Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East Conflict

[Radagast The Brown]

The criticism is in place of course, and there's a lot of criticism within Israel as well (especially in the columns of Ha'aretz). I assume we agree Israel has the right to defend itself. I even agree Israel's reaction was somehow improportionate: attacking UN buildings was a big mistake even if Hamas was shooting from some place nearby, and using the phosporous in Gaza Strip is stupid; that said, I feel the criticism on Israel is by far greater than on any other country in the world: Russia and Chechnya (about 100,000 civillians killed in the last 15 years or so), the US and Iraq, god knows what's going on in Africa (Sumalia, Congo). Against none of those mentioned above 100,000 Spanish went demonstrating in Madrid to stop the violence; I don't remember the Russians were compared to the Nazis in protests in Paris; but when Starbucks branches in London are being vandalised just because the owner is Jewish, and in a demonstration in Norway they call "Death to Israel, death to jews" I think we go too far. I really don't understand this hatred people have towards Israel specifically, and more importantly - towards the jews.

Also, I can't see any other way to fight Hamas without killing innocent citizens in the process, as long as Hamas uses the population as human shields, hiding ammunition in mosques, shooting rockets from roofs of houses etc.. with such tactics, there could simply be no other result.

btw, hello all, long time no see..