What makes Israel so special

Selkies

I can't seem to come up with a reason why Israel gets so much media and public attention. It's a tiny state in the middle east, surrounded by much bigger states that don't get half the media attention.

I mean the obvious reason is because of their violations of human rights but there are probably a hundred countries that do that.
China being the first that comes to mind.

I mean seriously 1,000 people could die in china tomorrow and they'd get the same coverage if not lesser than Israel knocking down some homes.

And it's not because we view them as a write off nation, completely hopeless, in fact they hosted the Olympics

Here is a poster made by amnesty that scares the life out of me


Maybe it's because they are a democracy but then I looked at turkey and their kurdish terrorists...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_of_Kurdish_people_in_Turkey
Now I'd write more about what happens in turkey but fact is I know so little about it because it doesn't get reported.

Russia has it's chechen rebels

Then there is somalia where people are getting killed for not growing beards.

I'm not ruling out the whole democratic thing but I have another theory

Any other ideas.

I don't want to have to resort to they are the same colour as us so we hold them to the same standards as us unless I have to.

Wolfe Tone

Wait, you cant say anything bad about Israel, remember: The Holocaust happened! You Nazi!


Thats basically it.

Everyone is figuring that out, and that "excuse" has worn out, hence more attention.

Nick Dolan

When will the chinese authorities not see the only humane way to deal with political activists is with comfy chairs and icecream.

The huge bias against Isreal only gained momentum with the flotilla, before that the middle east was "the unspellables killing the unpronounceables" as some idiot put it.

Selkies

Nick Dolan wrote: »

When will the chinese authorities not see the only humane way to deal with political activists is with comfy chairs and icecream.

Not sure what you mean by that but LOL

Nick Dolan wrote: »

The huge bias against Isreal only gained momentum with the flotilla, before that the middle east was "the unspellables killing the unpronounceables" as some idiot put it.

Recently, yes that's the biggest gain in momentum but there has been countless other events, Rachel Corrie for example, the security fence, the hamas election. Israel tends to stay in the news, has done as long as I watched the news.

Selkies

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Wait, you cant say anything bad about Israel, remember: The Holocaust happened! You Nazi!


Thats basically it.

Everyone is figuring that out, and that "excuse" has worn out, hence more attention.

What makes you think it's all down to that?

PeterIanStaker

The influence - political, financial and media, they exert in America is huge.



Also, anyone who says anything bad about them is a Nazi.:rolleyes:

Byron85

Selkies wrote: »

What makes you think it's all down to that?

It has been used though and is, quite frankly the last refuge of scoundrels. A perfect example is Normal Finkelstein. Both of his parents survived concentration camps, they were in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the rest of his family on both sides were killed by the Nazis. He was raised in a Jewish family and in a Jewish neighbourhood. The problem that arises is that he is a rather vocal critic of Israeli policies towards Palestine and is critical of the ADL, AJC and WJC. As a result of this i've have seen and heard people refer to him as "a classic anti-semite" and a "self hating Jew". That in itself should be a rather good example of how the anti-semite card is played by various officials.

Nick Dolan

Selkies wrote: »

Recently, yes that's the biggest gain in momentum but there has been countless other events, Rachel Corrie for example, the security fence, the hamas election. Israel tends to stay in the news, has done as long as I watched the news.

It was always in the news, but its only because of the flotilla that it became big big news. Even the use of irish passports didnt get such a big reaction. I think the OP was a bit "why is everyone picking on Israel", and to be fair its only recently that everybody suddenly has turned anti Israel. Ask someone on the street a year ago about the Gaza siege and they would have said they didnt see it but will rent it out

Whats the bets this will stay a level headed amicable thread for oh, say ten more posts?

Memnoch

Nick Dolan wrote: »

It was always in the news, but its only because of the flotilla that it became big big news. Even the use of irish passports didnt get such a big reaction. I think the OP was a bit "why is everyone picking on Israel", and to be fair its only recently that everybody suddenly has turned anti Israel. Ask someone on the street a year ago about the Gaza siege and they would have said they didnt see it but will rent it out

Whats the bets this will stay a level headed amicable thread for oh, say ten more posts?

I think "level-headed," and "amicable," get thrown out the window when people start casually bandying terms about such as "Anti-Israeli." Sort of like how criticising the Iraq war made you an "anti-american" for a while.

On topic, it's an interesting debate. I think it's because Islamic extremism and terrorism has probably affected the lives of more western people than the abuses in China or Turkey. At the very least, we hear a lot more about it because it's happening in western countries. Hence the middle-east and its problems are more prominent in western public consciousness.

OhNoYouDidn't

Its quite simple. Israel professes to be a modern, western, liberal democracy yet fails to live up to the benchmark of civilised behaviour whereas China, Russia etc make no such boast. They want to be in our 'gang' so they get more attention.

Add into the mix that Israel is the birthplace of three major world religions and its always going to be closer to peoples hearts.

In Ireland there is the obvious parallel between our history and the current Palestinian plight and some of us of an age saw the Leb on the news near nightly as Irish troops were there, and they didn't have nice things to report about the IDF and their proxies.

In short, its because its closer and we have more ties with the place.

johnmcdnl

It's just because Israel is the face of the west in the middle east pretty much.. there America's little love child and no one is allowed to harm them or else the media have to jump to call whoever questions Israel's status as a terrorist..

Israel is the reason their is so much global terror imo... no Israel no angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims) therefore no reason for jihad against the west... so much of the tension in the middle east derives directly from Israel and the USA's stance on the legitimacy of the Israeli right to occupy the land because of quotes in a 4000 year old book

monkeypants

They are very good at lobbying. Stuff like this is genius.

Overheal

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Israel is the reason their is so much global terror imo... no Israel no angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims) therefore no reason for jihad against the west... so much of the tension in the middle east derives directly from Israel and the USA's stance on the legitimacy of the Israeli right to occupy the land because of quotes in a 4000 year old book

...which basically reminds me entirely of the Premise to the game Homeworld...

Bebs

People often look at the conflict as poor Palestinians and evil Israelis. It's a very superficial view of the situation and it's one that's spoon fed by the media. One only has to look at amount of Pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland who seem to know feck all about the conflict and less again about how it could be resolved.

Nodin

Selkies wrote: »

I can't seem to (....)unless I have to.

You'll find defenders of Turkey, China in scant supply. You'll find those trying to imply that those states are the same as 'western democracies' even rarer still. Yet the US seems intent on pushing Israel as "one of us". It isn't. When it gets its act together, I'm sure people will reconsider.

Cookie_Monster

Because they are an insane country who do what they want regardless of what every other country thinks (and they are close to Europe)

OhNoYouDidn't

Bebs wrote: »

People often look at the conflict as poor Palestinians and evil Israelis. It's a very superficial view of the situation and it's one that's spoon fed by the media. One only has to look at amount of Pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland who seem to know feck all about the conflict and less again about how it could be resolved.

I'm sorry, the media is pro-palestine?

That megaphone might be working chaps

Johnboy1951

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

I'm sorry, the media is pro-palestine?

That megaphone might be working chaps

I wonder how long it will keep going if others use its links to counteract the pro-Israeli lobbying.

Megaphone has no registration or identity check, so nothing would stop those opposed to Israel downloading Megaphone and using its alerts to voice opinions against its activities

Memnoch

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I wonder how long it will keep going if others use its links to counteract the pro-Israeli lobbying.

Except most people aren't crazy enough to go and register on something like that in order to engage in some kind of proxy cyber war. You'd need to be at least a little fanatical to get involved in stuff like that.

wes

Claiming to be a Western style democracy, and being a part of the West gains Israel a lot of attention, and in fact Israel seeks out such attention:

Israel eyes Toronto for marketing test site

So, when the IDF goes on a murderous rampage against Palestinian civilians or activists, or Israel decides to bring 1.5 million people to the brink of starvation, it kind of shows up there own claims of being peace loving democrats, when the reality is that Israel is a violent colonial state.

Eliot Rosewater

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Its quite simple. Israel professes to be a modern, western, liberal democracy...

wes wrote: »

Claiming to be a Western style democracy...

I accept that that's a reason, but isn't it a little farcical? People will let you get away with state-sponsored terrorism if you just be honest about what you're doing.

reprazant

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Israel is the reason their is so much global terror imo... no Israel no angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims) therefore no reason for jihad against the west...

Is this a joke?

Are you actually saying that Islamic terrorism is all Israels fault? The twin towers, Bali bombings, Mumbai bombings, London bombings, Madrid bombings are all because Israel is in Palestine?

It has nothing at all to do with Russian in Afghanistan, then the first Iraq war? America propping up unpopular and ruthless regimes in Islamic countries?

No, nothing to do with that at all. All Israels fault.:rolleyes:

Bebs

Well it's a two sided conflict. Pro-Palestinians selectively forget that the self professed goal of Hamas is to destroy Israel and that the Israelis are victims too, albeit far more powerful ones.

What's happening to the Palestinians is horrific and it degrades the Israelis as much as it does the Palestinians but if you think that Hamas just want to peacefully co-exist then you're out of touch with the reality of the conflict.

Israel is surrounded by enemies and has a serious siege mentality. Until they have some sense of security they'll continue to keep the Palestinians in a stranglehold and that does nothing for the long term security of Israel or for the Palestinians.

wes

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

I accept that that's a reason, but isn't it a little farcical? People will let you get away with state-sponsored terrorism if you just be honest about what you're doing.

People aren't letting anyone get away with anything. Look at Iran, who have a lot of attention being put on them, due to there treatment of there own people, and they are currently under UN, US, and EU sanctions.

Israel on the other had, are under no such sanctions, and are in fact welcome with open arms by Western governments. We have preferential trade agreements with Israel here in the EU, and one of those conditions is Human Rights and democracy. So seeing as Israel is woefull at Human Rights etc, and are under no sanctions and are in fact given preferential treatment, this is why it gets so much attention. Also, there is the fact that Israel goes about claiming to be a wonderful democracy, and is treated as such by Western governments, and this blatant double standards tend to annoy people. If anything, it is Israel that gets away with a lot of crap, that a country like Iran is rightly sanctioned for.

Eliot Rosewater

^^ Good point

wes

Bebs wrote: »

Well it's a two sided conflict. Pro-Palestinians selectively forget that the self professed goal of Hamas is to destroy Israel and that the Israelis are victims too, albeit far more powerful ones.

What's happening to the Palestinians is horrific and it degrades the Israelis as much as it does the Palestinians but if you think that Hamas just want to peacefully co-exist then you're out of touch with the reality of the conflict.

Hamas came into existence in the late 80's and Israel actually helped create them:

How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas

Hamas are a product of Israeli policy, and many Pro-Israel people forget this.

Also, Hamas's prominence has only come about in the last decade or so, most notably when they won democratic elections a few years ago. Before that Fatah were running the show for the most part.

Israel has been stealing Palestinian land, and murdering them decade before Hamas even existed.

Also, there is this as well:
Hamas drops call for destruction of Israel from manifesto

There election manifesto, came out years after there charter, but it tends to be ignored for some odd reason.

Bebs wrote: »

Israel is surrounded by enemies and has a serious siege mentality. Until they have some sense of security they'll continue to keep the Palestinians in a stranglehold and that does nothing for the long term security of Israel or for the Palestinians.

No there not surrounded actually. Israel has peace deals with both Egypt and Jordan, and the entire Arab league has offered Israel peace, and normalizations into the region:

Text: Arab peace plan of 2002

No of course, instead of trying to work out the offered peace with the Arab league, Israel has instead chosen to steal more and more Palestinian land instead. IMHO, if Israel really wanted peace, they would have jumped at the chance that the Arab peace initiative offered, and in fact the peace offer still stands, and yet Israel continues down its current path.

thirtythirty

johnmcdnl wrote: »

Israel is the reason their is so much global terror imo... no Israel no angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims) therefore no reason for jihad against the west... so much of the tension in the middle east derives directly from Israel and the USA's stance on the legitimacy of the Israeli right to occupy the land because of quotes in a 4000 year old book

Works both ways.

No angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims), no jihad. And that book is precisely the reason the people want a democratic country in that region - so law in the region is not governed by "a really old book".

wes

reprazant wrote: »

Are you actually saying that Islamic terrorism is all Israels fault? The twin towers, Bali bombings, Mumbai bombings, London bombings, Madrid bombings are all because Israel is in Palestine?

According to Osama, the IDF attacks on Lebanon directly inspire the idea behind the 9/11 attacks:

From Washington Post:
Bin Laden Speaks to American People

As I watched the destroyed towers in Lebanon, it occurred to me to punish the unjust the same way [and] to destroy towers in America so it could taste some of what we are tasting and stop killing our children and women.

So, yes Israel is a huge motivator for various violent Islamist groups. Now to be fair it is by no means, the only one.

wes

spottyelephant wrote: »

Works both ways.

No angry disillusioned Palestinians (Muslims), no jihad. And that book is precisely the reason the people want a democratic country in that region - so law in the region is not governed by "a really old book".

Um, Israels claim to the land is based on some stuff written in the Bible.........

Selkies

I've noticed that a lot of people get very passionate about Israel, whether pro or anti Israel, more so than they would about most other issues so far from home.

Perhaps you guys could explain what makes you so interested in Israel or Palestine.

Personally it's because I spent 3 months there and still have friends who live in Israel. I'm an atheist so religion doesn't really come into it.

thirtythirty

I'm not pro Israel, but i'm strongly anti-people who are anti-Israel when it's the only place in the whole of the middle east I would confidently go to and not be worried about being shot at / abducted etc. It's the most (internally) stable state in the entire region and the most non-backward place - I've met Israelis in Thailand and all over Europe holidaying, playing sport etc, like a normal, developed country. They were all d/icks but so what. I'd rather be snubbed than blown up!

The whole thing is retarded.

I also don't have any interest in the whole thing except it pisses me off to no end when anti-Israel muppets interrupt my daily routine. The latest is spamming company's facebooks page with "Boycott X Company for operating in Israel and doing so and so". Well go over and pick up a f'kin AK if you care that much.

Nodin

spottyelephant wrote: »

I'm not pro Israel, but i'm strongly anti-people who are anti-Israel when it's the only place in the whole of the middle east I would confidently go to and not be worried about being shot at / abducted etc. It's the most (internally) stable state in the entire region and the most non-backward place - I've met Israelis in Thailand and all over Europe holidaying, playing sport etc, like a normal, developed country. They were all d/icks but so what. I'd rather be snubbed than blown up!

Well, if you visited South Africa in 1980, I'm sure you'd have had a wonderful safe time too....

thirtythirty

Nodin wrote: »

Well, if you visited South Africa in 1980, I'm sure you'd have had a wonderful safe time too....

Ye exactly, I wouldn't have. But i would now.

sensibleken

What makes them special is that God promised them the land. A ringing endorsement if ever there was one.

seriously though. Israel is regarded as very close to europe, almost a 28th state of the EU. They are a huge trading partner, initially a lot of their population came from europe etc.

This is evidenced in the fact that they attend meetings of the European association of labour court judges, they're in the eurovision . As a result we see what they're up to as opposed to pariah states like north korea

They seem to be under the impression that they are being unduly criticised and that they are recieve more criticism than other countries. Not true, as wes pointed out Iran are under sanctions. The hostility they recieve is because they act with percieved impunity which irks an awfull lot of people (not least the palestinians)

Nodin

spottyelephant wrote: »

Ye exactly, I wouldn't have. But i would now.

So the fact that this "safety" is bought at the expense of the oppression of millions bothers you not a jot then....?

sensibleken

spottyelephant wrote: »

I'm not pro Israel, but i'm strongly anti-people who are anti-Israel when it's the only place in the whole of the middle east I would confidently go to and not be worried about being shot at / abducted etc. It's the most (internally) stable state in the entire region and the most non-backward place - I've met Israelis in Thailand and all over Europe holidaying, playing sport etc, like a normal, developed country. They were all d/icks but so what. I'd rather be snubbed than blown up!

You seem to have a fox news view of the middle east of a load of nutjobs with AK47s. Bahrain, Jordan, Oman and other states are perfectly safe. My flatmate recently returned from a trip to Jordan and Abu dhabi and said it was the safest place hes ever been.

thirtythirty

Nodin wrote: »

So the fact that this "safety" is bought at the expense of the oppression of millions bothers you not a jot then....?

The natural progression for any society throughout history is chaos -> oppression/surpression -> safety -> education -> equality.

People are naive if they think everyone in the middle east will be able to "just get along".

edit: sorry sensilbleken, the term of "middle east" is admittedly too large. Im talking about 5 or 6 places.

reprazant

A bit like spottyelephant, I am not pro-Israel. I just get annoyed with people that are so anti-Israel that they cannot see anything other then the most basic black & white where Israel is bad all the time (according to some on the Conspiracy Theorys forum, Israel/Mossad seem to be behind pretty much all bad things)

I am curious, if Israel was to get rid of the blockade (which they should), the wall, etc and then the rockets & suicide bombings start all over again, what do people think they should do?

Nodin

spottyelephant wrote: »

The natural progression for any society throughout history is chaos -> oppression/surpression -> safety -> education -> equality.

.

There was nothing particularily "natural" about a bunch of Europeans jumping on a boat and taking the resources of other countries at gun point. There was certainly nothing natural about keeping people subjugated based on skin colour, anymore than there was here keeping people down based on religion.

As regards Israel specifically, I see nothing "natural" about a first world nuclear power systematically colonising the land of a load of piss poor farmers, outside that powers legal borders.

Bebs

wes wrote: »

Hamas came into existence in the late 80's and Israel actually helped create them:

How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas

Hamas are a product of Israeli policy, and many Pro-Israel people forget this.

Also, Hamas's prominence has only come about in the last decade or so, most notably when they won democratic elections a few years ago. Before that Fatah were running the show for the most part.

I'd totally agree and their rise to prominence has been fuelled by Israel. They'll continue to thrive if Israel continues to use extreme methods against the Palestinians. At the same time, threats from groups such as Hamas serve to reinforce the power of the hawks within the Israeli government. We saw it up in the North of Ireland too where two extremist groups in conflicting communities fed off the fear of each other in a mutually reinforcing cycle which marginalised moderates.

No there not surrounded actually. Israel has peace deals with both Egypt and Jordan, and the entire Arab league has offered Israel peace, and normalizations into the region:

Text: Arab peace plan of 2002

No of course, instead of trying to work out the offered peace with the Arab league, Israel has instead chosen to steal more and more Palestinian land instead. IMHO, if Israel really wanted peace, they would have jumped at the chance that the Arab peace initiative offered, and in fact the peace offer still stands, and yet Israel continues down its current path.

Israel shares a neighbourhood with Syria, the Lebanon, the Palestinians and Iran; all of whom it views as hostile to some extent as well as facing an increasingly hostile international community. If the Israeli people felt secure then they wouldn't keep voting for hawkish governments.

It was the Palestinians who (rightly) pulled out of the last round of talks back in March. I agree that Israel could be doing far more to encourage peace but frankly it doesn't have to. So long as it has the support of the US it can continue to talk peace but terrorise the Palestinians and build new settlements. That's a course of action that the Israelis seem happy with for the moment.

Byron85

reprazant wrote: »

A bit like spottyelephant, I am not pro-Israel. I just get annoyed with people that are so anti-Israel that they cannot see anything other then the most basic black & white where Israel is bad all the time (according to some on the Conspiracy Theorys forum, Israel/Mossad seem to be behind pretty much all bad things)

But what about the people who are anti-Israeli policy after informing themselves via their own research into matters?? It's not a black and white conflict but there are aspects of it that are very much black and white. For example, has Israel dropped white phosphorus over civilian areas? Yes or no?? Yes it has. Has it stolen land illegally under international law?? Yes or no?? Yes it has.

The above are just two examples.

Now you are correct about people who consider Israel to be the root of all evil in the world. Now, that is racism and anti-semitism through sheer ignorance. Legitimately criticising Israeli polices is not racist or anti-semitic even though such critics tend to be thrown in with the former. Even former U.S President Jimmy Carter has been a victim of this.

reprazant

T.W.H Byron wrote: »

But what about the people who are anti-Israeli policy after informing themselves via their own research into matters?? It's not a black and white conflict but there are aspects of it that are very much black and white. For example, has Israel dropped white phosphorus over civilian areas? Yes or no?? Yes it has. Has it stolen land illegally under international law?? Yes or no?? Yes it has.

The above are just two examples.

I know they are terrible thigns.

But so are setting of bombs on crowded buses and in cafes.

So is indiscriminately firing missiles onto towns.

IMO, both sides do, and have done, terrible things to each other and now both seem entrenched in hatred for each other which seems to have no signs of abating.

But, as I asked before, if Israel was to get rid of the blockade (which they should), the wall, etc and then the rockets & suicide bombings start all over again, what do people think they should do?

wes

Bebs wrote: »

Israel shares a neighbourhood with Syria, the Lebanon, the Palestinians and Iran; all of whom it views as hostile to some extent as well as facing an increasingly hostile international community. If the Israeli people felt secure then they wouldn't keep voting for hawkish governments.

While, I understand what your getting at, I still see Israel view on the matter to not be based on reality. The Palestinians are hostile due to Israel aggression against them. Syria btw, also supported the Arab peace iniative, so there willing to make peace. Iran is under sanctions, and there is no actual evidence that they have a active nuclear weapons programs, and they have even said they would stand by any decision made by the Palestinians.

In the West, Israel is welcomed by government with open arms, they are a part of numerous international organizaitons etc, and the worst that is done to them by Western government is a little bit of criticism, which isn't backed up with any actions.

Israel is supported with billions from the US, perferential treatment from the EU in economic matters, and a first class military, and are armed with nuclear weapons. Every single Arab state has made a peace offer, which is still on the table. Its seems to me that Israel attitude about being surounded with no chance of peace is in there heads.

wes

reprazant wrote: »

But, as I asked before, if Israel was to get rid of the blockade (which they should), the wall, etc and then the rockets & suicide bombings start all over again, what do people think they should do?

Israels wall in the West Bank is not complete, and 1000's of Palestinian can get into Israel, so if a suicide bomber wanted to do so they could enter Israel:

Israel's illegal Palestinian workforce

The wall isn't complete by any means, and if Palestinians wanted to engage in suicide bombings in Israel, they could certainly do so.

Bebs

wes wrote: »

While, I understand what your getting at, I still see Israel view on the matter to not be based on reality. The Palestinians are hostile due to Israel aggression against them. Syria btw, also supported the Arab peace iniative, so there willing to make peace. Iran is under sanctions, and there is no actual evidence that they have a active nuclear weapons programs, and they have even said they would stand by any decision made by the Palestinians.

In the West, Israel is welcomed by government with open arms, they are a part of numerous international organizaitons etc, and the worst that is done to them by Western government is a little bit of criticism, which isn't backed up with any actions.

Israel is supported with billions from the US, perferential treatment from the EU in economic matters, and a first class military, and are armed with nuclear weapons. Every single Arab state has made a peace offer, which is still on the table. Its seems to me that Israel attitude about being surounded with no chance of peace is in there heads.

I agree with you. The reality is different to the Israeli view of the world but as far as motivating the electorate and dictating policy are concerned it's the Israeli view that counts.

If the Israelis have no intention of getting into serious negotiations and everyone knows that then it costs nothing to support peace for the moment. It remains to be seen whether genuine attempts at rapprochement with Israeli can be sold to the Middle East outside of the political elites.

The normal people of the Middle East have been fed on a diet of outrage at the very real atrocities committed by Israel. Governments and political organisations across the Middle East have used Israel as a populist piñata which they can bash to galvanise support amongst their own people. In that case the Arab world may not have left itself with much rhetorical and ideological room to manoeuvre in the case of a genuine attempt at peace.

Edit: I don't think it would suit the particular hand that Hamas is playing to renew violence against Israel. That would dispel some of the dark cloud of international opinion that crackles and sparks above the heads of the Israelis and I think that Hamas are smart enough to know that international support is far more valuable that a few more martyrs.

reprazant

wes wrote: »

Israels wall in the West Bank is not complete, and 1000's of Palestinian can get into Israel, so if a suicide bomber wanted to do so they could enter Israel:

Israel's illegal Palestinian workforce

The wall isn't complete by any means, and if Palestinians wanted to engage in suicide bombings in Israel, they could certainly do so.

Ok, what if missiles and suicide bombings started again.

What do people think should Israel do?

What if Israel did what everyone wanted but Israels fears were realised. How should they react?

Bebs

reprazant wrote: »

Ok, what if missiles and suicide bombings started again.

What do people think should Israel do?

What if Israel did what everyone wanted but Israels fears were realised. How should they react?

So did everyone else want Israel to starve Gaza and to continue building illegal settlements?

reprazant

Bebs wrote: »

So did everyone else want Israel to starve Gaza and to continue building illegal settlements?

Where exactly did I say that?

Why do you feel the need to answer a question with a question? A question that bares no relevance to what I asked.

Edit: as I answer a question with question. *facepalm*

wes

reprazant wrote: »

Ok, what if missiles and suicide bombings started again.

What do people think should Israel do?

What if Israel did what everyone wanted but Israels fears were realised. How should they react?

I don't really deal in What If's, and the situation you describe isn't realistic in anyways. If suicide bombers wanted to attack Israel, the simple fact is that they could.

sensibleken

reprazant wrote: »

Why do you feel the need to answer a question with a question?

lol

reprazant

wes wrote: »

I don't really deal in What If's, and the situation you describe isn't realistic in anyways. If suicide bombers wanted to attack Israel, the simple fact is that they could.

True, and fair enough.

The missiles bit isn't that unrealistic though.

While the Gaza invasion was a massive overreaction, and massive disaster and failure, I am just curious as to how people think they should have reacted.

It is quite easy to say what they should not do, slightly more difficult to say what they should do in situations such as that.