Israeli Arab MK: Barak enjoys classical music and killing Gaza children

A response by CK Tan and his denial of Palestine from a previous article. Care to EXPLAIN what is this PALESTINE, maoriboy? Wny not STATE your HARD historical PROOF that there EXISTED a people called Palestinians. Show the DATE of the FIRST UN document that contained the word, Palestinian(s). Or are you GOOD only for PARROTING sound bites? The continued parrot droppings from CK "prove it" Tan.

You believe the fact that the jews took Jerusalem from the Cannanaites but you say the rest of the Torah is a myth .. all part of the same package you believe 1 part you have to believe it all. You are right King David did take Jerusalem from the now extinct Cannanites who arabs are not decended from. David also united the place into a single united kingdom and he moved the capital to Jerusalem & purchased Temple Mount where his son later built the first Temple. You want proof that Jerusalem was the ancient capital look at roman history,greeks, persians christian history, crusaders, muslims. All the former invaders or the later Abrahamic faiths nobody makes any secret of the fact that this was the former capital of the kingdom of Judah & Temple Mount was the site of the jewish Temple. Assuming that Jerusalem wasn't the capital there is plenty of archeology & historic documentation to back up this was part of Davids kingdom

but he hides his love for classical music because that is seen as a spoil in the majority of Israel;s people.but he is very proud by his killings,he said about Tzipi who was only a spy "that she probably never used a gun".After "the victory" in Gaza "war" were shared Israeli's flags in magazines so the happy people from south Israel to express his joy.But the people didn't take the flags and was not happy because was not enough what was done in Gaza and Shalit remained there.

Where are the 'moderate' voices? MK's are living in a democratic country and can be as traitorous as they please but the moderate voices are quiet why? They are very afraid of their'leaders'.

they have not come for peace. they have not come to settle in Israel to live side by side without fighting. they have brought their fighting words with them . they lied in order to get into Israel. to ruin or destroy it from the inside out.

"you both have a history of anomalies on the events in Palestine" And has maoriboy PROVE Peter SM to be WRONG in ANY of the things he's written? Well, keep DRINKING, maoriboy, and keep DREAMING.

Happy New Year. Whish Gilad Schalit comes home this year.

Hedy Epstein spent the Holocaust in England. Her parents, anti-Zionist Jews, remained in Europe despite the spectre of Hitler, and despite the existence of a safe home for them in Palestine (soon to be Israel). She did not survive anything more than a train to England, and it is disgusting that she attempts to throw around false "survivor" credentials in order to lend credence to her Israel-hating agenda.

"It was us Jews who built the Pyramids." I assume, Joshua, that you mean the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built during the 4th Dynasty, c. 2550BC. Firstly, Jews could not have built the Pyramids since there were no Jews c. 2550BC. There might have been Hebrews, but the earliest record of their presence in Canaan is c. 1800BC. You should know that "Jew" refers to Judaean, dweller in the country south of Israel and member of the tribe of Judah, son of Jacob-Israel, who was certainly not around in 2550BC. Secondly, there is no proof that there were ever Israelite "slaves" in Egypt who eventually escaped after Moses zapped the land with all sorts of plagues and wiped out all the first-born of the Egyptians (nasty stuff). The careful record keepers of Egypt would have written this down (yes, they wrote about defeat as well, the rule of the Hyksos over Egypt is documented). So before you claim architectural achievements in Egypt, read some history, please.

Well if HAMAS can discount the death of Israely civilians as collateral damage then its "collateral damage" is 100%. Israel's collateral damage rate on the other hand is way below any of the most advanced armies in the world involved in the conflict of the same scale.

Bill, the Jebusites are listed in the Tanakh portion of the Scriptures as a Canaanite tribe, listed between the Hittites and the Amorites. There is no archaeological proof for a conquest of the Jebusite city by a king named David. As far as pre-Israelite evidence of the city, there is correspondence between Akhetaten and Abdi-Heba, the king of the city, some hypothesize the name as Ursalimmu, in the famous Amarna letters.

There is a formula for peace but it is unlikely. There needs to be a promotion of citizen rights in the middle east. Since the US partners itself with oppressors and dictators, this is unachievable, unless brought about by popular struggle. Unfortunately, in most countries in this region the only group advocating any popular struggle are Jihadis. That is with the exception of Israel where lunatic Zionist extremism seems to be the order of the day. We need to elect people who understand what compromise means as well as the principles of non-violent protest. Oh and as a new years resolution, it might be a good idea to stop stealing peoples organs? Just a thought.

The fact was there was both Arabs and Jews in Palestine under the Ottoman rule. You the boldy brits occupied the Palestine, and made the two etnicities Muslim and Jews hostile to each other. Todays conflict are the result of your policies. Divide and conquer. Once you made two etnicities hostile to each other, you had sitdown and watch from a distance the conflict and enjoyed it. The issue was and is not cleansing the Palies, rather it is an existancial problem. If you don't clean you would have been cleaned. Jews had no where to go. We defend our selves and created miracles. Aby

Arab unity is a fiction.when Sadat made Peace with Israel Libya was on the verge of attacking Egypt, right after the October war. Sadat didn't want to fight on two fronts. He saved the lifes of many Egyptians as becomes a great statesman.

These MKs should be using their unique position to make peace. Instead, they use utterly out-of-context imagery from Schindler's List to: a) lie about reality b) excuse Hamas's tactics (which are to blame for death of Pal children) c) ensure that tensions are heightened d) embolden Hamas into attacking Israel again, hoping for a larger-scale war e) see more children die on both sides f) prevent any chance that a Pal leadership might emerge with a realistic proposal for inventing a Palestnian State with Ramallah as its capital

but he certainly doesn't seem to mind it.

Here we go again!! Whenever Israel retaliates for the onslaught attempts at ruining their industrious and social livelihood there are always going to be hoot owls that want to create a mire of this nations will to protect itself from destruction. You palestinians are not acting like pals at all. If the truth were to be extracated from the rocketeering of munitions and propaganda, our words would match our actions unbent.Let us just say, "that we are reacting to our nations expectation of safely guarding its inhabitants. " There are ten sides to these economic and real estate issues. What we need to concern each other with is the model of a decagon, not two sides.

Villages were burnt,women and children were shot and raped.This is the History of Isreal. Read the Book the Ethnic clenasing of palestine by illan Pappe.... Can you support those "facts" ? Pappe does not count , real history Please .

Jerusalem was a Jebusite not a canaanite city . It was taken by David and consolidated by Solomon . Solomon ruled to the euphrates river in the north . An area close to the land promised by G-D as an everlasting inheritance .

WHAT do you mean when you say those people???Are you talking about those that lived in Europe and saw their families experimented on or killed in Hitlers killing field ????Are you talking about those that went back to claim their property only to be killed by those thast now claimed their poperty was theirs Who are you talking about when you say those people. Waiting for explanation. I hope this gets printed

PETER SM:"JOHN PAPPE himself admits he is NOT a truthseeker." At lest you have something in common with the said author,you both have a history of anomalies on the events in Palestine. Happy New Year Peter.

DPA Quote "Haniyeh would never stop fighting for a state, with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and the Islamic people." Sura 5 19.21 says that Holy Land is ordained to Children of Yisrael Sura 17.104 says Their allah will bring back Children of Yisrael to Holy Land. Sura 2.145 says that Yerushalayim (Kibla) is forbiden to muslims. A biblical view says that Israelis should follow Sarah's advice to Abraham .

"Don`t reverse the situation please. Israel is the occupier. We all know that." [Sam] You are the one reversing. All the Nations of the World (AKA the United Nations) created Israel. Your lunatic heroes are the only ones that didn't get the message. We all know that. Happy New Year Everyone. G_d bless Israel.

Dream on!

After this morning encouragement by 1000 terror supporters at the Israeli side of the Gaza fence.

There is no historian in the world who is objective. I am not as interested in what happened as in how people see what's happened. ("An Interview of Ilan Pappé," Baudouin Loos, Le Soir [Bruxelles],Nov. 29, 1999) I admit that my ideology influences my historical writings...(Ibid) Indeed the struggle is about ideology, not about facts. Who knows what facts are? We try to convince as many people as we can that our interpretation of the facts is the correct one, and we do it because of ideological reasons, not because we are truthseekers. (Ibid) The debate between us is on one level between historians who believe they are purely objective reconstructers of the past, like [Benny] Morris, and those who claim that they are subjective human beings striving to tell their own version of the past, like myself. (?Benny Morris?s Lies About My Book,? Ilan Pappé, Response to Morris? critique of Pappé?s book, ?A History of Palestine? published in the New Republic, March 22, 2004, History News Network, April 5, 2004)

Looking for the remaining 25% only? Secondly, how can you say its been conceded? In 1947 did Palestinian concede any portion of hte land? no if anything that was the reason for BOYCOTTING the 1947 Partition Process. What of the Intifadas, the bombings occuring in the 75% is that called conceding it? Blowing up a bus or cafe in the 75% that you conceded???? Have Palestinians accepted Israel as part of a two state solution and not in a limited means whereby unlimited right of return is conditional on hte acceptance such that after 1 vote Israel is no longer Jewish country. That is not really conceding, that is attempting to conquer from within. Thirdly, to say that Palestinians in Partition were only guaranteed 45% is entirely wrong. Perhaps, if they had gone to the negotiating table they might have had the 55% or more. Cmon Sam You Are Better than this,

Obviously Mubarak followed Israel's orders not to allow Edy Epstein, the Holocaust survivor, from entering Gaza. As a courageous Jew who survived Holocaust, his presence in Gaza and solidarity with the Palestinians from there would cause more damages to Israel's image abroad.

Hundreds (1300 registered for the peace march) more peace activists have been prevented from entering Gaza via the Eretz Crossing by political Zionist puppet Mubarak! The Freedom March released a statement on Thursday claiming wide spread abuse by Egyptian police. (Ma'an News 31 December 2009)

Zahalka's comment was intentionally incendiary and was probably made because it appeals to his constituancy. If it was an outlier, where is the contradiction of it from Israeli Arabs? Wonder if there's any evidence out there that the Israeli Arab parties wish to play a constructive role in a two state solution.

Palestinians like to say that already conceded 75% of the Palestine to Jews. They conveniently forget that Jordan (or Transjordan) were always historically a part of Jewish patrimony. They were part of kingdom of Saul and David. The land east of Jordan River belonged to the tribes Manasseh, Gad and Reuben. It was Jews who conceded big part of their historical homeland first in 1920. Palestinians pocketed it and then went on claiming the rest. The same is going to be with any territorial concession. Just look on Lebanon. No matter how far Israel withdraw, there will be some other farm or village they something else.

If Jews had anything in Mecca such as a huge temple, a long history, a significant Jewish population - to rival the Al Aksa, the Dome of the rock, the Islamaic history etc. in Jerusalem - yes, they may have a claim on part of Mecca. But that's not the case.A stupid comparison.

John, you have not done much research. There are huge numbers of errors in you "short" history. During the 1930 the British put significant quotas on the number of Jews who could go to Palestine of for that matter any other part of the British Empire, precisely at a time when they needed a refugee. If Israel had existed millions would have been saved, but instead had to remain in Europe because no country would grant them refuge. The Arabs have also not always provided a safe haven for the Jews of the middle east. There have been periods when they were persecuted and they were always second class citizens. Since Israel was created virtually no Jews have remained in the Arab world. There are as many Jewish refugees from the Arab world as Palistinian refugees. Most now live in Israel although some live in the US and Europe.

Probably because the number of people killed by Qassems can be counted on one hand. Whilst during Operation Cast Lead 400 childeren were slaughtered and dismissed as collateral damage. Well if Israel can discount the death of civilians as collateral damage so can HAMAS.

Don't you think palestinians are not afraid of israel's policy ? Who's trying to destroy who exactly ? Thousands of israelis dream of one thing : tranfering palestinian population out of the country. Of course Shamir, Sharon, Olmert have always been so peaceful ! Hamas is nothing compared to these people. Don't reverse the situation please. Israel is the occupier. We all know that.

Before the 1900 centruy the population of jews in palestine was virtually non-existant. The jews flocked to palestine and other arab states from europe to flee persecution from the christians,it was the arabs that gave you shelter and treated you with humility.The Jewish population continued to increase steadily especially during WW2. the Jews gathered money and brought arab,Ben Gurion had other deceitful plans,The Jews trained by the british aquired arms from soviet union and in 1948 ETHNICALLY CLEANSED PLAESTINE. Villages were burnt,women and children were shot and raped.This is the History of Isreal. Read the Book the Ethnic clenasing of palestine by illan Pappe.

Listen Ben if all israelis had the courage to look what they have done to the palestinians since 48 we would have had peace. They prefer to use military force against an unarmed people. Israelis expect concessions and bargain as if palestinians were indigeneous. That's not the way Ben. Palestinians have already made concessions giving up 75% of the land. Now up to Israel to show they want peace ! wanting peace is one thing but making peace is another. Israelis are not ready to make concessions as they've always thought this land was theirs anyway. I just need to read all the posts here. Even a guy from God knows where in the US will tell me that his rights on this land are beyond any other rights ! Biblical right is NOT a right. Palestinians have plenty of time, believe me. Always been here and still standing despite Israel's hard and vicious work to make them leave. Bear that in mind Ben. Happy new year

i am truely sorry that your leaders in 1948 rejected partition and attacked Israel... (which lead to your neighbourhood being taken over and re-nammed... But, Israel is not denying your right to buy land and live in Jerusalem... but what they will never allow is for it to become another countries capital...

You appear to be living in a different Galaxy than the World I'm in. I don't see morality in Nigeria where children are being tortured for being Wizards and Witches, mostly by their Christian parents. I don't see morality in America land of "Freedom and Democracy," Porn Capital of the World and deliverer of Coca Cola and Mc Donald's amidst the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq which have seen over a Million dead so far. Where's the morality in the Janjaweed in Sudan where 300,000 have been murdered. The list of Moral countries goes on, the UK whose Politicians and Bankers are as corrupt as Hell, Iran who is currently readying itself to kill those who oppose the "Moral Mullahs?".Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Indonesia, The USSR for goodness sake,Russia, China? Are you kidding? Where is this moral World of yours? In Gaza where Hamas murdered Fatah? You are deceiving yourself Dutch.All the Leaders, and Israel is no different,are driven by one thing only..Power

Zahalka Israeli citizenship must revoked. He wants the plo, fine. He can move to Ramallah. This was treason and therefore has no further right to remain in Israel.

Just like in the USA, where anyone gets a chance at the american dream, while respecting the Constitution and the laws. Why can't Israel/Palestine become one nation shared by everyone just like the US? Does Israel really think that establishing a jewish only nation is good, never mind attainable? Even jews will fight amongst themselves. Spare everyone the killing and establish a one state with all the pals. You already have Druze, muslims and christians as Israeli citizens.

Support "Israel beiteinu" and your dream will become true: you will live in independent Palestinian state under Hamas or Fatah authority in Umm-el Fahm or some other Arab town and Jews will live besides you, in peace, in their own state. They will not control your life so that for all problems you could blame only yourself. You need to understand: "conservative" Jews don't want you, they don't need you, they don't really care what you do and how you live. Just live your own life and let others live thiers.

How funny it is to see israelis labelling Palestinians terrorists for fighting occupation, tell me, who is it that is stealing land from Palestinians. Please do not waste your time with the "it was our land before" story.

if you know history... and it appears you do then you would also know that the jews came from Cannan and that it was Abraham who established Jerusalem when he was going to sacrifice isaac... furthermore it was longer then 200 years due to the various rebellions and the hasmonean empire... as jews we have had history to jerusalem dating to 2000 bce... you say that hieroglyphics on walls in Egypt hold more truth then the Torah... perhaps if the Torah had been changed in the last 3600 years... but alas it has remained unchanged in that time... As a reference see the ptolemaic story invovling the torah and 70 rabbis and the great library... The fact remains that Jerusalem has been and will always remain a Jewish city... The faster people like you accept this the faster we can achieve peace and stability that we all deserve...

The Torah is a myth and so then is the Christian bible being based upon the Torah and the story of Jesus Christ . As for the Koran,its basis is monotheistic ,but that too must be a myth. We are not all atheists Mr .State .Your statements are offensive .As for the size of the Jews ,it was us Jews that built the Pyramids ,whilst the Egyptians practised idolatory and slavery .

I am truely sorry that your leaders in 1948 decided to reject Israel and attack it which lead to your neighbourhood(which was established 25 years earlier) being taken over and re-named... its a little amusing though that you said that jews from america have no right to the land but apparently Arabs from Paris do... The pals need to make up thier minds of what is more important to them... A. The establishemt of the first Palestianian state in history with Ramalla as its capital... b. Rejecting peace becuase of a love affair with the jewish capital, and making the occupation last indefinitely... Seems like an easy choice to me...

No sir, the Palestinian PM's response was a normal response to being under assaulted by the bullies in the Israeli Army & the Israeli estab-lishment who don't have the decency to respect and recognize the political & sovereign rights of the Palestinian peoples in their home- land today. Make no mistake about it they are the low life in the free and moral world today and should be charged accordingly for their war crimes against Gazans and their civil society today.... It was a mistake to allow such peeople in the Middle East. Their cruel policies threaten their own tribe's existence there today not Hamas. (Hamas has been a convenient scapegoat like the PLO & people know their dirty tricks today and are turning away from them... see below. ) Dutch http://www.counterpunch.org/gordon02072006.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123154826952369919.html#

I wwatch as my fellow Israeli citizens are free to march and protest. In this case the citizens are Israeli/Arabs. Interestingly Hanniyeh's friends in Iran, are not allowing its citizenry to protest freely. Did Barack shoot at these protesters, have their leaders been rounded up, jailed or executed? Nope. And that about says it all. Here our Arab citizens enjoy the right of free speech and make use of it. Yet for some reason they have come out in support of those forces in the Moslem world who would have them shot and killed. The hypocrisy and selfishness can be cut with a knife, but it won't. Seems nobody enjoys the smell of Palestinian blood more than the Hamas leadership, who when not tightening suicide belts around the waists of their children, is busy inviting the IDF into Gaza to destroy them.

of ancient israel under solomon and david for less than 200 yrs, and following the civil war between judah (southern kingdom) and israel (northern kingdom) isrAel picked a capitol in samaria and judah (southern) kept j'slem....now that does not show j'slem the ancient capitol of israel does it? this is all myth (torah) and the is no actual 'jewish history' because unlike the egyptians the jews left not much behind (being much smaller anyway)

Who's telling Israel to give up Jerusalem ? Palestinians have already agreed to share Jerusalem. The eastern part is populated by palestinians. What's the problem ? My family comes from Katamon. Ever heard of Katamon ? today Katamon is 100%... And now you're telling me what to do ? Pushing out palestinians of their homeland is criminal. And this is precisely what Israel has done throughout the decades. Now you think i'm denying Israel's rights ? that's your problem Ben. That gives you the best reason of the world ! Palestinians belong to that land and i'm afraid no one has the right to tell them where to live.

"During the rally, Israeli Arab MK Jamal Zahalka directed harsh criticism at Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who he said enjoys "classical music and killing children in Gaza." - DPA That is an unfair accusation. I have seen no evidence that Barak 'enjoys' 'killing children in Gaza.' It is clear that killing children does not concern Barak in the least. But that is crassness rather than depravity.

Who's telling Israel to give up Jerusalem ? nobody. Palestinians have agreed to share Jerusalem as this city is highly symbolic to them and the eastern part is popul It is Israek that does not want that. It is Israel that denies palestinians their rights. My family is from Katamon. Ever heard of Katamon ? today Katamon is 100% jewish. Why on earth should palestinians accept that ? This is based on facts and not on some beliefs.

i love arabs like you... If all the pals were like you we would have had peace in 1948...

When the sword wielding Arabs trotted into Judea and Samaria, I don't think they were waving any land titles in their hands. Jews have had an unbroken presence in the Holy Land since pre-Hellenistic times. When the Romans unsuccessfully tried to wipe out the Jews, one of their actions was to rename the Jewish State as Syria-Palestina in order to facilitate the nation's destruction. The Arabs have more than a dozen countries to guarantee their culture; the Jews only have one. And that one will be vigorously defended.

I came with three Bus's from Jaffa of Jews Moslems and Christians. I saw also members of Knesset from Balad but did not know that Hania phoned. There where many hundreds from all over the country and from Jerusalem Bethlehem and all Religions. I want Peace and end too Gaza Closure, And Shalit Home after a Year Since Gaza Operation. And Equality with My Arabs Sisters and Brothers in Israel. So What if Hania Phoned.

non jewish-Arabs have lived as a minority in Jerusalem for quite some time yes... but it is not thier(pals) capital and never will be... Of course they are allowed to live in Jerusalem, anyone with engouh money can... But remember, Jerusalem is the heart and soul of the jewish people all over the world(yes this includes americans) which means it must remain sovereign Jewish territory... you say you dont like history stories based in reality... (non-fiction) perhaps you favor fiction, and that is why you "think" Jerusalem should be pal and not Israeli... Sam, Stop your denial(of jewish history) for a start and you will understand(why we can never give up our rights to Jerusalem).

The Hamas leader by citing Jerusaleum(intrpreted as the whole of Jerusaelum) and not East Jerusuleum as its future capital causes people such as #2 Chaim to worry about Jews being pushed into the sea.

The fact that there never was a country named palestine does not mean there were not arab familie living there. Personaly, I'm Palestinian and I really don't care what you call the country. We can even call it Israel if it turns you on. But my people are allowed to live where there families lived for the last 500+ years. I'm sorry the Romans kicked you out of your land 2000 years ago, but we're not the romans, we never hurt the jews before they came with bought up Czech / Soviet weapons in 1948. Yes there were violent protests because the jews were arriving in mass in Arab land, but try to massively immigrate black people to Island and see if it doesn't end up violant. We're all allowed to live here, but I will never tolerate someone who tells me that my family can't live here

Which is in actuality, the congress, the direct representatives of the peoples of the USA, recognized Jerusalem as Israel capital. Interestingly and this is on point that is never full analyzed, and rightfully so, as if so it would probably bring a lot of anti-Muslim sentiments to USA, why? President, non directly elected representative of USA persons (elected through Electoral Colleges not voters hence Kerry winning popular vote and losing White House) has renewed the 6 month stopper. The question then: if he can only do it on the grounds of National Security, that means that when Obama denied it, he said I do not move my embassy because I fear reprisal. Well who would these reprisals come from? And why should fear of terrorism interrupt democracy? Somethings to think of Sam. Israel does have recognition, the Presidents, by their own actions are just fearful of reprisals. But who will and has attack(ed) USA civilians? (that is why its best to not bring up the issue Sam

If one day the Israeli people will have the wisdom to elect a PM from Meretz, we will know rather quickly, whether Hamas intentions are really as good and honest as they claim.... ....until that has happened, Hamas will continue to enjoy the benefit of a doubt.

AP is a sham of a news agency. Instead of covering prosecution of activists and government crackdown on Iranian people. Instead of showing hundreds of thousands of Iranians marching, despite the threat of prison, torture and death - they cover HUNDRED protesters in Israel (out of 2 million Arabs living in Israel only a hundred showed up - that should tell you how much they care about their brothers in Gaza - even Arabs are sick of their BS). But the news coverage is certainly shameful :/

Just saw the girl in the picture interviewed on the BBC. She is from Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Very worrying when an Israeli from Tel Aviv stands up for a Palestinian flag.Hopefully she and any others were also photographed by the police. Saddens me greatly as this girl benefits from all Israel has to offer, yet tells the world lies about Gaza.

Only 100 Arabs showed up, out of 2 million living in Israel? This shows that even Palestinians are sick of Hamas and Gaza :).

That's not the point ! Arab palestinians have always lived on this land as well as in Jerusalem. Therefore this is all part of their identity and history. You think jews from the US and any part of the world have more rights than the palestinians themselves ? I don't rely on ancient times stories Ben and I don't care about ancient times stories. Once again ancient time stories do not give any rights and Israel is not an exception. I care about the present time. Who said Jerusalem was going to be separated from the jews ? Stop your denial for a start and you will understand.

They instigated and planned this horrible crime against defenseless Gazans ( whose members are over 50@ percebt ubder the age 17yrs) as many of us already know and this is clearly articulated below first by the Israeli scholar and historian Avi Shlaim and then by the Ameri- can law professor , Dr. George E. Bisharat in the WSJ.... AMY GOODMAN: Professor Avi Shlaim, Israel says the reason it has attacked Gaza is because of the rocket fire, the rockets that Hamas is firing into southern Israel. AVI SHLAIM: This is Israeli propaganda, and it is a pack of lies. The important thing to remember is that there was a ceasefire brokered by Egypt in July of last year, and that ceasefire succeeded. So, if Israel wanted to protect its citizens?and it had every right to protect its citizens?the way to go about it was not by launching this vicious military offensive, but by observing the ceasefire. Now, let me give you some figures, which I think are the most crucial figures in understanding this conflict. Before the ceasefire came into effect in July of 2008, the monthly number of rockets fired?Kassam rockets, homemade Kassam rockets, fired from the Gaza Strip on Israeli settlements and towns in southern Israel was 179. In the first four months of the ceasefire, the number dropped dramatically to three rockets a month, almost zero. I would like to repeat these figures for the benefit of your listeners. Pre-ceasefire, 179 rockets were fired on Israel; post-ceasefire, three rockets a month. This is point number one, and it?s crucial. And my figures are beyond dispute, because they come from the website of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. But after initiating this war, this particular table, neat table, which showed the success of the ceasefire, was withdrawn and replaced with another table of statistics, which is much more obscure and confusing. Israel?the Foreign Ministry withdrew these figures, because it didn?t suit the new story. The new story said that Hamas broke the ceasefire. This is a lie. Hamas observed the ceasefire as best as it could and enforced it very effectively. The ceasefire was a stunning success for the first four months. It was broken not by Hamas, but by the IDF. It was broken by the IDF on the 4th of November, when it launched a raid into Gaza and killed six Hamas men. And there is one other point that I would like to make about the ceasefire. Ever since the election of Hamas in January?I?m sorry, ever since Hamas captured power in Gaza in the summer of 2007, Israel had imposed a blockade of the Strip. Israel stopped food, fuel and medical supplies from reaching the Gaza Strip. One of the terms of the ceasefire was that Israel would lift the blockade of Gaza, yet Israel failed to lift the blockade, and that is one issue that is also overlooked or ignored by official Israeli spokesmen. So Israel was doubly guilty of sabotaging the ceasefire, A, by launching a military attack, and B, by maintaining its very cruel siege of the people of Gaza. http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/14/leading_israeli_scholar_avi_shlaim_israel ?Israel then broke the truce on Nov. 4, raiding the Gaza Strip and killing a Palestinian. Hamas retaliated with rocket fire; Israel then killed five more Palestinians. In the following days, Hamas continued rocket fire -- yet still no Israelis died. Israel cannot claim self-defense against this escalation, because it was provoked by Israel's own violation. An armed attack that is not justified by self-defense is a war of aggression. Under the Nuremberg Principles affirmed by U.N. Resolution 95, aggression is a crime against peace.? George E, Bisharat, WSJ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123154826952369919.html# Dutch

The Israeli Jewish activists went to the Erez Crossing to support the people of Gaza who are living, suffering and dying under seige. Of course Haniyeh would say that they are supporting him, but presenting this statement as a headline is nothing but incitement. It does nothing but confirm the view of a zero-sum game which perceives any Jew who sympathises with the plight of the Gazans as a traitor, self-hater and enemy of Israel. The truth is that there are some Jews who appreciate the need for self defence but believe that beseiging and killing hundreds of civilians and destroying their homes, as happened last year in Gaza, is disproportionate, unnecessary, unhelpful and even counter-productive. In this respect, the Jewish activists probably do agree with Hamas. That doesn't make them naive or self-destructive. Rather it says that they empathise with the Palestinians and care about human life.

There are protest marches being held and planned around the world to mark the weeks of Israel's Operation Cast Lead to bring world attent- ion to Israel's crimes against humanity &Gazans and its ongoing crime- the blockade of Gaza. What a cowardly and lowly people Israelis look today beating up on a defenseless people already traumatized by their forces brutality (see below, ) and whose population are over 50% percent under the age of 17yrs. Dutch "A recent study by the program of 10- to 19-year-olds in Gaza found that two-thirds have seen a friend or neighbor killed or wounded, more than one-third have been tear-gassed and 82 percent suffer from moderate to severe PTSD.? Dr. Alice Rothchild on her visit to Gaza in 2005 and a study by its mental health ctr. http://ajjpboston.org/issues93.htm

Arabs will never be the loyal citizens of the Jewish state. Their towns and villages should be transfered to Hamas and Palestinian authority: wish them happy life and make happy life to the rest of Israelis.

"Jerusalem is part of the palestinian (and not only islamic) culture". I have never seen a map from Antient times to the Islamic era all the way to Jordanian occuptaion that shows a country in the Mideast ever being called Palestine let alone its capital being Jerusalem... Sure it have been a province of Several Coutries in the past... but the only people in the history of Jerusalem to have it as a capital city have been the Jews... Separating Mecca from the Muslims is as hard as separating Jerusalem from the Jews or Sri-lanka from the Buddhists... "How`s that difficult to understand ?"

Nobody wants to talk with Netenyahu.

At one time the world communities did have lots of the sympathies for the Jewish People by the world communities after the Holocaust. The Israeli Governments played their cards so badly that now even though Hamas is considered by some as a Terrorist Organization and others as Freedom Fighters, and due to Summer Rain and Cast Lead MILITARY operations with its Disproportionate attacks on defenceless Gazans,and with the utter destructions of Gaza infrastructures, and Gazans Homes (General Punishments)and with the unstopping embargoes on foods,electricity,water,building materials. medicines. The International communities are presently do have TREMENDOUS sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians. Pm Netanyahu will be wise to start Negociations for Peace rather than keep on building Settlements on the West Bank.

"You give us half of Mecca and we`ll give you half of Jerusalem..." Top argument !! breathtaking ! you do have a problem with Islam right ? Many israelis have no clue of what's going on. That's incredible. Jerusalem does not belong to the jews. There's such thing as biblical right and Jerusalem is not recognised as Israel's Capital internationally and Israel does not have every right. Jerusalem is part of the palestinian (and not only islamic) culture. How's that difficult to understand ? Appart from the fact that many israelis totally deny palestinian history and their right to live in peace on their land, what's your point ? And now you want to bargain Mecca ? You make me laugh...

You seem to know exactly what is on Hamas's mind. Are you an official spokesperson?

Let the Israeli people elect a Meretz PM, and we will see very quickly, whether Hamas inten- tions are honest and good.... ....until that has happened, we will have to give Hamas the benefit of a doubt.

So now Hamas just wants a state with Jerusalem as its capital? Have they given up on the idea of destroying Israel? Also, since when does Jerusalem mean so much for Islam? You give us half of Mecca and we'll give you half of Jerusalem...

These 'protestors' are nothing short of terrorists: supporting a group who yearns for the complete and total destruction of a sovereign nation are deploreable! In fact, these people are in full support of the bombing of innocent women and children in Israel as well as the undermining of world stability and stability in the region. Hopefully, the IDF will get photos of these individuals with names to go with it: then they'll know who is an agent to terrorists and can deal with them accordingly. The lack of intelligence and foresight from these people is absurd and outlandish, not to mention disgusting. The 'left' and todays post-modern liberal PC fanatics are nothing short of extremists and will be held accountable.

Why do these Israeli Arabs not come out and vocally denounce the Qassam rockets and suicide bombers that have killed their own people as well as Jews in Israel?? They have no credibility at all.

"never stop fighting for a state with Jerusalem as its capital. " Said Hamas leader in which he clearly means Israel.

Dictatorship has no limit to its lowlessness and hovac it causes. Egypt has always been a peace loving nation and ardent suppoter to Arab, Muslim, and African freedom and well-beings. Not since the 'Peace Traety" signed by Mr. sadat by which Egypt became an active collaborator to Israel and a tool in the American global policy. Egyptians will be ashamed for centuries by what the current regime is doing in Gaza and other places. Helping kill and oppress the people of Gaza. The whole world under the US, the West and Arab regimes are after the poor and helpless of Gaza. The world principles of freedom and justice are masquaraded by corrupt and short sided rulers and politicians.