Here you link to a webpage that I can only describe as anti semitic.

On this page it too claims that Israel 'created' Hamas so that it could have an unacceptable enemy to fight.

You say it only did it to sow division yet you link to a webpage that says it went far beyond that.

From Hamas's wiki page on its creation in 1970.
'Yassin and his charity were completely peaceful towards Israel during this time'.

Israel may or may not have intended to sow division.....But it is completely unproven and nonsense to suggest that Israel intended to create another enemy for itself......Which the page you have linked to states.

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

The Israeli government "encouraged" and "used " HAMAS, yes, of that there seems little doubt. To weaken Fatah and "divide and rule" in the occupied territories and to reduce political pressure for a feasible two state solution. HAMAS was happy to be used in the short -term to increase its own strength, "used" Israel for its own ends, and has arguably come out "ahead" in the longer "game". History is littered with unlikely bedfellows being "supportive" to prepare on both sides (as each sees it) better for the end game (viz Nazi-Soviet pact 1939-41).

But, as with so much short-term thinking, the genie has come out of the bottle and bit them back. Just the same as "us" re jihadists in Afghanistan in the late 70's/early 80's against the Soviet Union, "us" encouraging various jihadi groups to use London as a base in the 80's/90's,and in a contemporary context, just like us with groups like ISIS in Syria.

No more, no less.

Edited by legaleagle (30 Jul 2014 9.33am)

Edited by legaleagle (30 Jul 2014 9.34am)

Edited by legaleagle (30 Jul 2014 9.47am)

Going by the media and even on here it appears that the Israeli apologists/turning a blind eye types are getting fewer by the day. They, at last, are being forced to wake up to an unpalatable and brutal reality which has been going on for many years and which they thought was the preserve of only the do-gooding left to be concerned about which, by default, had meant tacit support from them for Likud's belligerence.

Hopefully, the slaughter and destruction in Gaza by Israel - this time started remember after the murder of those three teenagers NOT by Hamas and not even in or close to Gaza- has woken them from their apathy and they are now rightfully questioning Israel's real motives in the whole mess over the last 18 years since the election after Rabin's assassination.

I remember at the time just before his murder Israel was split roughly 50/50 for the pursuit of peace and a two-state solution.

A few days ago it was reported that nearly 90 per cent support what is happening in Gaza.

That's a massive shift and could help to explain how the government is able to operate now with impunity.

Has Israeli society become more inward looking? Enough to give the thumbs-up to the mass slaughter of children every few years?

Big chest and massive boobs

[Link]

Yep - 80% per cent of Gazans rely on aid to survive since the blockade started 7 years ago. Hamas may not be everyone's cup of tea but if they are helping to feed, healthcheck and school your child then you will be thankful even if you abhor what they stand for.

Big chest and massive boobs

[Link]

Of course the non charity aspects of Hamas are unacceptable. It is labelled a terrorist group by most democracies as far as I'm aware.

Its constitution is akin to a Nazi one in regards to Jews.

Some of the right in Israel may regard Hamas as an excuse but most are right to see it for what it is.....An organization that if it had the means is an existential threat to their existence.

Edited by Stirlingsays (30 Jul 2014 12.02pm)

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

If there's a blockade on Gaza, how are they getting the missiles they're firing at Israel?