not to support the Libian dictatorship? The current Libyan dictator and the next dictator (his son) are the enemies of democracy and humanity.

Why don't you help your brothers in Darfur and all the Muslim world where people are dying in the thousands?

spare us the garbage

Any country that send aid to Gaza

That's like empty name-dropping. Israel hasn't breached any of those treaties and laws. How's that?

"Mr. Shalev said that he ..." Well, what can we say about the author? :)

Now I know what the spokesman for the international community looks like

What genocide? Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, of a whole ethnic, racial, religious, or national group! You cannot genocide Hamas, only eliminate them!

Jerry Lupo, are you two people. Sometimes you are far rigth and sometimes you are far left. After reading some of your other posts I am more confused.

Did your hairdresser tell you that?

all those sacks can contain anything.Closed and not opened,how can anyone detect if the bundles are needed provisions or weapons like nitrate firtilizers?A dangerous precedent to the safety of Ashdod! It is comforting to have an FM who knows how things may escalate unless it is stopped pronto. Yes let them go to El Arish.Wonder if he Egyptians will accommodate them.Fools theyare not. Sick of this ongoing charade,for the Gazans need nothing having Israel who provides them with everything ........of course providing it is not CONTRABAND for weaponry.

I repeat... ????

Will you volunteer to Israel to help defend it,John stupid boy?

You ought to stop insulting people. You will get nowhere doing that. The answer to your question is that you then, providing you can prove those armaments came from the boat, can claim that the blockade should be enforced under current conditions.

I don't think Hastaroth was all that rude for you to jump up and down ciding him A PUPIL INTHE CLASS ROOM BY A TEACHER(YOU)

I'm not a teacher, nor is that person my pupil. Johnboy's comment wasn't in any way inflammatory or offensive to a healthy mind, yet he was called "stupid". It wasn't needed.

I keep getting told that weapons are POURING into Gaza through all those tunnels. So what if there are some more in that vessel? After all, even a ship loaded to the gunnels with weapons isn't going to change the strategic balance of force, but One More Assault on a flag-vessel of a foreign country might well cause ENORMOUS damage to Israel's standing. End the blockade. Let it though.

No Way. Why would anyone in their right mind defend Israel when you have a Militarized State.

As one would expect when Israel's positions involve multiple layers of duplicity. Just to pick some at random: (1) If Israel is still the occupying power then how can it "blockade" Israeli-occupied territory? (2) If Israel ISN'T the occupying power then what right did it have to retain control of the sealanes around Gaza in 2005? (3) Can you "blockade" when there isn't an armed conflict? (4) If you claim there IS an armed conflict then what is one to make of Olmert declaring a ceasefire to end Operation Cast Lead? I have plenty of others, but they basically boil down to this: Israel insists that it ISN'T the occupying power, but it also insists that it is entitled to act *AS* *IF* it has authority over the Gaza Strip. Those two arguments are mutually-exclusive, and yet Israel can declare them in the same breath without so much as blushing.

nobody will complain then!

Right after Hamas complies with the Quartet's VERY REASONABLE requirements.

israelis who will be exposed to the rocket attacks will certainly complain-- you would complain too

... the problem is Hamas & co . Free Gaza from Hamas and stop the rockets. Voila - there is no reason for Israel to "siege" Gaza.

yes, you see, when we continue to peel the layers of this Onion, we seem to conveniently forget why this all started. Blockade opens, in less than a month more weapons flow in. But you won't be leaving comments on Haaretz when these newer rockets kill Israelis will you? Until Gaza is not run by Persian Gang Members who rule the Palestinians at gunpoint, the blockade stays. Cry about it, nothing will stop it.

The blockade is STILL not the answer though and only helps to bring hatred towards Israel. Don't you fools see this? Use your damn heads.

Abass approves why? because the ones causing the main problems are Gaza's Hamas.So there it is for some of you chumps.

Once Hamas is defeated things may improve a tad better.Not altgether but somewhat better. and "VOILA" it is .

Are you ever been in the fight that you didn't started? And when you win this fight you was blamed for it? Did somebody ever punched you in the head or face (besides your parents) every time you try to make peace (or at least be civil with them) or even try to conciede?? And the other thing: "only helps to bring hatred towards Israel" . The hatred is olready here, it is being fed to theres and your heads from the wery early age. Thenm Pals, HATE US MORE THEN THEY LOVE THERE OWN CHILDREN.

Which "international law," is Israel disrespecting? The law which states that, "If you capture territories where Jews live, and you kick all the Jews out of a region, attack them again, then lose control of the region... that Jews aren't allowed to move back in," law? That one?

says moving your population into territories you occupy is ILLEGAL, and refugees have the right to return to their homes. That one

you read a Bible Uncool B. Then you'll know who the land really belongs to. Don't believe the propaganda.

we'll stop when you stop.

The international law that israel and other countries don't have the right to approach and to take ship in international waters, also many others law's that i don't gonna put because this space is to small

'"If you capture territories where Jews live, and you kick all the Jews out of a region, attack them again, then lose control of the region... that Jews aren't allowed to move back in," ' You seem to be confusing mythology with historical fact.

indeed chocolate was on the list of forbidden goods...Israel you created your own situation here! You played a wrong game with Gaza. now it is pay back time!

International Law says it's OK to fire rockets at the Jews.

Jews were in the region all that time ago, but so HAVE ARABS, for the past two thousand years or so. "Yeh, you have lived here your whole life, and your parents before you, and their parents, and theirs... but my people were here two thousand years ago and so everything you have worked for, is now mine" - Where is the logic? WHERE?

It is how we all learn repeat it often enough and it sinks in.

Yes i read it and that what it say's: "THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. " "WE APPEAL - in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now for months - to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve peace and participate in the upbuilding of the State on the basis of full and equal citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent institutions. " "WE EXTEND our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East. " So this was in 1948, we acccepted the partition, we offered peace to everyone, nobody was talled to leave. And what did we get just few hours later: "THE WAR commenced upon the termination of the British Mandate of Palestine in mid-May 1948 following a previous phase of civil war in 1947–1948. After the Arab rejection of the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine (UN General Assembly Resolution 181) that would have created an Arab state and a Jewish state side by side, five Arab states invaded the territory of the former British Mandate of Palestine. Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria (Saudi Arabia and Yemen)attacked the state of Israel, leading to fighting mostly on the former territory of the British Mandate and for a short time also on the Sinai Peninsula and southern Lebanon.[10] The war concluded with the 1949 Armistice Agreements, but it did not mark the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict." So for all of you Linthwites, MikesUK, Dursons and Dans . Please show me how to make Peace with somebody who wants you dead, bnesides being dead. AM ISRAEL HAI

YOU get what you give, close your eyes and tell me what you see nothing, zero, zilch, zip, nada, nothing. Respect is earned and given freely. arab mentality they want everything for FREE.

Not at all. The Israeli's think they are smart & think you're the fool! Looks like they're right.

Which law? The law which says if Jordan kicks out all the Jews in 1948, attacks Israel again in 1967, loses the war and the Jews get to move back in -- the Jews are moving in illegally? THAT law? Putz.

It's the anti-Semites who usually bring up the Holocaust on these types of forums. You mentioned it, I did not. So?

You're saying Jordan didn't capture the West Bank and East Jerusalem, cleanse them of Jews, and attack Israel again 19 years later? What books do you think are real? Peter Pan?

They ask they demand and they Kill! Not only Israelis,Americans,all Westerners, but what is even more appalling they KILL EACH OTHER mercilessly. Look up there at the "news breaking" Daily killings in Iraq,Pakistan etc.Never stops.

SDHD: "Which law?" Answer: Int'l Humanitarian Law. SDHD: "The law which says if Jordan kicks out all the Jews in 1948, ...". Answer: No, because that is not "a law". The correct answer is is that Israel is in long-standing violation of Int'l Humanitarian Law. SDHD: "THAT law?" Answer: No, because you have presented "a straw man", not "a law". The correct answer is that Israel is in long-standing violation of Int'l Humanitarian Law.

SDHD: "You're saying Jordan didn't capture the West Bank and East Jerusalem, cleanse them of Jews, and attack Israel again 19 years later?" Anyone else notice the sleight-of-hand that allowed SDHD to go from "Jews" to "Israel" without stopping to explain the difference between the two? SDHD, the West Bank and East Jerusalem WAS NOT ISRAELI TERRITORY when Jordan seized them in 1948. Israel therefore can not be anything other that an simply Yet Another Occupying Power when it (in its turn) seized that territory from Jordan in 1967 i.e. one occupying power replaced another, and the violations of of one can not "justify" the violations of the other.

"The correct answer is is that Israel is in long-standing violation of Int'l Humanitarian Law. " Of course. So, the Jews who got kicked out 19 years earlier, but were able to move back in are breaking some nebulous Humanitarian law. You're such an ignoramus.

"Anyone else notice the sleight-of-hand that allowed SDHD to go from "Jews" to "Israel" without stopping to explain the difference between the two? " You mean Jordan didn't kick out all the Jews then attack Israel again 19 years later? Damn, you are dumb!!!!! "Israel therefore can not be anything other that an simply Yet Another Occupying Power when it (in its turn) seized that territory from Jordan in 1967 " So, Israel is breaching the law by allowing those who's property was stolen be able to reclaim it and develop it? You hate Jews that much?

Say what?

I see you are also not mentioning the millions paid in compensation by the Libyan regime which your fellow Scots accepted. Although you is probably a jewish settler in Hebron rather than a Scot.

But then who hasn't eh? The murdering bastards. So many who perished..don't even want to remember.No they cannot force Israel's hand. look what happened to Erdogan's foolish venture with the THUGS on board.As for Israel:ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY.Did you see how the Mariam was cancelled after all that hoopla.ow is the turn of Libya's to be turned away,or else.

Paying millions for murder doesn't change the fact that there was a murderous terror attack and that there can still be a lot of national pain surrounding the incident.

I'm seriously gonna have to go by the name Dan2 aren't I, I don't wanna be associated with you.

I would have called myself Dan1. The other Dan does not like gimmicks, so why not shove it to him?

But on this occasion he is going too far. Take what he says with a grain of salt. Or better still let's give him a spoonfull to swallow his gimmiks... ..it may make him think twice OUCH!

Israel's wars in Lebanon did not make Israel safer. US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did not make the US any safer. Sometimes being tough and attacking people to "protect one's self" really only leads to putting oneself at more risk by making more or harder line enemies. This is not always true but the mood in Israel today seems very similar to that at the height of Bush administration paranoia in the early 2000s (after the US squandered a few months of international sympathy and created more enemies than ever before).

Whole the world would support blockade if it were legal according the International Law, but it is not ! It is dumb to evoke the same childish patterns of self invented "international laws" whenever Israel faces difficulties.

What war? You call that a war? Is collective punishment, actually just war?

Okay, freedom of choice>Then let them stay on the international waters,and not approach Israel.PERIOD!

Stay inthe international waters.No problem, so long as they keep away from Israely shores. PROBLEM SOLVED CASE CLOSED.

Among other applications, "Moran" is the Syriac title of Jesus Christ, an Irish or Spanish surname, a kibbutz in Israel. So which of these refers to Qadafi and the rest of the Middle Eastern leaders?

I am not sure what you are getting at. Colonel Ghadaffi is now a friend of the West, the French are even providing him with nuclear reactor. Which I think is the crux of the problem. Israel has not been able to adapt it's thinking to a post 9/11 world.

It began with Turkey and the others folowed like little poodles.Now it is Libya.Attention seekers all Muhamed.But please DO NOT INCLUDE ISRAEL. Hardly fair is it?

When did Libya renounce its state of belligerency with Israel? Until Libya does so, its status regarding Israel remains that of an enemy state. It has nothing to do with "adapting" and everything to do with reality--something you don't seem too familiar with...

because they UNGA consensus, a reflection of the world's body being non-democratic and Muslim block dominated. There are UNSC resolutions that are binding on all nations including Israel. Israel complies with all those UNSC resolutions although there some that may be argued as for what they actually mean and depending upon that whether or not Israel complies. Get educated before to bvoid posting posting nonsense.

Were voted by the Arab nations and friends that use them merely for political gain. They already own the human rights council to pass them weekly.

195 votes vs one US veto still says Israel occupation, siege, annexation, murder by missiles,mass murder, cluster bombs wp dm, apartheid policies, piracy on the high seas, murder and kidnapping of peace activists, the confiscation of vessels and valuables of passengers are all still ILLEGAL

dealing with Israel between 1948 and 2009. Security Council resolutions are binding. There are even more General Assembly resolutions, but they are not binding. Hope this clarifies the issue.

All the world including europe and japan and china ... etc don't recognize E.Jerusalem as part of Israel. What domination? USA, ISRAEL and MICRONESIA are the only ones that do. Get educated before posting nonsense and LIES.

END

Except to hassle Israel.And as you say: the vast majority were voted by Arab nations all This has become a BIG charade.Time they unravel the cobwebs of their brain cells. Pathetic and Idiotic

List of UN Security Council resolutions contravened by Israel 252 (21 May 1968) Urgently calls upon Israel to rescind measures that change the legal status of Jerusalem, including the expropriation of land and properties thereon. 267 (3 July 1969) Reiterates the demand that Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem. 271 (15 September 1969) Reiterates the demand that Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem. 298 (25 September 1971) Reiterates the demand that Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem 446 (22 March 1979) Calls on Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction, and planning of settlements in the territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. 452 (20 July 1979) Reiterates the demand that Israel cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction, and planning of settlements in the territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. 465 (1 March 1980) Reiterates the demand that Israel cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction, and planning of settlements in the territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. 484 (19 December 1980) Reiterates request that Israel abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention. 592 (8 December 1986) Insists Israel abide by the Fourth Geneva Conventions in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. 605 (22 December 1987) Calls once more upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide immediately and scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention. 607 (5 January 1988) Reiterates calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and to cease its practice of deportations from occupied territories. 608 (14 January 1988) Reiterates the demand that Israel cease its deportations of Palestinians from the occupied territories. 636 (6 July 1989) Reiterates the demand that Israel cease its deportations of Palestinians from the occupied territories. .... and the list go's on and on and on.

The same red cross that is not allowed to visit Gilad Shalit.Gaza is ruled by a terrorist organization that not recognizes the right of Israel to exist.For many years thousands of gazans used to work in Israel

Start naming the wars in which civilians were not affected. Then tell us about Hamas being in a state of war with Israel, including the indiscriminate launching of rockets into Israeli territory. Then try telling us that blockading a territory you are at war with is illegal again.

Gazans lived in what is now Israel. Had they not been expelled by force from Ashdod to Gaza, the ships would not have to sail to either port. If Israel is not in a state of war with Gaza, the blockade is illegal. If it is in a state of war with Gaza, Shalit is a POW. In that case, denying the Red Cross the right to visit him is no violation of international law. See Third Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Article 125: The ICRC's access to a POW is "subject to the measures which the detaining powers may consider essential to ensure their security or to meet any other reasonable need ...." ICRC's Mégevand-Roggo pointed out that Hamas "has said publicly that security considerations prevented it from allowing the ICRC to visit Shalit". So there you go. You can't have it both ways.

If the Arabs hadn't attacked the Jews, there wouldn't have been a war which cost the Arabs more than they bargained for. The blockade is NOT illegal. Shalit is NOT a POW. POW's don't have ransoms placed on them. He is a HOSTAGE. Denying the Red Cross the right to visit him IS a violation of international law. Hamas' needs regarding Shalit are NOT reasonable.

The Red Cros thinks they tried still no result why? because they DID OT TRY HARD ENOUGH.AFTER ALL GOUR YEARS SINCE SHALIT HAS BEEN IN THE VIPERS DEN.One law mainly for the terrorists,another just a harrassment to Israel.

How can Hamas recognize Israel's right to exist when they won't even define their borders. As for Shalit if the Red Cross were to visit him and Israel found his location he would probably get killed in a rescue atempt, better for Shalit they don't find him.

The UN is a useless entity, occupying valuable Real Estate in Manhattan. Gaza is entitled to nothing, except even harsher sanctions. Why are you not protesting the KIDNAPPING of Shalit. Israel should turn of all utilities until Gilad's released. If he suffers, they all must suffer. Enough.

Yes, Once, Israel releases all the freedom fighters and innocent men, women and children including elected Palestinian public servant

Shalit is not a kid, he's a soldier. There are thousands of Palestinians in Israeli prisons, many of them much younger than Shalit, in jail without proper trial for as little as peaceful protests. Why don't you get upset about this lawlessness?

Canot add any further for you have voiced my thoughts precisely.

The UN is such an inept that todies to the majority of its members who rule the roost by dictators,and Arab sheiks. Kidnapping Shalit i par for the course for the Islamist's agenda.And if he suffers,the Gazans will suffer fourfold.Well put Gianni

When Shalit was abducted he was on the Israeli side minding his own business,not attacking or taking part in any .Think about it.Soldier or not,it was not during fighting or in conflict.Think more of the many British and Americans who are dying as soldiers. They do not get abducted willy,nilly by the ones the US Is fighting against.If you can provide me with such an incident off Americans or its allies getting abducted than I'd b much obliged.

Please do not confuse innocent men with the thug murderers of women and children in Israeli jails. If israel were a "Normal" country, they would be executed. There are no Freedom Fighters who terrorize and murder innocent women and children BECAUSE THEY ARE JEWS. Don't defend the lowlife thugs, they should be jailed for life. Enough of your twisted lies.

subversive behavior and terrorist plots thats why there in jail, they are criminals, get it !!!

Regardless of his age or his status as a soldier, they captured Shalit and put a RANSOM on his head. That's kidnapping.

are consider combatant without uniform. Shalit wasn't in Gaza, he was inside Israel - this is kidnapping that Hamas at first wasn't aware of! They terned a kidnapping for money to the benefits of Hamas policy against Israel!

Hamas is a terrorist organization according to the UN and the siege is legal within UN framework and laws. Hamas does not deserve access to anything and must be destroyed if peace is to occur.