Oh, Israel. How is this going to help ?

I know, it's heartbreaking ?

The whole thing is a tragedy

Thing is though, they don't really care about international opinion. The Arab world hates them, America will always lend unqualified support as the government is afraid of upsetting Jewish voters, the UK and EU are pretty impotent these days in foreign affairs and the UN is a total waste of space. Sadly, all that is required is for one side to be the better man and stop. But that isn't likely.

Oh, I know Baron.

I was just hoping that this time (especially given how little damage these rocket attacks were doing) Israel might have been the better man for just a little bit longer. Its all just so disproportionate.

Indeed. It's a remote hope but I'd love Obama to have the cojones to actually call them up on it. America could dictate terms to the Israelis to the extent where a lasting peace (albeit fragile) could be achieved. I know Hamas' actions are similarly reprehensible but when you're sidelined and occupied with no economy and no support network, what is there left other than to express your anger through violence?

I agree P&P (and with Baron also), the whole thing is terribly tragic. Just hope it resolves soon, although i can't see that happening yet.

Yeah, I was hoping (in vain) that Obama might have said something, but his silence shows little has really changed in the US where the middle east is concerned.

So true.

I know Cherie Blair got her head handed to her on a plate for saying much the same, but if you're a third generation refugee, without reliable access to fuel or water or food, let alone healthcare or education, or the right to travel or work, and you can't see any hope of a future, why wouldn't you set off a few rockets?

Israel needs to be the bigger person here, they have all the advantages. But of course, given they broke the last ceasefire and they've not even acknowleged that Hamas has changed their policy to acknowlege Israel's right to exist, I can't see the Israeli govt standing up to the hardliners.

I used to be completely neutral and Pro-Peace - I wrote to both sides as part of AI campaigns - but I'm struggling not to take sides now. I feel for the sensible Israelis but they aren't the ones making the noise.

to be fair to obama, he isnt in the chair yet, and with what? 2 weeks to go, it wouldnt really be very sensible of him to start jumping up and down.

if israel has so much firepower, i m not sure why they dont just flatten the place and have done with it.

I can see it now

Hamas front line rocket launcher man: "hey hold on a minute lads, theres an express delivery here from zebra, stop firing at once!"

sorry zeb ?

The situation scares the bejezus out of me. My sis and young neices live in Tel Aviv and this is going to be a main target area for retaliation. Like Zebra said it's not the sensible ones making the noise.

Pffffffft! I knew you were going to say that ? AI does work though - and they do fab mediation work with normal Israeli/Palestinians, getting people to talk and recognise losses on both side.

I'm quite proud of the fact that I did write so many "um, did you know you've just broken international law?" letters to Israel they told me that they wouldn't bother responding any more. I'm really hoping I'm on their "nutter list". ? I wrote to Palestinian side too but somehow there wasn't as many incidents...

Nutter list? more like shin bet's international hit list ?

You wish! ?