So the occupied territory can fire rockets without worrying about consequences- That's why Hamas doesn't worry about from where a rocket is fired. Now I see

What Hamas wanted is irrelevant. Is Israel Hamas'puppet? What they are doing is illegal. A state cannot simultaneously exercise control over territory it occupies and militarily attack that territory on the claim that it is “foreign” and poses an exogenous national security threat. In doing precisely that, Israel is asserting rights that may be consistent with colonial domination but simply do not exist under international law. 

Occupation Law prohibits an occupying power from initiating armed force against its occupied territory. By mere virtue of the existence of military occupation, an armed attack, including one consistent with the UN Charter, has already occurred and been concluded. Therefore the right of self-defense in international law is, by definition since 1967, not available to Israel with respect to its dealings with real or perceived threats emanating from the West Bank and Gaza Strip population. To achieve its security goals, Israel can resort to no more than the police powers, or the exceptional use of militarized force, vested in it by IHL. This is not to say that Israel cannot defend itself—but those defensive measures can neither take the form of warfare nor be justified as self-defense in international law.

For that sane reason, I can not enter your house, shoot you and declare it was self defense. That' s the law....

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Is it your suggestion that Israel does not know that there are children at the locations it is attacking? It appears to me that you are actually saying that Israel is killing children on purpose, it just has an excuse.

Frankly, I am sitting in my suburban Virginia living room, typing on my computer. I do not *know* if Israel knows what they are attacking or not. What I do know is a standard military doctrine is to fire back at what fired at you. A lot of countries do that. The assumption is the enemy is civilized enough not to fire from residential areas. I will grant, that because of the density of Gaza, that becomes more difficult. But, if I see a muzzle flash, that is where I return fire. My best guess is Israel quickly responds based on where radar shows the rocket launch.

War is not clean. We think we know the answer, but mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, mistakes cost lives of innocent people. I wish Israel was more careful. I wish Hamas was not firing from residential neighborhoods. Heck, I wish there was no conflict. I wish the two sides could peacefully coexist as equals: a prosperous and peaceful Palestine and Israel will benefit both sides.

Imagine if the monies being spent to destroy each other were spent for good?

Not true in this case. Israel argues that it can invoke the right to self-defense under international law as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. The International Court of Justice, however, rejected this faulty legal interpretation in its 2004 Advisory Opinion. The ICJ explained that an armed attack that would trigger Article 51 must be attributable to a sovereign state, but the armed attacks by Palestinians emerge from within Israel’s jurisdictional control. Israel does have the right to defend itself against rocket attacks, but it must do so in accordance with occupation law and not other laws of war. Occupation law ensures greater protection for the civilian population

I did not say it was right....but Israel's response was as expected -- standard military doctrine. You fire at the point that fired upon you. Which is what Hamas wanted, I bet. Hamas knew how Israel would respond. I looks really bad when children are killed...I know the palestininan mothers do not appreciate there babies being used as political pawns by either side.

This whole situation is a tragedy.

Muslima wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Is it your suggestion that Israel does not know that there are children at the locations it is attacking? It appears to me that you are actually saying that Israel is killing children on purpose, it just has an excuse.

Frankly, I am sitting in my suburban Virginia living room, typing on my computer. I do not *know* if Israel knows what they are attacking or not. What I do know is a standard military doctrine is to fire back at what fired at you. A lot of countries do that. The assumption is the enemy is civilized enough not to fire from residential areas. I will grant, that because of the density of Gaza, that becomes more difficult. But, if I see a muzzle flash, that is where I return fire. My best guess is Israel quickly responds based on where radar shows the rocket launch.

War is not clean. We think we know the answer, but mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, mistakes cost lives of innocent people. I wish Israel was more careful. I wish Hamas was not firing from residential neighborhoods. Heck, I wish there was no conflict. I wish the two sides could peacefully coexist as equals: a prosperous and peaceful Palestine and Israel will benefit both sides.

Imagine if the monies being spent to destroy each other were spent for good?

Not true in this case. Israel argues that it can invoke the right to self-defense under international law as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. The International Court of Justice, however, rejected this faulty legal interpretation in its 2004 Advisory Opinion. The ICJ explained that an armed attack that would trigger Article 51 must be attributable to a sovereign state, but the armed attacks by Palestinians emerge from within Israel’s jurisdictional control. Israel does have the right to defend itself against rocket attacks, but it must do so in accordance with occupation law and not other laws of war. Occupation law ensures greater protection for the civilian population

Exactly. Israeli supporters only invoke norms of international law and rules of war when it serves their strategic objectives. They completely ignore it most of the time. Sometimes it's done more artfully than other times, as with the PP who will keep regurgitating the standard "war is cruel/shit happens" line until Gaza has been completely depopulated and reduced to rubble.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Is it your suggestion that Israel does not know that there are children at the locations it is attacking? It appears to me that you are actually saying that Israel is killing children on purpose, it just has an excuse.

Frankly, I am sitting in my suburban Virginia living room, typing on my computer. I do not *know* if Israel knows what they are attacking or not. What I do know is a standard military doctrine is to fire back at what fired at you. A lot of countries do that. The assumption is the enemy is civilized enough not to fire from residential areas. I will grant, that because of the density of Gaza, that becomes more difficult. But, if I see a muzzle flash, that is where I return fire. My best guess is Israel quickly responds based on where radar shows the rocket launch.

War is not clean. We think we know the answer, but mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, mistakes cost lives of innocent people. I wish Israel was more careful. I wish Hamas was not firing from residential neighborhoods. Heck, I wish there was no conflict. I wish the two sides could peacefully coexist as equals: a prosperous and peaceful Palestine and Israel will benefit both sides.

Imagine if the monies being spent to destroy each other were spent for good?

Not true in this case. Israel argues that it can invoke the right to self-defense under international law as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. The International Court of Justice, however, rejected this faulty legal interpretation in its 2004 Advisory Opinion. The ICJ explained that an armed attack that would trigger Article 51 must be attributable to a sovereign state, but the armed attacks by Palestinians emerge from within Israel’s jurisdictional control. Israel does have the right to defend itself against rocket attacks, but it must do so in accordance with occupation law and not other laws of war. Occupation law ensures greater protection for the civilian population

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying PP doesn't care about children being killed? I don't think Hamas cares if children are killed other than it helps their visual cause on the world stage.

In that were really the case, Israel would be the ultimate sucker, wouldn't it? Because the world definitely holds Israel with increasing contempt.

Yes, biased bodies (UN), many Arab nations, nearly all media outlets (seriously--why no coverage of Hamas militants?), rooted anti-Semitism throughout Europe (breathtaking what is taking place there) and those that don't appreciate Israel's position (still think it was unfairly created by UN in 48, think that by opening up all access to Gaza will totally appease Hamas, think that all Israeli wars were started by Israel) will always hold Israel in contempt. Plenty of people in the world are siding with Israel or level-headedness, including Jordan, Egypt and the UAE. Saying "the world" holds Israel with increasing contempt is pretty far fetched.

You should say that those governments are siding with Israel, their people are not, but people evolve before politicians and media..
[youtube] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ueswv7lSLQ&sns=em[/youtube]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Is it your suggestion that Israel does not know that there are children at the locations it is attacking? It appears to me that you are actually saying that Israel is killing children on purpose, it just has an excuse.

Frankly, I am sitting in my suburban Virginia living room, typing on my computer. I do not *know* if Israel knows what they are attacking or not. What I do know is a standard military doctrine is to fire back at what fired at you. A lot of countries do that. The assumption is the enemy is civilized enough not to fire from residential areas. I will grant, that because of the density of Gaza, that becomes more difficult. But, if I see a muzzle flash, that is where I return fire. My best guess is Israel quickly responds based on where radar shows the rocket launch.

War is not clean. We think we know the answer, but mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, mistakes cost lives of innocent people. I wish Israel was more careful. I wish Hamas was not firing from residential neighborhoods. Heck, I wish there was no conflict. I wish the two sides could peacefully coexist as equals: a prosperous and peaceful Palestine and Israel will benefit both sides.

Imagine if the monies being spent to destroy each other were spent for good?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying PP doesn't care about children being killed? I don't think Hamas cares if children are killed other than it helps their visual cause on the world stage.

In that were really the case, Israel would be the ultimate sucker, wouldn't it? Because the world definitely holds Israel with increasing contempt.

Yes, biased bodies (UN), many Arab nations, nearly all media outlets (seriously--why no coverage of Hamas militants?), rooted anti-Semitism throughout Europe (breathtaking what is taking place there) and those that don't appreciate Israel's position (still think it was unfairly created by UN in 48, think that by opening up all access to Gaza will totally appease Hamas, think that all Israeli wars were started by Israel) will always hold Israel in contempt. Plenty of people in the world are siding with Israel or level-headedness, including Jordan, Egypt and the UAE. Saying "the world" holds Israel with increasing contempt is pretty far fetched.

Jordan, Egypt and the UAE aren't siding with Israel because of level-headedness or respect for its existence. It's a purely political move on the part of these countries that are terrified of losing their corrupt hold on power to the Muslim Brotherhood types democratically. The love of Israel has nothing to do with it. I find it curious that all three countries you listed are either completely undemocratic or are infused with traditions of dictatorships and violent power transitions.

Here's the one made about Syria.

http://youtu.be/RBQ-IoHfimQ

When I first saw it, it reminded me of the beginning narrative in the Diary of Anne Frank. How her life went from normal to terrifying. I don't know how any parent can fail to empathize with these kids.

Anonymous wrote:
Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Ok, I don't get this... People say Hamas is launching rockets near shelters. Apparently whatever they launch these rockets from is portable and small. So they can launch the rocket, run away. Meanwhile, civilians in the surrounding area in all directions can't flee. So when Israel responds by firing a rocket to that location, what is the goal? They know the person who fired the rocket is gone. Why don't they take the time to find out where the Hamas people are hiding, and fire rockets there?

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Is it your suggestion that Israel does not know that there are children at the locations it is attacking? It appears to me that you are actually saying that Israel is killing children on purpose, it just has an excuse.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Israel is not killing kids on purpose. Israel attacks flash points, points where things are launched from. Hamas appears to be firing from regions where they know there is shelter. Israel responds from where the rockets were launched....

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying PP doesn't care about children being killed? I don't think Hamas cares if children are killed other than it helps their visual cause on the world stage.

PP keeps saying it's Hamas propaganda. I'm saying these are actual kids being killed. When you keep tying it Hamas, thinking of it as propaganda, or war strategy, or anything else other than the fact children are dying, being charred to a cinder, then you remove yourself from what's really going on. Now maybe you do this because it's too much to bear. I completely get that. But it still creates a mentality where it's OK to kill kids. If anyone needs protectors, it's innocent children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.

Could you point out what part of the previous post requires smoking something to believe? I lead a smoke-free life and the post seems accurate (unfortunately) to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn't it in another thread--I can't keep track--you are in so many, that someone called you the Hamas mouthpiece and propaganda queen? I don't think I need to say more or argue with you. We know where you are coming from.

But every child death is a disaster and heart breaking. The kids who lost their lives from Hamas suicide bombers, the soldiers that were killed from Hamas booby trapping tunnels under UNRWA schools, the kidnapped soldiers that are undoubtedly being tortured now, and yes, of course, every Palestinian child, killed indiscriminately by Israel or Hamas. Neither party kills kids on purpose. And the rockets that (about 1/3) that Hamas shoots but land in Gaza. This is all tragic. I think any sane and reasonable person thinks that. We all pray for peace and cool heads to prevail. But more propaganda and Hamas mouthpieces is not what we need. That will not better the situation. I'm not sure if you think you are helping things with the one-sided rhetoric. You aren't.

No need to reply and bold the lines that aren't in line with your Hamas propaganda.

Israel is killing children on purpose in Gaza. It is attacking areas with complete knowledge of, and indifference to, civilian casualties. That is reality, no matter how much you pretend otherwise.

If that doesn't coform to how you believe Israel would or should act, pick up the phone or write a letter. But please stop trying to suggest that it's Hamas that is responsible for Israeli-inflicted deaths.

If you believe this, you have been smoking something stronger than Hooka.