This is the Jon Snow video on Gaza that everyone's talking about

Hes not murdered Rob, hes down but we don’t know if he’s dead. I reckon hes the son of the Targaryan king that Robert killed and Ed Starks sister who ran off with him.

Prince, not king….

“For the Internet is dark and full of spoilers”… I’m still on Season 3, feckers!
On a serious note, Jon Snow is an inspiration. It’s rare that you’d hear such an honest, hard-hitting testimony from someone working in the media. A true journalist.

And john pilger.

The death of any child us horrendous, but Assad has killed more in the last 2 years than the total amount of deaths in Gaza in the last 40 years. But the Dail ir senate have not been recalled to discuss this. Where is the outrage at Syria?

There was 1m Christians before Bush and Blair waged their illegal war. Now there are 500,000 app. What does that tell you?

Israel support ISIS in Iraq and Syria so your argument bears little weight with people that don’t get their news from mainstream sources. We know from Edward Snowden and many other whistleblowers that the head of ISIS was trained in Israel by Mossad, why are Israel funding Jihadists in Syria and Iraq. Could be that Syria, Iraq and Iran signed major pipeline deals in 2010to pump Iranian gas to Syrian ports and then on to Europe. A strong Syria, Iraq and Iran is not in Israel’s interests.

Both he and Robert Fisk stand head and shoulders above all other commentators on the Middle East and could see a long time what the American financed Israeli war machine was up to and the atrocities it was carrying out.

@Derek Durkin

So you believe everything that Snowden, Russia Today and Press TV say?!

The difference between Z.ionism and Judaism as explained by a Jewish Rabbi. Z.ionists hate Jewish people as much as they hate every other person on this planet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La9MdlLRJ4g And why the F**k can u not say Z.ionism on this site.” If u want to find out who rules over u, find out who u are not allowed criticize” – Voltaire Z.ionists aren’t inclusive to Israel either.

@Ciaran…..See there u are jumping to conclusions, never mentioned Press TV or Russia today, there is thousands of independent journalists out there who look at the evidence and come to the same conclusions without having a billionaire z.ionists hand stuck up their ass.

Wesole’s – Propaganda List reads like something that was written up by The Goebbels of The Israeli House of Porkies !
Is there a Special Department set up to try answer for the War Atrocities conducted by the Israeli Army and their Government ?

Grasping at straws now, weasel !

@Ciaran Snowden leaked documents written by the US government. It is not Snowden, it is the US themselves. There can be no doubting them unless you’re being willfully ignorant.

@Derek Durkin

You don’t have to mention them.

Snowden, Press TV and Russia Today are in the same category: anti-democracy.

Wesole have you any evidence to back up your claims?

“Snowden, Press TV and Russia Today are in the same category: anti-democracy”. How can Snowden be anti-democracy? How can a person revealing that their government is spying on every man, woman and child in their country be anti-democracy? Do you believe that a government should be allowed to use any measures it likes on it’s own people Ciaran? If Enda Kenny was spying on us all would you say that was democratic? Would you be happy to allow that? Ever read 1984? You should if you haven’t.

@Dog Standard

Snowden’s actions have hurt the fight against terrorism. By the way, Europe and the US are not in a 1984-style situation.

How exactly have they hurt this phoney war on terrorism, (an policy that has done more to create terrorists than any in history, one that is in actuality designed to attain assets of a country to make the mega rich richer)? 1984 had 3 major regions, but focused on the one that resembled communism. The correlation between the US and 1984 is the perpetual war, where they were fighting communism, then Islam and next China. It’s all bogus.

So you wouldn’t mind if Enda Kenny was tapping your phone, because it might stop terrorism? You’re willing to be constantly monitored, even though there haven’t been any terrorist attacks in years? I’m not. Not at all. Snowden showed the world how low the US would go to dominate.

@Dog Standard

Innocent people’s phones in Ireland are not tapped anymore. Most of the documents Snowden released have nothing to do with exposing government oversight of domestic activities. The NSA didn’t tap ordinary Americans’ phones anyway and only tapped suspects’ phones.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/snowden-leaks-could-cost-military-billions-pentagon-n46426

Please don’t quote privately owned media conglomerates as evidence, they are biased. Especially arguments that state the military position. They are hardly going to agree with Snowdon.

The US, utlilising Prism, spied on Europe, Brazil and many other countries, including their own. How can you defend that? If Putin was doing it would you defend it? I doubt it. Snowdon revealed major international corruption within the US government. If you stand by the US governments actions you could quite possibly get a job with them, because you ignore civil liberties. You should be ashamed of that outlook, blindly following government policy. You scare me if I’m honest.

that’s just untrue and very naive if you believe that.

Sam Harris just posted a very good podcast (with transcript) about this conflict. I recommend it.

The war was started when SH went into Kuwait, killed thousands of his own people, including Iranians and the fall of the twin towers not to mention the rise of radical Islam. To say that Christians are being depopulated because of Bush and Blair waging war is ignorant at best.

Here we go again.. Children been slaughtered in Gaza as we speak and idiots going on about “IRA thugs”

I was following on from Seáns analogy. I suggested IRA thugs as an equivalent for Hamas. They are herding the children into openly announced target areas as human shields. Sounds pretty thuggish to me. Have a think for yourself before you call people idiots – ask yourself if the IDF wanted to wipe out kids or commit genocide as some suggest, why don’t they carpet bomb Gaza? No doubt they have capability. I’d like to hear how you rationalize this.

@Winston. I rationalise it by thinking you don’t really care if children are murdered. Simple !!

What right have the other counties telling me not to go into a part of my own county??

@Winston Carpet bombing a civilian area is a war crime against humanity. Bombing a playground with a single missile and blaming Hamas is much easier.

You (or anyone) have no evidence what so ever that Hamas are using civilians as shields. Even if they are Israel are still killing the children regardless.

absolute bollocks. What got all the people out in Dublin for the protest. Had they all been to gaza? No. It’s all over the news. It’s your standard ‘silly leftie’ narrative that the media in Europe is feeding us only certain lies and stories. It’s not. It’s free and that’s obvious by the depth of opinion represented. But stick with your silly notion that everything is evil in the west. The story you are commenting on is proof that you’re completely wrong.

L Connors – I love being a Leftie – that way I don’t get to do, or like, Murder !

I was not having a go at being left wing. I was talking about the ‘silly leftie’, the one you meet in college who thinks Western governments control the media and we are being fed lies. Anyone who thinks the deaths in gaza have been ignored by the media is obviously a moron or has had their head under a rock.

Lefties don’t do murder? Someone forgot to tell Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Jung-Il, and Caucescu.

You forgot Adams, McGuinness, Ferris and Ellis

I’m an Egyptian Muslim woman, married to an Irish Catholic, living in Dublin. I am here almost 40 years now, having been born in Egypt. Thankfully my parents relocated to Ireland when I was 10 and I am forever grateful that I can call myself Irish.

I’ve been reading these articles for the last couple of weeks with dismay. Don’t bother clicking on my account … I set up Twitter purely to make this comment. That doesn’t mean I’m a fake, just someone who respects her privacy. For the record, I don’t think the likes of Charles or Fog are fakes either… their opinion just differs to yours. And yes I have been reading all of your comments too Nigel & John. I know where all the regulars stand.

There is such a lack of understanding here from both sides. The history is just that … history. We must look at the here and now and go forward not backwards. It’s pointless debating over whether Israel should ever have even existed and it’s pointless to say that Palestine was ever a country as it wasn’t.

What’s important now is to recognise that Israel has the right to peacefully exist and equally that even though Palestine is not yet a country, that there is a people who call themselves Palestinians and should also have their own country. Israelis and Palestinians (not the crazies) want this … two countries, one peace. It is equally important to recognise that the Law of Return on both sides needs to be re-evaluated. There just isn’t enough land for everyone to “return” and both sides need to accept this.

I, like everyone here, hate the fact that innocent people (why are the men always left out) have died. But this is the result of a war, a war that has been caused by Muslims. And yes, I am saying that as a Muslim myself. I hate this about my religion … we hate jews; we’re scared of jews; we think jews want to kill us. Actually we’re scared of all non muslims. We are taught to feel this way. We are taught that the only way we will have peace is if the jews are gone. The first time I met a jew was in secondary school … we were the only non catholics in the school, so we were kind of lumped together. We became great friends and still are to this day.

So yes, I believe that this 66 year war is down to the Muslims. The ones that never wanted Israel there in the first place. The ones that told the Palestinians to leave and then blamed the jews for not taking them back. But again, there is no point rehashing history.

To be perfectly honest, I wish Israel would just get on with it as they are the only ones with the balls to do it. They have to get rid of the tunnels, which have been built for one purpose and one purpose only … to murder jews. They have to get every last Hamas terrorist out. This doesn’t mean that I think Israel is great and have not made mistakes. Of course I don’t put a halo on Nethanyahu’s head. But … please understand that for Palestinians to ever have a chance of peace, the IDF has to destroy Hamas. No one else will and if they don’t, there will be more bloodshed on both sides with no solution.

Hamas are evil. Make no mistake.

It is up to the Palestinian people themselves to rid themselves of Hamas.

‘Israel get on with it’easily said Shada from the safety of your Irish home.

But they can’t Niall … they are so terrified of what they have been taught and also of Hamas.

It’s not as simple as us marching to the Dail to get Labour out for example. I’m pretty sure that Labour wouldn’t “sacrifice” us for the greater good. Surely you understand the pure evil that Hamas are and have the potential to be?

Do you think Hamas are humane enough to avoid tunneling under cemeteries? I don’t …

I thank the stars for the safety of my Irish home Mike, but no one other than the IDF has the capability to destroy Hamas. I am saddened so much by the numbers of dead children in particular but there will be so many more if Hamas are allowed to continue.

@shada
just an aside, not being smart.
How do egyptians feel about hamas in general. Isnt it true that a lot of them hate each other as hamas would be supporters of the muslim brotherhood.

@ Shada..does being a muslim living in Dublin almost all your life mean you are more educated on all things middle-east than anyone else on here? Also I respect your honesty but on what proof/basis do you say Muslims caused this? Again, unlike Fog and Charles et al on the Hasbara side, I will condem Hamas and their rockets so despite their spin I am not a Hamas supporter, Im merely a supporter of human rights and the rights of the Palestinian people to live and live without oppression and land grabbing by another state

Ruairi,
As Nigel points out, I am more Irish now than Egyptian so I can only refer to newspapers that I read from the ground there and also my cousins who still live there.

In general, they hate Hamas. They feel that they are extremist and they worry for the people. Many are suggesting that the Rafah border be opened for aid but people are scared of Hamas getting into Egypt too. In saying this, there is understanding coupled with hostility towards Israel. It’s definitely a complicated relationship.

“They have to get rid of the tunnels, which have been built for one purpose and one purpose only … to murder jews. ”
… I acknowledge the sincerity of your post Shada, but you can’t say the tunnels were built with the sole purpose of killing jews.

The city has been under a complete economic blockade the last 8 or so years – land and sea. The Israelis have a LIMITED list of items that are allowed pass through, the rest are rejected. Anything containing steel is rejected – tinned food, wheelchairs, musical instruments, building materials. Even batteries for hearing aids for deaf children. The tunnels have become an important part of the crippled Gaza economy. They’re used to import commercial materials including medicines, clothes, cigarettes, alcohol, chocolate, building materials and even cars (disassembled).

Most people in Gaza are under the poverty line and require humanitarian aid. If the tunnels are destroyed, Israel must life the siege of Gaza but I doubt they will. The standard of living there would be unimaginable if the blockade continues after these attacks.

Nigel,

Absolutely not … It’s just that I think I have knowledge from a different perspective to most people here which is why I spent time introducing myself. My parents were in Egypt until the mid 1970′s and I have memories of my first decade living there too, particularly in school. My first cousins and extended family are pretty much all still there.

My basis for saying Muslims caused this long war is because I actually believe that Israel was established for the right reasons. I believe that Jerusalem is as much their holy city as any Palestinian claim. I know you will disagree with me and I am not getting into history debates but Egypt are absolutely responsible for the displacement of the Palestinians back in 1948 along with Iraq, Lebanon, Syria & Jordan. Certainly the extended families of the original Jewish refugees to arrive in Israel are not to blame … they are as much Israelis as Palestinians are Palestinian. We have to look at the now not the then.

By the way, I also condemn the IDF for the war crimes they have committed but I fear the potential of Hamas a heck of a lot more than the IDF.

I don’t think this ‘Shada Isa McCarthy’ is a real person. The israeli propagandists are getting so desperate that they are posting so called Arab anti-Hamas comments, to generate the perception that support for their (israel’s) child-killing is coming from the Arab side.

Calvin,

Despite what is published here, Aid comes in regularly from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing … food & medical supplies are ongoing. Over 1100 trucks have gone through with aid since 8 July. It was however closed on 19 July due to Hamas attacks. After it closed 100 tones of medical aid was sent though the Erez crossing.

These crossings are attacked by Hamas regularly. Don’t you understand? It is Hamas who want to keep the Palestinians with an awful standard of living … it is in their interest.

Dexter – I am very real and am nothing to do with Israel propaganda. I could list 10 things off the top of my head without even thinking about what Israel has done wrong, but I genuinely think Israel are the lesser of two evils. Hamas need to be taken down for Palestinians to have any chance at all.

@Charles. Using the word odious towards someone else……funny !!

Sweet Jesus above ,this site gets more ridiculous by the day ..The Bangles were more Egyptian than “her” ..

Fog on an earlier thread referred to Jon Snow as a clown.

Now, that’s a Hasbara post if I’ve ever read one!

Unbelievable!

You’re in Ireland now, girl(whatever gender you may be), you’ll have to try a lot harder than that to fool anyone with half a brain.

Shada I’d be interested to see you list those 10 things Israel have down wrong.

@Shada. I very interesting take on it. Unfortunately what everyone seems to forget is that you cant defeat an organisation like Hamas with an army. All that Israel is doing is creating the next generation of Hamas. The British discovered this in the North. Even Margret Thatcher who always proclaimed publicly that she would never negotiate with terrorists, was negotiating with them. The more Israel kills to more will enlist in Hamas. Lets face it if anyones family was blown to pieces by a foreign army then I would say a pretty high percentage of people would want to act on it. You wont beat people with a cause with an army add people who want revenge on to that. Its similar to what happened after Bloody Sunday. It brought the recruitment drive of the IRA into overdrive .

Above post @Shada!

Now Shada is definitely a fake account. Remember that article about Israel hiring students? Such a reasoned and measured comment followed by admonishing Israel of any fault and laying all the blame on Muslims, from a Muslim? Try harder. I know Muslims, they do not hate or fear Jews. The problems in Israel are created from land grabbing and oppression. This is the cause of the rise of Hamas.

Shada, you should’ve quit while you were ahead!! The depths these pro-Israeli plants go!! Unfookingbelievable!!

Jesus, u guys must really be getting desperate if this is the best u can come up with.
Egyptian me hole.

@Roland – It’s crazy isn’t it!

I know this is a serious situation, but I’m in bits here after reading that – can’t stop laughing!

Mike,

Off the top of my head …

1. The four kids on the beach
2. Shelling UN schools
3. Shelling hospitals
4. Trying to deal with Egypt as a broker for a ceasefire without consulting Hamas
5. Immediately blaming Hamas for the kidpanp & murder of the 3 Israeli teens
6. The idea that some believe they are the “chosen ones” and the arrogance that comes with it
7. Not treating Palestinians as equals
8. The Gaza withdrawal in 2005 was very poorly managed
9. Supplying the world with military technology
10. The settlement policy

There is more but these are the first 10 that have come immediately into my head.

As I said, I do not put a halo on Israel’s head, but I sincerely believe they are better for the world than Hamas. I’m not going to say sorry for that.

Yes Paul – this is the problem but are Hamas seriously going to just go away with talking? I just can’t see it. I know it is the logical thing to do but you can;t compare the IRA and Hamas … the IRA were actual freedom fighters who genuinely put the Irish people first. Can you say the same for Hamas? I honestly don’t believe so.

What part of Ireland do you live in Shada?

Dog Standard

By your rational, the jews that are anti Israel are all working for Hamas?
Shock horror … It is actually possible for Muslims to see good in jews and see bad in Muslims.
Being brought up in Egypt, I was taught (we’re talking early 70′s) to hate jews. This is my memory of school.
Believe me, don’t believe me … I don’t care!

Dog Standard

Dublin why?

Seb, Roland & Knel

I honestly don’t care what you think. I know who I am.

Where did I say anti-Israeli Jews? Or that they were in Hamas? You just blindly blame Muslims, and admonish Israel of any responsibility. How can you justify the changing map, where Palestinians are being squeezed into smaller and smaller areas?

I ask where you’re from to check if you are actually in Ireland. Did you see The Commitments the other night? What do you think of the new Molly Malone location? What should happen to the pigeon house?

Shada – shocking views from you advocating murder – I’m traumatised just reading your cold heartedness !

Murder, Terror & violence , of any kind is so wrong – but you are also cheering on the war crimes of Israel.
You cannot be for real surely ?

One thing I’ve noticed about all these Hasbara contributors is that they only engage with people they think they have a chance of convincing. They ignore people who post definitive views and target the undecided with well written posts – packed with facts and figures – and presented in such a way as to appear scientific and incontrovertible.

It must be a tried and tested formula that produces results.

Shada’s only a freshman and it looks like she’s going to fail her exam.

Shada at least 5 of your points are not “wrongs” but in fact potentially war crimes.
Just one example targeting civilians as in the case of the 4 boys on the beach,2 shells were fired at them.If this is proved as deliberate it is beyond doubt a war crime.

@Shada. Whats the difference Shada ? Both are classed as terrorist organisations ? The difference mainly is thankfully the British didn’t bring in tanks, battleships, fighter jets, bombers and ground offensives. Israel is !!

Dog Standard,

You didn’t say anything about anti Israel jews but you seem to be surprised by a Muslim who actually gets the pro Israel argument. Of course I don’t blindly blame Muslims … I have a pretty good knowledge of the history and I absolutely say Israel has to take responsibility. As Paul O’Mahony says, Israel are breeding Hamas which is juts as bad.

No I didn’t see the Commitments the other night. I saw it when it first came out in the cinema and once was enough! I remember the booklet that had to go to american viewers to explain the language! I kind of like the Molly Malone statue at the end of Exchequer Street as it’s so close to the tourist office, but I think the old location was best. I miss the floozy in the jacuzzi though! And I have no idea what the pigeon house is… please enlighten me?

But look if you seriously need to know what and who I am…
I did ok in the inter cert, well in the leaving, studied Catering at Cathal Brugha Street and hated it! Am a total foodie and have asked my better half to bring me to Chapter One for my 50th later this year. I’m a non practicing Muslim and our kids have been brought up Catholic as in christenings & Christmas only. My youngest daughter is getting married next year in Brook Lodge (civil ceremony).

I’m not afraid of your questions as I am 100% real. As I said, I set up a Twitter account just so I could make comments. I don’t have another twitter account! if this makes me fake, then so be it.

Fear Ciarraioch,

Oh I’m not cheering on any war crimes at all … I just understand that people die in war. This is a cold, hard fact that I accepted long ago. Do I care? Of course I care .. .jesus these kids did nothing wrong. But of accepting that death is a result of war is is cold hearted, well then sue me for being cold hearted. The reality is that Hamas & the like are disgusting radical fundamentalists who make me ashamed to say I am muslim.

Seb

Unlike some on here, I actually have a life and am replying as fast as I can to people. There’s only one of me and many of you so sorry if it takes time for me to reply to everyone. My intention was just to make my point and leave. I really don’t need this in my life.

I don’t claim have all the facts. Actually no one has all the facts. I have my beliefs. You have yours. Let’s leave it there…

Fine Mike – I agree with you. As I said Israel are no angels and I would like to see any war crimes punished.

Soft day shalom!

Not convinced. If you said you hadn’t seen the commitments at Smithfield square I’d have been convinced. Google pigeon house, might be a tad more difficult to google than Molly, but you’ll find it.

You don’t blindly blame Muslims?

“So yes, I believe that this 66 year war is down to the Muslims. The ones that never wanted Israel there in the first place. The ones that told the Palestinians to leave and then blamed the jews for not taking them back”

That was the bit where you blindly blamed Muslims.

My cousin went to Cathal Brugha St ages ago. What were your lecturers called?

Yet, here you are, still!

Dog. I enough regular walks down main St Dublin . It is so pretty in the summer. I also enjoy the new Luas service. Isn’t it great. Though if I’m honest I would prefer to watch glenroe and drink a full glass of delicious Guinness. How’s the cracks?
How’s that hasbara radar now, sherlock?

Then he pops up, Charles. Ugh. You’re really bad at it Charles. So much so you could never be paid for it. No way are you a paid plant. I bet she’s off trying to find the names of lecturers from Cathal Brugha St. Once her supervisor sorts it she’ll be back.

Dog Standard

I’ve never been to Smithfield Square and just because the Commitments was of interest to you does not mean it was of interest to everyone in Dublin! I equally hated the Snapper and the Van too. Not my genre.

I have zero recollection of my lecturers. As I said I hated it. I left after a year! My daughter is beside me aged 25 and she said she can only remember the name of three of her lecturers and she only finished 5 years ago! Seriously your questions are silly.

Ok then I blame the arab leaders from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iran … not the civilian populations of those countries. Is that better for you?

You think youre that important? Lol. Please continue.

@Charles…..Main Street Dublin ? Glenroe is finished years and whats up with “the cracks”. Thats gas, are ya looking for drugs if so go to the main street in Dublin lol

No Dog Standard, I was actually chatting to my daughter and her fiancé as they’re trying to buy a house at the moment and are having a nightmare with Castle Estate Agents. If you know anything about the supposed property bubble in SCD at the moment, you’ll know that Castle are a nightmare to deal with as they tend to only put one photo up on My Home and never get back to calls. Now can we get back to the actual conflict or do you need to ask me some more stupid questions?

Paul – I’m pretty sure he was taking the p*ss!

Seb,

I meant lets leave it there for you and me … you have added nothing to this particular thread except to try and tarnish me which is rather pathetic if you ask me.

Good comeback charley boy, you’re a smart fella. I’ll come back with “your ma”. Thats the level we’re at, right?

Yes Shada, you could be 100 % real, but then you could be 100 % unreal. Here’s a question for you that is more on topic. If the Egyptian government is to blame, and that government is backed by the US, (hard facts that are now well known and in the public sphere), doesn’t that make the US to blame for policy in the region? If the US created the Shah in Iran, an action that led to revolution, doesn’t that make the US responsible? If the US fund both Iran and Iraq in the Iran/Iraq War, doesn’t that make the US responsible? If the Clinton administration imposes such harsh sanctions on Iraq, (sanctions that caused the deaths of countless people, what is fast being called a genocide of its own), are they not responsible for the demise of that country?

I know how you’re feeling ,Shady. They don’t believe that I’m really me. Get’s me down.

@ Shada – I’m coming late to this discussion but I want to thank you for your input. I’m sick of seeing the same people over and over again and I’m sure they’re sick of me too. I think it’s interesting to read your “angle”. And the attempts to discredit you are a nice bit of comical side tracking to an otherwise very serious subject. Perhaps some of these guys are around 20 and think the world revolves around the cinema and college?

Anyway, on a serious note, what’s your thoughts on the right of return issue as this seems to be such a sticking point for pace?

Dog Standard,

Trust me I’m 100% who I say I am with no affiliation to Israel except to my one jewish friend and her family. We don’t discuss the situation there at all so this is a good outlet for me to be totally honest. I’m kind of hoping she doesn’t read the journal!

Yes I have a HUGE issue with the US. They involve themselves in everything all over the world and need to accept that they are not the word police. And yes if they don’t get involved, people cry out “why are the US not helping”. I think if the US stopped supporting Israel we would see a very different war, but that’s not the reality is it? They will always support Israel and its therefore in their interest to support Egypt and this is why Egypt are at leave with israel. It’s messed up…

@Shada

I’ve contributed greatly to this thread by identifying you as a hasbara poster. Any normal person would have left this discussion hours ago, yet, here you are fighting tooth and nail.

Ironically Jenni you’ve just done to everyone what you claim is being done to you. So in fairness, your absolutely no different. Most against what Israel are doing are indeed very educated on the issues. So much so that they know the Israeli government is paying students to comment on sites like this. And of course the opinion of people who enjoy cinema is as relevant as any. Oh, and college is a place of education, where you are thought about the world. I learned many things in a college. I wish I was still around 20 though. Unfortunately that is just not true.

A recent study found that the countries in the world that are most dangerous to peace are the US and Israel. The list of US interventions since WW 2 has seen millions of people dead, governments toppled and economies in chaos. What the world needs is the isolation of these 2 states, the are not functioning members of the international community.

Jenni,

I’ve read your posts with interest too and I think you do make a valuable contribution. Some have given you a hard time but you tend to be pretty fair in your assessment if a little rusty on your facts! Please don’t take that as an insult! With the likes of Dog Standard, etc … I genuinely think they’re just shocked that I am real and not on Hasbara work!

The right to return really is tricky… We all have immigration laws which I respect. Do I think every person from the EU should just be allowed into Ireland to work? If I’m honest, I don’t as I think we’re in enough economic trouble. Do I think the US should allow in every Tom, Dick & Harry … no I don’t. I think that if every direct relative of displaced Palestinians from say 1948 was to return, there would be a huge problem with space. But I also think that just because you’re a jew shouldn’t allow you automatic citizenship to Israel. Logistically there is not enough room for everyone that has a “right” to be there.

So I honestly don’t have an answer for it. I suppose that once there are two states, which will hopefully happen in my lifetime, each country will have to make its own policy regarding immigration. I’m sorry to say but I don’t know what the solution is. I do think thought that the illegal settlements on the west bank need to stop immediately …

@paul. I nearly feel bad for ya.

@ Dog Standard

Apologies … I was reading through the thread and just saw red. I find it very frustrating that anyone who has a different opinion to the majority are automatically labelled a shill or a fake. I’ve never seen anyone grill someone as to their legitimacy so much as Shada was. I agree that most are educated on the issues, but there are some (on both sides) who are just fanatical in their approach and it bugs me. So I apologise to anyone I have offended. I was just trying to support Shada as she has been attacked by quite a lot of you!

I also wish I was still 20 … life was much easier then!

As an aside, I also had no idea that the Commitments was on … I would have loved to go! Sorry Shada but you can’t beat Andrew Strong’s Mustang Sally!

@seb. I missed the big reveal. Do explain. I’ve popcorn ready and I’ve turned off Alex Jones so you better not be making it up as you go along….

Dog Standard,

Whereas the US could of course stand on its own two feet, how would you envisage Israel being isolated? Would you agree that there would have to be some kind of policing to secure the safety of the civilians? I’m honestly not sure that the surrounding countries (including Egypt) would hold back.

My Dad once joked that Abrraham had a stutter and he was actually saying Canada but it came out as Ca – a – a – nan…

OK I’m logging off so I wish you all a good night. I’ve said my peace and also made a really bad joke! Sorry about that! Let’s just hope to whatever is up in the sky, that there is peace in that whole region soon for everyones sake.

I’m still not convinced about Shada, I would love to be wrong, but it is difficult for anyone with a modicum of knowledge on the subject to believe a rational person would support Israel. For my part I support the state of Israel as a country that should continue. I support those in Israel that strive for peace and a solution to the issues. I abhor the current Israeli administration, the tactics they use, illegal settlements and land grabbing. In it’s current state I reject Israel, as all good thinking people should, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t support it in the future, if it changed its ways. I have nothing against any people, including Jewish people, I have met people from all walks of life and have found all to be different, all to be people, not defined by religion. I also don’t agree with Hamas shelling, but I can see why that reaction happens, given that Israel dropped 14,000 shells on Palestine in 2006 alone. Thats about 1.5 shells an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. That is quite extraordinary.