:confused: Everything is so complex; I'm so lost. Can somebody please explain the background and reasoning behind this MOST RECENT conflict between Israel and Palestine? Thank you!
:confused: Everything is so complex; I'm so lost. Can somebody please explain the background and reasoning behind this MOST RECENT conflict between Israel and Palestine? Thank you!
Complex?
Failry simple, actually.
Hamas keeps launching rockets into Israeli territory, using civilian areas of Gaza as launch sites, and by doing so endangers both the civilians in Gaza and the people they're launching them at.
Israel decided they've had enough.
They're removing the immediate threat to their security, as any rational state would do.
Although I did not write this, I copied it from TheYoungTurks website and it makes sense to me:
If you're a conservative reading this, I know what you're thinking - typical liberal. Part of the blame America first crowd. How could this war between the Israelis and Palestinians be America's fault?
First, I love America. I chose to be an American. I think this is the greatest country on earth. And part of what makes it great is that it is self-correcting. It can take criticism and use it to make itself better. It is a country confident enough to not shout down dissenters.
So, let me offer you something you hardly ever hear in the American media. The American government had a great deal to do with the outbreak of violence in the Gaza Strip right now. The Bush administration demanded - against the advice of nearly every expert in the field and the Israeli government - that the Palestinians hold elections. They did. Hamas won.
When Hamas won, we could have pulled them in toward the direction of political action and reconciliation. Instead, we chose to isolate them, start a coup against them (read this terrific article in Vanity Fair about our attempt to overthrow Hamas) and further radicalize them. We made a mockery of the idea of democracy. We proved to them that we never meant a word of the so-called Freedom Doctrine. We only wanted elections in which our guys won.
This kind of hypocrisy has consequences. It sends a message that democracy and voting doesn't work. And our botched coup against Hamas had the effect of sending the message that violence is the answer. If you don't get your way, the proper course of action is to try to change the results through use of force.
We should have never insisted on the elections that everyone - but the inane Bush team - realized Hamas was going to win. It's not that elections are a bad idea, but it was too early in this instance. We should have laid the groundwork for Palestinians to vote in a direction that would have led to more constructive solutions. Instead, as usual, Bush was lazy and insisted on getting his way right away.
And if we were going to have elections, we absolutely, positively should have recognized the legitimate results of those elections and dealt with the consequences. In fact, this might have pulled Hamas into a governing role that demanded more pragmatism and a less radical outlook. It's easier to be a radical when you don't have to get anything done.
And on the Israeli side, we never urge caution. We always encourage over-reaction. Before Israel started this assault on Gaza, there was one Israeli casualty since the end of the cease-fire. Within the first couple of days of the Israeli assault, there are already 62 Palestinian civilians killed. And five more Israelis killed from more - not less - rocket fire from Gaza.
So, the attack has not accomplished its objective of stopping the rocket fire from Hamas - in fact, it's made it worse - and it has also killed a disproportionate number of civilians in Gaza. I do not find the argument that these civilian deaths are just "collateral damage" persuasive. It's easy to call them collateral damage when they are not your kids.
Which American would stand by and let another country bomb our cities, kill our children and then accept the excuse that the enemy was targeting military complexes but they just killed our kids as simple collateral damage? Would that sound persuasive to you if you lost your family members? Your wife? Your grandfather? Your daughter?
The US government's immediate reaction was to say all of this was Hamas's fault and that Israel was 100% justified in retaliating in any way they saw fit. And it wasn't just the Bush administration; Democratic leaders put out nearly identical talking points.
So, what does this lead to? More bombings from Israel and a further escalation of the circle of violence. We are not doing Israel any favors by encouraging their most hawkish instincts. Violence begets violence. They will never have peace of mind as long as these seemingly endless cycles of violence continue.
Of course, Hamas and Israel are also responsible for their own actions. It would be absurd to claim otherwise. But we can give them the right incentives and disincentives or the wrong ones. We can either push them toward reconciliation and settlement or we can push them toward more violence, war and mayhem. We have done the latter, for which we must take responsibility.
No doubt the next time a Muslim fanatic attacks American interests, we will say, "Why do they hate us?" The answer is very clear. We have pushed them toward it. They are ultimately responsible for their actions. But we must also be responsible for our own.
Okay, so now that I'm up to point with the current situation...Who wants to give me a brief, concise, cogent background on the ENTIRE thing? :D
I've been filled in here and there on the Israel/Palestinian conflicts before, but I never fully understood it.
Thank you guys for educating me! I do appreciate it :) We are members of the ENTIRE human race and world. It only makes sense that we educate ourselves on people other than ourselves. Novel idea, right?
No matter what someone posts about this conflict, someone will disagree with it.
At the end of the Second Grand War of the Planet, The displaced Jews were set into the area that is know as Israel.
I may be wrong on the facts about this-someone with a better understanding
of the area's history will set me straight!
After the war there were tons of Jews who escaped the persecution at the hands of Hitler and needed sanctuary. The Brits sectioned off areas in the ME for them and there were Arabs/Palestinians who were 'disenfranchised' -kicked out.
That area became Israel.
In Jerusalem, there are three different religions represented with landmarks that are important to each faction. The Palestinians have always laid claim that the area belongs to them and they are a refugee peoples. No other nation/government in the area chose to absorb them/assist or provide any kind of relief to the group. The Arab/Muslim community espouse an idea of 'brotherhood' but cannot make good on it, they don't want to Palis anywhere near them
The Hamas is a terrorist group of gomers who make it a habit of perpetuating the 'war' against Israel by shooting rockets, bombing and all that crazy shiat that has been going on for years.
If I remember correctly, the Palestinian refugee camps are the longest 'running' set of peoples who are living in a twilight zone because of the politics and stupidity involved. The Hama capitalize on that fact by setting up schools, medical aid and food to the people in the area. They then culitvate young people to 'help' them drive the state of Israel off the planet.
The Hamas bomb the Israelis, the Israelis fire back and the Hamas run around crying and biatching that they are the good guys and the Israelis are evil.
There was a 6 month cease fire that expired a few days ago so the stupid Hamas decided to fire it up again!
There are three sides to every story - his, hers and the truth. The problem is to figure out which is which. This one is so complicated and filled with emotions and religions and ancient history. Everyone believes they are right and the other guy is wrong.
I will not join this one as I am not that knowledgable in the area. Plus the euphemistically named "collateral damage" makes me sick. Except to say...Hamas IS the democratically elected government. Democracy can work many ways.
I suspect some people who know less than I will express opinions nonetheless.
It is hard to discern the truths since anything you read is slanted one way or another. I did read the autobiography of queen noor, she is an american who married the king of jordan.
She is an educated elequent story writer and did sort some of it out and did have some information that we are not necessarily given in the west.
All in all its a bad situation and I don't see it getting better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary
Instead of CD try, People that get dead because THEIR people are morons.
Technically not very accurate but it's nicer than being caught up in the Blast Radius of a Hellfire Missile.........But, why do the Palis allow those morons to build 'military' bases near schools, hospitals and mosques?
Tell me, huh?
--------
I can hardly wait until the New President takes over. Then we can blame him for the American War Materials being used by the Israelis.
Just like the stuff we sold to Saddam.
No exchanges without a receipt!
And that was appropriate how?Quote:
I suspect some people who know less than I will express opinions nonetheless.
Just returning fire, that's all.
Oh, by the way, I did find one explanation of the conflict. It's a CBS article.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4690817.shtml
It is not so simple.
http://www.mideastweb.org/briefhistory.htm:rolleyes:
This btw...was the kind of crap I was referring to. People who get dead because THEIR people are morons?Quote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
Disgusting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary
That is most likely the same logic the folks used who blew up the world trade center, I sure don't think that way.
Richard got the basics down for you.
After WWII, The United Nations Special Commission on Palestine recommended that Palestine be divided into an Arab state and a Jewish state. The commission called for Jerusalem to be put under international administration The UN General Assembly adopted this plan on Nov. 29, 1947, owing to support of both the US and the Soviet Union, and in particular, the personal support of US President Harry S. Truman.
As you can imagine, the Jews loved this plan; the Arabs not so much.
On May 14, 1948, the British left; Israel declared they were an independent state, and the modern wars began. Israel and the Palestinians have been fighting ever since.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grace
Thanks, So maybe I was in the ballpark?:D
Let me clarify the "people that get dead" comment.
The terrorists get THEIR OWN PEOPLE DEAD because they do not give a shiat about them.
They build and hide terrorists shops that make the rockets, bombs and hide the mortars that they shoot into Israel.
When the Israeli's come back and blow the crap out of those sites the Hamas and every other goofball group start using the stupid media to say that innocent people were killed in a "directed" attack on those sites.
The goofballs shoot the rockets and mortars, which are random shots into neighborhood. When you have AHs that hide behind the skirts of women and the collection of the elderly and children to pull off some chicken shiat attacks on innocent people, how can they claim that they are being abused/killed/persecuted?
That's the nonsense that starts all the wars and problems in the area.
A bunch of lowlife turds that are not held responsible for their actions.
For the record I think that you did not deserve that comment Lady's Human and even though we sometimes disagree you treat the other side with respect that you are debating with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady's Human
My ex was a Palestinian living in Egypt.
There was a time where Palestinians were not allowed to get back into Palestine because Palestine wasn't considered a "country" and those people who were traveling or out of country were considered a refuge. His status, before he became an American citizen, was still a Palestinian Refugee.
Everything that I gathered from him, and a lot of it was more than I really wanted to know because it turned into a lecture at times. However, that being said, he really did know a lot about the circumstance. His grandfather also does journalism and radio talks about Palestinian causes (grandpa has lived here for over 40 years).
Almost of the strife you hear of now goes back to when the Jews were "given" the country of Palestine by after WWII. This is land they say they were promised in the Bible/Torah. However, there were people already living in that area, all over that area, and that area was called Palestine.
Instead of finding an area where they wouldn't be moving people out of their homes, it was decided to take all of the Palestinians and move them into a designated area, put them in refugee camps and basically remove all of their human rights. Much like what the Nazis did to the Jews.
Maybe it's just me, but how does what the Jews went through give them the right to do the same thing to another people?? I never understood that. It may have said in the Bible/Torah that you were supposed to be promised a certain land, but if someone else is already there, technically it's already taken, you can't just move them. At least I don't think you should be able to.
Why make others suffer because they had suffered??
My ex also had relatives who are Hamas. How about living in a shack of a house, and having no indication anything is going on, and in the middle of the night, a tank comes and plows down the house with the family in it? Killing everyone?? How does Israel get that right??
They have been, and will always be, fighting over the initial taking of the land. The Palestinians, and whomever else were there, deserve to have their land back. They deserve to live in homes, not refugee camps, not subjected to all the crap that they go through.
Just because in the Torah/Bible it said that the Israelis were promised that land by God, doesn't mean that another people should have been harmed to give it to them.
The whole thing makes me sick. The way one group treats the other. It just goes back and forth, and until the Palestinians get their land back, yes THEIR land, it's not going to stop, nor should it. I wouldn't want to be moved out of my house because in someone else's Bible it said it was "given" to them by God. I bought it, I live here, too bad, suck it up and go get your own place that no one is living in.
That's my take.
Wish my ex was around(he's visiting Egypt) cause he could write it out and explain it better than I could.
And yes, Palestinians are still considered refugees. From what I gathered in Egypt, citizenship was determined by the father, and my ex's father was Palestinian. His mom is Egyptian. Mom cannot give him citizenship (like we can here in the US). He was born in Kuwait, when his dad was working there, but is not a Kuwaiti citizen. His citizen ship goes with the father in Egypt, and his father is not an Egyptian. Citizenship over there is confusing.
I have deleted comments in this thread that were not appropriate for Pet Talk. Please remember to treat each other with respect.
Jenn Librarian, I completely agree with you. I have many, many Palestinian friends, and most of them have the same story. Refugees, kicked out of THEIR homeland. Everyone has the right to peace and safety in their land. Everyone has the right to peace and safety in their homes. Everyone has the right to defend their land and home from criminals. The Palestinians have suffered too long. They have been kicked out of the land that belonged to them. They were kicked out of their homes where they were raising up innocent families and children, and made into refugees, thrown into refugee camps to make room for foreigners who didn't belong there. Their homes were destroyed, family members killed. Why? Because the Jews think they're the chosen people, and that's the land God chose for them? Maybe its because of their crimes against humanity that God took the land away from them and gave it to another nation. The Israelis even hit a boat that was bringing in relief supplies for the victims in Gaza. Can you believe that?? Its a big shame. So many people have suffered in this conflict. So many children have been killed. And to think...this conflict wouldn't even exist if the land was just returned to its rightful owners. The Palestinians deserve to have their land returned to them.
The conflict in Palestine/Israel is just the fruit of injustice. Such situations will always arise when injustice is allowed to rule in the land. Only when injustice is abolished will peace prevail. God knows when and if that will ever happen. I don't see it happening in our lifetime. :( Its a sad, sad situation, and I pray for all those who are suffering for no crime of their own.
Hmm, that's a vengeful God that I'd rather not subscribe to. To each his/her own. *shrugs*Quote:
Originally Posted by popcornbird
Interesting info and perspectives. It's rather difficult maintaining objectivity in this situation, isn't it? Hmm, I will be perusing the aforementioned links in the meantime.
I think that the people who do the suicide bombings and shoot off rockets and mortars are to blame.
The way I see it, the first set of idiots who start this a-holery should not complain about getting the same back.
The Palis have had chance after chance to sit down and broker a peace deal-The other Arab nations in the surrounding areas use the Palis to war with the Israelis, then claim to be a brotherhood.
I had to laugh at the Iranian youth groups that claimed to have signed up 10,000 volunteers to go to Israel and blow themselves up.
Stay at home and play with explosives there.
[QUOTE by popcornbird:. Why? Because the Jews think they're the chosen people, and that's the land God chose for them? Maybe its because of their crimes against humanity that God took the land away from them and gave it to another nation. >>>>>>>>>>>
I will pray for you popcornbird. Such hate.
1:The Palestinian refugee problem has remained unsolved for approximately 60 years, causing suffering and instability throughout the Middle East.
The Arabs' rejection in 1947 of UN General Assembly Resolution 181 - which would have partitioned the British Mandate area into an Arab state and a Jewish state - and the ensuing war they started in the hope of destroying Israel. Many Palestinian Arabs who lived in areas where the fighting took place abandoned their homes, either at the request of Arab leaders, or due to fear of the fighting and the uncertainty of living under Jewish rule. A refugee problem would never have been created had this war not been forced upon Israel by the Arab countries and the local Palestinian leadership.
Sadly, during this period there were innumerable refugees fleeing wars and conflict in many parts of the world. Almost all of these were resettled and their lives rehabilitated. The sole exception remains the Palestinians, deliberately kept as refugees for political aims.
The fate of the Palestinian refugees stands in sharp contrast to that of the many Jews who were forced to flee Arab countries in the wake of the establishment of Israel, leaving behind a great deal of property. Despite the difficulties, the hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees were absorbed as citizens of the State of Israel.
The Arab countries, with the sole exception of Jordan, have perpetuated the refugee problem. The refugees continue to live in crowded camps, in poverty and despair. Few attempts have been made to integrate them into the numerous Arab countries in the region. These refugees, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain today in a number of Arab countries with no political, economic or social rights.
It's a very complicated and sad situation for everyone. I pray daily that
we will have a world of peace that respect everyone's faith and nationality.
2: Humanitarian aid, Here is a story did not make the front page news:
and I hope aid is now getting through:
December 31 2008:
Israel with the humanitarian effort in coordination with the international organizations, Palestinian Authority and various donors. Ninety three trucks, with approximately 2500 tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and medication were conveyed through Kerem Shalom cargo terminal. The World Food Programme has informed Israel that they will not be resuming shipment of food commodities in to Gaza due to the fact that their warehouses are at full capacity and will last for approximately two weeks.
Since the beginning of operation "Cast Lead" some 6500 tons of aid have been transferred at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. Preparations are underway to facilitate further shipments expected to arrive in the coming days.
Why, though? Why is Hamas launching rockets into Israel? What are they hoping to gain by rocketing Israel?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady's Human
Why is the Middle East so troubled by conflicts? I was watching a story on PBS Frontline yesterday about Iraq and Afghanistan. Is it because the cultures are so old, you know, long-standing conflicts over generations and centuries? Will the Middle East ever be a peaceful part of the world? Is world peace a reasonable goal anymore?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cassiesmom
The terrorists want to provoke Israel into a "war" and grab the support of the Arab nations that have, for the last umpteen years, turned their backs on the Pali problem.
Like the child that needs the attention and support of the family that knows they are the loose cannons of the brood.
The anarchists (Hamas and the other groups) feel that this is the only way to get any recognition for their plight.
They have to realize that they need to 'behave' before they are taken seriously.:(
Despite some rather difficult words exchanged here, I really do appreciate the information from everybody. Thank you, KYS; I gained a lot of information from your answer, and I encourage anybody to share their knowledge - but I would like to keep this as objective as possible. :)
So you're saying that the "terrorists" are the Palestinians, and not the Israelis? (Wouldn't you agree that there are terrorists on both parts? Anyone who is radical and going out and harming the innocents, to me, is a terrorist.)Quote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
Who is on who's land?
Who's land was taken from them?
Who are now refugees in their own land?
And you wonder why they are pissed off???
Reminds me of the American Indians and how we moved them into their own little "refugee camps" that we like to call RESERVATIONS.
Maybe the Israeli's will let the Palestenians have Casino's.... That will even everything out!Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn_librarian
I agree completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn_librarian
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn_librarian
Or just like the stupid Mexicans who claim that the southwest still belongs to Mexico?
I grew up in the time where the Brown Panthers and all the dumb hispanic/latino groups were selling their "take back California" BS on campuses and in the community.
You can't change history, only the future, the poor, uneducated folks in the refugee camps aren't to blame-It's the educated FAHs who keep the masses stupid, poor and down that are to blame.
I haven't heard of a man or woman trying to keep 3.4.5 kids fed and out of trouble launching rockets or blowing themselves up for something that happened 60 years ago.
That is the prob in the ME, Too many AHs that want to rewrite history.
Get on with your bad selves and try to make the future for the kids a better place.
Instead they start a fight that ends with a Falcon or Cobra shoving a missile into a mosque, school or hospital where the Hamas have hidden out.
What a bunch of gutless bees turds!
Pick up a Bible and look in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 7:6) you will see these words:"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."Quote:
Originally Posted by popcornbird
God chose this people to bring forth his Son, through Mary and out of the lineage of David so that we, who are Christians, share a part in the history of this people.
This conflict has been going on longer than what is suggested in previous posts. It all started when Abraham and Sarah did not wait for "the promise" who was to be Isaac. Instead they enlisted the "aid" of Sarah's hand maiden, Hagar, to help Abraham conceive a child. They named this son Ishmael and he was the ancestor of the northern Arab people.
I doubt the Palestinians believe in the Bible, this will not help them feel much better I am guessing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
No offense to anyone but this is why I can't stand religion.
The Muslims, in general, believe in the three books. The Torah, the Bible, and the Qur'an. They are all holy books. They are all about God. If you read a translation of the Qur'an, you will see that it's a lot of the same "stories" as are in the Bible as well. I have a copy of the Qur'an in translation (although it's not considered the Qur'an because it is in translation), and I have read parts of it.
Yes, many things are different. Jesus was considered a prophet, not the son of God. That's considered blasphemy to them. God is perfect. The rest of us, are not.
I agree. Organized religion in and of itself is the root of this problem, and a good portion of all conflicts since the dawn of time.Quote:
Originally Posted by caseysmom
Christians quote the Bible, and use it for justification for anything they want to do. Muslims quote the Qur'an for the same reasons, ditto the Jews and the Torah. It's all absurd, IMO. NO religion is the "right" religion, and no people are the "chosen ones" above all others. I think "God" probably is completely disgusted by all the cruel, evil, close-minded, petty things that have been done "in His name" over the years.
If you are a Christian, I will say with 99.99% certainty that you are a Christian not because you researched all the world's religions and chose the one you personally believe in ... but because your parents were Christian. And your parents were Christian because their parents were, etc. Christians are Christians, Jews are Jews, Muslims are Muslims, Hindus are Hindus, etc. not because of an informed, spiritual choice ... but because of an accident of birth. If one of you American Christians had happened to be born in Pakistan instead of Ohio ... I assure you that you would be Muslim today, and think that Islam was the "right" religion and Christianity was the "wrong" religion. A geographic roll of the dice made people the religion they are, not being "chosen".
To me, there is nothing more hyprocritical than killing another human being in the name of your "loving God" ... any "God", whatever your religion dictates that you call him. And EVERY major religion does it.
I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "My invisible god can beat up your invisible god." Touche.
I will step in and say not all people who are spiritual are religious. I am a Christian, and not afraid to say so. However, do I think the rest of the world is wrong for believing what they do? Nope! I have my own beliefs and anyone who wishes to know what they are need only ask. I won't judge them for believing in what they do, if everyone believed the same thing as I did the world would get boring pretty quick.
From the beginning of time, no matter what you believe...ever since there was two humans, they have found SOMETHING to argue about. I wonder what the very first arguement was about...lol :D
Snakes and apples-MAN was right!:D;)Quote:
Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36
For those of you who wonder, "Why does Hamas keep firing rockets at Israel?"...
This is why:
You be surprised to know how many Palestinians have had their family members killed at the hands of Israel. Here at Pet Talk, we all know how devastated we get at the loss of our pets. We're human beings, and if losing one we love doesn't hurt us, then something is wrong with us. To have feelings of pain, grief at the loss of a beloved pet is very natural.
Now imagine how you would feel if your beloved pet were killed by someone. Along with the pain, grief, and sorrow, there would be deep anger embedded in your heart.
Now, imagine how you'd feel if you lost your beloved spouse. There could be no greater loss for most people.
Imagine how the feelings would get even worse if your spouse were killed by another person.
Let's take the feelings you have now, and multiply it by 5, because you did not only lose your spouse. You lost your spouse, your mother, your father, your brother, and your sister. All of them were killed at the hands of the Israelis.
Not only that. You yourself were born in a refugee camp, and for the 30 years of your life, you have never had a home. You've lived a life of pain and terror, and you can only see one cause of your suffering.
Israel.
That's it.
And now, the newest calamity has taken your child from you. That beautiful innocent child that you gave birth to, with those glowing eyes and bright smile is gone...so early, so young. Gone, after dying a terrible, painful death. Again, at the hands of Israel.
And now that you've lost everyone you ever loved, don't have a home, don't see any future ahead of you, you think, "I cannot stand this any longer. The pain is growing day by day, getting worse and worse, with no end in sight. I might as well take some revenge on the one who brought all this pain upon me."
So the revenge goes towards Israel. In the process, 3 or 4 Israelis are killed. Israel responds by killing 500. Israel ends up with more people hating Israel with passion, as they see the blood dripping from the bodies of their dead children. The cycle goes on. 500 killed means at least 2000 new enemies. They all believe Israel is a terrorist state, and rightfully so.
How would you feel if YOU were in their shoes? I personally am not sure about how much I could handle. Just the thought of losing one family member is enough for me to lose it. I can't imagine living the life they live. May God help them.
I think this picture should be enough to make any normal human being's blood boil with anger towards Israel.
http://www.monde-magouilles.com/photos_guerre/gaza3.jpg
What's happening there is truly disgusting. I have Palestinian friends here who are terrified, because they have family in Gaza that they haven't heard from. They don't know if they are alive or dead. I cannot see how anyone in the right mind could support Israel.
You lose on this one!!! I was raised in a family that never went to church. We never event talked about god. I became a Christian because after reading the Bible cover to cover several times I came to love Jesus very much. After 9/11, I went on a serious search. I realized I did believe in God, a loving one at that. I also realized I couldn't accept a religion for myself that Jesus wasn't part of. What other chose to believe it up to them. What I believe is not an "accident of birth".Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisterdog
One thing everyone forgets; just as there is good in the world: there is evil.
When man turned against god in the garden, that gave evil free rein in the earth. That evil includes sickness and death to innocents and well as non-innocents.
Whether you believe in god or not, there is a struggle going on between good and evil. Sadly, evil seems to be winning these days. :(
And I'm sure the Hamas militants who hold women and children in targeted areas as human shields and use residential areas as launch points are nothing but angels, PCB.
Besides, if the Arab states were serious about helping the palestinians they could, but they prefer to leave things as they are rather than offer legitamate aid. How about Iran and Syria maybe offering economic assistance instead of keeping up a supply of weapons and agitprop?