Composure is also strength

Because they were backed by the roman name and understanding that Roman army doe snot have limits like Israeli army, also, Romans were not histerical like woman, this is Jewish prerogative. It is all about composure, and strength coming from ruthless aplication of force calmly and mercylessly. Arik always remionded me of Roman general. It's such a pity the only man in the government left us.

I certainly hope that if the writer of this trash is ever kidnapped by the Arabs the government of Israel shows the same disregard for his life that he has shown for the life of a soldier kidnapped while defending the writer's life and the lives of all civilians in Israel from Hamas and the rest.

I have read your posts with great interest. You seem to have a very interesting perspective and speak with logic rather than emotion. Perhaps you could impart to me what your approach would have been in the instance of the attack on the Kerem Shalom post. Two soldiers dead, one kidnapped. The other most serious issue is the cowardly kidnap of a civilian young man and his brutal murder. As the leader of Israel how would you have dealt with these situations. I welcome your ideas and would like to hear a rational logical approach to it solution. Sahid

Re never giving in to kidnappers demands I see we're coming up to the 59th anniversary (29/07/47) of the kidnapping and brutal MURDER by Jewish terrorists of British servicemen Martin and Paine. The British never gave into the demands of the terrorists and the cowards then hanged the two and booby trapped their bodies. I suppose some of these thugs could still be alive in Israel, probably regarded as heroes in their communities M.

Glad to tell you this. THERE WILL BE NO PALASTANIN STATE. The ARab nationd dont trust them or like them. They are known to be trouble makers. Look what they did to Jordan. The Arab nations will fight till every Palastanin dead.

Hey Bruce, read your whatever it was twice. In Hawaii we have a saying "no make sense". What the heck are you professing? I really would like to understand your position...

Those guys were lucky they were in a Mirkava and not something else.

"A country cannot be the prisoner of kidnappers, lest it make abduction the terror organizations' next weapon." - Yoel Marcus Sound observation. Israel is trapped in a form of asymmetrical warfare where the opposition is in fact extremely weak and quite incapable of doing profound harm to Israel by it's own actions. The wall is negating the most effective tactic ever developed against Israel, but those Palestinians dedicated to attacking Israel will continue to seek means of doing so. The response of the Olmert government must be most gratifying to the militant wing of Hamas. Much of the top men in the political wing are in jail, the moderates who were trying to, and did, reach agreement with Fatah on the Prisoner's Document are discredited, and Israel is 'making a point" (not the one it wants to make) to the Palestinians and the world. Last week Israel had a soldier who was a hostage of terrorists. Mr. Olmert has made Israel a hostage of those same terrorists.

Why do you distort the true facts of the cause of the present situation in Gaza.? Israel withdrew from Gaza then what did really happen ?Your terrorists gangs kept on the barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel territory ,why ? they dug tunnels from Gaza into Israel territory,they killed 2 soldiers,seriously wounded another soldier and kidnapped another one; all this from Israeli territory ,why?. they refused to release the soldier ,why? so who is responsible for this situation ? so what did you really expect Israel to do ?to keep quiet and do nothing ? this is the problem with you people,when Israel retaliates you scream and cry for helplike naughty children,your people are great in lies and propaganda like yourself .President Abbas said about your Hamas gangsters that PM Haniye has not control over the situation in Gaza and there is no law and order among these gangs of hooligans.

"It always puzzles me how certain people try and spin how a terror organisation acts in terms of legitimate tactics " The same happens to me. When the boy was kidnapped they also said he was a POW. When he appeared murdered, those people weren't here to make comments.

for suggesting this

I have grown up with people that use the following comments on a regular basis: 1. Don`t try to Jew me down!!! -Larry Would you be so kind as to explain that comment. I never heard of it, what is is suppose to mean? I don't understand the meaning of it. Thank you in advance for the explanation.

I served in armored corps for 12 years. Nothing is more boring at night than looking for the enemy through night vision. Slowly one, then another until all tank crew members drift off to sleep. so many times I had my pleugat commander radio me over and over and finally come up to the tank and bang on the hatch cover to wake us up. Sleeping on guard duty has been the worst problem in the IDF in all branches army, navy and air force for over 30 years.

I have grown up with people that use the following comments on a regular basis: 1. Don't try to Jew me down!!! 2. Why is it that all Jews have so much money?? 3. Do your horns come out at night when you are sleeping?? 4. Jews control the world!! 5. My fathers Jew boss fired him because he was drunk on the job. 6. People lose their jobs all the time because of the Jews. 7. We have to pay so much money in taxes because of the Jews. This goes on and on and on. I live in Canada. My parents fought to enter Canada as refugees after World War II (unlike the terrorists of today that get free medical and benefits). You expect the world to change in 48 years???? I don't. Plain and simple, they can't stand that there is an Israel and that it is successful!!

If it is legal to enter by stealth, a sovereign state and forcibly remove a soldier to be used as a hostage and or possibly killed then you are by definition presuming a "state of war" in which case Israel is perfectly entitled to hit back at infrastructure and civilians therein killed will be deemed as collateral damage. The alternative is to describe Gaza as occupied in which case "a state of war" is not the operable term. Civilian fatalities must be strictly limited, caused only by essential military operations and infrastructure should be respected if it specifically harms the civilian population, unless unavoidable for some good reason. Now in your enthusiasm to nail Israel you have abandoned rationality or at least denied logical thought processes in arriving at your premature conclusion. So which is it to be? No having your cake and eating it Elisabeth, it might choke you.

According to comments made by hospitalized IDF tank driver R'oi Amitai to the press on Tuesday June 27th the following facts are known. 1. The 4 man tank crew had all drifted off to sleep when the RPG hit the tank, automatic fire extinguishers went off, tank commander said to abandon tank, they ran out back escape exit and were shot down by Palestinians except for Galid. 2. A warning had been issued but stated the tunnel was only 200 meters long, not 530 meters. It was expected the Palestinians would pop up from their holes in front of the tank not behind. 3. Sayaret Beduin less than 120 meters away from the tank took 19 minutes to respond, while the Palestinians hit the tank, armored personnel carrier & tower in just 6 minutes and disappeared back into Gaza. 4. Trying to save his a-s, the Sayaret Bedu Commander claimed he killed one of the terrorists at night at 200 meters, but watching the area with night vision, no one came to retrieve body. No dead body in daylight.

YES IT IS!!!

It wouldn't happen, we have the ultimate deterrent. We wouldn't behead hostages because we wouldn't have taken prisoners. As for Churches, the plan was to use the spires for radio antenna, during the second world war. So in the end your example is not reality.

Didn't know that.

The young sailor at sea was ordered to climb a mast to adjust a sail during a violent storm. He got halfway up, looked down, got dizzy and sick. An old sailor on deck shouted up to him "Look up, son, look up". The young sailor looked up, regained his composure, and completed his mission. Moral: Look ahead, not back.

British acadmeic is just a name I chose when I started writing to Haaretz during the issue of the academic boycott(which I didnt support). The name has stuck but it shouldnt bother anyone as its not intended to be patronising.

I don't see the extra value of the word academic to your posting. You were born like all of us and will die as one of us. Try something else, like British citizen, Britt for Palestine or what ever.

Less sympathetic to the palestinians. Muslims are blowing up european civilians in London, Madrid, Bali and Paris. Muslims are standing on Hyde park corner telling us how they want to blow us up and preaching the same from their mosques. Jews arent blowing up civilians in europe. Europeans are becoming sick of muslims blowing them up and then crying how they are the victims.

To Steven Murray: Apparently your knowledge of history has some lapses. The Jewish battle for sons and daughters has its roots in the fact that about 750 children were killed or died on average EVERY SINGLE DAY for over 2000 days (1939-1945). That's why some Jews think in terms of Dresden and Hiroshima when it comes to fighting those who want to kill us. (look it up if you are unfamiliar with them).

DORIS THE PALESTINE MANDATE OF 1922 INCLUDES WHAT IS NOW JORDAN 78% OF THE LAND JEWS AT THE PRESENT TIME ONLY OCCUPY 5% OF THE ORIGINAL MANDATE TIME AND GOD HAVE NO PART IN THE MANDATE WHICH WAS THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DIVIDED UP AND RATIIFIED BY THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS INTO COUNTRIES LIKE SURIA LEBANON IRAQ SAUDI ARABIA YEMEN AND SO ON AND OF COURSE THE JEWISH HOMELAND !!

HELP. HAS SHE WRITTEN TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ?? HAS SHE WRITTEN TO EVERY MUSLIM COUNTRY REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR WOMEN!!! WRITTEN TO IRAN REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR NON MUSLIMS? SUDAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FOR THE SOUTH DARFUR SOMEONE TELL HER SHE IS LOOKING THROUGH THE WRONG END OF THE TELESCOPE

Dutch Israel at the time was quite happy with the UN partition plan. Unfortunately the arabs werent. Although theres a fair bit of history reinvention to state otherwise but the UN have documented the facts. Arabs have succesively lost wars and as a consequence territory. If they would have won they wouldnt have given ANY territory to the jews. It is therefore wishful thinking on anybodies part that Israel would return to 1948 borders. It wont happen. Any effort to try and force it would end up in Israel gaining more territory. As it goes the Jews have a right to a country. Muslims have many countries and so do christians. Muslims and arabs have more land and oil than they could possibly use. It seems if anything the Jews would be entitled to FAR MORE LAND if the world was divided up fairly instead of being hoarded by arabs. Lets talk about sensible and fair land allocation.

Didn't think so. Never really studied Jewish history but don't remember Akiba suggesting that his students blow up Roman school buses? Maybe, just maybe that is what makes Hamas et al terrorists. Or is that too complicated a distinction

Dear Yoel Marcus, Please climb down from your high horse and get the reality on the ground. The world isn't just about you and your beloved Israel but rather about getting along with your neighbors. Remember, no man is an Island and which law Jesus told the scribe was the most important to keep (Leviticus 19:18). Hence real security isn't about a mighty army and powerful weapon or showing who is boss but about your every day ability to recognize and respect the equal rights of others. That may sound strange to your ears but this is how the rest of the world gets along daily. No need for guns, suicide bombers; checkpoints, special permits or keeping families apart or even different license plates. Just Live and Let Live. It's all so simple when you take away the issue of control and an army that enforces its will and its country's will on others. Why should anyone comply with that kind of nonsense? We were all born free and are equal in rights in dignity and rights as first article in the Universal Declaration of Human Right notes and this is the foundation of all our national & international charters too. Thus it is wrong for you and other to ride into the Middle East after 2,000 years of being absent and demand your rights over the people of Palestine. While I recognize your connect to the land that does not give you and other Jews a supreme right to Palestine. Hence, I find it unacceptable that Israelis now occupy 78% of Palestine instead of the 55% allotted by the UN and the Partition of Palestine in the 1948 agreement. Thus you must give the land back and move your settlers off their land. Then you can have real secure as you won't be keeping other people prisoners and I imagine you won't feel like one yourself either. Many Thanks and Cheers! Dutch

It is the highjacked ro;e of the modern media to play both sides of the coin. In one hand it emulates the sentiments, and inducing them in the process, of the populace, and then comes a smart Devil Advocate, Yoel Marcus, and see fit to blaster the same sentiments with a bonus to belittle the same leadership they were calling for just to stop Benyamin Netanyahu. Now, now, we reached Nirvana when Marcus is degrading the current PM and his Deputy as being indecisive in their vision as to how to solve the crippling situation, while implicitly he is giving good marks to Netanyahu and Dichter for being ready to act, regardless what the Haaretz Editorial Committee has just finished telling us in one of the Talkback: Would call that playing the Devil incarnated and the Devil Advocate? Go figure, a Yellow Journalism we have not witnessssed since the 30s, as it was current currency in the Gangster USA! I have no problem with a provacative and reflective media that is constructive, but how do you deal with a Newspaper that is loosin its credibility when it fashions its integrety on conflicting reporting?!

Marcus' confused article misses the point. How to get Shalit out? I don't see any conclusions from him. I think Dichter is absolutely right. Kick and kick the donkey until it finally moves.Don't harm the civilian population, infrastucture, etc.? Give me a break! War is war is war.War is hell. Palestinians revel in it, but seem to always be saved from its true taste. Remember British firebombing of German cities in World War II, and American nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They were meant to end the war more quickly. As Truman said, give 'em hell!

The surgical strike to free our soldier should have been done immediately ,now we are talking to Hamas, jihad ,through third parties ,which make his liberation much more conplex and costly, nothing will happen but put Hamas in the command seat as the spokesman and relegate Abu Mazen to an untenable position with the palestinians .Hamas already as won the propanga war.

No nation can allow their neighbor to continue to rain rockets on their territory without some response. Even less can they allow their citizens to be kidnapped by representatives of a government that declares itself at war. The Israeli response, including the holding of government representatives, is the least that Israel can do. If the soldier is not returned, perhaps Israel should consider deporting all Gaza residents to the West Bank, in exchange for settlements there. At least that would end attacks from Gaza!

I think you call it "pinpointed targeting", 'slained' to the rest of us.

Than how about Eliahu Asheri? Was he captured or kidnapped? Was he killed in an act of war or murdered?

They wouldnt suicide bomb each other. They wouldnt give sweets out when women and children of the enemy would be blown up, they wouldnt behead hostages and take delight in this. They wouldnt use churches,schools and hospitals as firing points.

It really amazes me how the left will take henous crimes and try and spin them to blame someone else to fit their flawed arguments. An arab can order students of a bus, shoot them dead as has occured in Iraq. According to the left the perpetrators have no choice, they had to do this. Its all America and the Wests fault. The arabs will say its not an arab but a Jew. Its all a conspiracy. This is despite evidence and open confessions/boasts from those concerned. I think the left has valid arguments but looses credibility when they justify criminal/terror acts or try to excuse them. Apparently arabs dont have to know the difference between right and wrong and any murdering they comit is due to the Jews, USA and West in that order.

Elizabeth, Even Hamas themselves have been publicising how they want to "kidnap" Israeli soldiers. They do this for the sole reason of terror,i.e sewing fear and anxiety into the Israeli public and it their stated intent. It always puzzles me how certain people try and spin how a terror organisation acts in terms of legitimate tactics when the terror organisation themselves doesnt try and spin it and is quite open/boastful about its aims to "terrorize".

i have family in isael..i have family serving in iraq and afghanistan...i agree the response may seem extreme..but as a man with family in areas of intense distress..i would exepct no less for my family, friends or countrymen..i think your removal from real life may color your opinion..war is not logical..neither are solutions to war..sad but true

or let them free on antartica

Russia(chechen), India(kashmir), israel(pal), US, england, other european countries(terrorism and inmigration) must invade all arab and islamic countries before it is too late, the war cannot be avoided the west is a very agresive civilitation and also the islamic lets make war before they got nuke.

Israelies are so naive- they believe the attacks on them are terrorism- but they dont understand its there terrorism thats causing the on going conflict. A sane person on this talkback should look up from an un biased source about ISRAELS history- They will come across some terrifying things there country has done in its short history- As for the kidnapping situation- it is wrong for the ISRAELIES to punish an entire nation for the acts of a couple of militants- they should negotiate and stop acting so hypocritical

NONE HAVE THE FAINTEST IDEA OF THE PEOPLE ! NONE CAN SPEAK ARABIC NONE ARE MUSLIMS BUT ALL ARE ANTI SEMITIC

You seem to be here all the time sounds a tad unhealthy for the mind don't you think.

You are right. He's not being treated as a POW. He was kidnapped by terrorists, not by an army of a country bound by conventions. The Palestinians have rejected all calls from all civilized countries to recognize Israel, yet they thumb their noses at everyone. The Hamas gov't is behind everything the terrorists do. They too thumb their noses at convention. No one should have any high expectations of the response coming from the Palestinians.

No one wants Israeli soldiers to go to fight in Gaza. But, like this piece says, Israel cannot give in to terror. The kidnappers, 3 terrorist organisations, probably sent by Hamas, know no boundaries. They are not holding a POW. They have kidnapped an Israeli Jew, and they are simply terrorists who hope to use their terror to get whatever they want. Going into Gaza now may not put an end to terror. Probably won't. But it will certainly damage their ability to carry out much of their terror and it will destroy much of their ability. Israel is in this not by choice. But Israel much choose to let the exercise make a big difference to the way things became before this kidnapping happened.

Attempts to destroy Christianity? Sounds like a conspiracy theory dreamed up by hollingsworth.

This was a great piece because it pulled no punches and stayed focused on the facts. Israel is the only side that should be giving terms, and those terms should include the release of Israel's soldier or else total attack on Gaza. And KM should be taken out regardless. That there are three terrorist groups claiming to have done this points a long finger at the Hamas gov't and beyond. Their recent posturing, speech, etc, all piont to the direction which they make no bones about: the total destruction of Israel. The longer Israel waits to act forcefully, the more time other Arab countries have to make threats, putting pressure on other western nations, who in turn put pressure on Israel to back down. Right now civilized nations probably stand behind Israel. But it won't last. Israel should strike while the iron is hot. So to speak. This soldier is no POW because he was kidnapped by TERRORISTS, not by an enemy army of a country bound by convention. They have no rules. No scruples.

The hypocrisy of Israel, which holds many Palestinians prisoner without any trial or due process, really shows when one of their soldiers in turn is taken hostage. Of course, the Israeli "answer" is to commit more high crimes against Palestinian civilians and inflict collective punishments to blight their lives.

Gandhi: "An eye for eye makes the whole world blind". Nietzsche: "In individuals insanity is rare, but in groups, parties, nations and epochs it is the rule".

Both the US and Russia have among the largest files at Amnesty International I should know I worked there for years, in those files there is specific reference to the indiscriminate killing of civilians via their so called war on anyone who disagrees with them. Have they achieved anything through this doctrine? No both are still caught up in wars they cannot win.

If what you say is true Israel is guilty one thousand times over for its Mossad kidnapping and killing program

Soldiers are captured only on the battle field. Any person who is taken by force from his own country is kidnapped. It is irrelevant that the person happens to be in uniform. You should also realize that entering a sovereign state and kidnapping its citizens is an act of war.

G-D'S WORD is clear that we reap what we sow as sure as the sun rises in the morning . G-D will Bless those who Bless Israel and the Jewish people and curse those who curse them . May G-D be with all members of the IDF as they cleanse the land of murdering , terrorist islamic barbarians who have forever been beying for Jewish blood and demanding war with Israel while mocking the G-D of the universe , the Holy One of Israel .

Post-zionist Israel has become quite good at abandoning its own. Take Jonathan Pollard, who was abandoned by current Minister of Senility Rafael Eitan. What about the IDF soliders killed at Josephs Tomb, abandoned because their rescue would look messy to CNN and BBC? It is lucky that Yoel Marcus didnt write columns during the Holocaust, because he would view the killing of Jews an internal German affair (until Rommel would have rolled into Palestine). israel resuces its won because ofthe Mistzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim. It has also learned that abandoning Mitzvot does garner admiration of the world, it only garners scorn

THE IDF MUST FINISH THE JOB RUTHLESSLY OTHERWISE THEY WILL THINK THEY CAN TERRORISE INNOCENT MEN , WOMEN , CHILDREN , THE AGED AND INFIRM WITH IMPUNITY . THEY HAVE ATTACKED ISRAEL BEFORE 1948 AND SINCE , THEY WILL NEVER CHANGE , CLEANSE THE LAND OF THE MURDERERS .

The islamic murdering terrorists barbarians are reaping what they sowed - death and destruction . G-D will be with the IDF as they are His sharp threshing instrument . May Israel cleanse Eretz Yisrael of murdering islamic terrorists .

There, you can teach your pupils that. But my aim is not to teach the smaller fry, my aim is at a far greater reach, to teach men to teach men to teach men to teach.

All these attempts at destroying the Palestinians, all these attempts at destroying Christianity do you think that people don't know. The blowback from this will be frightening.

Because there is no answer this is the truth of it.

It is almost one year since the pullout of Gaza. The great plans of the Palestinians have not come to pass. The hothouses were stripped down The Israeli homes were torn down so as to build the type of homes "more suitable to the Palestinian needs". Where are these new construction ?? The only dream come to pass is being closer to Israeli targets to fire their Qassams. I used to think the leaders were of poor quality. Now I am sorry to say that the whole group of them are useless.

Has Israel afforded the thousands of Palestinians they have kidnapped the same priveliges you are claiming should be there for Shilat.

With additional links to the Geneva Conventions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_of_war

Elizabeth, You really need to read the Geneva convention of what the rights are for a POW. It will be obvious to you that the Israeli solider is not a POW and has in fact been kidnapped. Not only have the palestinians threatened to kill him (which obviously is contrary to the Geneva convention) but they have not allowed him to communicate with his family which is the first right of a POW. It is also stated that you are not allowed to use a POW for political gains i.e. try to obtain a "prisoner swap". None of your arguments stand upto any type of scrutiny. Maybe you should question your own educational credentials if you have any that is.

composure is also a strength...I have to kind of laugh..I can't recall Osama or Syria in Lebanon counting 'composure' among it's capabilities in fact in my study on Syrian deployed missle systems 'composure' was definately not one of the categories we were asked to rate! But it's really humorous so for this reason I repond..really a good one!

Capturing soldiers during conflicts and offering POW exchanges is all within the legal frame work, what isn't is targeting civilian infrastructure and the civilian population, didn't the teach you that in Pennsylvania?

Israel cannot be hostage of kidnappers and terrorists. I hope the kidnapped soldier and everybody else will soon be back at home safe and sound.

Sandman I appreciate reading your posts. Both intelligent and factual you are fully aware of reality. thanks buddy, keep em coming.

Stephen Murray the racist white supremacist wrote: "How do you justify punishing an entire imprisoned civilian population by cutting off their water and power supply? How does collective punishment of Palestinians advance Israel`s cause?" First of all I would like to say that you may not like my wit, and I do not like your racism. I win on penalty shots I guess. Next, Stephen with the knowledge that you are an avid subscriber to the works and words of David Duke makes anything you say useless. As for the answer. You are against targetted killings right? You are against conventional warfare tactics being used in this war, right? You are against the wall, right? You are against taking prisoners and imprisoning them right? In actual fact you are against any known course of self-defence, so I guess the only thing we have left is, as you call it today, "collective punishment". We must nip kidnappings in the bud, so better cutting off water then killing.

So you support "prisoners of war" not receiving visitations by the Red Cross / Red Crescent? Are you going to recommend these changes at the UN?

to you a soldier is nothing- you must vome out of your wormhole and try to understand that to israel ever person is sacred. They are not even allowed to know if their man is alive. Probably dead or else he would be shown in whatever state he is.but you would notunderstand such importanceof such a concept.

With great manchoism the Gazans proclaim we can take on a modern Army. Like the indian ghost dancers of the America southwest they are doomed to failure blinded by thier hermetically sealed minds.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE- THIS DOES NOT CONCERN YOU.ISRAEL MUST BE THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WHO TAKES SUCH ACTION TO GET A SINGLE SOLDIER BACK HOME.

after 500 years how about arabs concentrating on making a civilised society?? start with giving women equal rights . learning to live with all other peoples ? building a new and prosperous land ?

Since when has the Palestinians played by the rules? At Munich? During the Jewish settlers pullout? There are too many times to mention. Any way we all know the list, for it is endless.From beginning to this day show me one incident that was respected and played out fairly by the Palestinians...anyone?

As the world watched in horror while the IDF forced it's own people from their homes and demolished them. As the world watched as Israel made all the cocessions and promises with nothing given in return from the Palestinians. Israel voted Olmert in...now we must suffer this bad choice. He has weakened Israel. He has weakened the people. We are reaping what we have sowed. May the blood of this young soldier and the blood of this young settler rest on the heads of Olmert, and the people who elected him.

On another Talkback today, but you didn`t reply. Apparently you have nothing to say. Bombing the infrastructure of an enemy country is a legitimate act of war. It's only the law of dominant Israel that allows itself to do anything without punishment.It gets accustomed to take whatever it wants. There's an international agreement by which Israel shouldn't bombard the infrastructure and the power plant. I think time isn't working in your behalf.The day will come when it's the Palestinian turn to have the power, then you'll look for peace earnestly. This is not my prediction but commentators say this.

You go back to the same saga all the time that this is your land. What are waiting for to throw us out? I would recommend you study the history thoroughy to know how deeply rooted we are to this land. This land is mine like Iraq for the Iraqis and Syria for the Syrians. Since the very existence of our bears we know that we are Palestinians and we have no other nationalities. You still have the nationality of your birth place and you have to return to. You can't build your happiness on my misery.

It seems to me that you don't take the lessons from the past. Things don't go this way. You have done all kinds of brutalities in Lebanon and you came at last to admit that invading Lebanon was a big mistake. You put yourself in place of Lord and imagine to raze Gaza to the ground over night is possible. I think things are different anf if you still have the least hope to live in peace and security in the Middle East you have to give the Palestinians their rights. Destroying the infrastructure won't change anything on the ground but increases the hate and the desire to revenge. It's hight time to admit ten thousands of Palestinian prisoners set free.

The facts that cannot be denied even by Israel's enemies: - In 1948 the 2-state solution was rejected by Palestinian side. - Was the very idea about the Jewish State unacceptable to Palestinans? - The Oslo agreement was based upon "Territiries in exchange for Peace". - Gaza came under the Palestinian control, but where is a Peace? - Suicide bombings were stopped only by decisive actions of IDF. Liquidation of those who give orders works! - How the current wave of kidnapping can be stopped? The Palestinians should learn the lesson. The wave of kidnappings can be stopped only by decisive actions of IDF. Unfortunately, we hear now many "advisors" who try to justify Palestinian terrorizm. Their anti-Jewish attitude is obvious. Their fathers admired Hitler. Their grandfathers kept silence when Armenians were kileed by Turks a hundred years ago. They don't protest against genocide in Africa. The subject of their care is a "Palestinian Cause". Why?-Because on the other side are Jews!

No civilized country can tolerate that its citizens are kidnapped and tortured to death. (I hope that is not what happened to Gilad Shalit, but I fear for the worst.) The United States had a similar problem in 1917 when General Francisco Villa attacked an American city of Columbus, New Mexico. General John J. (Blackjack) Pershing responded with a military expedition into Northern Mexico. Even though Pancho Villa managed to elude the United States Army, the terrorism into the United States stopped, and has not reoccurred in nearly ninety years.

On another Talkback today, but you didn't reply. Apparently you have nothing to say. Bombing the infrastructure of an enemy country is a legitimate act of war. Electric power plants supply power to munitions factories, enemy military installations and communications centers. The fact that power is also supplied to high-rise apartment buildings for the well-to-do in Gaza is incidental. Remember what the Allies did to Nazi German civilians in World War II? Much worse. Nobody complained. Your claims are groundless.

The State of ALL Jews in the world....(Where I will be living very soon ) Obsessions with Jews don`t count...Kapish?

Palestine is a latin word given to the land of the Jews by the ancient Roman Empire. The Palestinians have never, ever, had a Country. It doesn't look like their Hamas leaders are in any hurry to break precedent.

forget about Gilad Shalit and move one? Maybe yu're right. After all, he is a soldier in uniform who knew he was risking his life for his country. But I still think Israel must make all effort to release him, WITHOUT exchanging him for any terrorist prisoners.

"How do you justify punishing an entire imprisoned civilian population by cutting off their water and power supply? How does collective punishment of Palestinians advance Israel`s cause? In fact I`d like everyone who is supporting the current IDF terrorist campaign to answer that." Alright I'll answer. First off they can leave, we do not control their border with Egypt, so they ain't 'imprisoned'. Power supplies are used to manufacture weapons that are being used to try and murder our children. Guess what we have a right to stop that and that includes power supplies which are not protected under the GC. So there is no 'collective punishment' there. They can have some of 'Arafat's Water'. He certainly told us a number of time to go drink seawater, now the shoe is on the other foot. As for a terror campaign, where has your denouniations of the collective punishment our civilians living along the south? Not once have you anti-semites ever said anything about those.

n/a. I dont know how you can justify kidnapping period. He was solely kidnapped to be used as a bargain so this is against the Geneva convention. As all those people campaigning for transparency in Guatamo would like he should be allowed a visit and to communicate with the outside world. Most countries of any worth do anything to bring their soldiers back. Apart from palestine where they blow their own kids up instead! There is also no evidence that he is alive. The charming captors already murdered the settler. I suppose you will blame it on a planned rescue attempt. I'm sure you'll find someway to blame it on the Israelis . Why cant a kidnapper be responsible for his own actions. He can do whats right or wrong. No one is forcing him to kidnap or murder. There is no extenuating circumstances or justification.

Elizabeth, There is no prisoner exchange as only one side is calling for a prisoner exchange. Therefore it is just a ransom demand. Capturing a prisoner for use as a bargining chip is against the Geneva convention. There is no way you can justify the kidnapping. Unless you apply twisted logic.

Their have been many harsh words exchanged from both sides, many grim accounts of attrocities and injustices, but we have become so entranced with this culture of intolerance and suspcion that we can't appreciate the novelty of the kidnapping. For one thing, despite mr. Olmert's ramblings, it was not a terrorist act; Shalit is a soldier on disputed land in the middle of a war. While the Israelis are in hysterics over his treatment and playing cleanup with their pride they have forgotten that they will (as they always do, and we in the west are so anxious to overlook it) kill scores of innocents in retaliation. The prodigal corporal is still alive and yet reprisals on the people of Gaza will cost many, many lives. The rescue operation will predictably result in Shalit's death, as was the case in '94--so there is no real moral imperative here. All we really have is a lesson in the moral algebra of the Arab-Israeli conflict: Just one of their soldiers is worth more than all the inhabitants of our cities.

Yoel, Sharon and his failed policies of Land for NO PEACE is the reason of the current situation. Specifically I suggest changing his qoute "composure is strength" to "composure is lunacy". But, one can expect such views from Haaretz with their miopic view shared by the great majority of the established Israeli liberal media.

He should receive immediate visits by representatives of the ICRC. If indeed HAMAS wants to show that it should be taken as a responsible and legitimate government, let them allow an immediate visit from representatives of the MDA. Otherwise, your claim that he is a POW, rather than the reality, that he is a hostage, is false.

Instead of engaging in not very witty insults against me just answer me this. How do you justify punishing an entire imprisoned civilian population by cutting off their water and power supply? How does collective punishment of Palestinians advance Israel's cause? In fact I'd like everyone who is supporting the current IDF terrorist campaign to answer that.

...your view is as relevant as mine.

IS TOTALLY IRRELLAVENT...Obsession with the Chosen people does not replace relavancy..(.same answer I gave you on Davidduke.com...)

"A ransom is being demanded" Calling oneself an "academic" doesn't make one it. The offer for prisoners exchange is fully legal. Maybe as an "academic" you should have known this. Sue against that bogus schooling they gave you. Latvia University was it?

Be reassured: The israeli probably have absolutely no sympathy with you. So you are quits, I guess. This being said, the reaction of Israel is certainly "a tat on the excessive side" as one could say, but does it as a surprise to anyone ? And that is the main point: It is always like that. Everybody knows it... most of all the pals. If I were a pal, I would certainly get active for my cause, but you can bet that I would NOT kidnapp a soldier. It doesn't take more than 80 IQ points to know what's coming if you do. How stupid can you be to do it anyway ? Ridiculous.

Ahh Stepehn such an angry soul. You are quite mean. I realize that you see yourself as a combative humanist, but really? Is it even possible in your relentless mind that Hamas has crossed a line here? Of course not. You have you agenda and no ounce of true humanity will penetrate your hate. confusing really. There you are living in Amsterdam, sniffing tulips and riding a bike, how quaint. Yet your being is pulled everyday to fire off a few ignorant words pertaining to Israel. Like others of your ilk you are attracted to us. You feel you can speak to our compassionate Jewish souls, but we have little time for you we are fighting for our survival against an enemy that has absolutely no morals, and cares little if at all about the lives of their own people. And this is who you support, the same folks that purchase and strap the bombs onto their youth. Looks good on you Stephen, a man of hate, quite a monniker.

The Palestinians never learn the lesson that terrorism does not pay because we never make them pay the full price. Marcus is wrong because unless very stringent measures are taken we will witness waves of hostage taking by the Palestinians. Those who initiated this policy must die and be made examples of. Hamas political and millitary leadership must be targeted and removed. Any Palestinian manufacturing capacity ( to produce weapons and qassams ) must be destroyed and attacked constantly to keep it so. Let them have an agrarian society that grows flowers for export.

Among the rights afforded to POWs are to: practice their religion, send and receive letters, receive a copy of the Geneva Conventions. Do you think he is allowed to send and receive letters. The geneva convention also forbids the use of POW's as bargaining chips. That is why it is a kidnapping. A ransom is being demanded.

Then as a POW he has rights - and as nobody has been given any proof that he's alive let alone been given any rights then we can assume that the palestinians ARE NOT treating him as a POW.

...by his clear, logic arguments. I wish everybody in Israel the necessary composure to cope with the present situation. Let's paraphrase the saying "Love your enemies because it pisses them off" into "Remain cool in front of your cheering enemies because it pisses them off". Regards from Europe to a great country - and to great author Yoel Marcus.

Maybe all that gefilte fish has got to your head.

It?s not only an issue of restraint The real confrontation is wider in scale. Recent events provided a setting. A confrontation against A - PA recognition of armed resistance by militant groups when there is no peace talks cease-fire (even if earlier the PA had affiliates involved in terrorism) - because if this occurs with the PLO refusing to accept stage two provisional border "convergence", then militant group attacks on settlers and the IDF in this period complicate this period (making it politically difficult for Kadima). Israel would want talks on acceptance of a cease-fire during the period to provisional borders. B - Hamas and Fatah agreement to have a ?focus? on resistance to occupati occupation (rather than attacks on 49 border Israeli civilians). This being chosen rather than advocating an end to terrorist actions, is seen as a breach of the peace process committment. Israel would want a commitment to end attacks on civilian Israel (policing/preventing such attacks and closing down groups continuing on this course). Fundamentally Israel sees Fatah as accepting a lower level Hamas standard for the PA in return for internal unity. They see this as de-legitimising the PA (not just as a future talks partner). For a cease-fire during a negotiated convergence and an end for tolerance for Gaza terrorist group operations continuance, they might release the Hamas officials. The PA would want an assurance of power supply into Gaza.

If Palestinian Hamas comprises a "terrorist" state, then Israel constitutes a 'paranoid state.' Israel reacts as it does out of abject fear. A country with the fourth or fifth most powerful military in the world, and a huge nuclear capability at that, is absolutely terrified by a ragtag gaggle of ill-equipped "terrorists."

NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START THE ONLY PLAN THAT WILL BRING REAL PEACE TO ERTETZ YISRAEL AS AN AUTHENTIC JEWISH STATE. I REFER TO RABBI KAHANE'S (ZT'L) JUST POLICY OF TRANSFERING ALL HOSTILE ARABS OUT OF GAZA TO EGYPT. KEEP UP WITH THIS SEIGE AND FORCE THEM TO LEAVE. I'M SURE MANY OF THEM WILL ACCEPT COMPENSATION TO DEPART "PEACEFULY"

The Gaza incursion was not quickly cobbled together because of Shalit's kidnapping. Ha'aretz has been more than hinting at the existence of a plan to topple Hamas for many weeks now. Waiting for pretexts is not a new phenomenon, not here and not elsewhere in the world. Israel's right to exist and the Qassams are old news and would have been seen by even America as feeble excuses for such mayhem. Now Shalit is being used as a convenient political tool by our government, confident in its ability to convince America that it would do the same in similar circumstances. Shalit's release must be negotiated, now.

First, Israel loses its moral compass and sees no problem in oppressive racist policies towards the palestinians. Now, Israel has also lost its political compass. To paraphrase a famous Israeli leader of years past (was it Eitan, referring to palestinians?), Israel's leadership are running around like drugged cockroaches, imprisoned in the bottle of arrogance and national pride. Olmert should take the time to discuss matters of state with his wife, who seems by all accounts to be a thoughtful and wise woman.

I agree. That is why the Palestinians should not release Shalit. Why should they negotiate with IDF terrorists who are engaging in such hideous collective punishment

I have absolutely no sympathy with Israel over the issue of the missing soldier. Yes his abduction is a bad thing but it pales into total dsignificance when we see Israel's hysterical overrreaction to it. The cutting off of electricity and water for civilians are inexcusably evil acts. Israel is a terrorist state for doing that and as such it becomes a legitimate target. The IDF terrorists and their leaders are people of incredible stupidity and cruelty. Shame on Israel for this evil collective punishment.

When in 0009 the Northern Germans beat up the Romans in the Teutoburger Forrest the Romans called the Germans terrorists, because the Germans broke the Pax Romana by defending their own soil. Now Israel has the Pax Americana by copying the Romans. Isreal is occupying Palestinian soil (Westbank!) and calls the defenders terorists like the Romans did. Don't forget the Jewish History: By this (absurd!) definition Rabbi Akiba, which denfended his own country against the Romans, was a terrorist!

Can a country allow rockets to fall on their cities? The kidnapping was the straw that broke the camels back. After Israel left Gaza and expelled its citizens and destroyed their homes the terror from Gaza did not stop. And then the killing of two soldiers and abducting another on Israeli land. What would any other normal country do? This is long overdue. Instead of thanking Israel for running away from Gaza and waiting for the next Jewish expulsions from Judea and Samaria the Palestinians can not stop their killing of Israelis. Will they ever stop??

Since the only purpose of terrorism is to terrify and terrorize, a country should never give in to terrorist demands. Otherwise, the terrorists are rewarded, and more importantly, they are given the incentive to repeat their dastardly deeds. In this case, the Israeli government's actions come not only as a result of the murder of two members of the IDF, and the kidnapping of a third on Israeli soil, in itself an intolerable violation of Israel's sovereignty, but more importantly, as a result of months of a barrage of Qassam rockets fired into Israel from Gaza. The many hundreds of Qassams fired into Israeli border towns had for sole purpose to terrorize the civilian population, and this, after Israel had evacuated Gaza, giving the population a chance to start a new and better life. Such collective terror could not be tolerated. Although Gilad Shalit is the most visible symbol of this terror, he is not the only victim of it. Israel had no choice but to act.

Gaza" is his confused message. Or is he trying to say "Strike at Hamas top" but doesn't dare to?

THAT IF YOU WISJH TO BARGAIN YOU MUST SHOW WHAT YOU HAVE !!! THE CURIOUSITY HER IS THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO SHOW SHALIT IS STILL ALIVE ??? THIS LEADS ME TO ONLY ONE CONCLUSION. AS THE ARMY HAS BEEN MOBILISED AND THE DOGS OF WAR UNLEASHED . ARE THE AMTEURS IN JERUSALEM GOING TO FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED AND CLEAN OUT ALL THE TERRORIST INFRASTUCTURE IN GAZA?