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NEGOTIATORS IN CAIRO addressed the thorny issue of the Israeli Gaza blockade this evening, as the second day of a 72-hour truce neared its end.
As Gaza’s residents ventured out to try to piece together their battered lives, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators held a second round of indirect talks aimed at finding a durable end to the five-week confrontation.
A senior Israeli official told AFP there was still a long way to go to agree an end to the conflict, which erupted on July 8 when Israel launched military operations to halt cross-border rocket fire from Gaza.
“The negotiations are difficult and gruelling,” a Palestinian official said of Monday’s opening talks, which lasted almost 10 hours and which were described as “serious.”
But he said today’s meetings would be “the most important,” saying they would tackle core issues such as Israel’s eight-year blockade of Gaza, which the Palestinians want lifted.
Tuesday’s talks, which opened during the afternoon, were still going on late into the night.
Earlier, an Israeli official played down the chances of success.
“The gaps are still very wide. There has not been progress in the negotiations,” he told AFP.
The teams gather in separate rooms at the headquarters of the Egyptian General Intelligence and never see each other, with mediators shuttling between them with proposals and counterproposals, a source said.
Hamas wants Israel to lift the blockade it imposed on Gaza in 2006 before it will stop rocket attacks. Israel has said it will only facilitate Gaza’s reconstruction if the enclave is fully disarmed.
In Istanbul, a coalition of activists said on Tuesday they will send a flotilla of blockade-busting ships to Gaza by the end of 2014, fours years after a similar attempt ended with a deadly raid by Israeli commandos.
“We plan to send the flotilla during 2014,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, comprising activists from at least 10 countries, said in a statement.
It did not give a specific date or an estimate on how many vessels or people would participate.
In a sign that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced domestic political battles to sell any deal to his fractious coalition government, he called off a planned meeting of his security cabinet on Tuesday and instead invited key ministers, mainly hawks, for private meetings, Israeli media reported.
Truce clock ticking
Egypt brokered the three-day truce which took effect from 2101 GMT Monday and it has urged the warring sides to make every effort to reach “a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire”.
Efforts to extend a similar 72-hour lull last week shattered after Hamas refused to hold its fire beyond the deadline, accusing Israel of refusing to lift the blockade.
Both sides said they were ready to resume hostilities if the talks failed again.
The Israeli military confirmed one of its naval patrol boats had opened fire when a small motor boat from Gaza sailed beyond the three nautical mile offshore limit imposed by Israel.
“We fired a warning shot into the air only and they sailed away,” a spokeswoman told AFP.
The truce held – except it didn’t.
This morning the IDF admitted they have fired at fishermen who approached the 3 mile limit imposed as part of their siege of the strip.
But of course its not a real violation of the truce as its only the Israelis acting in self “defence”.
Thankfully the Palestinians didn’t return fire.
Israel are never bound by a truce dont you kno that by now? They re never bound by international law nor the geneva convention. When are people going to learn that israel are a law unto themselves
@ Killian. It was a good example of what a lasting ceasefire will look like. The Gazans will still be imprisoned, blockaded and oppressed, and will not be allowed to fish their own waters in case it interferes with the ‘diet’ their jailers have them on.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
Delightful orange …
So Orange, you support Hamas and their desire for the annihilation of Israel ?
You obviously don’t give a cr@p about the Palistinians as long as you get rid of those pesky Jews !
I have no ill feelings toward Jews, to imply I can hate millions of people based on a religion is ridiculous. I don’t support Hamas but I will vigorously defend the right of self determination to the people of Palestine, if that self determination leads to Hamas so be it.
My ill feelings are toward an army brutally murdering civilians, toward the oppressive and terrorist state of Israel.
‘From the river to the sea’ is mantra used by Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas, as part of his war on Israel and refers to the land from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean Sea.
For you to quote it shows either your support for this or your ignorance on what is going on there.
Does the article not say they sailed BEYOND the three mile limit and not that they were approaching it? Where does it say that the IDF fired on the fishing boat? Did you actually read this article?
It’s a widely used expression used to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and especially Gaza during these terrible times.
You are taking it out of context to suit your own agenda. Couldn’t care less, I don’t need to justify myself or my morals to the likes of you.
“… to imply I can hate millions of people based on a religion is ridiculous…” – and yet you chose “Orange Order Loyal” as your alias on here, which implies that you hate about 4.5 million people based on religion in itself…
Not an Orangeman,not a bigot. It just seems to drive certain posters up the wall on the journal! :-)
Fair enough, but you have to admit it sets a certain tone for anything you post
Absolutely! Nothing wrong with rustling a few feathers every now and again :-)
Orange … There’s no “taking it out of context”. The phrase is used exactly as Stephen has said. The fact that many use it during protests and say it’s not about annihilating Israel just shows the number of sheeple blindly following without question. To Jews, it is complete antisemitism and is akin to the “hitler was right” posters seen at European parades. (And yes I am using the word antisemitism in it’s colloquial term before some bright person jumps to say that Arabs are Semites too.) Orange, with respect, if you don’t believe Israel should be wiped out may I suggest a different slogan eg “peace for the Middle East”.
Your name doesn’t annoy me Orange, but your stupidity does!
Orange order loyal – your use of that phrase calling for the destruction of Israel is the best example of irish ignorance on the conflict. From the river (Jordan river) to the Sea (Mediterranean), this means and has been stated by thousands of Palestinians at thousands of rallies that eventually no matter what happens in the near future Once Islam gets strong enough they will wipe Israel off the map.
What feelings do you think those sayings illicit in the minds of holocaust survivors and their descendants in Israel. And to hate the Israeli army is to hate the people of Israel who support it with a recent poll of 92%. And to hate the only jewish state in the world pretty much makes you a Jew hater even though you’ve probably never. Met a Jew in your life because Europe has drivin most of them away and replaced them with Islamists who hate your western ideals and refuse to integrate. And you wonder why the economies shit.
@Elanor from supposedly “Kildare” but I think not!
You as a supporter of genocide and concentration camps have no authority to bring up the Holocaust… and you are quite simply a disgrace to do so.
“My name is Reuven Moskovitz and I am a Holocaust survivor.
So why was a Jew trying to break the blockade of Gaza? It is a sacred duty for me as a Holocaust survivor, to protest against the persecution, the oppression and the imprisonment of so many people in Gaza, including more than 800,000 children.
I as a Holocaust survivor cannot live with the fact that the state of Israel is imprisoning an entire people behind fences. It is immoral! What happened to me in the Holocaust wakes me up every night and I hope we don’t do the same thing to our neighbours, and what I went through during the Holocaust reminds me of what the besieged Palestinian children are going through!”
Sorry Eleanor – that’s the most tenuous link I have ever seen posted..
Israel is a state. Their military is as open for criticism as that of the UK, France, Germany or the US, they are a military service, not a congregation.
If you want to conflate the state and military with Judaism specifically then a) you ignore the non Jewish population of Israel and b) you ignore the non Jewish members of the IDF.
It’s a pathetic attempt to stifle legitimate criticism, and that merely serves to engender more distrust in Israel. After all – there’s that quote to learn who rules over you, determine who you are not allowed to criticise.
Israel are as much fair game as any other nation when it comes to the discussion of their actions. Uganda didn’t get to claim racism when people criticised their anti gay laws, Israel don’t get to claim anti semitism when people disagree with their actions.
I’m a Jew hater now?
The first rule of Israel’s defences, if you can’t win a logical and rational argument play the anti semitism card!
While antisemitism does exist – accusing anyone who disagrees with the *actions* of the Israeli state of it is no more than an ad hominem attack and serves only to cheapen the meaning of the term. It’s also the absolute lowest form of debate.
There are antisemites out there, and they deserve to be criticised and called out – but at the same time, Israel deserve to be criticised and called out for their *actions* too.
The actions aren’t Jewish, criticism of them therefore cannot be antisemitic.
No Orange I don’t believe you hate jews. I think you don’t understand what ‘From the river to the sea’ actually means and I was just pointing it out to you. My suggestion was for you to change your slogan to avoid anyone thinking you are antisemitic.
I genuinely hope that something positive comes out of these talks. The innocent Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace without living under constant threat.
Jenni well said. .
Innocents on both side deserve the right live in peace with security
Peace and justice.
Agreed – and the only way is through BOTH sides sitting down and accepting the humanity within each other through talks and compromise..
We can but hope.
George Clooney’s missus to investigate Israeli war crimes (allegedly).
Casualty Figures:
According to the UN Israel’s 30-day offensive has left: 1945 dead including 449 children, 243 women, 79 elderly, 21 paramedics, 12 journalists and 9567 injured, including 2882 children, 1853 women, 374 elderly, 153 of the injured in critical condition. 40,000 homes destroyed, 10,000 totally and 40,000 partially, displacement of 450,000 people, kidnapping of 30 Palestinians. The destruction of 112 schools, 112 mosques, 10 hospitals, 39 private and civil society organizations, 54 fishing boats, 100’s of civilian vehicles including 9 ambulances.
Contrast this with 63 Israeli occupation soldiers killed and three civilians!
While I dearly hope for an end to this pointless conflict it is my considered opinion from visiting both sides in the conflict and studying the conflict and its History for many years that there will be no peace.
I believe Israel’s intention is to make life so unbearable for the Palestinians that many will emigrate, and the remainder will be absorbed in to a greater Israel. Its that simple! :(
There was a ceasefire after the slaughter in 2012, part of the ceasefire agreement as well back then was for Israel to lift its blockade and hamas to stop firing rockets. Hamas kept the ceasefire for 19 months, while Israel refused to lift the blockade as agreed.
The international community need to impose a final settlement, or Israel will ‘mow the lawn’ again in a couple of years, killing thousands more.
The IDF despite their war crimes have failed. The Israeli people are beginning to question the abilities of their political masters.Operation Protective Edge has achieved nothing of consequence for Israel other than expose their brutality to the rest of the world.
Will Netanyahu’s coalition last much longer ?
Will the Israeli people ever elect a government who are not hell bent on death and destruction ?
Let’s hope for the people of the region that they do.
The Palestinian Authority need to stop pussyfooting around and join the International Criminal Court so that Israel can be charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. This would likely mean Israeli military and political leaders would be scarcely able to leave the country. Let’s get it done as a small first step.
But what can normal people do? A complete boycott of Israeli goods and services.
Let’s be honest here – if Palestine do join the ICC, they (via Hamas) will have charges to answer too.
This could be the reason they don’t.
Both sides have a lot to answer for, and both sides need to be brought to justice.
Hamas are the ones pushing the PA to join the ICC, they know they have a lot to answer for too, but they are confident that the overall results will be in their favour.
The comments on this site are ridiculous, if you were really concerned with Human Rights you’d have turned your collective attentions to what has been happening in Syria for the past 3 years or whats been occurring in Iraq since the US withdrawal.
In case nobody has taken the time to read Hamas’s Charter their primary objective is to establish a Caliphate the same thing that ISIS are currently trying to establish. Hamas has never been for the people of Gaza nor will they ever be. The removal of the blockade to them represents a chance to illegally smuggle the hardware required to do so.
Every Rocket they fire is a double war (i) firing from a civilian installation and (ii) firing at civilians. Why people can’t see this is beyond me. Not only this it is well documented that tunnels which the IDF spent weeks dismantling were constructed by child labourers.
I am not for one second condoning the all of the actions of Israel, however , I am suggesting there should be a need for a more even handed discussion.
@Jake, ……… ” I am suggesting there should be a need for a more even handed discussion ” Jake, I’m just so glad that you’re not chairing this discussion that you suggest. Your ” even handed” account of the situation is so far from that.
Don’t waste your breath on the left wing ISIS/Hamas/Islamic Jihad loopers on here.
Wesole you weasel ,here to champion the child killer brigades again? All quiet on the western front at the moment. No need for you to offer up any excuses about how kids ran into bullets or fell into the path of a 2000lb bomb that was just passing
Jake – correct. Some of the commentary on this site verges on the hysterical. Israel is “bad” full stop. End of. They’re just firing missiles into Gaza for laughs and no other reason. Oh that and “land grab” (must get that one in).
It’s like an evil bully pushing kids into the road, then they get run over. The casual bystander (and Journal reader) immediately wants a boycott against all cars.
Israel as the only “Western” nation in the region cops all the criticism from people who believe the West is to blame for everything, while remaining silent in other cases. When Palestinians were actually slaughtered in Syria? Crickets.
So bernard when you look at a map of the occupied territories from say the 1990′s and then you look at the same maps now with all the settlements and the roads that connect them to each other and to israel proper in your opinion did they a) bigger,b) stay the same, or c) become 60% smaller because lf of land confiscation??
Then ask yourself why were palestinians in syria? Were they there because a) they were on vacation, b) they were exploring for oil, or c) they were living in a refugee camp because they were expelled from palestine by an invading power who confiscated their homes and lands ?
We see through you bernard ,we see through your deflection ,we see through your excuses.
Israel may be a democracy but its an increasingly apartheid state that is on a land grab. Just look at the number of house demolitions this year alone in the west bank, look up th IAHD and watch or read some of jeff halper interviews. Then come back and tell us what you learned
*ICAHD
DH, still no condemnation of your friends in Iraq, how many heads do they have to cut off, how many women do they have to rape, how many children do they have to bury alive???? ISIS creating a wonderful Caliphate, Hamas hoping to do the same in Gaza and Israel and all we get are the usual Weasel words from you and the other Jihadi Apologists!
@ Jop
J-dog in the house! Ask em do they know about the bear attacks in Canada? People are so blind. “Oh they are wild animals”….One word. ISIS.
@ Wesole
My man. Always there trying toroll out some sort of conman knowledge to this shintards.
Kosmo
Can you point out the flaws in jakes comment rather than broadly knocking it without explanation. This is supposed to be a forum for discussion not for insulting because you feel you can !
Haven’t a clue what you are talking about Charles Fogarty, ???? Try using English next time! Your Dr. Dre impersonation is lost on me
@Jake
Wow that’s quite an uninformed rant from you my good man…
1.) This debate is about Gaza and the long slow genocide of the Palestinian people so feel free to start a post about Iraq or Syria and I’ll gladly comment there but do not try to divert the issue please. I’d even volunteer to join a UN army to wipe out ISIS. But I have a feeling the pro-Israeli armchair generals from the Hasbara wouldn’t be quite so keen on joining me!
2.) You quote the Hamas charter yet say nothing about the Likud charter? Hmmm innocent oversight? I doubt it somehow. Care for a reminder… and before I forget Hamas have agreed to amend theirs the context of an overall peace agreement… Have Likud?
The 1999 Likud Party Charter:
“The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza are the realization of Z.i.o.n.i.s.t values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defence of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting.
Similarly, they claim the Jordan River as the permanent eastern border to Israel and it also claims Jerusalem as belonging to Israel.
The ‘Peace & Security’ chapter of the 1999 Likud Party platform rejects a Palestinian state.
“The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan River. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel’s existence, security and national needs.
3.) You complain about rockets being fired from civilian targets at civilian targets. Strange the statistics dont seem to bear that out at all.
According to the UN Israel’s 30-day offensive has left: 1945 dead including 449 children, 243 women, 79 elderly, 21 paramedics, 12 journalists and 9567 injured, including 2882 children, 1853 women, 374 elderly, 153 of the injured in critical condition. 40,000 homes destroyed, 10,000 totally and 40,000 partially, displacement of 450,000 people, kidnapping of 30 Palestinians. The destruction of 112 schools, 112 mosques, 10 hospitals, 39 private and civil society organizations, 54 fishing boats, 100’s of civilian vehicles including 9 ambulances.
Contrast this with 63 Israeli occupation soldiers killed and three civilians.
Yes the facts do deem to agree that someone is targeting civilians… just not the side you think!
Blah, blah, blah.
Hamas do not want peace. Hamas started this current round of hostilities, knowing that Israel would retaliate. They want to use the deaths of their own civilians to foster Western sympathy (check) and to use as bargaining chips to “negotiate” some sort of settlement. Ironically the sort of settlement previously on offer before they ruined it.
Israel’s boundaries were determined by the UN in 1947. In a series of defensive wars, Israel captured additional territory. On numerous occasions, Israel has withdrawn from these areas.
As part of the 1974 disengagement agreement, Israel returned territories captured in the 1967 and 1973 wars to Syria.
Under the terms of the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, Israel withdrew from the Sinai peninsula for the third time. After capturing the entire Sinai in the 1956 Suez conflict, Israel relinquished the peninsula to Egypt a year later.
In September 1983, Israel withdrew from large areas of Lebanon. In 1985, it completed its withdrawal from Lebanon, except for a narrow security zone just north of the Israeli border. That too was abandoned, unilaterally, in 2000.
After signing peace agreements with the Palestinians, and a treaty with Jordan, Israel agreed to withdraw from most of the territory in the West Bank captured from Jordan in 1967. A small area was returned to Jordan, and more than 40 percent was ceded to the Palestinian Authority. The agreement with the Palestinians also involved Israel’s withdrawal in 1994 from most of the Gaza Strip, which had been captured from Egypt in 1973.
Israeli Prime Minister Barak offered to withdraw from 95% of the West Bank and 100% of the Gaza Strip in a final settlement. In addition, PM Rabin and his successors offered to withdraw from virtually all of the Golan Heights in exchange for peace with Syria.
In August 2005, all Israeli troops and civilians were evacuated from the Gaza Strip and the territory was turned over to the control of the Palestinian Authority. In addition, four communities in Northern Samaria that covered an area larger than the entire Gaza Strip were also evacuated as part of the disengagement plan. As a result, Israel has now withdrawn from approximately 94 percent of the territory it captured in 1967.
But haters gotta hate!
@Bernard.
Well is that so ?
Someone might believe you but thousands won’t !
Hi Bernard O’Brien,
Yes. That is indeed so.
Unfortunately you’re right. Thousands choose to “not believe”.
@ Bernard O Brien
What dies that even mean ?
” some might believe but thousands won’t”
If what’s being said by Bernard is untrue then please explain where it’s wrong. By you’re comment you say that you believe he’s right but you choose to deny it, along all the thousands !
If you’re going to discuss a topic then have information to knock another comment but don’t just ” I know you are but what am I ” someone’s comment. Show where he’s wrong and have an adult discussion.
What do you know? Guess what…
Hamas have just broken the ceasefire and talks are off.
Way to go Palestine!
@ Bernard
“Way to go Palestine”. Yeah..
“Hamas started this current round of hostilities”. Please explain to me how?
“bargaining chips to “negotiate” some sort of settlement” What type of settlement do you think that would be?
“On numerous occasions, Israel has withdrawn from these areas.” but not all.
Peace with Syria and Israels occupation of the Golan Heights? Yeah?
What happened in 67′ ?
Do you think the long standing occupation could be considered a move towards annexation considering its length? You seem to base your judgement based on law, correct? Explain the water supply to Gaza.
Why no in the Scottish Referendum? Do you have a vote? Or is at specific world view you have that would make you feel this way?
Why do you think the Israeli government refused to acknowledge the coalition in April? What are your feelings about the Goldstone report?
@ Bernard
Hahahahahaha excuse my last post. I checked your twitter. I realize now who/what you are. I guess particular commentators on the Journal.ie should be happy with consistently calling in the higher pay grades of your “organization”.
Or maybe just the use of more established accounts? Who knows. I am genuinely curious to know if you have any links on the structure?
Word to the wise. Oul Fognostical deserves a raise. He is a “fav” around these parts.
Darren pop your tin foil hat on, take a breath and read through the comments again.
Hamas fired hundreds of rockets at Israel before they retaliated.
You can be rightly concerned about civilian deaths, but acting like a goose invalidates your argument.
Oh and thanks for the endorsement. I’ll inform my fellow Illuminati LOL
@ Bernard
Maybe i’m wrong. I read through your comments. Nicely worded. Your childish “Way to go Palestine!” i think should your true feelings though.
Feel free to answer the questions in the first post. The last two would be the answers i would be most interested in. Tin-foil hat? It’s gold. Only thing that really can keep out radio-waves. I’m also kind of a baller.
Darren, yes “Way to go” may have been childish, but it’s exasperating trying to have an adult debate on this forum sometimes. The Journal knows this.
BTW I’m not affiliated with any organisation, so I don’t know what you’re implying. Just an individual who follows the news. I see you’ve only tweeted 3 times?
Anyway:
“Hamas started this current round of hostilities”. Please explain to me how?
You could trace the current round back to 2006 – shortly after Hamas gained power and started attacks. Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 more than 11,000 rockets have been fired into Israel.
Mahmoud Ali Kawasme is suspected of planning the abduction and murder of Israeli students Gil-ad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel. Hamas military wing were aware of the plan that resulted in a tit for tat murder, civil unrest and the start of rocket attacks from Gaza.
The IDF launched Operation Protective Edge on 7 July in response to continued rocket attacks from Gaza.
“bargaining chips to “negotiate” some sort of settlement” What type of settlement do you think that would be?
Hamas is seeking an end to the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2007. Israel says the closure is necessary to prevent arms smuggling.
“On numerous occasions, Israel has withdrawn from these areas.” but not all.
Negotiations continue regarding the final disposition of the remaining 6 percent (about 1,600 square miles) of the disputed territories in Israel’s possession.
Peace with Syria and Israels occupation of the Golan Heights? Yeah?
Between 1948 and 1967, Syria controlled the Golan Heights and used it as a military stronghold. Israel’s seized the heights only after 19 years of provocation from Syria. President Assad wants Israel to withdraw BEFORE he is willing to discuss terms. Given the bloodshed in Syria, a defendable border is necessary.
What happened in 67′ ?
Israel went to war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria in response to massing troops, terrorist attacks and clear statements such as ““Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel.”
Do you think the long standing occupation could be considered a move towards annexation considering its length? You seem to base your judgement based on law, correct? Explain the water supply to Gaza.
Gaza isn’t “occupied”. For the West Bank see above. The subject of water was agreed upon under the terms of the Oslo Accords (part II) and Israel has not only fulfilled its obligations under the terms of that agreement, but actually supplies more water to Gaza and the West Bank than it is obliged to do.
Why no in the Scottish Referendum? Do you have a vote? Or is at specific world view you have that would make you feel this way?
The UK is better together, all my family are voting No. As I am currently residing in Ireland I can’t vote, but doesn’t negate my view that the Yes camp don’t have compelling reasons for “independence”.
Why do you think the Israeli government refused to acknowledge the coalition in April? What are your feelings about the Goldstone report?
Because Fatah had been negotiating with Israel, yet Hamas refuses to recognize Israel’s legitimacy. ‘‘Whoever chooses Hamas does not want peace.’’
Goldstone accused both sides of wrongdoings but admitted in 2011 events since the report was issued led him to change his analysis of crucial portions of the original report, inc civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy. See The Washington Post.
Bernard, I understand this isn’t a forum for any real debate and I appreciate you taking the time to answer. The accusation of being a member of a group is founded in the alarmingly high number of posters who are laughably obvious in their bias and hidden agenda.
I use Twitter as a news feed but mainly for funny tweets from comics.
“Hamas started this current round of hostilities” I guess an opinion of this can subjective so fair enough. The “suspicion” of Hamas involvement was not enough to my mind. The Times and others are now saying that Hamas funded the kidnap. A tenuous link to begin with is trying to be strengthened with the view to excuse the action for the (hopefully soon) U.N investigation.
It was Hamas…Oh no it wasn’t actually…oh no sorry they did have some sort of involvement. That does not in anyway legitimize the operation.
The water issue is a much cloudier affair (pun intended). The obligation would surely be through the Oslo Accord?..Also, The Wadi Gaza?…
Yeah, it isn’t “occupied” but the responsibility of an occupying power still falls on Israel under International law.
“bargaining chips to “negotiate” some sort of settlement”. The question was somewhat sarcastic as i hope your answer was. Brings me to the coalition in April. Israel touts itself as being the one who wants peace. These was the opportunity which they refused with a reason they have seen to look past before with Egypt and Jordan.
At least you’re not discounting the Goldstone report because he is an anti-Semite….but that is a stretch Bernard.
I guess the question is. Why bother?
I know a few Scots. All of the same opinion of you and your family. Disappointing. Salmond was awful too. I guess i’m just a silly romantic when it comes to these things.
Cheers Darren :)
South Africa’s former president Thabo Mbeki has called on South Africans to boycott Israeli goods. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some of our former presidents had the courage to publicly support the Irish boycott on Israeli goods in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Mbeki – what a guy. Had nothing bad to say about mugabe, said there was no evidence of white farmers being killed in Zimbabwe and his crowning glory: AIDS denial, which reports say have resulted in 2/300,000 deaths.
@ Charles
They just don’t get it Big C. If they banned al Israeli goods they would be dead of rickets and have no way to let anyone know about it…..Have a good day. Another day another thread. DM later bro!
Dead of rickets??
Why, does Israel provide the sun?
I’m afraid there will never be peace between the Palestinian and Israeli people,it’s sad but there is just too much hatred towards each other.
Both sides have become so entrenched that they can no longer see each other as humans – just enemies.
It’s only through talking – face to face, making the conscious decision to actually listen to the other side and their concerns and be willing to come to a compromise that peace will ever be achieved.
In the grand scheme of things ultimately the Gazan people will need to vote out Hamas, but I can’t see them doing that so long as they feel threatened by Israel and (mistakenly) believe that Hamas fights for their survival. It’s not Israel or the US’s place to remove Hamas, if they did they would merely create something even worse (as history shows – Fatah weren’t nearly as bad as Hamas but Israel wanted them gone and so – whether by design or mistake – helped to seal Hamas rise to power).
I have seen compromises proposed by the Palestinian side, as yet all I have seen Israel do is call for maintenance of the status quo, which the Palestinian people would be foolish to accept.
Some people on here just haven’t got a clue what is actually happening in the Middle East. Maybe they should get out of their armchairs, go there and see for themselves what Hamas are truly capable of, against their own people. Then maybe they could speak on the subject accurately from a properly informed prospective.
@ Think you made a typo..wasn’t that meant to say Likud?
And I agree everyone on this planet should go visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian bantustans in the West Bank and the Gaza concentration camp… as I did.
Everything becomes crystal clear then!
No plan of action is perfect Eleanor but I don’t think people that don’t accept the status quo and try to pressure governments guilty of war crimes into changing their policies are either hypocritical or sheep just the opposite in fact.
Burn your Levi’s and if you want to boycott Saudi Arabia I’ll support you.
If you ban Israeli goods please ban goods of Israeli supporters too.
Blue jeans – Levi Strauss – contributed over 5million dollars towards Jewish Israel goals during his life
Modern physics – Albert Einstein ardent supporter of Israel and almost elected Israeli.
President if his health wouldn’t have turned bad
Facebook – mark zuckerburg – Has donated over 25 million to the Israel foundation
Cell phones – Israeli firms invented the microprocessors and most of the batteries that made modern.
Cellphones possible and receive a royalty from all cell companies
I can go on and on, but try to boycott premier league soccer who has a lot of Saudi princes owning teams and then go back to their country and oppress democracy, hang homosexuals and stone woman in pits. Hypocrites and sheep the lot of you
@ Hypocrites ans sheep.. you’re not by chance the daughter of the Israeli ambassador’s wife because you sound remarkably like her!
I don’t think she quite understands what a) the reasons behind the calls are or b) what it’s supposed to mean..
Personally I don’t buy stuff that came from Israel – not out of a boycott reason, I just don’t use their products..
I find it laughable however she would like people to boycott Einstein – should we abandon physics? Great, I’d love to be able to fly..
have your say