Palestine

[Gbneil]

1770 and rising...after another attack on a UN run school kills and injures more civilians...and this after the Israelis have been briefed as to where UN run schools and hospitals are...and the soldier allegedly kidnapped has been accounted for...died in combat, not kidnapped. This is mechanised murder and against the morality of any modern society.

I thank the contributors, for and against on this thread, for their views. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I fear never the twain etc..I think that this is part of the problem. We live in a blame culture. Someone, or something, has to be apportioned blame before 'we' take sides. Who is to blame, historically, culturally, religiously does not matter here. What is happening right here, right now IS WRONG. Where are our pious politicians, where are the stars who stand up for UNICEF, and famine, and land mine charities? Where are the good people of Palestine, the good Jewish people,the good people of the world who must collectively stand up and tell, not ask, tell their leaders ENOUGH. There are no evil 'races', just evil individuals.

One of the most iconic images of the twentieth century for me was the lone student in tianemen square standing up to the red army tanks. Edmund Burke said all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing. All it sometimes takes is one good man. Please let that good man appear soon.

I feel dejected and sad that this, and other atrocities the world over are allowed. The hypocrisy of power changes Osama bin laden from a CIA funded freedom fighter in Afghanistan fighting the Russians to the most wanted man in the world when America invade the same country. Politics is mot my thing and i would be out of y depth discussing these situations on anything other than moral grounds. I ave said all I wish to on this topic, but like others on this thread, wish to applaud the mature and educated posting on this volatile issue. Peace, gbn

[Bluesman]

The biggest problem with fighting an organisation like Hamass is that death is part of their religion/belief and hope to die in battle and when you are fighting someone who dosent mind and indeed, wants to be killed, you, the Isrealis are on a hiding to nothing.

Takes a big man to put down the gun and offer a hand of friendship. Mike

[Gbneil]

A voice from history...

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor niermoller, former anti communist, Protestant, supporter of hitler, reformer who realised his mistakes, stood up for his beliefs and mistakes, survivor of concentration camps where he was put by the very regime he initialy supported. An inspirational quote with huge resonance. Gbn