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God's Politics Blog

Israeli-Occupied Territory on Capitol Hill

by Nate Van Duzer 01-16-2009 | 2:34pm
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A year ago I heard a Palestinian diplomat describe Capitol Hill as "Israeli-occupied territory" in a speech given at Georgetown University. It was a rhetorical quip intended for a quick laugh, but I couldn't help but remember this phrase last week. On Friday, January 9, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that "calls on all nations to lay blame both for the breaking of the 'calm' and for subsequent civilian casualties in Gaza precisely where blame belongs, that is, on Hamas." Conversely, the resolution praised Israel for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The resolution passed 390-5 (22 voted Present). The Senate agreed unanimously on a similar motion the day before.

Americans for Peace Now put forward a statement saying they were encouraged by the inclusion of several "positive, constructive elements" in the resolutions, such as a reference to the humanitarian crisis. These elements, APN notes, would not have been inserted in previous years. Any step in the direction of unqualified support for a lasting peace is worth celebrating, but Congress still has a long way to go in this regard.

For the most part, the House resolution supports the view that the current conflict is a justified Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip against an evil Hamas. This sentiment is difficult to criticize, as Hamas does deserve much of the blame for this disaster. With its rocket attacks and use of human shields, Hamas is acting without regard to the lives of the innocent on either side.

But the language of the House resolution ignores the nuances and layered history of the conflict. It ignores the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza

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by: Lord_Voldemort

01-16-2009 @ 7:03pm

Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel.

On one hand, he cannot bring himself to say that Israel is not justified in its attacks on Hamas in Gaza. But if a military strike on Gaza is justified, then Israel cannot be faulted for having tried less aggressive tactics, such as blockades.

Nor can he bring himself to say that Israel's invasion has been disproportionate, though he thinks the US House should have addressed the topic. So what exactly would he want the US House to say about proportionality? Would he like to have Congress speculate about possible Israeli tactics and declare them in or out of bounds in advance? Would Israel care what a Congress half a world away thinks?

"Nuance" and "layered history" are not magic words that turn incoherence into wisdom. Sometimes the truth is actually pretty simple. The weaker Hamas is, the better off everyone in the region, Israeli and Palestinian, will be.

LV

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:58pm

Thanks, for the information. I wonder who or what keeps this information from the being discussed on the "national stage" and in the MSM?

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 2:03pm

Great information Tony.

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 8:00pm

And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel.

Can you imagine the good that money could have been used for?

by: jkc1945

01-16-2009 @ 8:51pm

So, Hamas stores weapons in a building, which is surrounded by other buildings, and some of these surrounding buildings are occupied by people? And then, Israel, knowing from decades of experience that these stored weapons are meant to be used against their civilian population, destroys the building? and the resulting explosion sadly destroys some of the surrounding buildings, and their innocent occupants? And this is Israel's fault? Come on, folks. Try to put yourself, for just a minute, in the position of the Israeli people. Their patience has been admirable. Their longsuffering, in the face of attacks perpetrated for years by others sworn to destroy their nation, is a matter of public record.
War is horrible. No doubt about it. So, let the world tell Hamas (and Israel's "neighbors," who support the continued attacks) to stop it. It really ought to be that simple, hadn't it? If Hamas lays down its weapons this evening, and declares itself done with violence, by tomorrow there will be no more violence in the land. If, on the other hand, Israel were to lay down its weapons this evening, and declare itself done with violance, by tomorrow there would be no more Israel.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:15pm

"Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel."

Oh, I don't know about knots. All he has to do is throw the word "nuance" at it, and any claim to the moral high ground evaporates.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:16pm

"It ignores the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza

by: conradsteinhoff

01-16-2009 @ 10:34pm

As long as both parties to this conflict continue to insist on being right, and the other wrong, there will be no resolution, and no peace. Both have a long list of justified grievances agains the other. But the reality is that neither can "win", neither can have it their way, and that their grievances are immaterial to reaching a peaceful settlement. The current reality is, they are both there, they will both continue to be there, and they must make an accomodation that allows them to co-exist there, or they will both be destroyed. This reality makes the recent votes in Congress inappropriate and counter-productive. They lead nowhere. President Obama must insist on a settlement based on current reality, not past grievances, not on who is right or who is wrong, or the conflict will continue until both parties are destroyed. Let us pray that he has the vision and the fortitude to do so.

by: humbertojijoncaldero

01-17-2009 @ 12:06am

I agree that the only way to bring peace to Palestine / Israel is to stand on a higher spiritual ground to be able to build a humane solution for both peoples. The real enemy is elsewhere. It is comfortably sitting in its office counting its profits and planning another war. This enemy is so rich that it has bought the political system of the Western World. If interested in an alternative analisis, and for me more objective, please follow this link:
http://www.alternet.org/story/116855/america%27...

by: ando

01-17-2009 @ 12:20am

"And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel."

And because you don't vote, you automatically stay above the fray. Must be easy to be a back seat driver.

by: Tony_D

01-17-2009 @ 12:34am

It might be worth pointing out (though given the entrenched positions that have been occupied all round, I doubt it will alter any perceptions) that Hamas did offer (and observe) a six-month cease-fire only to find that Israeli forces responded by tightening, rather than lifting, the blockade of Gaza. For a critical Israeli view of the current conflict, it's worth reading Avi Shlaim's essay which appeared in "The Guardian" on 7th January (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaz... ).
One crumb of comfort (possibly) from recent British experience in Northern ireland: meaningful peace talks will begin when (and, alas, only when) both sides realise that a military solution is impossible. The bad news is that this is unlikely to happen as long as the USA remains Israel's uncritical cheer-leader and armourer.

by: carlcopas

01-17-2009 @ 12:41am

You take the good with the bad.

Is that John 3:16, or is it in the Sermon on the Mount?

by: kevin47

01-17-2009 @ 1:00am

Proverbs.

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:24am

And the world would be a better, more peaceful place. Sort of like South Africa when they renounced apartheid. Most people know how to behave better than the Israeli/Zionists.

by: Kanga

01-17-2009 @ 4:21am

"Give into Caesar what is Caesar's." I don't spend time worrying about what is done with "my" tax money. It ceases to be mine once I write the check. If you don't like where "your" money is going, do you refuse to pay your taxes? My votes I am very careful with, but it is difficult for them to mean much when we are given the choice between the lesser of two evils, so to speak. This year, for the first time in a long time, I think my vote counted for something good.

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:56am

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

try this link. Israel is not "poor". But, in America, we are all poor in knowledge. It's not just you so don't take it personally.

God bless

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:57am

If folks want more information on the Gaza conflict there is a really good q&a on ZNET.

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:58pm

Thanks, for the information. I wonder who or what keeps this information from the being discussed on the "national stage" and in the MSM?

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 2:03pm

Great information Tony.

by: BuckeyeDon

01-16-2009 @ 3:40pm

We need to brace ourselves for the rhetorical firestorm that is sure to ensue here. It's likely to make Katrina look like an afternoon thundershower in comparison.

But thanks, Nate, for once again trying to point out that both sides are to blame for the continued violence, and that nobody holds the moral high ground in this conflict.

Peace

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 4:02pm

I disagree, as you would expect.

Congress definitely holds the moral high ground in this issue.

I'm glad I don't vote anymore.

by: Kanga

01-16-2009 @ 6:06pm

It is actions like this that make me ashamed of my government. Israel has been treating the Palestinians abominably for decades. No one can convince me they are justified in their current course of action.

by: martingugino

01-16-2009 @ 6:19pm

re: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=4&verse=25&version=31&context=verse>the haves vs the have nots

by: ando

01-16-2009 @ 6:34pm

"I'm glad I don't vote anymore."

Sounds a bit self-righteous. But, then you can always say, "Don't blame me. I didn't vote."

But I don't know why you would want to respond to what government does or does not do, when you shouldn't have any vested interest.

by: Lord_Voldemort

01-16-2009 @ 7:03pm

Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel.

On one hand, he cannot bring himself to say that Israel is not justified in its attacks on Hamas in Gaza. But if a military strike on Gaza is justified, then Israel cannot be faulted for having tried less aggressive tactics, such as blockades.

Nor can he bring himself to say that Israel's invasion has been disproportionate, though he thinks the US House should have addressed the topic. So what exactly would he want the US House to say about proportionality? Would he like to have Congress speculate about possible Israeli tactics and declare them in or out of bounds in advance? Would Israel care what a Congress half a world away thinks?

"Nuance" and "layered history" are not magic words that turn incoherence into wisdom. Sometimes the truth is actually pretty simple. The weaker Hamas is, the better off everyone in the region, Israeli and Palestinian, will be.

LV

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 8:00pm

And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel.

Can you imagine the good that money could have been used for?

by: jkc1945

01-16-2009 @ 8:51pm

So, Hamas stores weapons in a building, which is surrounded by other buildings, and some of these surrounding buildings are occupied by people? And then, Israel, knowing from decades of experience that these stored weapons are meant to be used against their civilian population, destroys the building? and the resulting explosion sadly destroys some of the surrounding buildings, and their innocent occupants? And this is Israel's fault? Come on, folks. Try to put yourself, for just a minute, in the position of the Israeli people. Their patience has been admirable. Their longsuffering, in the face of attacks perpetrated for years by others sworn to destroy their nation, is a matter of public record.
War is horrible. No doubt about it. So, let the world tell Hamas (and Israel's "neighbors," who support the continued attacks) to stop it. It really ought to be that simple, hadn't it? If Hamas lays down its weapons this evening, and declares itself done with violence, by tomorrow there will be no more violence in the land. If, on the other hand, Israel were to lay down its weapons this evening, and declare itself done with violance, by tomorrow there would be no more Israel.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:15pm

"Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel."

Oh, I don't know about knots. All he has to do is throw the word "nuance" at it, and any claim to the moral high ground evaporates.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:16pm

"It ignores the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza

by: conradsteinhoff

01-16-2009 @ 10:34pm

As long as both parties to this conflict continue to insist on being right, and the other wrong, there will be no resolution, and no peace. Both have a long list of justified grievances agains the other. But the reality is that neither can "win", neither can have it their way, and that their grievances are immaterial to reaching a peaceful settlement. The current reality is, they are both there, they will both continue to be there, and they must make an accomodation that allows them to co-exist there, or they will both be destroyed. This reality makes the recent votes in Congress inappropriate and counter-productive. They lead nowhere. President Obama must insist on a settlement based on current reality, not past grievances, not on who is right or who is wrong, or the conflict will continue until both parties are destroyed. Let us pray that he has the vision and the fortitude to do so.

by: humbertojijoncaldero

01-17-2009 @ 12:06am

I agree that the only way to bring peace to Palestine / Israel is to stand on a higher spiritual ground to be able to build a humane solution for both peoples. The real enemy is elsewhere. It is comfortably sitting in its office counting its profits and planning another war. This enemy is so rich that it has bought the political system of the Western World. If interested in an alternative analisis, and for me more objective, please follow this link:
http://www.alternet.org/story/116855/america%27...

by: ando

01-17-2009 @ 12:20am

"And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel."

And because you don't vote, you automatically stay above the fray. Must be easy to be a back seat driver.

by: Tony_D

01-17-2009 @ 12:34am

It might be worth pointing out (though given the entrenched positions that have been occupied all round, I doubt it will alter any perceptions) that Hamas did offer (and observe) a six-month cease-fire only to find that Israeli forces responded by tightening, rather than lifting, the blockade of Gaza. For a critical Israeli view of the current conflict, it's worth reading Avi Shlaim's essay which appeared in "The Guardian" on 7th January (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaz... ).
One crumb of comfort (possibly) from recent British experience in Northern ireland: meaningful peace talks will begin when (and, alas, only when) both sides realise that a military solution is impossible. The bad news is that this is unlikely to happen as long as the USA remains Israel's uncritical cheer-leader and armourer.

by: carlcopas

01-17-2009 @ 12:41am

You take the good with the bad.

Is that John 3:16, or is it in the Sermon on the Mount?

by: kevin47

01-17-2009 @ 1:00am

Proverbs.

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:24am

And the world would be a better, more peaceful place. Sort of like South Africa when they renounced apartheid. Most people know how to behave better than the Israeli/Zionists.

by: BuckeyeDon

01-16-2009 @ 3:40pm

We need to brace ourselves for the rhetorical firestorm that is sure to ensue here. It's likely to make Katrina look like an afternoon thundershower in comparison.

But thanks, Nate, for once again trying to point out that both sides are to blame for the continued violence, and that nobody holds the moral high ground in this conflict.

Peace

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 4:02pm

I disagree, as you would expect.

Congress definitely holds the moral high ground in this issue.

I'm glad I don't vote anymore.

by: Kanga

01-17-2009 @ 4:21am

"Give into Caesar what is Caesar's." I don't spend time worrying about what is done with "my" tax money. It ceases to be mine once I write the check. If you don't like where "your" money is going, do you refuse to pay your taxes? My votes I am very careful with, but it is difficult for them to mean much when we are given the choice between the lesser of two evils, so to speak. This year, for the first time in a long time, I think my vote counted for something good.

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:56am

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

try this link. Israel is not "poor". But, in America, we are all poor in knowledge. It's not just you so don't take it personally.

God bless

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:57am

If folks want more information on the Gaza conflict there is a really good q&a on ZNET.

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

by: Kanga

01-16-2009 @ 6:06pm

It is actions like this that make me ashamed of my government. Israel has been treating the Palestinians abominably for decades. No one can convince me they are justified in their current course of action.

by: martingugino

01-16-2009 @ 6:19pm

re: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=4&verse=25&version=31&context=verse>the haves vs the have nots

by: ando

01-16-2009 @ 6:34pm

"I'm glad I don't vote anymore."

Sounds a bit self-righteous. But, then you can always say, "Don't blame me. I didn't vote."

But I don't know why you would want to respond to what government does or does not do, when you shouldn't have any vested interest.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: BuckeyeDon

01-16-2009 @ 3:40pm

We need to brace ourselves for the rhetorical firestorm that is sure to ensue here. It's likely to make Katrina look like an afternoon thundershower in comparison.

But thanks, Nate, for once again trying to point out that both sides are to blame for the continued violence, and that nobody holds the moral high ground in this conflict.

Peace

by: BuckeyeDon

01-16-2009 @ 3:40pm

We need to brace ourselves for the rhetorical firestorm that is sure to ensue here. It's likely to make Katrina look like an afternoon thundershower in comparison.

But thanks, Nate, for once again trying to point out that both sides are to blame for the continued violence, and that nobody holds the moral high ground in this conflict.

Peace

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 4:02pm

I disagree, as you would expect.

Congress definitely holds the moral high ground in this issue.

I'm glad I don't vote anymore.

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 4:02pm

I disagree, as you would expect.

Congress definitely holds the moral high ground in this issue.

I'm glad I don't vote anymore.

by: Kanga

01-16-2009 @ 6:06pm

It is actions like this that make me ashamed of my government. Israel has been treating the Palestinians abominably for decades. No one can convince me they are justified in their current course of action.

by: Kanga

01-16-2009 @ 6:06pm

It is actions like this that make me ashamed of my government. Israel has been treating the Palestinians abominably for decades. No one can convince me they are justified in their current course of action.

by: martingugino

01-16-2009 @ 6:19pm

re: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=4&verse=25&version=31&context=verse>the haves vs the have nots

by: martingugino

01-16-2009 @ 6:19pm

re: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=4&verse=25&version=31&context=verse>the haves vs the have nots

by: ando

01-16-2009 @ 6:34pm

"I'm glad I don't vote anymore."

Sounds a bit self-righteous. But, then you can always say, "Don't blame me. I didn't vote."

But I don't know why you would want to respond to what government does or does not do, when you shouldn't have any vested interest.

by: ando

01-16-2009 @ 6:34pm

"I'm glad I don't vote anymore."

Sounds a bit self-righteous. But, then you can always say, "Don't blame me. I didn't vote."

But I don't know why you would want to respond to what government does or does not do, when you shouldn't have any vested interest.

by: Lord_Voldemort

01-16-2009 @ 7:03pm

Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel.

On one hand, he cannot bring himself to say that Israel is not justified in its attacks on Hamas in Gaza. But if a military strike on Gaza is justified, then Israel cannot be faulted for having tried less aggressive tactics, such as blockades.

Nor can he bring himself to say that Israel's invasion has been disproportionate, though he thinks the US House should have addressed the topic. So what exactly would he want the US House to say about proportionality? Would he like to have Congress speculate about possible Israeli tactics and declare them in or out of bounds in advance? Would Israel care what a Congress half a world away thinks?

"Nuance" and "layered history" are not magic words that turn incoherence into wisdom. Sometimes the truth is actually pretty simple. The weaker Hamas is, the better off everyone in the region, Israeli and Palestinian, will be.

LV

by: Lord_Voldemort

01-16-2009 @ 7:03pm

Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel.

On one hand, he cannot bring himself to say that Israel is not justified in its attacks on Hamas in Gaza. But if a military strike on Gaza is justified, then Israel cannot be faulted for having tried less aggressive tactics, such as blockades.

Nor can he bring himself to say that Israel's invasion has been disproportionate, though he thinks the US House should have addressed the topic. So what exactly would he want the US House to say about proportionality? Would he like to have Congress speculate about possible Israeli tactics and declare them in or out of bounds in advance? Would Israel care what a Congress half a world away thinks?

"Nuance" and "layered history" are not magic words that turn incoherence into wisdom. Sometimes the truth is actually pretty simple. The weaker Hamas is, the better off everyone in the region, Israeli and Palestinian, will be.

LV

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 8:00pm

And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel.

Can you imagine the good that money could have been used for?

by: erbe

01-16-2009 @ 8:00pm

And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel.

Can you imagine the good that money could have been used for?

by: jkc1945

01-16-2009 @ 8:51pm

So, Hamas stores weapons in a building, which is surrounded by other buildings, and some of these surrounding buildings are occupied by people? And then, Israel, knowing from decades of experience that these stored weapons are meant to be used against their civilian population, destroys the building? and the resulting explosion sadly destroys some of the surrounding buildings, and their innocent occupants? And this is Israel's fault? Come on, folks. Try to put yourself, for just a minute, in the position of the Israeli people. Their patience has been admirable. Their longsuffering, in the face of attacks perpetrated for years by others sworn to destroy their nation, is a matter of public record.
War is horrible. No doubt about it. So, let the world tell Hamas (and Israel's "neighbors," who support the continued attacks) to stop it. It really ought to be that simple, hadn't it? If Hamas lays down its weapons this evening, and declares itself done with violence, by tomorrow there will be no more violence in the land. If, on the other hand, Israel were to lay down its weapons this evening, and declare itself done with violance, by tomorrow there would be no more Israel.

by: jkc1945

01-16-2009 @ 8:51pm

So, Hamas stores weapons in a building, which is surrounded by other buildings, and some of these surrounding buildings are occupied by people? And then, Israel, knowing from decades of experience that these stored weapons are meant to be used against their civilian population, destroys the building? and the resulting explosion sadly destroys some of the surrounding buildings, and their innocent occupants? And this is Israel's fault? Come on, folks. Try to put yourself, for just a minute, in the position of the Israeli people. Their patience has been admirable. Their longsuffering, in the face of attacks perpetrated for years by others sworn to destroy their nation, is a matter of public record.
War is horrible. No doubt about it. So, let the world tell Hamas (and Israel's "neighbors," who support the continued attacks) to stop it. It really ought to be that simple, hadn't it? If Hamas lays down its weapons this evening, and declares itself done with violence, by tomorrow there will be no more violence in the land. If, on the other hand, Israel were to lay down its weapons this evening, and declare itself done with violance, by tomorrow there would be no more Israel.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:15pm

"Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel."

Oh, I don't know about knots. All he has to do is throw the word "nuance" at it, and any claim to the moral high ground evaporates.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:15pm

"Mr. Van Duzer is tying himself in knots in order to say something critical of Israel."

Oh, I don't know about knots. All he has to do is throw the word "nuance" at it, and any claim to the moral high ground evaporates.

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:16pm

"It ignores the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza

by: kevin47

01-16-2009 @ 10:16pm

"It ignores the fact that 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza

by: conradsteinhoff

01-16-2009 @ 10:34pm

As long as both parties to this conflict continue to insist on being right, and the other wrong, there will be no resolution, and no peace. Both have a long list of justified grievances agains the other. But the reality is that neither can "win", neither can have it their way, and that their grievances are immaterial to reaching a peaceful settlement. The current reality is, they are both there, they will both continue to be there, and they must make an accomodation that allows them to co-exist there, or they will both be destroyed. This reality makes the recent votes in Congress inappropriate and counter-productive. They lead nowhere. President Obama must insist on a settlement based on current reality, not past grievances, not on who is right or who is wrong, or the conflict will continue until both parties are destroyed. Let us pray that he has the vision and the fortitude to do so.

by: conradsteinhoff

01-16-2009 @ 10:34pm

As long as both parties to this conflict continue to insist on being right, and the other wrong, there will be no resolution, and no peace. Both have a long list of justified grievances agains the other. But the reality is that neither can "win", neither can have it their way, and that their grievances are immaterial to reaching a peaceful settlement. The current reality is, they are both there, they will both continue to be there, and they must make an accomodation that allows them to co-exist there, or they will both be destroyed. This reality makes the recent votes in Congress inappropriate and counter-productive. They lead nowhere. President Obama must insist on a settlement based on current reality, not past grievances, not on who is right or who is wrong, or the conflict will continue until both parties are destroyed. Let us pray that he has the vision and the fortitude to do so.

by: humbertojijoncaldero

01-17-2009 @ 12:06am

I agree that the only way to bring peace to Palestine / Israel is to stand on a higher spiritual ground to be able to build a humane solution for both peoples. The real enemy is elsewhere. It is comfortably sitting in its office counting its profits and planning another war. This enemy is so rich that it has bought the political system of the Western World. If interested in an alternative analisis, and for me more objective, please follow this link:
http://www.alternet.org/story/116855/america%27...

by: humbertojijoncaldero

01-17-2009 @ 12:06am

I agree that the only way to bring peace to Palestine / Israel is to stand on a higher spiritual ground to be able to build a humane solution for both peoples. The real enemy is elsewhere. It is comfortably sitting in its office counting its profits and planning another war. This enemy is so rich that it has bought the political system of the Western World. If interested in an alternative analisis, and for me more objective, please follow this link:
http://www.alternet.org/story/116855/america%27...

by: ando

01-17-2009 @ 12:20am

"And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel."

And because you don't vote, you automatically stay above the fray. Must be easy to be a back seat driver.

by: ando

01-17-2009 @ 12:20am

"And just think, it's your tax dollars at work abusing and killing women and children and supporting this apartheid regime called Israel."

And because you don't vote, you automatically stay above the fray. Must be easy to be a back seat driver.

by: Tony_D

01-17-2009 @ 12:34am

It might be worth pointing out (though given the entrenched positions that have been occupied all round, I doubt it will alter any perceptions) that Hamas did offer (and observe) a six-month cease-fire only to find that Israeli forces responded by tightening, rather than lifting, the blockade of Gaza. For a critical Israeli view of the current conflict, it's worth reading Avi Shlaim's essay which appeared in "The Guardian" on 7th January (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaz... ).
One crumb of comfort (possibly) from recent British experience in Northern ireland: meaningful peace talks will begin when (and, alas, only when) both sides realise that a military solution is impossible. The bad news is that this is unlikely to happen as long as the USA remains Israel's uncritical cheer-leader and armourer.

by: Tony_D

01-17-2009 @ 12:34am

It might be worth pointing out (though given the entrenched positions that have been occupied all round, I doubt it will alter any perceptions) that Hamas did offer (and observe) a six-month cease-fire only to find that Israeli forces responded by tightening, rather than lifting, the blockade of Gaza. For a critical Israeli view of the current conflict, it's worth reading Avi Shlaim's essay which appeared in "The Guardian" on 7th January (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaz... ).
One crumb of comfort (possibly) from recent British experience in Northern ireland: meaningful peace talks will begin when (and, alas, only when) both sides realise that a military solution is impossible. The bad news is that this is unlikely to happen as long as the USA remains Israel's uncritical cheer-leader and armourer.

by: carlcopas

01-17-2009 @ 12:41am

You take the good with the bad.

Is that John 3:16, or is it in the Sermon on the Mount?

by: carlcopas

01-17-2009 @ 12:41am

You take the good with the bad.

Is that John 3:16, or is it in the Sermon on the Mount?

by: kevin47

01-17-2009 @ 1:00am

Proverbs.

by: kevin47

01-17-2009 @ 1:00am

Proverbs.

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:24am

And the world would be a better, more peaceful place. Sort of like South Africa when they renounced apartheid. Most people know how to behave better than the Israeli/Zionists.

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:24am

And the world would be a better, more peaceful place. Sort of like South Africa when they renounced apartheid. Most people know how to behave better than the Israeli/Zionists.

by: Kanga

01-17-2009 @ 4:21am

"Give into Caesar what is Caesar's." I don't spend time worrying about what is done with "my" tax money. It ceases to be mine once I write the check. If you don't like where "your" money is going, do you refuse to pay your taxes? My votes I am very careful with, but it is difficult for them to mean much when we are given the choice between the lesser of two evils, so to speak. This year, for the first time in a long time, I think my vote counted for something good.

by: Kanga

01-17-2009 @ 4:21am

"Give into Caesar what is Caesar's." I don't spend time worrying about what is done with "my" tax money. It ceases to be mine once I write the check. If you don't like where "your" money is going, do you refuse to pay your taxes? My votes I am very careful with, but it is difficult for them to mean much when we are given the choice between the lesser of two evils, so to speak. This year, for the first time in a long time, I think my vote counted for something good.

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:56am

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

try this link. Israel is not "poor". But, in America, we are all poor in knowledge. It's not just you so don't take it personally.

God bless

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:56am

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

try this link. Israel is not "poor". But, in America, we are all poor in knowledge. It's not just you so don't take it personally.

God bless

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:57am

If folks want more information on the Gaza conflict there is a really good q&a on ZNET.

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

by: kore1986

01-17-2009 @ 4:57am

If folks want more information on the Gaza conflict there is a really good q&a on ZNET.

http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle...

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:58pm

Thanks, for the information. I wonder who or what keeps this information from the being discussed on the "national stage" and in the MSM?

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 1:58pm

Thanks, for the information. I wonder who or what keeps this information from the being discussed on the "national stage" and in the MSM?

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 2:03pm

Great information Tony.

by: erbe

01-17-2009 @ 2:03pm

Great information Tony.