Hamas spokesman questions if violence is Palestinian 'disease'

Thank you for the Singer citation. I agree with you that there is a lot of truth in novels, and Singer is a special favorite of mine. Peoples' lives sometimes turn out in such a way that they cannot do that which they most would like to do were their lives ideal. Many famous artists, and even scientists, and of course I am not one of them, have complained that they did not have sufficient intellectual space to work quietly. They managed, but often the cost was quite high. I think that you have managed so well not only because of your undoubted intellect, but you probably were able to carve out that intellectual space. Haaretz, pl. post for P. Dale

Patience to read novels? Zipporah, there is far more truth in novels, because they don't pretend to be factual, and thus can tell the truth, than in newspapers, and history books, which, while striving to be factual, erase the inner experience of events, the motivations, the hidden personal histories. Take these boards. There is almost nothing here bearing the slightest resemblance to the truth, because you cannot talk about these complex issues in the framework of tiny posts that are (rightly!) truncated electronically if they exceed a given limit. Everyone has an opinion, and is keen to shout it out aloud. Few have the 'patience' to spare several hours and read one version of a world within the covers of a deeply imagined or considered book. I hope you reconsider. Singer is a writer one doesn't read, but rather reread. And there are many like him. the Bible is in good part a wonderful novel

it seems to me....the world especially (condoleeza rice-they remind her of her own people )sympathizes with palestinian people.the black americans did not use violence against white americans as well as native americans.why they want to be identified as pal-why they don't want to identify themselves as arabs(because they're arabs)....israel is not even their country.we filipinos,it's no big deal for us that we came from a malayan race.

It is a miricale that I came back to this board and saw your post. I asked him the question because I know for a fact the it is a lie, and therefore, unless he can give citations, hopefully, he will never repeat it. I know about Dar Yassin, and King David, although the latter was a military target. His claim, though, was that the entire birth of Israel had been based on terrorism, another obvious lie. Could you also post the I B Singer citation? I happen to like him a lot, although I must confess, I no longer have the time or patience to read novels.

-Could you please give the exact citation for the I B Singer quote.- Norman Green: Why is it that I see very little direct mention of the Holocaust in your work? I.B. Singer: Oh yes, well I mention it a lot of times in my book "Enemies, A Love Story." The only thing is, I think that the whole of human history is one big Holocaust. It is not only Jewish history. We can call human history the history of the human Holocaust. Whether Russians are killed or Germans or Jews or Arabs or others, it is one big Holocaust. This is what we made with life because we did not choose anything better and we did not keep our promises. We did not act according to our choice.? Norman Green, last interview with Isaac Bashevis Singer, in Salon April 28, 1998

"I read about atrocities committed by Jews during the Holocaust." This is obscene, and obviously false, and either comes from some vague reading of anti-semitic slavic literature on the high number of Jews in the Communist parties, or from neo-Nazi propaganda. Otherwise, it is an allusion to some Judenräte who collaborated with the Nazis by furnishing lists of people from their records in exchange for their own lives. The Rudolf Kastner trial in 1954, is a case in point. Raul Hilberg mentions these cases (Berlin, Hungary etc) in his The Destruction of the European Jews (1961) passim. "acts of terrorism at the foundation of Israel." Deir Yassin, mass expulsion of Arabs as policy in 48 etc. There are so many books on this one doesn't know where to start. But read N.Chomsky,The Fateful Triangle (1999); Shlomo Ben-Ami Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: 2006; Simha Flapan, The Birth of Israel, 1987;

"israel taught them to be violent...." Actually, maybe you are, and that's why this rat-infested sludge pit of Gaza still exists. Always blaming others for their own actions. It shouldn't be a surprise though. When Hamas paraded a truck full of weapons in public and it blew up, the Pals all blamed Israel. And why not? It sucks to take responsibility for one's own actions, doesn't it? Fact: some of the worst terrorists today are from Palestinian origin. That doesn't go unnoticed in the world gov't circles. Question: the inter-clan violence and honor killings of women in Pal society...also caused by Israel? Sorry bud - for as long as Arabs existed, so did this barbaric ritual of societial "justice", as most quote the Koran in allowing them to do it.

Palestinian's have a choice. Move to Jordan where they belong.

Which leads into a good point - Pals say one thing in English, and another in Arabic. Just as Arafat did when wishing peace and signing the Oslo accords, then spoke in Arabic in South Africa saying it was an act and he would never give up on destroying Israel. And Abbas did when recognizing Israel, then saying (in Arabic) he never would. Is this the act on which you believe you deserve rights and respect?? Your leaders don't even honor their word! PA TV - tons of hate videos, a "series" showing IDF soldiers murdering brides and babies (june 28-29, 06), a video on dehumanizing JEWS (Aug 6, 06) - blood libels that Jews lead Pals to drugs and rapes them. al-Duras call for children to follow him to paradise (june 28-29, 06) Daily cartoons in Al-Hayat al-Jadida (and still not Jewish rioting) Hell, you guys still believe in the Protocols of Zion and they were proved a forgery from the beginning! And the list goes on!!

You also claim that school books glorifying the death of Israel are a lie. The UN completely supports the findings, as well as others, who saw the hate in them, who saw the videos of children learning Shahid poems and sing to the glories of blowing oneself up. All lies?? Please! The evidence is so overwhelming, it is only yourself who lives in a fantasy world. I personally am co-chair of a joint Israeli-Pal program for two good reasons: 1) I DO beleive we can all live in peace, once the extremists among us are diluted. You guys voted for Hamas...not a good step. 2) I detest the organizations that have dropped their unbiased approached to become just another hateful voice of Palestinians. Not one group has stood up and said "both sides have a point and this is the step forward". However, even Rantisi and Zahawri were educated men - pediatricians who were tasked with healing children, and instead chose to blow them up!

Could you please give the exact citation for the I B Singer quote.

You say, "I read about atrocities committed by Jews during the Holocaust." Could you please post the exact scholarly references, where you have read this, their nature, and overall numbers." You talk of "acts of terrorism at the foundation of Israel." Could you list these, with references, dates and number of dead?" You see, I do not deal with abstractions when it comes to historical fact, or what someone wishes to present as historical facts.

I believe Ghazi Hamad is absolutely right the Palestinian people need to try and disown the culture of violence that has grown up around Palestinian society due to Israel's un- lawful military occupation and settlements in the territories in violation of international law. However, part of doing this will entail recognizing the fact they are both victims and perpetrators of violence and this goes especially for the Israelis as they are the illegal occupiers and as the vital statistics show their heavy hand is only fueling this bloody cycle of violence not stopping it. During the last five year while the Israeli army has murder- ed over 4,000 Palestinians, the Palestinians have murdered nearly 1,100 Israelis and while the Israeli army has injured some 30,000 Palestinians, the Palestinians have injured al- most 6,000 Israelis. Nevertheless, Dr. Alice Rothchild who led a Jewish-American medical delegation to Gaza last year reported how Gazans have been left battered by years of the Israeli Army military operations and she notes a recent study by the Gaza Mental Health which showed of the 10 to 19 year olds in Gaza, two--thirds have seen a friend or neighbor killed or wounded, more than one-t hird have been tear-gassed and 82 percent suffered from moderate to severe PTSD and as she pointed out: "We know that the more trauma and violence occur in a child's youth, the more risk- taking and violence happen in later life ". You may read her report at http://www.vopj.org/conflict22.htm) Thus it goes without saying that one of the first steps towards stopping Palestinian violence will entail the Israeli Army lifting its cruel siege on Gaza since June. This has helped crippled the Palestinian economy as people can't get to their fields,, markets, jobs and schools and even obtain critical medical treatment. Hence, Isreal should open Gaza's borders and allow the pass- age of people and traffic to move more freely back and forth and help stop pushing Palestinians into more violence. Dutch

For unbiased news and articles and to also discuss current and past world events visit www.untoldpolitics.org

Abbas joining the knesett will not be possible for Abbas - he is not as sexually oriented nor possibly endowed as the Zionist entity seems to require its leaders to be.

One of the greatest writers of the modern world I.B.Singer once wrote:- ?It is not only Jewish history. We can call human history the history of the human Holocaust. Whether Russians are killed or Germans or Jews or Arabs or others, it is one big Holocaust. This is what we made with life because we did not choose anything better and we did not keep our promises. We did not act according to our choice."

ramzi it's interesting that you say 'the occupier hates the occupied'. everytime i drvie past ramallah, i remember the 2 unfortunate israelis who got lynched by palestinians - remember the 'red hands'? i've yet to hear of any supposed jewish atrocity that comes close. or how about the deliberate murder of the heavily pregnant tali hatuel, with her 4 young daughters, by one of your 'freedom fighters'? again, it seems to me that the palestinians' hatred of jews is far more evident - and your thesis stands up.

Dear Friends we can see from the lack of Postings on this article from our usual detractors Clickfool, Johnboy and Khalid. This should prove to many of you that many of their arguments are usually very logical (albeit a logic that can be refuted at times) and they are not blind haters of Israel. We should encourage logical debate from intelligent people. I have not mentioned in this group Indrajaya , Maureen from Bathhurst, or the Psd off American as obviously they are *Blind Haters* There is always two sides to a story and there is good and bad on both sides. It is an interesting change to see into the internal thoughts of some Pals. Balance is important. And Ps off American Haaretz is not slow to report, Israeli internalization. You need to stop drinking so much coffee and you will calm down somewhat.

Paulo:"Hamas called on these groups to stop firing rockets into Israel so I wouldnt say they encourage it. They are also not keen to stop it as long as Israel keeps up its brutal occupation, why demand a `cessation of hostilities` on one side and not the other." So which is it - do they call for stopping the firing of rockets or aren't they keen to stop. It sounds like both - talking from both sides of their mouth. Which side of the mouth should one belive them? "You dont know much about the PA, Abbas is the highest-ranking political position in the PA and is thus charged with negotiations on a final settlement." Woah!!! Did you give Dave a test and he failed it? Again you are on the high horse Mr. know-it-all. Well, if Abbas was in the highest position and charged with negotiations he would be just able to 'tell' Hamas what to do. But from what I read so far it sounds that he is trying to negotiate with Hamas first. I guess the highest-ranking political position is not THAT high.

Ramzi is a 100% correct in everything he said.

DoesnnnNt matter tter what matteters is the fact that you're X'iain

While Sadaam was in power, it seemed incredible that his security forces would commit such atrocities agains Kurds and Shi'a Arabs just to stay in power. Now that he has been out of power for three and a half years, it becomes obvious why his security forces had to act the way they did, since the brutal mutual killing and torture of Sunni and Shi'a arabs is bloodcurdling. At least the Kurds have established an oasis of relative tranquility. BOTTOM LINE: the disease of random, brutal, and mostly meaningless violence conducted face to face against your fellow arabs is not just a palestinian problem.

and we give up hope for a 2 state solution. We have room for moderate arabs. And if he tries to travel to Syria without permission from the state, he can stay there. Enough with the double standards. Israel produces technology, medications, art, literature, hospitals that not only treat Jews, but surprise, arabs too!

Inter-tribal feuding is pretty characteristic of many cultures, including the Scots, Irish, all over the Pacific, and of course Arabs. Animosity between Shi'a and Sunni is similar to that between Catholic and Protestant in N Ireland, and so it goes on. and as you seem to think Jews don't sink to that level, think of Israel's 50 year feud with Palestinians over territory, the vindictiveness of the crowds way back in Jesus' time, and of course the acts of terrorism at the foundation of Israel. In other words, it is a human condition, made worse at times of stress (read about atrocities committed by Jews during the Holocaust), and so what Gazi Hamad says is right - and "there, but for the grace of god go I". Remove the stress, then the guns, and there will be no need for articles like this. Haaretz is the only Jewish paper I read, along with NY Times, and French and German newspapers, because it publishes both sides of the story, and that is something Israelis can be proud of.

I am my beloved's, And his desire is toward me. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; Let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine hath budded. Whether the vine-blossom (Smadar) be opened, And the pomegranates be in flower; There will I give thee my love. The mandrakes give forth fragrance, And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, New and old, Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

Well Gabe, I see you're not interested in consulting an Orthodox Rabbi to set you straight about our Jewish pluralistic community, but you're keen on finding out who I am in the Jewish community. Why? What are you going to do about it? There are more than 45,000 Israelis in the Greater Toronto area - what's your point? There's also a great spectrum of opinions amongst us. Yes, I'm from Babylonian Jewish ancestory and what's wrong with that? Half of Israelis are Mizrahim or Sephardim. I married an Ashkenazi, child of Holocaust survivors, and we have two boys. Now about my name. Smadar means "Blossom of the grapevine" from the Song of Songs in the Old Testament or Shear Hasherim. It's really an allegory of the love between the people of Israel and God. This beautiful passage appears on Jewish wedding invitations, Chuppahs, etc. You might already be familiar with all this but it might serves Talkback posters to hear this passage so read it in my next post following.

No it makles about as much sense as giving weapons to the Taliban, Al Queada, Pakistani British Muslims to blow up British trains, and Iraqi terrorists to blow up more Palestinian wedding parties in Jordanian hotels. We wish terrorists dead, not decent people.

weapons.proud american!....jews are noted for their God-given abilities.the world is jealous of her.with the help of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the jews has transformed parts of the desert into fertile farmland.God has blessed the usa for supporting israel.God bless those who bless Israel.these jewish people fled their ancestral land(the promise land-canaan(changed the name by the romans to PALESTINE) during the roman empire,they scattered abroad. palestine was already occupied by arabs when they came back to their promise land...during their absence-how come-the arabs did not tranform and maintain it, (it lost its fertility)-it was tranformed by the pioneer jews from russia(they escaped from the pogroms(russia mass murders).can't you see?it's palestinians faults.i don't understand why you people support terrorism.these terrorists are not freedom fighters.

for the spokman of hammas to openly write such a self - critical article, desreve much applaus & respect. however, hamdan needs only review the history of the palestinians ( as recorded by the likes of rashid kalidi & benny morris ( not to mention bernard lewis)- to recall that violence had been the behavior of choice for the palestinians at least since the begining of the arab / jewish conflict ( late 1800's). had dialogue, tolerance & open mindedness been natural trends for them, the palestinians wouldv'e no doubt have established the state they've been talking about.

As a Jew and a Zionist I want to impart to my Palestinian friends that they should look to history if they truly want a state. I am talking about non-violent protest and civil disobedience employed by Martin Luther King in the deep South and by Mahatma Ghandi in India. If the Palestinians continue with violence they will never have a state. Only non-violence will force a more powerful party to recognize your rights. If Palestinians employ non-violent means of resistance and protest I am certain they would have sufficient world (and Israeli)sympathy for a state in 6 to 12 months gauranteed. Think about it.

Hate is a poison of the soul which destroys life and stops economic progress.Many people weep to see the Arabic people die,starve,kill each other.We are hoping and praying that those who monger hate will lose power,so that we can help the Palestinian people to regain their autonomy,economy and safety.If you only calm down and give peace a chance,the world will rush to help you,but we cannot condone a lifestyle of random murder.

Your post is incredible: 1- "you speak of some supposed right of self determination for the Palestinians. Please tell me, where does this right come from" It comes from being a human being, pure and simple. But I suppose you don't regard me as such. As for Basques, etc, none of these groups lack the desire for it, and just because they don't have it doesn't mean I shouldn't. 2- "Accept the Jews". It's not "Jews" that I don't accept. And I suppose I should show the same level of acceptance that you just showed me? I'm better than that. 3- "Do not call them "settlers" " EXCUSE ME? I don't call them settlers because they are 'passionate', I call them settlers because they live in "Jewish only" colonies that were built on our farmland confiscated forcefully by their military. And they believe it is their divine right to shoot and kill me just because I'm not the same religion as them. THAT's why I call them settlers. If you believe everything you wrote, you are sadly delusional.

"Since Hamas is in power it is their duty to halt such terrorism" - In 2005 Hamas called on these groups to stop firing rockets into Israel so I wouldnt say they encourage it. They are also not keen to stop it as long as Israel keeps up its brutal occupation, why demand a 'cessation of hostilities' on one side and not the other. "If that's true, then why cant the PA even pay salaries" - the EU is pretty much the only donor to the PA at the moment. They are prioritising with education and hospital services. "Hamas dominates the PA legislature; they are the ones who shape government policy - not Fatah" - You dont know much about the PA, Abbas is the highest-ranking political position in the PA and is thus charged with negotiations on a final settlement. I never said Israelis dont have a higher standard of living under the Palestinians, they are living under a military occupation after all, but what I have said is that they are certainly not living in peace.

There is no doubt that violence, unfortunately, is part of Arab culture. All one needs to consider is "honor" killings, and blood feuds, neither of which has anything to do with Israel or Europe, or past colonialism. The Sharia law, as practiced in certain countries is also institutional violence. Nevertheless, one must not forget, that not so long ago, other cultures also practuced violence, both among each other, and against others. Indeed, it was the horrific occurrences in WWII that finally woke up the western world for a need to establish and honor human rights. Arab societies are way behind in their developments to come to the same conclusion. It is to be hoped for that it will not take them too much longer to realize that violence is self destructive and self-defeating.

with the most impressive talk. You know why? Because you offered a realistic solution based on a "Compromise" from both sides. Give a little, take a little and their world will move forward and away from the current stalemate. No one is going to be thrown into the sea or the desert and will allow a chance for peacful co-existance to grow slowly but steadily. No one can have the cake and eat it all, so learn to share it guys.

First time I ever heard hamas speak the truth. Your extreamists have so much anger at israel that it is in your blood and now your fighting yourselves. But please keep the fighting between you and not Israel. evil killing evil even hamas knows it

israel taught them to be violent....what did u expect

Tend to your own knitting (Aborigines). You know not of which you speak.

?My message to the loathed Jews is that there is no god but Allah, we will chase you everywhere! We are a nation that drinks blood, and we know that there is no blood better than the blood of Jews.? http://www.israpundit.com/2006/

Smadar, Could you recommend a good Rabbi for Umm El Kul Naqba (# 132) too? He desperately needs to be schooled in the art of brotherly love. Dutch

If you see my name on a letter apologizing for anything, you can be certain that it's A COWARDLY FORGERY I NEVER APOLOGIZE

So the Palestinians would only have each other to kill.

Hamas are too honest for the USA and their imperial foot, Israel!

Suicide bombing will stop when our government gives the Palestinians all the weapons it gives to Israel for free including tanks, F-16s, missiles, guns, cluster bombs, etc. Then both sides will have a fair fight and there will be NO MORE need for suicide bombers... it makes sense, does it not? for these of you who complain about suicide bombing. IDF suicide bombs Pal civilians every day with our weapons.

You were IDF so what? So are many others, including MANY IDF who tell about your 'war on terror'.......give me a break. You may kill some terorists..but you aren't killing TERRORISM.you fuel it with your ill treatment of the innocents. I know, I know.all Arabs/Pals are scum to you. Well some in the world, including their in israel see it differently. Go ahead and live in your black and white.you are only causing your own harm. many in Israel have lost their hearts and their very souls. I have pity for you. of all people, Jews should understand that atrocious human behaviour is WRONG.....Anne Frank had it right.even after all shde went through.she STILL believed people were good at heart. Theera re good AND bad everywhere. Yep....including Israel.

for Hamad to be able to point out and self criticize. Give him a chance, support his voice and those like his and let his words resonate. It is true that when people are stuck in a cycle of violence, that is all what they see around them. Their responses become reflexes of violence and hate. That goes for the Israeli population too. Both people are stuck in that same downspout.

your plan sounds just to great! but can it work? let us never give up hope!

That looks like a collection of Jewish names Margie. Sounds like they were hoping to find proof that Palestinians are NOT closely related to Jews.....does it matter anyhow?

You would not know A Rabbi never mind a prominent one if you tripped over him. As to my Jewish credentials they will beat your any day and twice on the weekend. Quit spouting that garbage that you call posts. No one in the Jewish community even heard of you. What is your Real name and in Arabic Please.

Please,if the arabs were not fighting Isarel;they would be killing each other. One only has to look at their history.A history of tribal wars.

"IDF soldiers hide amongst civilians too. Then when they take breaks, they go to a hotels and visit with their friends and family, ie. civilians"-Tim You win the prize for gross example of equivalence for the day, Bravo. Hizbullah hiding rockets in apartments, is equivalent to soldiers on leave going to friends and family. That's a good one.

I feel very much sorry for the Palestinian civilians, but despite all injustice due to colonization,i stopped fighting for them, because ALL their leaders are simply TOO corrupted. If the Palestinians want their friends to come back they must clean their house inside first. For the last 4 years I asked the Palestinian leaders to launch an international boycott exactly the same as the one which was done on south Africa : the world would have supported them and now Israel would have probably been pacifically dismantled. They simply did NOTHING. If they prefer to suck the Israelis' asses, that's their problems, but not mine anymore ! But don't they come to complain now !

Killing Jews is O.K. with this arab philosopher. Now, the pals are killing each other. If he had even 1/2 of an IQ, he would figure out that his fellow arabs brought up on hate and stupidity will turn on one another just as easily as turning on the Jews. It is a disease: arab/moslem pathology.

Hey Ramsi, you speak of some supposed right of self determination for the Palestinians. Please tell me, where does this right come from? And if there is such a right, how come the Basques don't have it, the Tamils don't have it, the Tibetans don't have it, the Scots don't have it, the American Indians don't have it... Tell me, what would happen if all these people started pursuing such a right? The only way ahead is to learn to live with the other. Accept the Jews. Do not call them "settlers", just because they passionately like the land they are on. Just like there are Arabs in Israel, as there should be, there is no reason why "settlers" should be kicked out. When the Palestinians accept Jews in their midst, then there will be peace; otherwise, you are asking for ethnic cleansing, not self determination.

The "twelve step program" is the name given to the process of ridding onself of their dependency on drugs or any other bad habit. Step number ONE is to admit you have the problem. Ghazi Hamad has taken step #1 for his people. Will they follow his lead ??

Thanks for the billions to help us lead in the war against Pal/Moslem/Arab Extremist terror. Since I reside in Israel, served in IDF, have a closer view of what is happening, speak both Hebrew and Arabic, and am extemely well versed in the history and politics of the Middle East, I will take my first hand knowledge over yours from US. In a time of peace, I would fight for human rights but there is only B&W in times of war and people must choose sides. Pals started the war and seek our destruction. NEVER AGAIN

a: "very rarely in public do you see a Jew or an Israeli call for the blood of his enemies" Our blood is usually called for from inside military operation rooms in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem; and that's a lot more potent than street cries because IDF people usually tend to ACT on their plans, usually within 24 hours. b: "Not one group exists like this in the PA areas" Excuse me? Almost all the groups you mention are joint Israeli/Palestinian groups. And as for what you call the 'PA areas', when was the last time you were there? You're making hateful (and untrue) assumptions. c: "yet, this call to "cleanse" the land of ALL Jews is repeated daily in sermons and news articles in the PA and larger Arab world". Show me. That' s right, pick a week, any week, and show me the 'daily' news articles you are talking about. I assume you read Arabic (how else could you know), and since I do too, please share the daily articles. Any week you like. As for other 'Arabs', I don't care and neither should you

While Hamas's leadership has committed to destroying Israel with random killing and has only stregnthened Zionist feelings and brought bitter conditions for Palestinians, if this man's philosophy came to dominate the Islamic and Arab world, more and more Israelis might one day not even feel the need for a Jewish state...

I wonder how much influence Ghazi Hamad's words will have on the Pal public. Many others have stood up and said such things or wanted to advance peace, like Sari Nusseibeh, and got attacked for their efforts. But to say this is a disease is rediculous. It is the universally accepted means of violence that is the cause. Pals have accepted the use of violence and heinous acts (lynching, suicide bombing, etc.) that it has been accepted in their own lives. This occurs in every society when violence becomes the accepted way of dealing with "that" enemy. It then migrates to "a" enemy. Having parades of weapons also doesn't help the youth see the wrongness in violence. Check any gang culture in middle city America, or the society of a mafia. The same will be true. Israel is also feeling its increase of societal violence since 2000. Think peace, and peace will come home.

Do me a favour and do not respond to any of my talkbacks. If you would like, I can immediately arrange for a very prominent Rabbi to speak to you because as far as I'm concerned you are way out of line. I have many Jewish connections so I can help you become a better Jew if you would like.

"What other modern peoples undergo such humiliation?" Jews do! "it is amazing to me that a people must provide proof of a 5000-year genetic link in order to be `eligible` for basic human rights in their own land." Again thanks. Yes, Jews have been around for so long and still have to fight. Claiming this for Palestinians (as if they WEREN'T Arabs) is a bit harder. I think the problems arose when Arafat declared that Palestinians were the original Canaanites (more related to the Greeks) and Jesus was a Palestinian freedom fighter. So, excuse the world's skepticism at your history modifications/

You write: "Why are Palestinians living as they are? The answer is because they caused it by their behaviour." Tell me, Margie, how are they living? What did you mean by "living as they are"? I'm really interested in your answer because I'd like to find out if you really know how they are living. I assume that you have been there extensively and you know what you are talking about. Israelis 'brutally' kill innocent Palestinians as well, don't you ever think that Israel is the only victim here. No occupier has that right to claim to be the victim. Only when Palestinians have the complete and unchallenged right to self determination in their own land, will they deserve to be bombed if they kill anybody else. But as long as they are occupied (and I say 'they' because I'm not there now although I'm one of them), you really have no right to talk the way you do. There's a phrase for that language, it's called 'arrogance of power'. So tell me how they live please? Then, I'll correct you.

Michael Korn, it's unfortunate for you that I actually read Israeli newspapers sometimes and know that IDF soldiers hide amongst civilians too. Then when they take breaks, they go to a hotels and visit with their friends and family, ie. civilians. I guess it's OK when they do it though. As for how many Israelis I know personally, none. But I do know the government would not be doing these things without the approval of the people and, since almost all of them of voting age have been in the IDF at some point in time, they know what is going on. You seem to approve of it too.

"The occupier hates the occupied much more than the occupied hates the occupier." If you truly believe that Israel hates Palestinians more than in reverse, let me offer you some facts that prove you wrong: a) very rarely in public do you see a Jew or an Israeli call for the blood of his enemies to flow like rivers... ... yet from 1920, this call was all too common in Palestine, and recently Gaza. b) There are more than a dozen groups in Israel working for normalization of ties with Pals, and seeking to protect them, in court and the farm field... ...not one group exists like this in the PA areas. c) No calls were made to "cleanse" the region of Pals except by extreme marginal groups in Israel... yet, this call to "cleanse" the land of ALL Jews is repeated daily in sermons and news articles in the PA and larger Arab world. d) Finally, Jews accepted the original 1947 UN plan... Arabs STILL have not accepted that one and STILL demand concessions from the world.

Hamas is part of the Islamic brotherhood and been around since at least early 20th century. In Egypt they just kill them.

1- "The negotiations at Camp David 2000 showed that Ehud Barak loved his own children more than Yasser Arafat." The counter argument can easily be made that Yasser Arafat loves Israel's children more than he loves his own because Arafat knew that even if he accepted the diktat of Barak, his children wouldn't and Israel's children would have to suffer later, because in the information age, a new generation of Palestinians would grow up wondering why every other citizen on earth is entitled to standard things that the Camp David offers would still have denied Palestinians, and the response of "well, you're not Jewish" would not work. 2- "the Palestinian leaders have been educating their own people.." no, we are not some robotic army 'educated' by our leaders. So many of us are educated in the West (including Hamas members), and we ALL deserve our freedom. This notion (along with the textbooks canard) that we are 'taught to hate' is evidence that you all don't know us at all.

You've got Palestinian men being paid to kill to get what they want. You've got an army of Israeli men being paid to violently defend.Pay them to do something else and the violence will disappear. Pay them to do something productive and everyone winds up with a better life.

Why are Palestinians living as they are? The answer is because they caused it by their behaviour. The responsibility is theirs. They were free to enter Israel and work in our country, and share our lives, until they started brutally killing us. If you see it some other way, I understand your self defence but you are wrong.

Directed aganst the pope aganst a cartoon aganst each others, but when in Dalfur there is a genocide the whole muslim world keeps quate.What is whrong with those critures???

Your brother may or may not be a doctor (MD) (maven of drek) but your intellect does not even come close to being anything past pre adolescent. Give it up and leave logical thinking to logical people.

Nice that Haaretz is willing to paraphrase a Palestinian perspective that was handpicked from another publication, obviously because it reinforces common stereotypes of Palestinians. Why not publish Palestinian authors or interviews directly? Isn't it in Israel's interest to gain a direct understanding of Palestinian viewpoints, generally, rather than just the ones it wants to hear?

true either.

Is violence a palistinian disease? Yes, the armed struggle has turned into gang factions and this cult of violence is now eating away at the core of palistinian society. (Violence/denial has also become an Israeli disease, a sickness in duality with the Palistinian one.) Hamad's article is a step in the right direction. It opens up dialogue within the society and only with open self criticism, can any society evolve and improve. If anything, the palistinians need more people like Hamad.

The answere cannot but be yes, and like all diseases it was contracted by the usual method of contagion from the IDF, which is responsible for the regional pandemic.

I applaud Mr Hamad, whose name I hadn't heard before. But on the subject of violence, I invite Talkbackers to do a quick count of people that have died on the receiving end of the Isaeli army over the past six months alone. It's a sobering thought.

He sees it, but does not perceive what it is--the disease. And, he has named it! "Do we all participate in this great SIN? Yes"!! Hamad has it, Hamad said it, Hamad does not understand--SIN! He even admits their minds and hearts are corrupt. WOW! Now all he has to do is REPENT. This is a clear case of the need to turn from the corruption of Islam and to come to Christ. Hamad, step up to the plate. Repent and turn to Jesus! You want peace--He is the Prince of Peace! Selah!

Do you mean this story has been made up by Haaretz or somebody else? So pals don?t think it is wrong for them to kill one another, do they?

"In the end, it`ll just be more guns in the hands of the Palestinians." Nice of you to cheer for more Palestinian deaths. Guess their stinky corpses piling up doesn't bother you too much. God forbid they accept the conditions of the Quartet, renounce terrorism, and accept their state. They're so much better off now, right?

Where is Clickfool? This article from a Hamas spokesman must have really confused him. He is probably in some corner, still trying to figure out how to respond to this, especially the part that says "Let us ...sit in peace...have a dialogue in peace..." First, it is "Uproot Israel!", then "Can't we just get along?" They need to select one or the other so Clickfool knows how to respond. He hasn't responded yet but knowing him, he will think of something, but Hamas is not making it easy for him.

"Violence is a universal disease not invented by Palestinians. The world`s history is written in blood." This is a nice slogan. But the slogan doesn't instantly transform Palestinian society. Palestinians must see the inherent worth of human beings, .. their neighbor, their children, Israeli children, all on their own, before they cease killing one another. Parents and religious clerics have a moral duty to teach life affirming values to the youngest generations, not the glories of murdering "Jews". As we've seen, it is too easy for their minds to substitute "Jew' for any person who has temporarily angered them.

In the past 40 yeasr Palestinian children woke up to scenes of the dead and the injured, they lived with humiliation on checkpoints by the Israelis, torture on the hands of Arafat and his cronies, abuse by Hamas and its followers. In this environment how could you raise an honest, decent and tolerant person who believes in the rule of law when a leadership takes its people to the abyss and no one is held accountable. When 3500 people are killed and no one is brought to justice, when the ifluential, the rich and the armed are above the law !!! We have always warned that when you ask your child to kill your neighbor he will eventually come to hunt you too. When you teach a child not to respect the sanctity of other peoples lives, he will not respect your life or that of his own. Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinian society are now coming to understand how high of a price they will pay for all the suicide bombings they embraced and advocated for

When you are born in a world of hate and taught from pre-school to hate Jews and the Jewish State, what do you expect? When your parents pose you with dynamite strapped around you and they hand you a gun at 5 years old, what do you expect? When it is more nobel to blow yourself up than to raise a family what do you expect? When the culture says their are more rewards in death than in life, it's no waonder they are the way they are. This violence can only be stopped when this generation is killed off. The world will only be able to live in peace once this culture is wiped off this earth. It is a cancer that is spreading and threatens us all.

It's evident throughout history, where there is not a united, single, respected authoritive government or leadership - anarchy and chaos encroach a society. All hell breaks loose. When the PA leadership split before the elections, which essentially brought about Hamas's victory, (pure luck) this weakened the authoritive leadership, since Hamas had no experience with governing whatsoever, only terrorism and charity, and thus the factions and loyalities scattered within the Palestinian society. Therefore, it's only a unified Palestinian government which can establish the democratic rule of law, bringing about economic, educational and social progress to its people.

The issue that Hamad brings up is not how much hate there is between Palestinians and Israelis or who hates who more, rather it is how much do they love they own children and what are they willing to sacrifice to bring peace to their children. The negotiations at Camp David 2000 showed that Ehud Barak loved his own children more than Yasser Arafat. You can debate whether Barak gave up too much or not enough, but at least he and the Israelis were willing to sacrifice. The reason why Hamid's statements bring so much excitement to some Zionists is that up to now, the Palestinian leaders have been educating their own people that no permanent sacrifice would ever have to made in creating a Palestinian state. Hamid's statement, whether genuine or not, presents the possibility that a Palestinian might be willing to sacrifice something (the end of random violence) for the sake of peace. For a change, I feel a little better.

If you lie to your children, in your homes, your mosques, your schools, and give them the false religious instruction that murder is a fast track entry into Paradise, then of course, these children will apply this teaching in all aspects of society, not just when blowing up Israelis on a bus. Why else would Palestinians allow their terrorists to use their children to retrieve missile launchers, shield their men, as front line combantants throwing firebombs at Israeli soldiers. Teach your children that they're valuable!! No one else can do this. It is up to the Palestinians to teach them that they and the neighbor down the street is more valuable ALIVE than dead in Paradise.

This piece reminds me: a while back Haaretz reviewed a book discussing Israel's efforts (going back to 1948) to promote dissension and internal violence among Palestinians. Hamas itself benefitted from this sort of manipulation: Israel assiduously promoted the group in eighties as a counterweight to Fatah. However, as Hamad's remarks show, the Palestinians are aware of the problem and persistently try to reach an accord among themselves. What's more -- Israel's efforts to the contrary notwithstanding -- they do make progress. Witness the current goings on. My bet is all the Israeli and US maneuvers -- extending even to giving arms to a Fatah controlled 'Presidential guard' -- will not prevent Palestinian unity. In the end, it'll just be more guns in the hands of the Palestinians. And a good thing, too, in my view.

The origin of your statistics is a book called "From Time Immemorial" which has been discredited because of its sloppy data and partisan wishful thinking. In fact, there is no clear evidence of "large number of Arabs" immigrating into Palestine during WWI and WWII. But here's the real question: Why should anyone in the 21st century care?

Did I forget to mention that Islam is the symptom?

Centuries of Crusades preceded Israel. It is a promise of peace in the middle of sea of violence. Jerusalem, the holy land, will only have their destiny fulfillied when the unperfect people living there decide to forgive each other and do peace. Unfortunately right now because of years of despair brought by bad leadership, and the mentality that there can only be one winner in a conflict, there is a prospect of a serious clasho of civilizations over the holy land once again. The sad thing is that the answer to the conflict is evident to everyone involved, but people just seem to make things worse and blame the others for their own suffering. Something could be done, but apparently, and this is stronger in the Pali side, clinging to a gun or killing yourself seems to be easier than trying to reach out for peace. Sad, sad stuff...

For those of you who couldn't wait to ululate over this story: Maybe it's the fact that Hamad wrote it (and not the first time either) was the reason it made it into Haaretz, but similar stories and editorials appear day after day in Al-Quds and Al-Ayyam newspapers in Arabic in Palestine. There is absolutely nothing new here. Hamad was quoted saying something similar in Time Magazine last week. But the response this is getting from some people here, with the usual litany of hate against Palestinians, is very very interesting. I'll just repeat what I wrote in another talkback yesterday: The occupier hates the occupied much more than the occupied hates the occupier. And I'll keep saying it because it's true, and it shows clearly.

you may want to reconsider living in Arizona and emigrate TO israel seeing that soon the southwest will become part of mexico as the number of illegal aliens already swamping california is now overwhelming the south

Jack - you need to pay a bit less attention to some web sites. The Palestinian people are made up of a large mixture of middle-eastern peoples with a large variety of cultures and origins. Some are beduiin (nomadic and not locally "natives"), others are from Egyptian or Lebanese areas. Some came from as far as Saudi, some from Iraq (during the mandate period when the Brits were offering employment), some are local. Large numbers of local Arabs emmigrated during WWI and WWII due to economic stress (many Jews left at the same time). Racially and linguistically - Jews and Arabs have always been "related". The website you mention seems to suffer from profound ignorance of the regional history and movements of people groups here over the past 1000 years.

Jews are more closely related to Armenians, Kurds, and Anatolian Turks than to their Arab neighbors. These are findings by by Almut Nebel, Dvora Filon, Bernd Brinkmann, Partha P. Majumder, Marina Faerman, and Ariella Oppenheim. Meanwhile Palestinian Arabs and Bedouins generally belong to Eu 10 and could have substantial ancestry from the Arabian Peninsula.

Jack, thank you for your informative post. But I should say that regardless of whether all of it is true or not, it is amazing to me that a people must provide proof of a 5000-year genetic link in order to be 'eligible' for basic human rights in their own land. What other modern peoples undergo such humiliation? The other point of contention (and disgust) I see on these forums is how some people calmly and blindly assume some kind of genetic or cultural pre-disposition to hate and violence. This is the epitome of racism. Anyone who can't see what occupation does to a people needs to fly over to Palestine and spend a month living as a Palestinian. Of course, this last statement will invoke the (but they will kill me automatically) statement, which again, just illustrates the sorry racism and hatred exuding from these webpages.

what does one expect when he/she is brought up with hate and violence. I am not sure that the palestinians can rise above it.

The answer is yes. And because of this "violence" disease, Israel has never been allowed the breathing room to develop as anything other than a state under permanent military emergency. Kol haKavod lo; I give Mr. Hamdi a lot of credit for being willing and able to diagnose the problem in such a direct and public way. If only he were consistent. But to do that he would next need to dissociate himself and the Palestinians from the Supremacist hyper-violence of his neighbors, rejecting Hizballah and the Iranian Mullahs, as well as the Ikhwan (Islamic Brotherhood) - of which HAMAS is an offshoot, and the Hanbali-Wahhabi sponsored Supremacism that breeds violence against kaffirs. Is it too much to hope for, that people begin to notice that the interests of the majority of the Palestinian people conflict with those of the above-mentioned Muslim Supremacist groups and ideologies?

Hmmm. According to gentic archeology, the Palestinians have a unique genetic make up most closely comparable to diaspora Jews. Google "y-chromosome jew palestinian" for numerous academic references. (Historically, the Palestinians are known to be descendants of the ancient Judean culture. Genetics merely confirms this fact, and expands it to indicate a 30 percent northern (Israel) tribes with only 50 percent Judean origin.) There culture is surprisingly homogeonus, check their unique language. You have permitted your Hate to blind you to any Truth: the Palestinians are cleraly a unique culture, with a unique origin, not shared by the majority of other Arabs. They are the remaining indigenous descendants of the ancient Israelites. Some still live in caves, while others live in the same dwellings as their ancestors did a thousand or more years ago. There are even communities in Jerusalem who can actually date their origin to pre-diaspora times, e.g., the Syriac Church group.

If violence is a Palestinian disease then brutal occupation, theft of Palestinian lands is an Israeli virus causing this sickness.

?175 Palestinians had been killed by "Palestinian gunfire" since the beginning of the year.? And even children have been killed. Pals? supporters, come and protest the killings of pals. Here you have a reason to protest. Or better, go and protest in pal newspapers.

The Israelis are extremely violent towards the Palestinians. I have witnessed it first hand; therefore, don't assume that only the Palestinians are having a "problem" with violence. Both People need to reevaluate their actions, and not choose simply to shoot first and think later.

Many cultures have had a violent past, but most have tried to remove that sense of blood thirst and physical pain. However Arab/Muslim nations are most violent. It is as if they live with the mindset of of 800 AD. They are violent in the family-as many marriages are arranged and are not based on emotions -they include beatings and rapes.(Protected under law (against women especially) Honor killings of both sexes and constant bloody wars between factions. In many instaces the blood of the victim is celebrated. They need to catch up with the rest of the world. We shun violence towards anyone. We still fight the disease. Somewhere there has to be a middle ground. I believe in violence for immidiate self protection.

Im really sorry if I had heart or attack anyone here. Love you all Ben Jabo!

A thoughtless and flip response. Many people have grievances. The question is: do we create a culture of violence and death in response, or do we search out creative ways for resolving disputes?

For several generations, you have been bringing up your children on hatred and brainwashing them into killing. Here you have the result.

Let Palestinians start to build their homes now! Imagine if all the unemployed & embittered young Palestinians could turn their energy into building, rather than destroying. Focus on building up Palestine rather than on destroying Israel. Perhaps Saudi Arabia & other oil rich Arab countries could invest in this development. Make Palestine a beautiful place. Give your families a creative purpose. Show yourselves & the world you can do it. You have tried the violent way & it has only brought misery & destruction. Now try the creative way. And if you do, blessing after blessing will come to you.

Sorry my dear.BILLIONS of MY tax money goes towards your state. I will take notes and question and share my views anytime I wish.thank you! Just because you belieev all the bs comes into your head does not makie it true. You of all people should understand oppression and brutality is WRONG! Lisen to some of your own IDF soldiers and what they were ordered to do..and also even worse they are allowed to do ANYTHING they want to the Plas/ wannatake a piss on an Arab? go right ahead, want to beat em with stones? Go ahead...... Your self righteous denial of what is really going on is pathetic. As long as I have MY money being sent to israel to the tune of BILLIONS......I will be here. You don't have to likemit, you don't have to agree with it. Deal with it, or ignore my posts. Your choice. You don't bother me.you sadden me.

Please take your head out of the sand. We are not wholley independant from the Palestinians. We cannot ignore their presence and try to only "take care of our own". If your neighbor across the street joins a Mafia drug cartel and begins dealing arms and drugs from his home - your home, neighborhood, your children's lives and safety will be deeply affected. When the Palestinians have a good economy, a working government and rule of law - we in Israel will SEE peace - especially in places like Ashkelon. We are not an Island.

Israel is a great, modern progressive country. But lets face facts: Unfortunately she is located in the worst neighborhood in the world, surrounded by millions of blood thirsty religious zealots who are brain washed from infancy that Israel and the Jews are evil subhumans who must be killed and wiped off the face of the earth. And it will only get worse: Hamas is preparing for war by copying Hez by stockpiling arms and building bunkers. And the world is too timid to stop the Iranian mullahs from developing nuclear weapons. Also, the Muslim demographic bomb is ticking. Solution: If I were an Israeli today, I would emigrate to the USA, the promised land of democracy where you can live peacefully without constantly having to worry about death-loving nutjobs constantly trying to kill you. That's not appeasement - that's pragmatic common sense. (Forget about emigrating to Europe, or should I say Eurabia, which is a lost cause and already starting to resemble Israel-Pal

Haaretz should be ashamed of itself for hyping this statement and knowingly feeding prevalent Israeli racist ideas such as arabs are not like us, they are like "animals". This is one more racist theme. Now,they are diseased so they must be caged and separated from us, like rabid dogs. Outrageous!

There is a war going on with conservatives and liberals everywhere. In the west its more debate and electorial in the Arab world its as usual more physical. There is a third way,one of compromise (not appeasement). Kadima has tried but with this way one has to fight all sides (I know) to get the point accross and left and right usually go back to the comfort zone of their ideologies. There seems to be little in the centre of Arab politics.Its even tougher there.The gun shoots from both sides.So it would take a tough guy with a pragmatic viewpoint,a strong statesman,to survive and turn everyones tide. These are few and far between and many are already gone. Violence IS played out more within arab society,even though armies that defend democracy also use violence. I,like many.wish it would change and things could be sorted out by discussion,debate and persuasion.But the arabs are not there....yet.

Well now, the s--t is hitting the fan now, isn't it? If you preach hate, blame on the backs of your enemies, and oh, you are "perfectly in the right" all the time, and, if you then start to use your "knowledge" of the arms you have or want to acquire, well you can always use it on your "perceived" person you would like to destroy. This "habit" is killing you, too bad, you will never learn to try something else that might work!

Hamad Islamic don't know what Sin is.

"Israelis need to figure out what we can do actively on our part to make this situation better." Since the article is from a Pal perspective are you suggesting that the Pals are incapable of behaving in a civilized manner, electing a responsible govt. etc. and it is Israel's responsibility to "govern" the Pals who are incapable of doing it themselves? The fact is that we are fed up with Intifada I & II, all the constant Qassam launching and all other terrorist attempts to kill us. They charter uncompromisingly calls for our destruction. This is a war of attrition and they chose it. We are now extremely successful in fighting their terror and containing it in their backyards - not our. We have learned from thousands of years of persecution, oppression, and attempts to annihilate us. Those who try to murder us now will suffer dearly with our full wrath and all our resources. Never again will we be passive in the face of those who seek and are committed to murding us NEVER AGAIN

Please clarify. Thusfar you've been a Catholic Then a convert to Judaism What's your religion at present? Rumor is that you've converted again.

Violence solves nothing. maybe a temporary truce or peace, to be broken at the earliest provocation. Stop teaching hate to infants and children. Don't give them books with pictures of children in shahid uniforms and plastic AK's. Don't pass out candies in celebration when someone is killed, it's not a joyous occassion. Let the leaders live with the people at the same standard of living that the people have. Let the leaders, stop hiding in Syria or wherever they may be. Let them stop stealing the monies intended to feel the populace. It's easy to be brave at someone elses expense. Without the PA police, Hamas forces, et al, virtually everybody will be unemployed. Just remember, military allegedly contributes to safety. Military consumes and produces nothing that can be eaten or worn. Military, by nature is a parasitic entity.

Paolo: "I responded and as usual my arguments are concise, succint, rational and factual. " - Wow!!! Aren't you just a little bit to full of yourself. Probably "as usual" you are. Don't you think that others can be rational and factual and also doing it on a usual basis? So maybe you just chose to ignore their rationality and facts because they don't coinside with yours.

Do a reality check, recently ? Mr. French- Canadian ? Israel didn't design this "ba'alagan".

HATE, HATE, HATE...AD INFINITUM. And, Irish, BTW, it's they're, NOT there.

Hamzi, thanks for the link

No, violence is not a Palestinian disease. Rather, it is Palestinian learned behavior. It was taught by central Palestinian government-controlled institutions, such as schools, mosques, kids summer camps, and the press. To get rid of Palestinian violence, those same institutions that promulagated a pro-violence point of view will have to change their tune. What comes up, comes down.

To rid Palestiniansociety of violence, I suggest that the Palestinian government should point a committee of objective professors, like Sari Nusseibeh, to first make a list of where violence is promoted by official institutions, like schools, mosques and newspapers (controlled by the way by the government), and second, devise a program for eradicating pro-violence teachings from those institutions. Such a program would include legislation outlawing pro-violence teachings and provide a timetable for eradication of pro-violence. I read that already by 1994 the Palestinian Authority had taken concrete steps to institute an anti-Israel, and inherently pro-voilence stance. Now to get rid of violence steps like those must be reversed.

Idealism is a wonderful, wonderful form of dementia. Zionism is the only form of realistic idealism. This is about which the world is having "birth pangs".

Sick of hearing Hammas this palis this fatah this hizbullah that. Lets face it its there goverments armies undercover of these groups so there are no reprecutions to there actions. when will we all wake up and understand this??? try to start a terror group in Canada of America or any sane country and tell me how it works out for you OK WAKE UP HIZBULLAH IS LEBANON HAMAS AND FATAH ARE PALISTINIANS HIZBULLAH IS SYRIA There all conected there all part of the middle east governments under there cover in there countries WAKE UP WORLD WAKE UP ISRAEL!!!!

Margie, you post,: "This is a phenomenon that needs more study and shouldn`t be dismissed easily. It is potentially harmful to all of us." Check out # 7 from sweis Melbourne, who proffers an interesting correlation with a stern and inflexible patriarchal culture.

any society that encourages their children to kill themselves in order to kill others needs some serious self-scrutiny.

They don't see themselves as violent. they see themselves as righteous. No one is saying that they are the only ones that are violent, but they shouldn't try to make anyone believe that there not either. It is called credibility.

The violance disease. is one which has been intentionally breed into these unfortunate people,by those in the world who have intended to create a 'race' of rabidly angry and homocidal warriors. The palistineans are the victems of a vial nazi eugnenics program, to breed violant,intellegent, and cunning warriors, who along with a false but compelling 'religious' doctrin, and the creating a false set of historical justifications, and lies, have the motivation to sacrifice their lives for the cause of their oppressor!, The nazis are NOT the friends of the palistineans. Yet, they want to kill the Jewish owners and builders of the land, whose land these ancestors of Arab migrant farm workers, invited by the Jews to help build a future, have been falsy lead to beleive they have a claim as their own! This all a creation of the UN/Nazi/ROMAN war machine that has divided and conquered the families of the Children of Abraham. War on Jews is for PRACTICE!

You say: "Hamas have not fired any Qassams since taking office". Paulo, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah fire Qassams. And since Hamas is in power it is their duty to halt such terrorism. Have they done so? On the contrary they encourage it!! You say: "The EU is funnelling more money through the PA via the President than ever before." If that's true, then why can't the PA even pay salaries? There are constant demonstrations by unpaid PA employees. You say: "it is the PLO not Hamas that are charged with negotiations and... the PLO was made up of Fatah... and they recognise Israel." You really are splitting hairs here. Hamas is the government; Hamas dominates the PA legislature; THEY are the ones who shape government policy - not Fatah. Open your eyes Paulo - have you seen ANY negotiations since Hamas was elected? You say: tell that to the people of Sderot. You're saying Israelis don't live 1000 times better than Pals?? LOLOL I hope YOU learnt something Paulo.

anyone ?..

THE LIST OF DRECK, should include, H-50, Tony Price, AND Amira Hass.

Mr. Ghazi Hamad, I commend your honesty! I hope your opinion is shared among many of your followers in Hamas and is heard by the Fateh men and all the Palestinians. We have become a violent national as a response to the threat of Israeli nationalism which emerged in this land and which we perceive to threaten our place here and bury our culture. Although violent resistance is legitimate in the context of the Israeli occupation, peaceful resistance is better and the values which come with peaceful resistance such as perserverance, detrmination and morality are those values which will help our nation achieve our desired freedom and glory after we purge the occupation and begin the challenging task of of building our home. For now, you have earned my respect.

Once again the obvious hypocricy from the Pals is showing it's ugly face.

Take the next step, say the unspeakable, Palestinians should compromise, make peace with Israel, and begin to live normal lives.

I responded and as usual my arguments are concise, succint, rational and factual. Have a read and tell me what you think.

Follow the link to some insightful reading: http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/000579.html

Your local Hiz heros hide in innocent civilian populations first of all. Blame your heros for their inability to imagine consequences of their actions. Secondly, how many Isrealis do you know personally? You're assigning your perceptions of what Isrealis think to what they actually think. So cut the BS now. Isrealis want partners in Peace. It will take brave Arabs to stand up to their fathers.

Dave there are some facts that you are just plainly ignoring: - "firing Qassams resulting in massive Israeli airstrikes". Hamas have not fired any Qassams since taking office. - "international isolation of PA except for Iran". The EU is funnelling more money through the PA via the President than ever before. - no "peaceful negotiations with Israel since Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist" - it is the PLO not Hamas that are charged with negotiations and last time I checked the PLO was made up of Fatah representatives and they recognise Israel. - "You're suffering while Israelis are living very comfortably" - tell that to the people of Sderot. I hope you learnt something Dave.

I't impossible for the Palestinians to seek peace between themselves without seeking peace with the Israelis and Jews. Peace is a general state that is inclusive, it is just laughable that Palis imagine that they will have peace while planning the destruction of their neighbour, even if this planning is inneffective and ridiculous...

"You raise your children to be murderers and occupiers and land thieves." And your full of it. We raise our children to protect our country, and it's our land not theirs. We have four international laws and treaties that state that, the Arabs have what? Can you produce one that gives that land to them? Just because the British attempted to give away our land does not make it theirs to give. "At least the Palestinians are victims of a virulent criminal occupation. But you too are victims of a racist mentality that views non-Jews as animals." They can leave our territory anytime they want. And you are the racist here. We do not, have not and will never view non-Jews as animals. Stop reading Meim Kampf and the Protocols - they are Christian beliefs, not Jewish.

T.A. Sheppard, Tim and Irishman have already cleared their throats and spewed out dirt.

"But you too are victims of a racist mentality that views non-Jews as animals." This statement is as racist as they come - a stereotyped generalizaton about all Jews. OK, all Irishmen are drunks. Just as true as your statement.

it's not a cancer because cancer is not infectious. it is like a plague that sweeps across the world, affecting nearly every country. the bird flu is nothing compared to this.

Sour grapes. BTW, where is Clickfool?

I wouldnt call it a 'Palestinian disease' as the same thing occurred during the British occupation of Northern Ireland. Parallels can also be drawn between this and the Portuguese and Spanish Civil Wars. One striking familiarity between all these conflicts however is a people in stark desperation. This in-fighting however should not serve as a distraction to the real plight of the Palestinians.

Can't he see that he's reaping what he planted?

Israel encouraged the founding and growth of Hamas. It wanted the PLO to have a strong rival. It was in Israels interest to divide the Palestinians. Mazel tov! The plan worked out rather well, don't you think? Mr. Hamad is a brave man to speak the truth.How many politicians in the world would have such courage? The image of rageing Palestinians running around with guns is what most westerners see, and Israel is happy with that. Violence is a universal disease not invented by Palestinians. The world's history is written in blood.

You raise your children to be murderers and occupiers and land thieves. At least the Palestinians are victims of a virulent criminal occupation. But you too are victims of a racist mentality that views non-Jews as animals.

Islam has been a religion of the sword since its inception. It celebrates this fact, and does not deny it. Islam is also an 'honor culture' in which minor insults may lead to major conflicts. The Palestinians are perhaps one of the extremes today in forgetting the terrible price of violence, and insisting on it as a way of establishing and restoring personal and collective Honor.

" It is interesting that, when asked on Israeli radio interview today about violence against Jews, he approved of it." If this is true, then I retract my previous letter.

There's no question, killing is very much a part of the Palestinian disease. King Abdullah al Hussein was assassinated while at prayer in 1951. In keeping with the nastiness of the disease, he was praying in the Mosque. No holds barred, nothing is sacred. Kill-Kill-Kill, if not Jews then a fellow Muslim will do quite as well.

Provided he doesn't get killed by his own people first.

The disease is Hamas and the symptoms for the Palestinian people are dreadful: US, EU, Canadian, Japanese and Norwegian economic aid suspended resulting in grinding poverty; pointless and useless terrorism firing Qassams resulting in massive Israeli airstrikes and invasions; international isolation of PA except for Iran; erosion of sympathy for Palestinian cause; absolutely no hope of a better life through peaceful negotiations with Israel since Hamas refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. Tell me Palestinians, do you really believe Hamas is working in the interests of your people? Hamas is a disease and the sooner the Palestinian people confront and destroy this disease the better off they'll be. The antidote is to call for new elections and vote for anyone but Hamas. Don't think you're hurting Israel by having Hamas as your leaders. You're suffering while Israelis are living very comfortably.

To Abbas and to Hamas, If you want peace instead of war,death, and injury for your people it is possible. Both parties needs to sit down and say I want peace and first of all control your people to put down all their weapons. Second swallow your pride and negotiate . Meet half way on things that are hard to agree on. Do it for the sake of your country. Good Luck Sandy

Why are all other replies so hateful and racist???

I'm eagerly awaiting for Israel to be blamed for the Palestinian "HATE" disease. Their hate has come home to roost. Yaakov Sullivan, Clickfool and others of their ilk will fault the JEWS, no less would be expected. Palestinian's can't get along with the Jews, or each other for that matter. What else could one expect when they turn minor children & women into homicide bomb carriers.

You right 100%. The sad conclussion is that there is no known cure for cancer. Likewise there is no visible cure for the palestinian addiction to violance and terror. Their so called greatest leader , The Reis, aka Yassir arafat cultivated it and close to his dead ,he called Palestinians in his last speech in Ramallah, "Terrorize them (Jews)" Thats why 67 % percent polled Palestinians support violance and suicide bombing. Thats why the majority of Palestininas voted for Hamas. Abu Mazen was and is to mederate for Palestinians since he talks of two stae solution and coexistance. Raphael Eitan, of pensionairs party is right in his testimony to Defense Committe of Knesset. he said that the violance by Palestinians will continue for another hundred years (3 generations)

Violence is a corrosive emotion. It cannot be long directed solely at "approved" targets. As Jews, we are all too aware of the hatred against us taught at every level of Arab society. We are aware of it, and take steps to protect ourselves; that is all we can do for the time being. The irony is that those who are raised to hate Jews, to celebrate their murders, are themselves the greatest victims of Jew-hatred. They become innured to violence; it creeps insidiously into every aspect of their lives. Rivals, in religious interpretations and practices, in business, academics, romance and politics, morph into hated enemies, against whom violence is again okay. In short, if you teach your children that hate and violence is good in some instances, you are handing them a poison that will eat their own insides.

Yes Hamad,I salute you for daring to speak the truth to your blinded brothers.

Israel also has the bad habit of blaming, blaming blaming..unableo look within. It's always somebody, something else. Hamad is taking a positive step....it is the Israeli's need to follow his lead.oh my can't do that! Not when you have them all labeled as animals, and savages.and yes Arabs! For shame Israel.wake up!

...There have been many instances during the past months of exaggerated responses by certain Moslems, certainly not all, to stimuli which other nations take in their stride... This coming from someone in a country that just killed around 1,000 innocent civilians and destroyed a whole countries infrastructure over some border skirmish.

It seems to be a Palestine disease, rather than a Palestinian disease.

It seems that we have missed the point here. Hamad has said "Let's stop pointing a finger of blame externally, and see what we can do internally to change this situation," and all we have done with these responses is point outward again and criticize. Israelis need to figure out what we can do actively on our part to make this situation better.

Yes, the Palistinian people should be ashamed of the violence that supplanted their culture. But how can it be ended? Simple, declare Israel a neighbor and a desirable partner in peace, economy and life. Grow with us. Until then, any madman who wishes can gain a following and push his brand of violence - simply by whispering "let us go and destroy the zionist enemy." Violence will end when "life" rather than "death and destruction" becomes the key focus of government, tribe, clan, family and individual. Good luck.

that Palestinian Arabs "do not have any defining genetic or cultural characteristics". I would suggest that the Palestinian Arab people, and they constitute a peoplehood by now, has come about very recently in history as a result of the division of South West Asia to political entities, beginning with the period that followed the first world war and maturing only in the 1960s. The second point is that "there have been many instances during the past months of exaggerated responses by certain Muslims". I would suggest to view the level of violence in Algeria during the past decade of Muslims slaughtering Muslims; the Iraq Iran war; the Iraqi conquest of Kuwait; and now the average of 90 dead Muslims every week in Iraq, murdered by other Muslims. Indeed, it appears to be a cultural matter that is deep rooted in among Muslims in general, but Arabs in particular. Incidentally, would it not be appropriate for Israel's obsessed critics to spend some critical time elsewhere?

Mr. Hamad shows great courage in acknowledging the violence within his own culture. We should all support his call and follow his lead, because there is not one of us who does not also carry around this disease within us. Look at the headlines from any country at all and you will find that violence permeates human culture. Remember that when you point your finger, the other three point back at you. We all need to sit and dialogue in peace.

It is an important road this Hamas spokesperson is starting to travel on but he will never reach the correct destination because although his thinking is a good start, the proper analysis is impossible. Yes, violence is a disease for palestinians but it is a disease they have carefully nurtured by making heroes out of cold bloodied killers. When Hamas says that suicide bombing of Jews is a crime against humanity and announces that a man who shoots children in a disabled car is not a martyr but a plain and simple killer, then he will be on the real road to solving the disease. As long as killing any Jew under any circumstances is hailed in the morally bankrupt palestinian society, the plague will continue.

It is wrong to qualify them as lazy barbarians, mired in the 6th century. They would like nothing more than to be able to feed their own families. Every human being wants to be productive. The Arabs, as a rule, and Palestinians as well, are an industrious lot. It's the situation that is poisoning the atmosphere. In the diaspora, as with other population groups, they have succeeded.

Thanks for the information. A survey conducted by the PA showed recently, that nearly 2/3 of Palestinians would not recognise Israel’s right to exist, even after leaving Yesha completely. And this is very important because we hear so often that the PA is ready to recognise Israel, but this does never mean to recognise its right to exist. They would only accept Israel as an actual fact that should be destroyed. I think that this will only change when the nuclear mullahs have been stopped once and for all.

The Palestinians are lucky to have one intelligent voice to question, in this period of their Ramadan, where all this violence is leading... At least one person is asking the right questions. This is why G-d has given them Ramadan, and us Kippur. Thank you.

" There have been many instances during the past months of exaggerated responses by certain Moslems..." Yup...and it has a name, Intermittent Explosive Disorder: "Episodes of aggressive outbursts resulting in either destruction of property or physical assaults on others."

raising up their children peacefully instead of sending them to violent summer camps and showing them "shaheed"-videos on tv. it all starts with the proper, peaceful education of the children.

When you abuse children and suckle infants on hate what can the results be other than a mad violent culture. Of course they will blame Israel and "THe Jews" for thier malady but the great grandfather of their violent "nature" is Haj Amin el Husseini.

Dear Brant, Well said. Thank you. I can say no more.

If a Hamas leader can talk peace, so can an ardent Zioniist--which I am. I suggest we too do some repenting. Let us rethink some of our established preconceptions. First, I urge we strongly support the return of all Palestinians to their homeland, both the West Bank, and Israel proper. How? Gradually and over time as the means of establishing a new mood of understanding and acceptance of each other's historical roots. In Israel, Arab houses now owned by Israelis should be available for subsidized purchase by family members who once lived in them--and the Jewish owners heirs be comppensated. The returning Arabs would have to prove they once had a family deed to the property. Their citizenship woulb be in the new state of Palestine, and they would cast absentee ballots, paying local property taxes. Other diaspora Palestinians could return to the new state of Palestine gradually, and have no background in anti-Israel terrorist attacks. It would be a start.

unfortunately, only a few heed his words. The rest will have paroxysms of violent outbursts..............Look at their reaction to 9/11 as an example.

I would say that it extends beyond the narrow bounds of the Palestinians, who do not have any defining genetic or cultural characteristics. There have been many instances during the past months of exaggerated responses by certain Moslems, certainly not all, to stimuli which other nations take in their stride. The responses to the cartoons and the Pope's speech by certain defined sections were over the top. This is a phenomenon that needs more study and shouldn't be dismissed easily. It is potentially harmful to all of us.

A 'Palestinian disease' ? The truth is that the whole world including the Arab nations (with the exception of Iran and Syria plus Venezuela, who have their own distorted hate and religious agendas) see the Palestinians as lazy barbarians most of whom are living in a 6th century fantasy world. Ghazi Hamad is right and they need to get a reality check. They cannot feel shame until they come to understand their disconnection from the 21st century! Israelis (the vast majority) would love to live in peace with them but they can't even live in peace with each other!

The disease is radical Islam that has been spread throughout the world like the plague by Hamas, Al Qaeda and so many other misguided Muslims. They should be talking about the cure now that they recognize it is a disease.

Ahhhhh..."yes" is the answer Ghazi. When Palestinian mothers groom their children to specifically kill other children - see: Umm Nidal and the Atzmona terror attack - then I think you got a pretty serious problem.

Gazi Hamad must be aware that violence is not just a "Palestinian disease", but a disease that afflicts most of the Arab world. By war did Islam ride out of the East to conquor other nations and so by war it was driven back again. By violent means did the Arabs return the offer of peace and friendship made by the Jews since 1850 in the Land of Israel, and then they screamed "foul" when they were thrashed at their own game. Try a little tenderness - if you had in 1921, 1946-1948, 1967 to 1969 there would be no "occupied lands" and Arabs and Jews would be living side by side in perfect harmony.

Sadly. for all concerned violence is in the culture. You only have to look at other Arab states where there is sectarian iolence that does not even stop at the sacred portals of mosques. Arabs dont know how to deal with dissent, their patriarchal, stern society has no room for a variety of opinion. THe concern from their own ranks is a welcome if unusual occurence. Good thinking Hamad

today about violence against Jews, he approved of it. And this is from a leader who promotes "peace" but not when it comes to living in a state of peaceful co-existence with his/his people's neighbors. What should we Israeli Jews, indeed, what we Jews worldwide for whom Israel is central to our people's live should think of it? I just thought I would share this information and the question with the readers of the Talkback.

The only truth they can handle is their own fantasy.

What do you think will happen when they grow up? They will become like Gandhi and solve their problems by peaceful protest. No they resort to violence because they have never seen another way to solve their problems.

If palestinian violence is a disease,then after all thes decades it can fairly by said to be chronic. It is only a concern to palestinian arabs now because it has become a cancer.

Clickfool, Dutch, Stephen Murray, Khalid et al can rest this day. Their heroes have been described and understood much better by one of their own leaders. However, in moments, the great interpretive psychoanalaysts among the Haaretz talkbackers will have advised us that this internecine violence is due solely to the "aparatheid, zionist, thugging, land-stealing occupation". Interesting that even the obviously intelligent and honest Mr. Hamad makes no such reference. When he suggests they must "sit down in peace" it's clear, for now, he means with each other. That day will also have to come for them with Israel and it's unlikely Israel will sit with them at all, until the violent masks, the hate-filled banners, the "home-made" (love that media!) missiles and explosives belts are finally laid aside and the "Palestinian" people finally understand they just can't have it all. It was never all theirs and the rest is mythology.

and they are addicts that can't give up the habit. you play with fire, you're gonna get burned sooner or later.