MKs slam Ramallah raid, which cast pall over PM-Mubarak meet

Steve's post "..terrorists need to be killed. Not arrested, not negotiated with, KILLED. Their families need to be killed, their homes destroyed, their village in tears. This is how you stop terrorism, with collective punishment. The day the arab knows his little sister is going to get killed if he decides to kill an israeli, is the day terrorism ends. This is how Saddam kept Iraq from collapsing into violence". I wonder - how many more like Steve, Shlomo Tel Aviv and others like them are in Israel? just curious. Apparently, they would love to establish a country where people like Kurds and Shiites (very much the equivalent of Hamas in palestine) can be gased or bombed with impunity. So,since the rest of us consider Israel the equivalent of Saddam's Iraq - i.e., part of an axis-of-[fill in the blank], perhaps we should support hamas to help dismantle this evil apparatus of extermination. Why not - if we follow Steve's llogic? By the way Steve, you have just justified suicide bombs

NAGAV: First off, you say these men were responsible for killing thousands. Please specify the thousands you are talking about given that in 2006, 23 Israelis were killed in contrast to 660 Palestinians. As the facts demonstrate, neither side even lost 1,000 in the past year. From 2005 until now, only the Palesinian casualties have been in the thousands, while Israel has lost betweeen 73-80 of its citizens. That's the first point. The second notable fact would be that all four men arrested in the raid were in fact released within hours due to a lack of evidence against them if the multiple sources I read and heard this from are correct. Maybe, just maybe, it is the Israeli government that in fact, needs to accept responsibility for its mistakes and its slaughter of innocent civilians, and not the other way around as NAGAV and WEINSTEIN seem to claim. Facts do not lie my friends

Hehe, good joke:) If there really was occupied "Historic State of Palestine", then why nobody can tell for example these basic principles regarding the term of state? - When there has been that "Historic State of Palestine" earlier? Why none of the written history don't mention that "Historic State of Palestine" ever, I mean never ever? Who have been the former leaders/presidents of that "State"? What has been the currency of that "State"? When did the "State of Palestine" stop it's existence in the history? What it's the cultural gift of "The State of Palestine" to the world? What cities have been built by the "Historic State of Palestine"? Why nobody of the arabs didn't talk about the "State of Palestine" before the 1967? Why nobody of the arabs didn't talk about Yerushalajim as the capital of that so-called state before -67 ? - This list could continue endlessly. But, the fact is that there is no answers to these questions.

She wrote," But anyway,olmert too is not president (dictator?) of Egypt, so there is no point in olmert asking mubarak to do this and that in relation to the palestinians smuggling arms or money." In other words Mubarak who is president of a sovereign country which has promised not to allow arms and money to be smuggled from his country into Gaza should not be asked to honor his promise. How dumb can you be cristina?

I love all London in general, my favourit areas are Kingston, Ealing, Chelsea, Lambeth, Holborn, Brent Cross mall, Willesden, Piccadilly, Hampstead, Shepherds Bush..... and its nice to meet with many different culture but its getting too much and sometimes I miss the English culture because in London you see more people other than English. About your question? no I don't think this will happen in the near future, the British government won't let it happen and most people here are used to it because sometimes multi civilization or culture is good for the economy. Thats why many people from all over the world comes to the UK, they love the British life style, it feels like home.

While the PM talks peace with Mubarak, the IDF wages war in Ramallah. The catch-phrase of 'no partner to talk to' gets a new meaning. With whom should the Palestinians negotiate? With Olmert? No, he does nor seem to be in control of the iDF. With Halutz? No, he is much too frightened to mess up things more. Perhaps, with IDF divisional commanders, who act as independent warlords.

YOU CLEARLY HAVENT THE FAINTEST IDEA WHAT YOU ARE READING OR LISTENING TO YOU WILL GET THE WRONG INFORMATION ON ALL SUBJECTS FROM THE BBC & CNN . YOUR ANSWERS INPOST ALSO SHOW YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS BEEN POSTED

AXEL. YOU CALL IT A COUNTRY WHERE SECURITY IS UPPERMOST AFTER 58 YEARS OF ARAB ATTACKS . SOMEETHING VERY DIFFICULT TO GRASP IN PROSPEROUS PEACEFUL GERMANY !!

WHY, IT IS PRE AND DURING WWII GERMANY!! YOUof ALL people should know this. Considering your pedigree, it is a lot of nerve ripping Isreal for ANYTHING- ANGELS compared to your "older relatives".

YOU APPEAR TO HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH ENGLISH??

your words remind me of golda meir blaming the arabs (the whole lot of them as for her they were all the same) for pushing the good lovely israeli boys into inhumane behaviour. Like the US army in vietnam, after rapes and torture and criminal behaviour the blame was thrown on the vietnamese for transforming nice guys into monsters. Why dont you apply same rule on palestinians? And maybe you havent been to egypt but i did, not exactly an economically thriving im afraid.

italian leaving in london for many years. do u love the place? when eventually go back to italy i will miss this amazing city with its incredible multiculturalism. been everywhere in the world but never seen so many culture intermingling like here. do you think it will all end up in clash of civilizations?

"Can you just imagine if the IDF splinters into militia groups" At least we would know what to think of the catch-phrase 'only democracy in the Middle east"

i understand thats typical of people in denial offending the ones who dont think like them. my posting was an exchange with mr p. harris. He was denying the importance of this iDF operation in the otcome of "peace talks". If you go and read articles from newspapers and news (not obviuously the ones you read, CNN FOX?), you will see that there have ben exchanges and promises between the 2 leaders about Israeli behaviour in palestine. does these not count as an agreement? But please before you answer go and wash your mouth, rude kids should learn a lesson.

Can you just imagine if the IDF splinters into militia groups same as Islamist Jihad, Hamas, Al asqa, etc. etc. etc. There would be nothing left of Gaza and Ramallah.

Israel.

Understood in context, the Ramallah raid actually provided Mubarak with political cover since his efforts in the much-heralded Egyptian success to obtain release of Gilad Shalit and an exchange of prisoners never reached the level of reality.

where the military runs its own agenda and the civil government exerts no control over it?

Egypt has made a committment not to allow weapons and money to be smuggled into Israel. If Mubarak doesn't enforce this promise, who will? The angels of Allah?

Oh Boy, You are very pro-Zionist and against any freedom fighter. The moment that Hamas was elected, Hell was open at her from Israel, U.S.A and their collaborators within. Starting By sanctioning this government:NO MONEY was given to her as everybody knows.People did elect this party for the same reason people did elect Hizbullah:they are No Gold Digger and thieves like the other who governed for over 30 years the Palestinians. Also, agianst what you said, even CNN showed that Hamas provide tons of Human organizations especially before they banned her. P.S:I did reply to you another answer for the previous article. You can go to Haaretz Jan,03.ans read it. Please Reply

The IDF get's frustrated when it is not allowed to roam free in Gaza and the Westbank. So I guess they decided to 'teach'Olmert a little lesson.

Ramallah raid allegedly carried out without the knowledge and ok of the Minister of Defense. Here apparently a ? IDF Routine Action? took place without checking / or notification to its minister in charge.! - What actual authority has the Minister of Defense over IDF and its actions?! - This nearly simultaneously timed Ramallah raid with the Sharm el Sheikh conference became completely counter productive! It showed that IDF actions may not always be ?attuned? to Israel?s political needs, and openly questions who really governs! - The lame excuses by Olmert the nobody could have foreseen the results underlined his political non ? position. - An immediate declaration should have shown the dismissal of the relevant IDF authority which was/ still is missing. The late Ben ? Eliezer?s announcement of having checked and found the Ramallah raid of being executed without his ministerial colleague DF Amir Peretz?s knowledge and authorization. - Strange interference in another minister?s affairs - May one speculate, this statement of bypassing DF Peretz by IDF has its roots in the inner party Avoda, competition of party leadership and the political reappearance of former PM and Chief of Staff Ehud Barak as a possible Minister of Defense. ? The failed Sharm el Sheikh conference again postponed / delayed possible return of IDF Shalit and left a rather doubtful atmosphere, nullified possible political advances a bad taste. - Will Chief of Staff again declare the Sharm failure as an error which only he can rectify by remaining in his position.

Yes, I agree with Hadassah H #55. No side in this lethal dispute is monolithic or monochrome, and generalizations should be avoided. However, in this Talkback forum we ostensibly respond to one or another point that some writer/reader has brought up, and the response may not always leflect our views adequately/completely. (Please also see my response to Marilyn, if it's printed....).

by which law are the jewish people in greater palestine holding women and children in prisons? even the jewish laws condemn that...that is if there are any true jews left in greater palestine? goes to show the double standard...they do wrong we do wrong but no we are right because we are the self-proclaimed children of God who are now getting a beating and wil burn in eternal hell for disobeying their God! Ameen to that!

Israel didnt have to give up those lands. It gave them up "out of the goodness of its heart," as you say, and with intent for peace. The Egyptians have so far lived up to their word and their country has flourished since. The Palestinians on the other hand continue with their terrorist ways, and thus they force Israel to respond.

Is Dedsbury a good place to live in? the Harvey Nichols branch in Manchester is too small, the London one is better. Womanchester, sorry its Manchester, I forgot!

Good evening mr. HARRIS, I really shouldnt waste my time on you. Since I started reading hareetz talkbacks I havent seen you doubting, rethinking, or making questions. Only certanties in your mind. But anyway,olmert too is not president (dictator?) of Egypt, so there is no point in olmert asking mubarak to do this and that in relation to the palestinians smuggling arms or money. Nice sleep mr. HARRIS

I'm wondering are you from Southall or Peckham, you are so clever.

Hadassah H, you remark on the shocking timing of the Rammalla raid, and how it compromised Olmert. On TV Olmert's dismay and discomfort were clearly visible, but ofcourse he could not openly condemn. Yes, a kind of subtle sabotage had been performed. I believe there is a "fifth column" at play deep within essential forums, putting into play such incidents that are contrary to the declared intentions of Israel. It is enough to subtley tilt discussions and decisions and deeds, to carry out a contraversial and even illegal agenda.

Which is more important, peace for Israel with secure borders and more of the budget going to the People's needs, or the capture of a few pissy terrorists? Real leaders are supposed to be able to sort this out.

The snail moves faster and cleans up after itself. It is totally frustrating to watch these guys with their smiles and handshakes and doing diddly squat.

MARILYN YOU WROTE: Israel has murdered nearly 700 Palestinians in the past year. The Palestinians have murdered 23. I think it is the IDF who have to cease and desist my dear not the other way around. As for the Qassams and Kayushyas I don`t remember a single one of them being fired from Ramallah YOU MISSED MY POINT COMPLETELY. I WAS RESPONDING TO "PALESTINIAN" WHO MAINTAINTED THAT IN ANY FORUM OF DISCUSCUSSION AND COMPROMISE, ONLY ISRAEL HAS WHAT TO GIVE/CONCEDE, SINCE THE PALESTINIANS HAVE NOTHING, ARE HENCE POWERLESS. I POINTED OUT THE FALACY OF THIS CONTENTION, SINCE PALS ACTUALLY HOLD THE TRUMP CARD, INITIATION OF TERROR AND HORROR. WHILE ISRAEL'S ACTS ARE BASICALLY RETALIATORY, ALBEIT ALL TOO OFTEN VASTLY EXAGGERATED. NO I DID NOT IMPLY THAT QUASSUMS WERE FIRED FROM RAMMALLA, BUT THOSE WHO ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRING DEFINITELY SPEND A LOT OF THEIR TIME THERE.

The sacred right of Generals to preserve their careers and budgets by defending Israel against any possible outbreak of peace stands.

I get uncomfortable when an individual is addressed as if he/she is identical with his entire nation or his government's policy. It would be great if one person, either Israeli or Palestinian could stop all the fighting on a dime. However, both sides are reaping a whirlwind of errors and sins accumulated over too many years. We can all do our bit to improve matters, yes. Just a bit.

MARYLIN . ITS CALLED JURISDICTION . TO SWEAR OUT WARRANT YOU NEED JURISDICTION TO MAKE A LEGAL ARREST YOU NEED JURISDICTION WHEN PURSUING TERRORISTS IN ARAB FRONTIER COUNTRY THEY SEND IN THE CAVALRY IN PLAIN CLOTHES AND THEY MATCH THE UNFORMS OF THE TERRORISTS !! ITS KNOWN AS MUFTI

It appears that IDF is increasingly controlled by settler commanders that run their own agenda which states to prevent the political leadership from moving towards peace negotiations by provoking incidents on the ground. Shouldn't be too much of a difficulty with a General who admitted that his orders aren't always followed and a Defense Minister that signed on the establishment of new settlements.

WHAT ISRAEL DOES FOR ITS INTERNAL SECURITY IS NO BUSINESS OF THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT N,. WHOSE COUNTRY CONSISTENTLY AIR ANTI ISRAEL/JEWISH PROPAGANDA IN THEIR MEDIA . DID OLMERT ASK HIM TO SEE HIS SUBJECTS DESIST ? SECURITY IS ADAY TO DAY BUSINESS AND SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO POLITICAL SHENANIGANS

raises disturbing questions. Who ordered it? Who approved it? Can such a raid and on such a day occur without the prior knowledge of Defence Minister Peretz and the Military Chief of Staff, Halutz? If so, this seems to me to be gross neglect of duty on both their parts. Or else it was sabotage by whoever, unauthorized, went ahead with the mission. Olmert's glib defence of the action at his meeting with Mubarak makes it appear that the Prime Minister knew of and approved the scheme. If so, that's scandalous and all three should be obliged to step down.

Just BTW Meir Lansky had his ISRAELI citizenship stripped from him & was sent back to your side of the pond........Many years ago!!

wouldn't be nice if we could just put all religious differences aside and have a Holy Roast. One big picnic with shish-kabab, shawarma, pitas of all types, hummus, some good Syrian olive oil, matzoh ball soup, Arabic salads, falafel, matbucha folk dancing good music singing hugging and praising the lord for the wonderful life he has given us peace and love to all of you who reconize the difference between good and evil

Apparently the man shaking hands with Egyptian President Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh Thursday. Was not a Prime Minister, because if Olmert wants to do this job he has to be in control and have a plan for control by way of his subordinates! ! It is not a simple job that you can "WING IT " from day to day! I think Omert, his wife and best friend do what they feel like after dinner??????? There is no excuses for these reckless acts!

Israel has murdered nearly 700 Palestinians in the past year. The Palestinians have murdered 23. I think it is the IDF who have to cease and desist my dear not the other way around. As for the Qassams and Kayushyas I don't remember a single one of them being fired from Ramallah.

So the cowards go in undercover, in civilian clothes and murder 4 people and injure 20 more in a place where no-one was doing anything at all. Right? Has Israel forgotten that little thing called swearing out a legal warrant, with charges, arresting people and giving them a trial or are they trying to outwest the wild west of Texas? It is a sickness that allows for murder without trial or charge.

And I know non-thinkers when I see one. Looks like reading is enough, like in your case. Why don't you take ideological lenses off and start seeing clearly?

Our Palestinian neighbor, you hold the trump card in your hands! Cease terrorizing us with quassums and suicide-attacks, cease investing your meagre funds in finding ways to kill us. You can eventually change the whole mutually belligerent situation between our two peoples. Just do it.

These things usually ran more smoothly in the past when the Israeli governments were dominated by ex-generals. Now they have civilians "in charge", so the IDF's real power is much more obvious, and if they treat Olmert et al with contempt, nobody cares. Admittedly, it does look less than good from a democratic POV.

Good morning, Natallie. The lilypad floating on the muddy puddle that is Israel is pretty slippery. Sometimes even the most useless frog manages to wriggle onto it for a while.

Britain got out of India. The U.S. got out of the Phillipines. Britain got out of most of its islands in the Carribean. None of these actions were the result of terror.

Why should Israel time its security operations to please an implacable enemy? In all the years since the death of Sadat, Mubarak has given no indication of wanting to live in peace with Israel. His government controlled media routinely publishes anti-Semitic material worthy of Joseph Goebbels. It is only American money that prevents him from doing more harm to Israel.

At this point 2 possibilities. 1)since its ridicolous from olmert to expect mubarak to dismiss such a military operation in ramallah, was the idf strike meant to destroy meeting with egyptian president and the chances for advancement in the peace process? = olmert and israel never wanted peace. 2) IDF is following a no peace agenda against its own government. = israel is run by the military cast and by ultra orthodox settlers. What is worst?

GANGSTERS ARE AN AMERICAN INVENTION THERE ARE STIL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM !! MEYER LANSKY A MAFIA BOSS A PRODUCT OF THE NEW YORK MAFIA. THE NAMES ARE ENDLESS "AL CAPONE" BEING A BYWORD FOR GANGSTERISM FOR YOUR FURTHER EDUCATION IRGUN AND STERN WERE TUTORED BY THE IRA ANOTHER PRIME EXAMPLE OF GANSTERISM !!

One can only wonder if Olmert has some sort of Freudian "will to fail" which affects his every effort. How did such a man become a high level politician?

Mr Ben-Eliezer said that our relationship with Egypt was important, a reason not to pursue terrorists during a meeting. Well, I hate to break it to Mr Ben-Eliezer, but our relationship with Egypt is not as important as catching terrorists. Egypt is an enemy nation with whom we are currently not at war. The Mubarak regime pursues it's interests as it sees fit, which is their right, but this is not because they are for "peace" or because they are some kind of ally. They are not our "friend". Our relationship with the US or even with China & India is far more important.

Zionism seems to be a dirty word for you&your ilk,but if you think about it,England has been involved in practically all major conflicts and wars around the globe for at least 600 years. Count the number of victims in those conflicts,dissolve England

I am listening to you carefully. Yes, horrendous retaliatory attacks have taken place between your people and mine, and yes, we play this despicable role as occupier. But it is not true that you are so deprived that you have nothing to offer. You can stop quassum attacks, stop killing us and contriving to kill us. This would eventually halt the lethal tit-for-tat between us, and enable us to really talk and to plan our mutual future. The Israelis would no longer have the "excuse", the bargaining chip of your belligerance.

Didn't Arafat say to "To Jerusalem, To Jerusalem, To Jerusalem!", but thank G-d he only made it "To Jerusalem, To Jerusalem, To Ramallah!" - Gutted! Plus it is comforting to note that his body is not resting in the holy soil of the land of Israel, but rather wrapped in concentrate above ground. IDF should keep up their activities until all terrorists are off the streets and that there is true peace in the holy land of israel. Amen

Stunned and speechless by the idiocy of the Rammalla raid and killing. It's unbelievable that Olmert went off to meet Mubarak knowing that this incursion was to take place at the exact same time. It fully explains the consternation on his face seen on TV. Which means that either our right hand does not know what the left hand is doing, or we have a pathological mole somewhere, working to promote self-hate, and making us an international pariah.

Well done chaps! Please send my best wishes to the IDF soldier who was injured in the eye with shrapnel. May he have a full recovery very soon.

Yes, Hamas did win democratically, but legitimacy of the office can be lost when elected official or officials misuse and abuse it. Hamas has shown complete inability to govern. They have spent millions on weapons but nothing on municipal improvements, building of schools, hospitals. Yet they had money for tons of sophisticated weapons including expensive rockets and missiles. Their refusal to recognize past agreements with Israel as well as their domestic incompetence, creation of an illegal non-governmental militia are all factors in Hamas delegitimization.

This is such an open and obvious sabotage of peace talks that was a powerful eye opener for me. Is it possible that certain circles in Israel actually do not want peace and are ready to monkeywrench peace efforts at the cost of innocent lives on both sides? Things are not black and white it seems. It makes me now look at past incidents with diferent set of eyes.

Don't you ever get tired of spewing nothing but anti-Israel rubbish? How about just trying to appear a bit more balance, just for giggles, and admit that, maybe, just maybe, Hamas got themselves into this jam and made some mistakes. Of course, that would have to mean that you would have to read something other than a Hamas leaflet.

Shlomo knows them very well. He knows from experience Israel has been home to many gangsters, many of them never even brought to justice in Israel or in America. Irgun/Hagannah/Stern and even Myer Lansky never served one day of prison in his life. Shlomo knows about gangsters. You guys taught the pals everything they know.

Dangerous terrorists need to be killed. Not arrested, not negotiated with, KILLED. Their families need to be killed, their homes destroyed, their village in tears. This is how you stop terrorism, with collective punishment. The day the arab knows his little sister is going to get killed if he decides to kill an israeli, is the day terrorism ends. This is how Saddam kept Iraq from collapsing into violence.

IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS WE WILL VOTE IN THE MOST RIGHT WING PRIME MINISTER IN ISRAELS HISTORY AND THEN PUNISH THE ARABS FOR 60 YEARS OF TERRORISM. LETS NEVER FORGET THAT THE PLO WAS FORMED BY EGYPT 4 YEARS BEFORE THE "OCCUPATION"(67 WAR) FOR ONE REASON ALONE:"DESTROY ISRAEL".PEACE IS NOT WHAT THEY STRIVE FOR.

Haaretz reports: "Military sources reported that Hamad was a senior Fatah official and a central figure in the planning of terrorist bombings. Because of his standing and occupation, his arrest was a top priority." The worst tragedy of the Palestinians is that they allowed mafias to rule them, thugs to be their representatives, filthy criminals to be their heroes. Israel's guilt is also great here: it was Israel, which allowed gangsters from Tunisia to come to the Palestinians territories and to take control there. These thugs violated all agreements, made Palestinian territories terror nest, made lives of Palestinians miserable, launched war in the midst of negotiations, commited terrible crimes, including crimes against humanity. Today, these gangsters also kill each other in Gaza. The worst enemy of Palestinians is armed anarchy, is the rule of organized crime, are Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and dozens of other "military wings", street gangs and mafias.

The reason for Ramallah raid is that thugs like Rabia Hammad are there in Ramallah. Rabia Hammad is a criminal, he has nothing to do at free. His place is jail -- or grave. Shlomo from tel aviv- who are you to make this judgment on hammad. criminal to who? and what actions made him such? why is his place jail? all the israeli's have to do is say: "the reason is security" what this man did or was about to do is secret. all we know is he belongs in jail or dead. i would think the city of ramallah and it's people would have handed this criminal over, but i have a feeling they have a very differnt name for him then criminal!.

I've always felt that Zionists should institute an annual Arafat Day, where they all troop over to Ramallah and whack his grave with sticks.

"They`ve also coddles Hamas and other terrorist groups and have given them political power and ligitimacy" The legitimacy that Hamas enjoys comes from the fact that they were elected into power in a free and fair election, Marwan. It's called democracy. Israel and America have been involved in a criminal conspiracy to undermine this.

"It`s really sad, that the operation went wrong, that 4 innocents were killed and the gangster evaded arrest. My heart is with the families of those killed." Go shove your crocodile tears, Shlomo. You're not sad in the least (except perhaps that the so-called "gangster" got away). Hypocrisy such as yours, from a rabid Zionist, is nauseating to read.

"The press conference became tense when Olmert mentioned that during their meeting he expressed concerns about the ongoing smuggling of weapons and money from Egypt into Gaza via the Philadelphi Route. Olmert said he knew the issue concerned Mubarak as well and that Egypt is making efforts to stop the smuggling. Mubarak said in response that Egyptian law allowed the passage of money into Gaza as long as it was declared, but that Egypt would not hesitate to intercept weapons shipments."

Weren't we told in Haaretz only the other day that Shalit would be released soon in return for 450 Palestinian prisoners? These predictions come and go. I said at the time that Shalit would be spending Passover with the Palestinians.

"When an Egyptian journalist asked Olmert to comment on remarks that appeared to imply that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, Olmert repeated the stock Israeli statement, "Israel will not be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the region."

THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND ME GANG AFT AGLEE.

The reason for Ramallah raid is that thugs like Rabia Hammad are there in Ramallah. Rabia Hammad is a criminal, he has nothing to do at free. His place is jail -- or grave. Of course, it would be better, if PA put him to jail, as the PA commited by Oslo. But PA violated all agreements it signed and every single of them, including this one: either to try terrorists or hand them over to Israel. It's really sad, that the operation went wrong, that 4 innocents were killed and the gangster evaded arrest. My heart is with the families of those killed. I hope, that in the next time, the criminal will be caught and no civilian will be hurt. As for damage: Israeli High Court recently cancelled the intifada law, which severely limited the possibility of Palestinians to sue Israel for damages. I think, that those, who were damaged, should turn to the court.

"Do you have some positive suggestions instead of parrotting "Israel is the occupier" and "give Pal land",when Gaza is in fact NOT occupied" What does this Israeli terror raid into Ramallah have to do with Gaza, Hastaroth?

Israel can always use the "security" and arresting "Terrorists" excuses. And I guess who are we do question its motives. But, the Israeli public should think deeply and seriously and question what this government is doing, when, why, and how it is doing it, and the messages Israel is sending. The madnitude, timing, and brutality of the Ramallah raid makes me wonder, who is the Israeli army working for?????

If Olmert's meeting casts shadows what does that say for the arab "cease-fire"?

Egypt has allowed tons of weapons to be smuggled into Gaza and West Bank. They've not lived up to their commitments to secure the border. They've also coddles Hamas and other terrorist groups and have given them political power and ligitimacy. Palestinian Authority also has not lived up to its responsibility of dismatling the terrorist infrastructure. Hamas and other groups illegally kidnapped a soldier and Israel, naturally, carried out raids to find him. That's not collective punishment but self-defense.Hamas refuses to accept responsibility for Gaza.Israel should maintain the pressure and not exchange any prisoners. Don't set the precedent.

What good has it brought? IDF generals are a disaster for Israel while serving and after retirement even more so.

It is aterrorist operation leaded by Olmart and its defence ministor, 4 killed (Why) and losses are in millions of Dollars Who can pay this high cost that the inisence people pay. Whats happen if this raid was done by palestinians on Tel Aviv, Off coarse all the free nations will condemn. But no one care when this terrorist army did for the palestinians

When Israel was restraining from responding to the Qassams that were falling despite the "truce",you were saying nothing. Now that israel decided to do something,you started crying again. Do you have some positive suggestions instead of parrotting "Israel is the occupier" and "give Pal land",when Gaza is in fact NOT occupied-hence the democratic Palestinian elections (which you all admit) and also the endo-Palestinian clashes (which would not be possible if the territory was really occupated? Do you have the bulls to address the Palestinians in this forum and tell them they,too,should make compromises in order to have peace,instead of saying only what Israel should or should not do?

People are getting tired of the same charade. There is never any accounability from the Islamic Imperialists. It's time the Jewish People stop playing games with these Islamic fascist and allert the world, that this is not just a Jewish issue. Just like the Nazis convinced the world that it the Jewish People that were their only target-the world later understood that this was not the case. The same is the goals of the Islamic Imperialist Fascist movement. The world will wake up.

In return for a video proving Shalit was alive at the time of the videotaping, Israel shall provide 500 videotapes of prisoners who were also alive at the time of their videotapings. How is that for a proportionate response Abu?

Your presuppositions are falsely based. The fact, there is the PA, is based on the agreement according to which terrorist org PLO committed to peace (and not hudna). However, the PA hasn't done anything to disarm and dismantle other terrorist orgs and partly therefore you now have as ruler another terrorist org, namely Hamas. There is a legal basis to, finally and after repetitions of disrespect towards the agreement from the Arab side, to dissolve the PA. In fact, Israel is too silk gloved with terrorists. She needs more goal orientation, like Etiopia in regard Somalian Islamists or Spain with ETA (who are freedom fighters), or Peru with Sendero luminoso etc. You need to have a look at a mirror and realize you need some selfcriticism, don't play victim as you are the aggressor.

... raid was nothing but an attempt to defend the lives of Israeli Jews - who, incidentally, also deserve respect - from people who set out to extinct their lives on an on going basis. The person whom Israeli security forces attempted to capture and brought to justice was an active member of a terror gang that has murdered thousands!!! And since the Palestinian Authority, now governed by other terror gangsters, refuses to accept agreements, one of which is to capture such people by itself, Israel must apply its efforts. This is the context within which this event took place and we should not forget it.

One, sometimes, has to wonder, 'does the IDF have it's own foreign policy?" Is it a law unto it's self and beyond all political control? One must wonder if the IDF would sabotage any effort at peace, or even cooperation? These questions must be asked because it seems sometimes as if all these things are true.

By your actions you are inviting a massive explosion. You know not what you do.

All of the sudden the Israel mobile fortresses were venerable to attacks and that caused Israel to rethink it?s advance. If the Palestinians had the same capability we would not see arrest raids and military incursions. At the negotiating table, both sides have to have something to offer. Israel is the occupying power for we all know what it can offer. Palestinians have nothing to offer and can be ruled semi-quietly for an indefinite period of time. As long as the equation is the same, there will never be peace, and the Palestinians will continue to die. No occupying power in history cede control out of the goodness of it?s heart. Israel will certainly not be the first.