Chunky Mark is always right!
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Edited by nickgusset (13 Jul 2014 11.33pm)

Edited by nickgusset (13 Jul 2014 11.34pm)

I would argue that since that fateful day when Sharon provoked everything five fold by cynically visiting The Temple Mount/Al Aqsa the right-wing Governments then and to now have more than helped - dare I say 'on purpose'? - Hamas achieve more power.

Likud's and other hawks within the Knesset feed off conflict. As do the hawks on the Palestinian side.

Like any other conflict it is those at the top who do the bidding and those on the ground who suffer.

Big chest and massive boobs

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As opposed to the alternative of apartheid, bombings and injustice plus an anti democratic and anti western stance.

Support for Israel doesn't mean support for the actions of this government. Just as I understand support for the Palestinians (by some) makes a distinction about not supporting Hamas.

Without Hamas the Palestinians would have more support and what is happening now.....Just wouldn't be allowed to happen.

But Gaza elected Hamas and that's a vote for the continual ebb and flow of war.....We are just at an active stage now.

Edited by Stirlingsays (14 Jul 2014 9.13am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Unfortunately, before Hamas were even a political force innocent Palestinians were still visited by state-sponsored terror in Gaza. Low flying screeching fighter jets at 4am in the morning, family houses demolished, blockades, etc. All helping in the traumatising of children (some of whom undoubtedly Hamas today). And not forgetting the 2,000 Sharon allowed killed in the refugee camps in Beirut.

Imagine if the British Army had done the same in Northern Ireland on top of Bloody Sunday? The IRA's membership and terror would have increased how much? A frightening amount certainly.

I believe moderates can be turned into radicals if enough pressure and loss is brought to bear. I also believe the right-wing Israeli politicians know and propagate this for their own ends: i.e the necessity of the blocking of the two-state solution. Having Hamas in power also helps them to achieve this as they both really don't seem to want the two-state solution.

Now I am not saying it is all down to Likud et al but they seem to me to be the ones pulling the strings. An Agent Provocateur. Hamas willingly act in a similar way to perpetuate the cycle.

They both have nihilistic war-mongering nutters within their ranks who are a stain on humanity. Put the fanatics from both sides on some godforsaken island to fight it out and leave it to the still sane, decent Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs to sort it out.

Big chest and massive boobs

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I confess to being ignorant of the underlying political situation, but my sympathies largely lie with the Palestinians by instinct.

However, one thing I just can't understand is why Hamas continues with the rocket attacks. They are largely inneffective (many are shot down, and their weapons are not sufficiently accurate to do much damage even if they get through).

Surely if they stopped with the rockets, Israel's excuse for retaliation is gone, and if they continue there can be no defence.

If I were Palestinian I'd be more than a little miffed that my leadership choose to make an empty gesture which puts the lives of me and my family at risk for zero gain.