Oldest IDF casualty felt second tour in Lebanon 'would end badly'

Saddam, you are not acknowledging that the Jews were and still are an oppressed people. The State of Israel exists today because Jews all over the world have been treated despicably and inhumanely. Do you ever ask yourself why there are virtually no Jews left in any Arab countries? It is becuase they were either murdered or driven away, forced to leave behind everything they held dear. Israel is the only safe-haven for the Jewish people.Don't forget that "Palestine" is a misnomer that was bestowed upon the region when the Turks came into power.That name was then adopted by the British.The point is that anyone born in the region was considered a Palestinian - Jews and Arabs, alike.There are only about 6 million Jews living in Israel. They are surrounded by millions upon millions of Muslim Arabs, many of whom abhor the Jewish people.The greatest problem here is not cultural or religious differences. It is the refusal of those on both sides to educate and inform themselves.

The whole world knows that Israelis destroy, houses, hospitals, places of worships, civilians particularly women. They escape from real fighting when the situation is deemed too dangerous. They ran away from Lebanon when they had to face a militia group. Hezbollah was formed due to Israel?s occupation of Lebanon. Hezbollah is dangerous for Israel but not the world. How disgraceful for the world to allow people like George W. Bush and Tony Blair to dictate that more civilians were needed to be killed in the hope of a more glorified ending for the Zionist, racist regime. The very country responsible for Sabra and Shatila massacre those many years ago and now for totally crippling a country. War crime tribunal should be set up, for Israeli Prime Minister and his Generals and the pilots who bombed so indiscriminately civilians in lebanon. Hitler had to pay; so should Israel and her allies George Bush and Tnoy Blair.

Go climb into the hole you belong in. YOu would never take this stance or say these words to Hzzblh or the dictators that reign in the Arab world in which you dwell. Only Israel represents freedom in the mideast. Your kind will not live to see victory. This is my prayer every day.

TO ALL WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES ON BOTH SIDES, I PRAY THAT SOMEHOW & SOMEDAY THE PAIN IN YOUR HEARTS MAY BE HEALED.

What happened to ISRAEL ?? During the CHIEF OF THE ARMY is selling his STOCKS, men like AMATI are suffering for a MISSMANAGED WAR for ISRAEL !! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MIRACLE ISRAEL ??? Shame on HALUTZ & OLMERT and on CORRUPT PEOPLE like HALUTZ !!

my dear Liat, ur words are exactly the kind of dialog that has to rein...unfortuanetly its easier for mankind(specially the mightiest)to make war rather than making peace.. wat kind of victory is this that rising from destruction and massacared innocent people?

The issue here is that as long as israel will defend its right to exist for the sole purpose of existing and being a place 'it is good living into' (olmert' s !) there is absolutely no chance it can survive its enemy's willingness to eradicate it. Israel is forced to face the question as to what it wants to be : a nation amongst nations ( which ironically enough the latter has always rejected ! ) or a poeple with a very specific purpose, and a v ery deep conscious of what that very word israel actually means. Yaacov do you want to be israelis or bear your burden and be jews i.e the former is going nowhere seeks nothing but selfsatisfaction and will lose its wars while the latter knows and allways know what he's fighting for and wins its wars. ISRAEL wake up thats what that war was here for!

Once a group of people has been oppressed, only they can bring conflict to an end. As part of the human condition, the oppressed will never forget what they've endured. It is only they who can decided "What is Enough". This is the reason for this never ending cycle of conflict. After more than 50 years in the role of oppressor, Israel has started to seek a path to a more equal footing. What is obvious in the response of so many is that they don't understand this simple premise. You don't get to simply say "I'm sorry" and "Now we are all equal and free". That's a start, but it's going to take so much more than that. Those who have been oppressed would not be out of line to want you to feel their pain for 50 years. Israel should hope for what every oppressor hopes for after revolution - that those they've oppressed treat them with greater humanity than they were treated. Commit to peace, maybe 10 years of pain. On the current path? Mutual Destruction...

G-d bless you for your kind words. We are deeply sorry for all the persons who died in this war. The Israel public was made believe by the government that this conflict with Hizbullah would be a few days' affair to destroy the rocket launchers and make the border secure. And then it escalated into a lenghty bloody war that involved many lebanese civilians. If Olmert had asked the Israeli people if they support this idea he would have gotten a clear NO. As a mother of three children it makes me especially sad to see dead and wounded children. And this should teach us to make every effort that there will be no war anymore. With people like you I have hope that one day we can achieve this. The Talmud teaches that every lost life is like a whole world perished. Personally I think that only G-d has the right to give life and to take it back.

# 2 showed that he is human and offered his deep sorrow for the loss of a human regardless of faith or ethnic background.I come from lebanon and share Gus opinion and i am sure a lot of Israeli's share the same feeling. Just because you don't talk to your jewish brothers and yes we were brothers at one time or the other. i Perssonally condone all violant acts on both side of the borders,but by all means i still feel bad for anyone who get killed or get hurt in a war. There is no winners in war only loosers. Remmber # 4 you can attract more bees with honey than vinegar. For your info I have a lot of Israeli friends and i really believe that they want peace.

With this frame of mind, hezbollah is re-assured and provoke next incident. Israel will respond there will be more casualties on both sides. If you take the position 'peace talk is BS" how will you ever expect to avoid casulties? Please answer this. PS:1) Do not ostricize pepopl like Gus. There are many Israelis and Jewish supporters that share the same opinion with Gus. The only way out. 2) Tell me if UN gets Syria to agree that Shaba farms is Lebanon, and Israel will turn over this small farmland will Hezbollah disband? lease answer this also.

sorry to say this but the problem here is islam itself because these poeple act in the name of islam and as far as no one can say what a religion , an ideology truly 'is' the only way to do this is to assess it according to its history and biggots are unfortunatly as much a part of islam as any other muslim though indeed a duller part. these poeple show us nothing but the complete failure of islam as a 'revealed religion' because having biggots in one's group is one thing , being completely oblivious to that fact is another much more revealing one : namely that islam in the footsteps of christianity has found its last resources in the shadows of hatred , victimization and complete irresponsibility,:when a terrorist kills , he is not a killer but a victim i.e WE are only consequenses and not the causes of our actions. It is sad to say this but the only words the muslim world knows is humiliation , martyre, and victim . Islam is about to die in a massive collective sucide.

WAR IS EVIL AND DISTRUCTIVE.THE TOP ARMY GENRALS DONT CARE THAT MUCH WHEN ENTERING A WAR BECAUSE: 1/THEY ARE ALMOST SURE THEY WONT BE KILLED 2/THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL NOT BE ON THE FRONT LINE. SAY NO TO WAR ITS TIME THE PEACE LOVING PEOPLE OF LEBANON AND ISRAEL TO STAND UP AND SAY NO MORE WAR.SALAM=SHALOM

Millions stand and mourn with you, for all who've lost loved ones in this war including the people of Lebanon. To Gus and the other Arab people who have expressed sympathy, we will prevail, those of us who share love and seek peace, will see our way past those who want to separate and hurt us. To the Indonesians who are coming to help keep peace - bless you. May this awful war bring a new dawn. Shalom.

Perhaps, there is no point in trying to reach thru to you, but remember there are also innocent children in Israel murdered by an Arab culture that "teaches" its children to hate. Try to open your heart if not your eyes. SAALAM http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null http://www.arabsforisrael.com/

quote:"And like the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite vast wealth of oil riches, they too can enjoy 30% unemployment, widespread drug addiction, prostitution and corruption at every level of the society." I wonder why Iran has to cope with economic problem?...Oh, yes, I remember: Iran had to house and feed 1 million Afghan refugees+ nearly 1 milloin iraki refugees for decades. Can your country do best, Shahab? Regarding prostitution: why are you always refering to sex?

i don't know from where amaties family came to israel (palastine), did they read the story of how israel founded,and how people of palastine left their homeland to the diaspora,i realy feel sorry for the death of amaties paterfamilias .it is time to save the soul of the inhabitants of the whole region ,it is time for peace.

And like the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite vast wealth of oil riches, they too can enjoy 30% unemployment, widespread drug addiction, prostitution and corruption at every level of the society.

Martin, I feel like Gus do, I am a strong Muslim that prays and fast and do charity! you need to learn more about the religion not from the media nad web pages .. from the hearts of people .. it is up to you though

I add myself to Gus .. yes we feel the same and we hate our government that push kids to hate and war. We should live together, we are one people, heck we are one blood!!!

Who is responsible for this most recent war? Hezbollah in the north and Hamas in Gaza. Israel does not start these wars. Israel responds to provocations and attacks on its citizens and attacks made on its country. There will only be peace if you can stop those that want to destroy Israel and its right to exist. Many people have suffered greatly throughout history -- Arabs, Jews, and others. Why can't people just get over the past, move forward, and learn to coexist, before it's too late?

Gus, that was a very nice message you sent. If all Arabs, Palestinians, etc. had feelings and respect for other people, like you, there would be peace in that part of the world and everywhere else. The problem is, how do we teach this kind of respect for one another in light of the radical Islamists who brainwash people into hating Israelis, Jews, the United States, and other countries that believe in Israel's right to existence. Israel wants to live in peace and coexist with its neighbors. It's the leaders of Iran, Syria, Al Qaeda, Hamas and organizations that support terrorism and suicide bombings that are preventing any chance for peace. The radical Islamists are plotting a war with Israel and the rest of the free world. How do you stop this madness and brainwashing from happening?

My sincere condolences to the Amaties and all who have lost loved ones in this war. As I am writing this, in our local TV News the announcer is saying that 1000 Indonesian troops are being readied as part of the UN Peace Keeping force. I hope no matter how small their contribution will be, these country men of mine will help to develop the badly needed peace.

Shalom Liat: I agree with you. I was born in Egypt and since very young, every time there was some political situation arabs would demonstrate in the streets and yell:"the jewish family on the fourth floor we are coming to kill you".In 1957 32 jews were randomly gathered (including my father)and thrown in prison (where they were also tortured)..Luckily, we had an italian passport whicj enabled us to go to Italy with a very small bag and left all our belongings (pharmacy, apartment etc..).After a while the sokhnout paid us the trip to Israel, then my life started!. I am presently in Canada but am planning to go back home (Israel) very soon (October).Lehitraot! Lolita

quote:"The despots are claiming Islamic roots. They lie to you. You know it, we know it. Be brave and say it out loudly! The despots of Syria, Iran and I would include Saudi Arabia, are the worst enemies of Islam" I'm glad to tell you that when the despotes of Syria and Egypt will be overthrown, the Syrian and Egyptian peoples will elect freely... the Muslim Brotherhood! So keep on enjoying these last Arab despotes...and don't take your dreams for reality.

It is such vitriolic hatred, as reflected in your response, that is at fault for the proliferation of so much violence. Instead of commending Gus's heartfelt words to a grieving family, you are simply adding fuel to an already devastating fire. To Gus and all of us who feel so helpless in this horrific situation, I say, please continue to vocalize your feelings. Only in this way will the humanitarian voice be heard over the irrational shrieking of hatred and violence. To Lu, whether or not you wish to hear it, we are all in the same boat - this planet that is suspended in infinite space - and we alone can save it, not by destroying each other, but by reaching out and accepting one another.

I can't believe it, a SOLDIER goes and fights and dies and everyone thinks it is a tragedy. It is not a tragedy, that is what happens when you go to war. Israel decided to steal and occupy land and is always ready to fight...don't be shocked when your neighbors prepare for war as well and when your soldiers die. Israeli and lebanese civilians dieing are tragedies. I hope Amatis' widow will teach her children that violence is wrong and that israeli politics, which lead to violence, are wrong. I hope her children will understand that their father died in vain and that they will grow up to be "refusniks".

Our deep respect for Yaron Amati family...Not all Lebanese are Hizb Allah supporters... But just one thing from an old Lebanese Chrisitan fighter... It is the Israelly politicians like Ihud Barrak who must be blamed for thie crisis... we remeber what did Ihud Barak do for the the SLA in South Lebanon when he left them and betrayed all the friendship and blood of MArtyrs... God bless Yaron Amati soul and all the souls of victims died in Lebabon and Israel because of stupid Israelly politicians...

This is a heartbreaking story. There is always a "last" soldier to die in a war... but I am afraid he will not be the last, nor the oldest. My sincere condolences to the Amati family, to Yaron's wife and especially children, who must now deal with an unfillable void. I pray that they will be protected from future harm.

There are many injustices in these world. The death of many people is a tragedy. It is terrible to watch your worst sufferings becasue you are ruled by a few despots. We can not help you unless you come out an initiate their overthrow. The despots are claiming Islamic roots. They lie to you. You know it, we know it. Be brave and say it out loudly! The despots of Syria, Iran and I would include Saudi Arabia, are the worst enemies of Islam. Is the Taliban or the Al-Qaida style Islam Islamic? I do not think. It has more similarity to the Sicilian Cosa Nostra than to Islam. Love to all Muslims! Be worthy of your enlightened Islam!

I'am neither jewish nor muslim. Just a "standard" German who is informing himself also on jewish webpages. What I discovered so far is very simple: All (and I mean a l l )muslim/arabs on webpages, interviews, on TV, etc. are talking the same way (killing jews is cool and the only sense of live and god`s willing and all this "blood and soil"-propaganda which sounds not very new for me as a German ;-)), but only the western world and -more supprising under this threat- Isreal are talking in a differentiated way and are trying to understand also the enemies view. All muslims/arabs seem to undergo a total brainwashing propaganda! THIS IS SO EVIDENT ,THAT I DONT BELIEVE YOU ARE MUSLIM!

Both the Palestinians and the Israelis deserve to live in peace. The birth of Israel post WWII would not be legitimate under current international law and UN Resolutions (look to the carve up of the Ottoman Empire by the "West" post WWI and the Balfour Accord) but who can blame the Jews after the Holocaust for aggressivly seeking to build and defend a homeland denied to them for so long. Who can also blame the Palestinians for being angry at their treatment, land loss and the constant humiliations put upon them by the Israeli state. American Foreign policy, driven by oil and corporate greed - and over simplifying the issues between the west an islam (ie calling it a "war on terror") is blindly leading the region into an abyss. Bush is just stupid, Blair worse than a lapdog - what is he doing?. I have watched in horror at the death toll on both sides. My deepest sympathies go out to all the victims of this pointless mini war, Muslim and Jewish alike. Dialogue is the only way....

Dear Gus ,when I was starting to despair you write this beautiful letter which makes me believe again in human nature,...Would more Arabs think like you and we could have a wonderful peace...Aline

I am sorry that Yaron Amati was killed just before the guns went silent. Like so many other IDF soldiers who were killed, their deaths assured that we who are still living can continue to live. I believe that if IDF did not go to war, the Hizbollah and its sponsors would be flying their flags in Tel Aviv today. Israel would have disappeared from the world map. Thank you Israel for standing up to the thugs of Hizbollah, Syria and Iran who had used innocent children and mothers as human shields in the buildings from where they launched their Katyusha rockets into Israel. May God have mercy on your reckless attitude towards the lives of your children and mothers.

Live by the sword, die by the sword... If he hadn't listened to his orders and gone to Lebanon to help the Israeli Army kill lebanese he wouldn't be dead now. I am sad for his family but a soldier diening is no tragedy...it is his own fault for fighting.

and Amir "Stalin" Peretz promises to give land to Syria. WHAT a difference between the people of Israel and our corrupt thug Kadima politicians

had the cease fire come one or two or ten days earlier, it would have made no difference on the ground, other than save a whole lot of lives.the israeli leaders, their american backers and their poodle blair,are to blame. israels reaction to the initial hizbollah attack was way over the top. had it been calculated and wise today israels standing would not have been so completely in tatters as it is, your crediblity not as destroyed as it is, and amati and a whole lot of lebanese kids would have been alive.nor would hizbollah been able to look foeward to the rush at their recruitment centres

Dear Gus, voices like yours are always good to hear. I feel sorry for every Lebanese and Israeli family who lost their family members or friends in this useless and stupid war. War does not know victory. War is always a loss.

Did any Israeli send u his love and condolences for the killing of our children and people? Hate is build by action and this last war has strengthened the roots of hate . So please spare us the talk. We can't forget and should not forget our dead children that were murdered by the Israelis over the years. The peace talk is bullshit.

He died 3 and a half hours before the cease fire. Explain to his kids what he was doing attacking at such a late moment. What was he trying to achieve? His death brought honor and glory to his country? What a waste of human life.

To the Amaties, I send my love and prayer to you, we lost so many loved one on the Levanese side,so I understand the pain that you are going through. To the children I say I am sorry for your loss, I pray that my son does not have to fight you one day that is why I will work day and night to bring our people toward peace. Enough killing, enough blood shed, enough teaching our children hate and to dispise one another, we must build bridges of love and reject the voices and actions of hate. My deepest love and respect for the family. God be with you. A muslim voice to a Jewish family.

If it is possible please pass along my family's deepest regrets. And tell the Amatis that our hearts are broken and that their American brothers and sisters are standing with them in grief as another hero is lost to us. Our son is also millium and fought every day of this perplexing war. May Hashem comfort you and all the new mourners of Zion.