U.S.: Military action will not solve Mideast conflict

make some effort, post the correct number

that's the only thing Israel can do or would you prefer that Israel tolerates endless rocket barrages, which wouldn't be practical either?

Your entire post concerns Iraq and Afghanistan, not a word about Gaza or Israel. Irrelevant.

"Israel implemented the siege to defend itself from Gaza`s rocket attacks" But it isn't working! The rockets are still falling on Israel, and innocent Gazan civilians are suffering under the seige. Can't Israel think up a better strategy? Do you think the Islamic Jihad will stick to their word about stopping their rockets into Israel?

Cause and effect, Israel implemented the siege to defend itself from Gaza's rocket attacks And it was quite legal on Israel's part, done to defend he civilians from all those damn rockets that were being smuggled in under the pretense they were civilian supplies All that sugar wasn't for Gaza's sweet tooth, it was needed for the manufacture of rocket fuel

Mark of Lewiston. Before one delves into the complicated & diverse aspects of any warlike situation one has to ask in all seriousness,what the hell are the American forces still doing in Iraq & Afghanistan,now going on for eight years ? In these wars America has shown utter disregard for human life,even targeting married couples under the canopy! The Iraqis claim,that over six-hundred thousand Iraqis were killed by largly American troops. Neither has anyone forgotten the animal behaviour at the Iraqi Abu-Gareb Prison,where even American woman soldiers took part. America fighting thousands of miles from her shores,unlike Israel,surrounded by cut-throat regimes at her borders. And that Bastard,from Iran shouting from every roof-top that he wants to exterminate all the Jews /Israel. Not since Nazi Germany are we hearing these familiar voices.Israel will exact such a price fron her enemies,that what you've learnt about the past will fade into insignificance.

# 104 Cipora. It's always a pleasure reading your posts. One has to wade through all the never-ending muck of Israel's bashers till one comes to the bright light of day. You & others are like a bulwark pushing the Israel's haters further into the sea,& hopefully into oblivion. May all of us have the perseverance & patience to stem the tide of hatred against our People.

What the IDF/IAF did this past week and what Hamas has been doing is little different, except the IDF/IAF killed and injured more and destroyed more civilian infrastructure. In other words, the IDF/IAF was far more effective at being naked aggressors.

What would you do if California were under seige from a foreign enemy? Manufacture weapons, of course.

I agree. What makes it "illegal" to manufacture weapons in Gaza? Gaza has been blockaded and under seige from Israel...illegally...for months now. It is Gaza's right to resist this seige in any way possible. Just as it is Israel's right to defend itself.

Do you really think it increases the value of your opinions to call others silly names?

Without question, Israel has excellent means of surveillance, and numerous Palestinian sources. BUT, why is it then that ALL of these supposed "weapons factories" aren't already known, or at least more than one or two for each retaliatory strike? Why aren't they ALL hit? Sorry Jasper, but the circumstances from one strike to next, suggest a strong likelihood that in the absence of "real" targets that are valid(and in many cases; but not always), in the IDF designates one from a list of Gaza industries. And lo and behold, occasionally there's evidence that one of its random choices may indeed have actually been producing weapons. But that's known as blind luck, NOT "good intelligence". As for the killers of the Rabbi? I've seen absolutely no proof that the three individuals assassinated by IDF hit squads were the actual killers. Have you? In three days it went from there being absolutely no witnesses to the crime(initially thought to be a single car accident), to the vehicle used in the crime being located and identified(by whom if there were no witnesses?), to three unarmed men shot dead in their homes in the middle of the night under questionable circumstances(only one of whom had any weapons available to him; but not on him)? "Intelligence capabilities"? Maybe. Or maybe not. But like so many other instances, we have ONLY Israel's word for it; don't we, Jasper? Meanwhile, that quick response to a crime with no witnesses, resulting in the summary executions of three "terrorists", sure did make Bibi look good, didn't it?

ADHD "Poor dumdum... It WAS all part of the same region, torn in civil war, and final borders haven`t been negotiated yet." Your idea of negotiations is for one side to occupy the other, build settlements in the meantime, and while holding a gun to their head say: come on now lets negotiate. The only place where this is called negotiations is in the mind of a self serving Zionist like you.

//what makes them illegal// "They are in civilian areas" Doesn't make them illegal. The IDF headqurters would be illegal then? Most of the world's arms are manufactured BY CIVILIANS working for arms manufacturers. "They are being smuggled in and manufactured against previously signed agreements" What agreement are these? "They are being hidden under false pretenses" According to what? They make no pretense about wanting rid of their land loving neighbour. Who wouldn't? The Palestinians have the right to resist, smuggle arms, fire at Israeli military OR any other armed aggressor, including armed settlers. PS: mind dropping you abuse, it makes you look quite obnoxious.

Instead of lecturing the Palestinian leadership and their anti-Israel League of Arab Countries supporters to recognize Israel as a fact on the ground, his administration's approach is to chastise Israel for every action it takes. Even when Israel takes action to defend its citizens from terrorist attack, Obama comes down on Israel! Am I the only person who sees something wrong with Obama's approach?

"when Israel warns and pinpoints and destroys illegal weaponfactories" What "illegal"? Show me what makes them illegal." They are in civilian areas, imbecile. They are being smuggled in and manufactured against previously signed agreements, imbecile. They are being hidden under false pretenses, imbecile.

"Dr. L. Brnd Strange, I can`t find any other Cheese Factory in" Try between your ears. "the world that uses non-spark motors on their `mixers` Maybe you could tell Cheese Factories they need them, there`s a big market out there, you`d be breaking new ground" CJ dumdum, an idiot who thinks weapons can't be made in varying sorts of factories seemingly dedicated for civilian purposes. When 80 rockets per day were falling on Israel, dumdum, where were those weapons made and hidden? In designated arms caches? You're such a blubbering fool.

"It`s the same region and the region`s inhabitants. Uh huh. It ain`t in the same State." Poor dumdum... It WAS all part of the same region, torn in civil war, and final borders haven't been negotiated yet. "So NO, it isn`t a Civil war." Yes, it is, dumdum. Arabs versus Jews in the Palestine region since 1920, numbskull. me: "Ever heard of Little Bighorn II in 1973.. They weren`t free to resort to violence, and boy, did the U.S. give them a stomping." dumdum: "Uh huh... missiles, bombs? Much collateral was there?" You said the Native Americans were free, right? Well, they weren't free to take over a town, were they? Now, since a bunch of them were massacred, imagine if they felt "free" to launch rockets at other Americans. me: "Why don`t the tribes have observer status in the UN" dumdum: "They`re not a separate non-state entity." They have separate laws, moron. me: " Who owns their mineral rights?" dumdum: "Look it up. If you`re really interested." I already know.

"when Israel warns and pinpoints and destroys illegal weaponfactories" What "illegal"? Show me what makes them illegal... " from an illegaly set ruler" What "illegaly"? How?

Your remarks about "Naked Agression" need to be addressed to the Hamas terrorists who are actually guilty of "Naked Agression".

Stop stereotyping the muslims.They are as diverse as jews.I doubt Pr.Falk,Ilian Pape,Pr. Finkenstein,Israel Singer,Woody Allen,Spielberg ,Bob Dylan,Goldstone,David Axelrod,Rahm Emanuel,Vladek..etc share your extremist views.

the right to selfdefense is not needed as long as the other side does not attack you. Peace means respect and friendship, almost a love affair. when moslims start loving Israel, then there is peace, Israelis and Jews after all are generous fun loving and friendly as many Arabs living in Israel could attest to.If they were not afraid of Khaled Meshal

Last week's actions in Gaza were naked aggression, all inside Gaza. They were not defensive actions, Bomb food processing plants is naked aggression, not defense. If there is a military solution, why has no Israeli general found it in 42+ years? You may not have noticed. But Afghanistan is a lot different than Gaza. They don't even speak the same language. Yet the US is working on an exit plan while there is military action going on.

Despite the claims of your Arab propoganda website "Dog" ?? That explains where you are coming from!

There is not enough will among the adversaries to bring peace to the middle east. This is something that has a life of its own and it cannot be dominated by one nation or another. Those that fan the flames will end up getting burned.

The US of America has always found a way to invade other countries, they are a warring nation, they have a military industrial complex, so vast, which produces billions of dollars, with hundreds of thousands of workers. They also have the largest oil companies as their clients. They either make or break governments. The USA is the centre of our planet. Should they so choose to invade or destroy Iran, they will do so, whether the world agrees so or not. Get my drift. Good evening from snowy Swiss Alps.

Israel and Lebanon have a ceasefire agreement. The agreement was a cessation of hostilities through the implimentation of UN resolution 1701. Read the resolution and you will see that Lebanon ..actually Hezbollah...under the watchful eye of the UN forces ( wink , wink )do not rearm. Actually Hezbollah has armed itself to the teeth. Hezbollah...not the lebanese army. The lebanese army is afraid of Hezbollah. So Roo a ceasefire with Arabs is just a ceasefire to rearm for the next round. And by the way Israel does not occupy Southern Lebanon. What is the reason Nasrallah continues to rail against Israel.

the government of the united states is a wicked lying set of left wingers. they tell us not to make war while they fight in afghanistan pakistan iraq yemen and somali.

'all negotiations are a waste' Well if they said that they would probably be right. After all they observed numerous ceasefires in the past only for Israel to unilaterally end them. 2000-2008: "79% of all conflict pauses were interrupted when Israel killed a Palestinian, while only 8% were interrupted by Palestinian attacks (the remaining 13% were interrupted by both sides on the same day)" http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/reigniting.html They offered a longer term ceasefire days before Cast Lead in return for a lifting of the siege. Israel said 'no thanks'. So yes negotiations are a waste of time until Uncle Sam takes a stronger line with their errant attack dog.

but give time to U.S-Russia to train and arm the enemies of the jewish state for the next round of fight .

.S. State Dept. spokesperson Philip J. Crowley said Friday that although Israel has a right to defend itself, military action would not solve the Middle East conflict, therefore Israel and the Palestinian Authority need to engage in direct negotiations. What is wrong with that statment?

I dont think that there are any israeles thinking that the last airstrikes were a way to solve the Midle East conflict, like our friend seems to imply. They were just a respost to the rocket fire at Ashkelon.

You say the Israelis wanted GW Bush to invade Iraq. That is not the reason he did. Go back to 1991 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. USA/UN force put together by Bush senior pushed Iraq out of Kuwait. And on the way out Hussein had his people blow up oil wells that took weeks to put out. Bush senior asked Israel to stay out of the conflict even as scud missiles landed in Israel. After that Gulf Conflict Sadam Hussein stuck it to Bush senior as much as he could. When GW took office he was chomping at the bit for any excuse to bring down Saddam Hussein. Do not give me the bull s..t that the USA invaded Iraq because Israel wanted it.

The USA says military action will not solve the Mideast conflict. So why are your troops remaining in Iraq and Afghanistan and why are Obama and Hillary Clinton giving us...Canadians a hard time because we are pulling out our military troops in 2011. As far as I am concerned we can leave today and be home for Easter Sunday.

That's interesting when the UN (read US) bombed Belgrado in the 90"s, there were no objections of hitting civilian targets, however now when Israel warns and pinpoints and destroys illegal weaponfactories from an illegaly set ruler. the whole world is ontop in judging.....hypocrisy getting really tierd from this nonsense

but that is ok since the whole world has waken up to the lies of your kind! the arab states did offer peace and full recognition of Israel as well as diplomatic relations in their 2002 Saudi peace initiative! in return for Israel to go back to 1967 borders! if Israel wanted peace then they simply had to accept those logical terms recognized as such in multiple UN resolutions. but you in Israel and your fewer and fewer supporters want surrender not peace from the arabs which make me want to say KEEP DREAMING

the world that uses non-spark motors on their 'mixers' Maybe you could tell Cheese Factories they need them, there's a big market out there, you'd be breaking new ground. "That is why the "cheese factory" IAF jets obliterated today exploded like a bomb .." I also find it hard to believe that AIF bombs don't explode like bombs... AMAZING

It`s the same region and the region`s inhabitants. Uh huh. It ain't in the same State. So NO, it isn't a Civil war. "Ever heard of Little Bighorn II in 1973.. They weren`t free to resort to violence, and boy, did the U.S. give them a stomping." Uh huh... missiles, bombs? Much collateral was there? "Why don`t the tribes have observer status in the UN" They're not a separate non-state entity. " Who owns their mineral rights?" Look it up...If you're really interested ..

which part of:- no peace ever all negotiations are a waste only answer is jihad can't apologists for Islamist terror understand??

Holding the water until no more. When you hold for too long it becomes counter productive. People get sick for holding anger for too long. A certain mom told his son "the day you will show him that you are a man he will stop bothering you unless if a spirit" If he is a spirit bring him in a bottle said Pharaoh in the film the ten commandment. Both Israel (West) and Palestine (East) need someone who can put the spirit in a bottle. The bible says in the New Testament and old, praise is to God for those who trust and wait on Him because He will not put them to shame. Therefore the key is to trust on God personally and stay in His word and learn to talk to Him in prayer-simple but effective.

We all as human depend on God's daily provision for survival. The formula that sustains existence is in the hands of the creator. God is not far from us for those that understand. We all ne help from God, all humans need help from malignant occupation by Satan. We All belong to God that is why we are alive today. Oh LORD God of Abraham we today remember the hope you sent us to redeem us from evil occupation of our minds and spirit, please remember us today our minds and spirits to understand and wrestle loose of the grip of that great evil spirit who can only be conquered by you. In your timing oh God remember us, do not delay for too long as life becomes ever unbearable with the occupation. Give us freedom of understanding in what we remember in the rising of your son from the dead by the power of your Holy Spirit, your hands. In the mighty name of Jesus our LORD and Savior, Amen.

Israelis who say America isn't fully taking its own advice are missing the point. They are not saying violence can't be used for self-defense. However, military action doesn't solve the problems between people. Anyway, Israel wanted the US to invade Iraq and many people with ties to Netanyau were in Bush's government. Did it help Israel? No. Instead of there being a counterweight to Iran, Iraq depends on Iran somewhat and Iran worked harder to arm itself. And Iraq is only a partially successful mission after getting cooperation from locals feel included. Israel simply wants to defeat the Palestinians and a peace agreement is an agreement of defeat, really. Violence cannot in the long-term help Israelis. It didn't work in Lebanon except when the Lebanese after Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon except for Shebaa saw less of a reason to accept a war with Israel. Israel encourages Palestinian violence as it did with the Lebanese.

by believers in jihad . As long as the quartet misunderstand the jihad nature and threat , the quartet will always say military action will not solve military conflict . And as long as the jihad is directed against Israel , the quartet will always say military action will not solve Mideast conflict . The quartet refuse to hold responsible and accountable OIC-Arab League political aggressions and war crimes against Israel . Israel has no choice but to protect and defend its interests , citizens and territorial sovereignty , against the quartet jihad nature and threat war is peace

You can't on the one hand do everything in your power to diminish and discredit an opponent[Hamas]and at the same time demand they achieve a complete halt to all operations by independent groups outside of their direct control. Even when the PA ruled Gaza there was periodic rocket fire from various groups. For the price of Cast Lead they achieved not only international opprobrium[Goldstone]but they never got the security they claimed Cast Lead would bring. Israel wanted Somalia on its doorstep, so they smashed up Gaza and tried to encourage anarchy. They're not quite there yet, but Rome wasn't destroyed in a day.

Mozgovaya and Haaretz editors need to check their ?mozgy? (meaning brain in Russian) categorizing France and Britain?s statements as one-sided condemnation of Israel. No other media outlets used this type of description of the statements, which is clearly not supported by the quotes provided. For example, here is what the Guardian (a liberal British paper) said about London?s response ?Britain today called for restraint and urged Israel and the Palestinians to renew talks.? Quit exaggerations; it is unfair enough as it is that they only speak after Israel responds to provocations.

The Israeli's are the occupiers.

Bravo, guy, for being a supporter of a criminal army

And what is your point?

ask US to bomb Iran and ask more money from Americans tax payers.(and of course from Germany)

By their recent words and actions they gave the Moslems the impetus to start again. Israel was only responding. Seems their words about Israel's right to security are empty phrases and Israel is really on its own.

Israel has no intention of solving the ME conflict, but wishes to continue the occupation the killings and the stealing of land? And they know that Obama cannot stop "defensive" war.... It reminds me of other invented attacks: Chekoslovakia against Germany in 1939/40; The Maine sinking in Havana harbour; The Gulf of Tonkin;.......

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said Friday called upon Israel and the Palestinians to show restraint and act responsibly, Israel Radio reported.Why Mr.Valerois is France fighting in Afganistan and Iraq,that are thousands of miles away from your border,unlike Gaza where Israel sees the rockets aimed towards it with the naked eye .Show us restraint France by getting out of Iraq and Afganistan,negotiate with the Taliban,then preach to Israel .

...to talk, so, why address Israel. The US, UK, EU, UN should all address the Arabs' refusal to talk, but mostly, their refusal, 62 years after the UN voted to the contrary, to accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people. And while they are at it, they should demand from the Arabs that any peace agreement will be considered "end of the conflict". The Arabs' refusal to accept these two points clearly suggest that they are not interested in peace but rather in advancing an additional step in their march towards the elimination of Israel by stages, and with that no Jew, within and without the Jewish nation-state of Israel, can live peacefully...!!!

This is the lies that the arab and anti semetic media put out.People on here sprout theses obvious lies and quote fromn these scandalous sources.http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2370.htm I am glad that as Jews we do not resort to this disguting form of lying .The people on here who use tis rubbish no who they are i hope you are proud s you spread these lies and probably even believe them yourself .Me i pity you for yourinsecurities and lack of true knowledge. Am Yisroel Chai

....not to take money from countries that you don't wanna listen to. Fair enough, if you wanna be a proud people, but then you should at least be consequent.....

You should realize that the younger generation does NOT support Israel at all. Pro-Palestinian sentiment runs rampant throughout our universities - each bombing and rocket attack results in more and more pro palestinian rallies etc. Not long ago an Israeli diplomat at San Jose State Univ was vehemently booed off stage before he could even speak. Be careful who you think you speak for is all I'm saying.

Roo, don't you know a thing about engineering or chemistry? Dr L Brnd is pointing out Hamas is using commercial equipment and feedstocks to make fuel for their rockets. If it doesn't look like cheese, smell like cheese, or burn like cheese - it ain't cheese those crackpots are making in Gaza. I agree with Mr Crowley that Israel has a right to self-defence -- and it was properly exercised by destroying the 'cheese' factory. Or do you honestly think Hamas really was making cheese - to feed to its Jew-hating television mouse? MV

obama himself had declared that the war in afghanistan was a just and necessary war--thousand of kilometers from u.s. shores. yet obama will not admit that israel's defencive war against the terrorists in gaza is a just and necessary war. since robert malley and pickering are negotiating with hamas, they might as well pass the message that israel will respond to attacks against her.

Hasn't Israel had enough innocent blood on its hands?

If Mr. Crowley wants to get a knot in his knickers over Israel retaliating for Hamas rocket fire into Israel, he' probably crap his knickers if the Canadians fired rockets into the USA. Grow some balls, and let Israel defend herself, you dumb milquetoast! You don't live in Israel, surrounded by enemies. Take care of your armchair quarterbacking dealing with American problems, and stop kissing Arab ass.

It is clear that Bush/Cheney/Abrams set up the situation in Gaza and drove Hamas into Iranian arms. They even got a leak into the Israeli press so Hamas would be forewarned. Why do you suppose they schemed with Sharon to do that?

The US is implementing an exit plan in Iraq and Afghanistan. What is the Israeli exit plan from the Palestinian territories? Military action alone is not what will get the US out of Iraq. Even Bush learned that. McCain was slow on the uptake and thought staying 100 years was a good idea. The country disagreed. What's the Israeli military success plan? Why hasn't it worked yet in 42+ years?

Don't follow the advice of so-called "FRIENDS". My heart is with you, cari ragazzi.

Israel is constantly postulating the advanced weapotry Hamas is getting from Iran and all Hamas is able to respond to Israeli agression with are these feeble rockets that kill only if it actually hits someone. In this last rocket firing NO ONE claimed credit. We are still waiting to hear from Shin Bet!

The situation with Hamas in Gaza seems intractable. However, the leadership in the West Bank is ready to talk whenever Israel can demonstrate that it's ready and able to negotiate in good faith. Let Gaza be a cautionary tale that not every Palestinian government is going to be interested in peace or able to deliver it. Please, for the sake of everyone with a stake in peace, do what needs to be done to get to the table with Abbas, Fayyad, and company.

Jews: be firm and proud. No country should dictate you what to do. Your security is your own business.

Israel is facing the iranian gaza,the iranian hizballah and the "well behaved p.a."...TALK WITH WHOM???EVEN IF ISRAEL OBEYS THE BOYS AND ALLOWS a p.a. "state".What a bout the other two heads of the snake??? and what about syria???Israel has no alternative other than defend itself from the little thorns and to SOLVE THE iranian PROBLEM FOR GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It'd be nice if "Peace Now" folks read history. I have a feeling the State Dept folks do read history, they just don't care too much if Israel is around in the future.

Well, technically I suppose there is a military solution, but it would involve the extermination of the Palestinians. Not with my tax dollars!

When IRA attacked British targets, they didn't respond? US went to war in Iraq, Afghanistan because of 9/11. Did EU condemn US for their reaction? No, only Israel can't defend itself? Israel destroyed several bomb-making targets. The IDF went so far as to drop leaflets to warn the Gazans that they were coming. Can you recall any other nation who would warn the enemy? Yet they are still criticized. Thanks to obama's attacks on Israel, everyone feels Israel is now fair game. Where was their criticism when hamas ambushed & killed 2 Israeli soldiers?

as the USA and its allies bomb and kill civilians in Afghanistan. No "cheese factories" there!

Yes, protecting lives s/b first priority. Not only Israeli but all lives. Israel doesn't seem to care how many Palestinian civilians get killed. This tit for tat has got to stop. You kill them, they kill your side. And by the way, the ratio is far from 1 to 1. Israeli policies for Gaza is a joke. You pull out and blockade the place. What do you expect by caging these people. Yes, the Gazans have their faults and aren't above criticism, but if you treat people like animals, they will act like animals. Israel needs to grow up and start acting civilize. An eye for an eye is not the answer.

The US is right, and hypocritical as usual. We should abandon our many occupations around the world, station our troops on our borders, and just gun down anyone who tries to enter. No visas, no visitors, problem solved. Israel should do the same. Knock down the occupation wall built on Arab land, rebuild the wall along the legitimate, international recognized 1967 green line, withdraw from all arab territories and simply gun down anyone who tries to cross the wall. What happens on the other side simply isn't Israel's concern.

And what do you call the rockets?

And what the hell do you call the rockets?

Arrogant twits. It does not matter if it is a solution to the mideast conflict, only these arrogant fools think they know that. What matters is that it demonstrates to the world that jewish life is not cheap. Sadly, this was not demonstrated as there should have been many gazan deaths to make the point. The descendants of the 2000 year serial jew killers prefer dead jews, I prefer the enemy dead before he even talks.

US officials keep reiterating that Israel has the right for self defense , as if others do not have the same right. Get off your high horse and admit that you only say that because of the domestic political fallout if such a statement is not made.Rridiculous.

... would England tolerate from Scotland before retaliating? ... would France tolerate from Switzerland before retaliating? If you say anything but "one", you are either lying or you are nuts.

...at a cost. But, if we are all pacifists now, wow are we wasting money and wow, does Hamas have a strategic field advantage. But sure, peace beats war; alas, war beats extinction and as along as the West stands on the sidelines offering moral uplift while Hamas arms up, it compels, sadly, Israel to engage in all that military right of defense stuff.

When the IAF hits your dental practice it will also burn to the ground, whether there were people in it or not. So what's your point?

easy fix

When you're sitting safe and sound in State Dept, Washington DC office, it's real easy to give advice about how violence doesn't "solve Mideast conflict". On the other hand, Washington DC wasn't too safe on 9/11 after eight years of Clinton bungling on security, so the question is, how long will the actions taken by Bush/Cheney continue to keep americans safe, as they are piece by piece being dismantled by Obama and his foul-mouthed VP.

Too bad you couldn't have got your hands on one, you might have learned something Since you mentioned the leaflets, how many exploded?

... or red zebras. Dr.L.Brnd has it right. The "cheese factory" was an operation mixing rocket fuel.

Its hypocrisy knows no bounds.

I guess the military is only a tool for the United states and british gov'ts.

Shame on Haaretz for a misleading news item. Both France and Britain issued statements expressing concern at the escalating violence, as stated clearly later in the article. Neither country condemned Israel. Is Haaretz so paranoid that bipartisan "concern" equals one-sided condemnation?

You seem mystified. IDF has good GPS intelligence coming out of Gaza. If anyone knows how to play both sides of the street, it is the Arabs. By the way, after the Rabbi was shot by roadside snipers last winter, how did the IDF know who to go shoot? The punks couldn't keep their mouths shut, a youth thing. The point is that Palestinians are not a solid group. Quite a few do not like the way some of their folks act.

... the problem with King George. 1774 ... the problem with the Confederacy. 1862 ... the problem with Hitler. 1939 ... the problem with Japan. 1941 ... the problem with anyone, if you are a Lefty. Why does anyone have a military force, then?

If the Muslims can start rioting and foaming at the unfounded suspicion that Jews are trying to take over the Temple Mount, it's easy to understand why Israelis might suspect a "cheese factory" is actually producing exploding cheese. Suspicion begets suspicion, violence begets violence, love brings happiness.

say You Jews should take it as it comes and although you have a right to defend yourself you should not even lift a finger to protect your jew-citizens.. because military action will not solve this conflict... I say SHOVE it!!! both of you France and Britain!!! Let me see your cities and your people get bombed and you seat on your fat white asses and do nothing to protect your lousy countries... Are you completely went islamic? MORONS!!!!

"They use the industrial-scale, spark-proof Hobart mixing machines found in - cheese factories and the like." So why did they bomb the zoo in Cast Lead? Zebras making howitzers?

Without a doubt, If israel responds weakly the terrorists will increase the rocket attacks. When Israel obliterates a building or a city block, some of the muslim terrorists might wonder if it is worth it. Unfortunately few muslim terrorists care about their people's misery index. And the rockets will continue. Muslims have no desire to live in peace with anyone, even themselves. As the bible says Ishmael and his descendants will be a thorn in the side of mankind. Unfortunately so true.

It would be nice if their was another way than military action but peace talks to hamas and the pl leadership is to them a step closer of eliminating Israel, don't be fooled England and France.

Based on today's interview with Prime Minister Fayyad, reality may be creeping into this. He is the best hope the Arabs have for creating a viable, democratic, successful state.

how convenient to pretend that your country is so innocent when in the last few weeks more aborignals died in police custody in Australia, and the matter of Afghanistan kids killed by Australian soldiers still has not been resolved, just whitewashed. And foreign students are staying away by the thousands because they get assaulted and murdered in racist Australia.Time to take a deep breath Maureen.

What planet do you live on? Based on what you said, it's certainly not this one. Why don't you try educating yourself just a little, instead of regurgitating the same pap that you've been fed for the last 40 years. Bottom line - Palestine was never a nation. Most of the area that people in Palestine lived in (those people include not just Arabs but Jews since Christ's time) was given to the Hashemites in l920 by the Brits. The closest thing to a Palestinian country is Jordan. In '48, the U.S. partitioned what was left into Israel and an Arab entity which could have been called Palestine. The Arabs would have none of that and the rest is history. Once the Arabs decide to make peace, they will have it. There is no value to the Israelis, just overwhelming expense in this feud that so far, the Arabs have not been willing to end.

When the subject is Jewkillers then yes, war is the answer. Who wants "peace" with Jewkillers anyway? The answer is this: Build Israel!

Palestinians have been waiting for justice. Israel has put a priority on establishing a Jewish homeland at a debilitating cost to the Palestinians. Until the human rights of Palestinians are recognized, enduring peace will not happen. Israel should listen to the USA, EU, Russia and the UN. Unfortunately Israel's leaders have lost their way and abandoned many foundations of their faith.

My dear Nik, in my home town, Vancouver! You say that ONLY one rocket hit Israel on Wednesday. how conforting!! Please tell the readers what will happen if rockets from the Grouse Mountain, above Vancouver, will be send down every day, with ONLY one on Wednesday. Would you stay on your porch, or hid in the basement, (bomb shelter) as Israelis do for months and years??? Would you request thst the army takes out the terrorists?? Of course!! When an old lady downtown has her purse stolen, you probably demand more police on the streets and stronger punishmenmt for the thieves. It is easy to play the generous and peace loving man, when your tuches is not in danger!!

The USA says military action will not solve the Mideast conflict. So why are your troops remaining in Iraq and Afghanistan and why are Obama and Hillary Clinton giving us...Canadians a hard time because we are pulling out our military troops in 2011. As far as I am concerned we can leave tomorrow morning. Be home for Easter Sunday.

For a change, mister Crowley, let's put some sanctions on Hamas and PA, instead of rewarding the wild rocket bunch and the NN's (non negotiationners).

The world is not going to solve "terrorism" but at least we fight the good fight.

the U.S. position on Gaza is the fruit of the right wing's position on East Jerusalem. The Israeli rigth just think they can keep pushing and pushing the U.S. with their self absorbed agenda on E. Jerusalem and it would have no repercussions on U.S. policy. Well obviously, they're wrong. Obviously the right wing is disconnected from reality. That's right, guys, just stick your collective heads in the ground, hang tough, and everything will work out. Well, it doesn't look like it's working out, which means you will have to stick your heads further into the ground. Maybe you could also try blaming everyone else.

The USA, France, and Britain say military action will not solve the Mideast conflict. Well DUHHHHHHHHH. Now let us go back to 1947 and tell the Arab countries the same thing.

"Hamas has refused to accept the conditions established by the international group that focuses on the Middle East, the so-called quartet ? the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. Those conditions include a renunciation of violence, the recognition of Israel?s right to exist and the acceptance of previous agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization." The UK can condemn all they want. Israel has a right to defend itself. Hamas should respect the rights of peace loving Palestinians who yearn to live peacefully with their neighbors in the region.

They are absolutely right. They should withdraw their troops from afganistan, Iraq, Africa, south America, japan, Korea, europa, and immediately proceed to talk to Bin Laden

For other Western nations to make take such an idiotic stance that Israel should just sit back and allow for the rockets to rain down, is an affront to democracy and personal security. Would the U.K. just sit back and absorb a series of rockets to fly in from Libya without a response? Would France? The Europe and Obama are losing focus on what safety and security for a nation is about. Hamas are a bunch of thugs that are not interested in peace. I don't think Fatah is much interested in it either. Their flag incorporates all of Israel as the centerpiece. Israel needs to come to terms that the Palestinian people want to have thriving communities and lives as well and work towards that end. Frankly, all the crap going back and forth all these years is getting old. Modern civilization is going to hell in a handbasket if things don't change.

The point, I think, is that bombing Gaza is not a solution to hostile rocket attacks. It is only temporary retribution that apparently makes some Israelis feel good. Peace is the solution. Unfortunately, though, that seems to be of little to no interest to many Israelis and, of course, the most militant Palestinians. They are the ones to whom your views are closest.

Gee...isn't Hamas, arch enemy of PA, in control of Gaza? Does Crowley realize this or is he trying out for a comedy spot somewhere?

You call the British hypocritical, who were never the friends of Israel. What about France, the so called former friends of Israel ? They are truly hypocritical

Cause provocations, invite retaliation, escalate aggression...repeat.

Military action will never work and if you don't believe it then just look it the history of the U S war efforts.

Crowley is right in this case as the escalation on both sides just make matters worse. But, is Crowley and anybody else going to preach also to the Arabs, or Palestenians or Hamas etc to stop advocating "armed resistance" ? In what way is defending Israel different? Did not Assad say recenrly that the Palestinians should take up ARMED STRUGGLE?

"They use the industrial-scale, spark-proof Hobart mixing machines found in - cheese factories and the like." So why did they bomb the zoo in Cast Lead? Zebras making howitzers?

Give it a rest, Larry! That "song" is as old and worn out as the false claim that the Jews killed Jesus! If the "Palestinians" in Gaza wanted to improve their lives, they've had plenty of chances over the last 5 years. Instead, Hamas chose terrorism, suppression, and violence...against their own people as well as the Israelis. So, don't blame Zionism or Israel for the "Palestinians" poor choices. No one of substance is buying it anymore!

.....devastating Germany. Now Israel targets HAMAS militants related to launching QASSAMS, and UK condemns Israel. Shame.

Bibi and Barak = "No!!!"

U.S: "Military action will not solve the Mideast conflict" (U.S.State Dept. spokesman,Philip J Crowley) And yet,the Americans don't heed their own advice ! What the hell are they still doing in Afghanistan,& Iraq ? (Going on for almost 8 years) Had the Americans,shown the battered,& mutilated bodies of their dead soldiers.the war would have ended a long time ago,because of the outcry at home. But maybe they don' mind because most of the dead are 'African Americans'Puerto Ricans & minorities. In comparison very few whites.

By the same logic millitary action in Afganistan will not solve the conflict with Al-Queda. So the United States,Britain, France and the rest of NATO should declare failure and leave Afganistan. What hypocritical nonsense when it comes to Israel legally defending itself against terrorism. Typical stupidity and arrogance from the nations who bow to the Arab dictators. These nations who would sell there souls for a barrell of Arab oil. The USA official is obviously misguided from reality. Probably an appointee from the Obama administration.

Excellent, proven model here that works very well. Before 1967, Golan heights were a daily world trouble spot, Syrian shelling of Israeli farms far below in the Galilee valleys. With Israel controlling the Golan after Syrian defeat, Golan is 100% quiet, no Israeli shelling of Syria from it either. International meddling has prolonged this conflict. Model is to allow Israeli occupation to defeat terrorist forces once and for all, De-Nazify W. Bank and Gaza as US did Germany 1945-1953, and give them back independence once they will reliably live in peace with and recognize Israel. But Arabs refuse to ever recognize Jewish Israel, want Land-for-Nothing, not Land-for-Peace, as Hamas in Gaza proves. Let IDF finish the job, do what US did - Israeli bases in W. Bank? Sure, US bases in Germany/Japan for 60 years after WW2 to keep peace. Today they are friends, peaceful. Obama's idiot "strategy" fails because it allows Arabs to keep refusing a Jewish State: the 63 year cause of the conflict.

to use force in the Falklannds, but not for Israel to protect herself against rockets.

....that there is an astonishing amount of cynicism on the part of both Israelis and Palestinians of late and that it feels like they are both acting out of desperation at this point? It's as if they are both determined to engage in as much brutality towards one another as they possibly can in spite of/because of the change in the US attitude and the situation with Iran. Everything seems elevated to fever pitch these days.

No, the Arab states exploit the Palestinian issue for their own political/economical/strategical gain. Once they get what they want they won't give a hoot about what happens to the Palestinians.

You can't on the one hand do everything in your power to diminish and discredit an opponent[Hamas]and at the same time demand they achieve a complete halt to all operations by independent groups outside of their direct control. Even when the PA ruled Gaza there was periodic rocket fire from various groups. For the price of Cast Lead they achieved not only international opprobrium[Goldstone]but they never got the security they claimed Cast Lead would bring. Israel wanted Somalia on its doorstep, so they smashed up Gaza and tried to encourage anarchy. They're not quite there yet, but Rome wasn't destroyed in a day.

'...the "cheese factory" IAF jets obliterated today exploded like a bomb and burned fiercely for hours, seen 20 miles away...' Got a source for that, Doc? If you do, you certainly didn't lift the words directly -- no hits when I search for them. It's always a nauseating experience, but I even went to the Jerusalem Post -- always a staunch defender of any Israeli act of violence. Nothing too obvious -- although, as I say, I find the place nauseating. I didn't look around too long. Got a source? After all, the place was hit by a bomb -- bound to explode like one.

I can't see why Hamas doesn't see Qassams as the stupidest idea ever. They cause Israel almost no real pain, but give cover for the most lopsided counterstrikes against Gaza. For years Israel disregarded them as harmless, until they recognized their PR value and started reporting locals were treated for shock each time a Qassam struck a rooftop or neighboring field. True, they've gotten bigger and have caused some occasional real harm, but take them away and Israel would have no justification for Cast Lead or the great embargo against terror-pasta, terror-clothes, and so forth. Wake up Hamas, stop the Qassams, and rein in the violent splinter factions, and you will disarm your foes.

Now go crawl back under your rock.

'"We are always concerned that steps taken by either side, legitimate or otherwise, can be misconstrued...' I don't think anyone misconstrues the steps Israel takes.

"The US made peace with the tribes over a century ago, Shane. Even the US learned not to repeat the Trail of Tears." The U.S. has made various trails of tears on a global scale. Vietnam's Ho Chi Mihn Trail comes to mind. The trail to WMD in Iraq is another, the trail to Afghanistan is one more, and there are countless others. If you say the U.S. made peace with the Native Americans, it was because they had been so reduced and beaten down that the ones who hadn't been exterminated already were wise enough to submit to the whiteman's outrageous demands in the hopes that they might have grandchildren one day.

in the world that uses spark-proof motors on their 'mixing machines'. As to your notion that Hamas builds all these rockets and that it mixes rocket propellant in 25 ton batches, I'm wondering whether perhaps it's the product of a fertile imagination "the "cheese factory" IAF jets obliterated today exploded like a bomb" The IAF uses NON-explosive missiles and bombs? Another interesting theory...

A RARE ISRAELI JOURNALIST, A RARE VOICE OF COURAGE Gideon Levy is a rare voice of courage in an Israeli media generally supine towards the political establishment. Since 1988, he has written the ?Twilight Zone? column for the Israeli daily Haaretz, documenting unflinchingly the myriad cruelties inflicted on the Palestinian people under occupation.

They are really funny these brits. Palestinians rocket Israel and no word, Once Israel gives an answer to this rocketing and they ask for a restraint. Looks that if the arabs kill 1.000.000 jews does not bother them at all, but once Israel kills one terrorist they shout out that Isarel is a country of murderers. They have no moral at all, these crooks

I think they did the ambush because an Israeli patrol advanced half a kilometer into Gaza.

If you were caged in with the quality of life of an animal, you'd no doubt strike back with what ever you had. You blame the Palestinians, when in fact the root cause is Israel's zionists policies. Instead of extracting an eye for an eye, try turning the other cheek and start showing compassion. Maybe then Israel would start receiving some respect from the Arab world. As it is now, Israel exploits the situation and just screws over the Pals. Calling Israel a democracy is a pathetic joke.

Shooting rockets and mortars into other sovereign country with the aim to kill civilians is crime against humanity. You can put period or not..

why do not say how IDF launch panflets scaring civil population and with the image of a palestinian child with a rose in his hand? Is it not brutal cinism? How anybody with a little sense can congratulate this kind of action. Israel is brutal, and this is all about. stop making crazy palestinian children, give them a chance!!!!!!!!

A Dairy processing plant is only an explosives factory for the lactose intolerant. Brnd should be proud of the IAF for getting the kids. I'm sure he is. Shane should visit Indian country. Life isn't perfect there. But they have full citizenship and voting rights and in many places, superior control of water and other natural resources. The US made peace with the tribes over a century ago, Shane. Even the US learned not to repeat the Trail of Tears.

You mean like the firework that killed a Thai worker a couple of weeks ago? You really do believe your own Propaganda don't you? Even the Russians are warning Hamas to stop firing rockets, but if you still don't get it, why not try acquiring one and arrange for it to land on your head. I'd be interested to hear the results.

Israel never fails to have one or two targets that are "weapons manufacturing plants" when it retaliates for rocket fire? Now isn't that convenient? I wonder how they do that? You know, identifying these, one or two weapons manufacturing sites, from one retaliatory strike to the next. It's magical in a way, almost like pulling a rabbit from a hat-- or like filling a square maybe, when ANY square will do? And have you ever noticed that they're invariably an industry of some sort? Interesting, isn't it?

well how about if Mexico started building settlements in Texas and the Mexican armed forces started bombing nearby cities.... would Americans not fight back... the hypocracy is in your narrow mindeness

Shane: "How much restraint would the U.S. show if some Native American group decided to lob rockets into one of our cities to protest the "occupation"?" dumdum: "That`d be civil war. This isn`t." It's the same region and the region's inhabitants, blithering fool. It's been a civil war since 1920. "And I believe the Indian nations actually have the freedom to travel anywhere in and out of and around anywhere in the USA. They vote IN the USA. They`re Americans. They`re not embargoed. " Ever heard of Little Bighorn II in 1973, dumdum? They weren't free to resort to violence, and boy, did the U.S. give them a stomping. "Oh really, when was the last illegal American settlement built on US soil?" How do you think the Tribal people feel about your notions of "legality," dumdum? "How many UNSC resolutions does it have against it for the illegal acquisition of territory by war?" Why don't the tribes have observer status in the UN, dumdum? Who owns their mineral rights?

Okay folks, here is a question: Do you really think that in 20 years the Palestinians haven't figured out a way to have these rockets actually hit something useful? (And by the way there was only one rocket last Wednesday.) And if the Palestinians have a rocket (a firework really) that doesn't hit anything useful and does not cause any damage, why would they even fire it, knowing that this will give Israel the excuse to come in with all their modern weapons (paid for by the US tax payer) and start blowing up what little the Gazan people have left to live on?

Israel has never responded before? It responds even when children walk near a fence... "How much restraint would the U.S. show if some Native American group decided to lob rockets into one of our cities to protest the "occupation"?" That'd be civil war. This isn't. And I believe the Indian nations actually have the freedom to travel anywhere in and out of and around anywhere in the USA. They vote IN the USA. They're Americans. They're not embargoed. They're not STILL being dispossessed. "Any of my fellow Americans who criticize Israel are a bunch of hypocrites!" Oh really, when was the last illegal American settlement built on US soil? How many UNSC resolutions does it have against it for the illegal acquisition of territory by war?

Each 1000 rockets that Hamas builds requires 25-30 TONS of sugar-fertilizer rocket fuel - do you think that they mix up 25 tons of rocket fuel with teaspoons in thir kitchens? They use the industrial-scale, spark-proof Hobart mixing machines found in - cheese factories and the like. That is why the "cheese factory" IAF jets obliterated today exploded like a bomb and burned fiercely for hours, seen 20 miles away. Cheese, huh? You can't possibly be that stupid. Then, there were Saddam Hussein's "baby milk factories" (complete with hand-lettered signs labelled in English!) in the 1st Gulf War that also blew up into roaring infernos when hit. Must have been struck to benefit the Gerber Baby Food business here in the US!

Israel has every right to defend itself. If Hamas is interested in preventing similar attacks by the IDF, then Leadership and their cohorts, must stop shooting rockets into Israel. It's a no brainer.

Collective punishment is a crime against humanity. Period.

The Obama administration concentrates on Israeli building site construction and disregards munitions site construction. What is the significance of that except perverted policies of the U.S. government.

disguised as 2 caravans, 1 cheese factory and 1 metal foundry .

Go IDF, time to burn the Chumetz (Hamas). Good Pesach!

It's about time! How much restraint would the U.S. show if some Native American group decided to lob rockets into one of our cities to protest the "occupation"? Any of my fellow Americans who criticize Israel are a bunch of hypocrites!

Great, two soldiers get killed so we injure two innocent kids. Soldiers know the risk they take, especially when they enter enemy territory. But, raining down fire and death on a population of poor people, my g*d what have we become!

Israel's economy sure must be struggling if that is what the IDF must do to give it a boost - bomb a cheese factory in Gaza! Sure seems like a lot of trouble just to protect Israel's NIS 530 million ($142 million) cheese industry!

Need to send the Gazans some AAA from the USA.

If rockects kept coming then a bigger war than Cast Lead was promised. Well....?

PA and hamas want the whole old city how can you have any peace with hamas in charge of old city and will riot against any synagoge being restored.