The Israelis are bombing the Palestinians....Will this Ever End?

Sporadic rocket firing, of which I do not condone, but when Universities, Hospitals, Pharmacies, are the targets, I do have an issue. I also would like to say that although I am an American, you cannot hold me responsible for 9/11 or Iraq or Afghanistan....etc. I voted, and not for the government in place. I've been speaking out against the Iraqi war since it began. I said "it appears" because I was looking to initiate conversation, I know that is not where it all started, but we can go back and forth for centuries. Someday, someone will need to say enough is enough, instead of pushing blame back and forth. I think it is ridiculous that both Israel and Hamas let the cease-fire expire...they had one implemented, isn't there were negotiations could have continued? I am interested to hear how you really feel about this, but your attacks on me for being an American citizen are uncalled for. I love my country, if it weren't for this country, I probably would not have the very liberty that allows me to complain and address all the injustices that I see exist. You attack me for being a citizen of a country who made a bad mistake, while I was criticizing my country for not addressing and publicizing this issue enough.... Only in America could I do and say what I do.... But you cannot blame me for atrocities in the Middle East.

The wording of the statement is what illicited my response. "Your own country" is personal (at least to an American), especially when I am trying to explain that it is not about countries....it is about people. If you think I am overreacting, good. I think too many people try to block that which really matters, and avoid discussing or trying to discover resolution because it is easier to ignore... "A War on Terrorism" sounds like an Oxymoron to me. I am disturbed by the bias of American media, even though many Americans believe it is the "Left-wing, Liberal media that has control"....if it did, we would probably have a better understanding and have accurate, credible, reliable information. I am not choosing sides; however, it appears America is dealing with some morale image from WW2 and has decided that funding Israel will heal the past. Our money, our weapons, etc. should not be involved in a conflict of this magnitude. If Israel did not have their American connection, they would not be able to create the devestation that is and has occurred. I do not agree with the rocket fire over Gaza, asking Israel to attack...but it is not the people, it is Hamas...when Israel recognizes most of the people do not support Hamas but they decide killing is still the only solution...Killing people who did not ask for or start your issue, and recognizing that they are pawns, but still decide to kill..... Although in Iraq and Afghanistan America has made huge mistakes, they also tried to help establish a government of the people. That is what made things quite difficult for America, trying to determine what lifestyle and what goals the people truly had, when trying to determine where the attack came from. Maybe this is why we were attacked by the Middle East. Maybe it had to do with our involvement in an issue, that showed our position was very much one-sided. What I am saying is that with every action, there is an equal consequence. Although we may not realize the connection today, everything adds up in the end. Too many people want to shut themselves off to the outside world, when our entire lives are affected by the actions of other people. Our funding and action reflect the principles and the beliefs of our country, and America does not believe in what is presently occurring. Not the America I come from.

I think that is what one calls an overreaction. I was not attacking you at all, nor blaming you for anything. I was merely pointing out that your country has created far greater damage in its own fight against terrorism, and it is the fight against terrorism in Gaza that Israel is attacking. As it happens, I probably agree with your stance 95%, and was merely correcting a slight inaccuracy in your opening post. Lash

Sorry I meant Hamas. I get them mixed up sometimes. But you will never have peace as long as the palestinians refuse to stop attacking Israel.

War is always bad that is why it should be avoided at all cost and women and children are always the victims. However, if your enemy starts shooting at you from a uni or hospital then what do you do just sit there and let them kill you just because they are using a hospital as cover? It is a very difficult situation. The rules of war by western standards are that you never use hospitals or schools as cover but not everybody plays by these rules. Even the other palestinians are refusing to support the hamas groups. If one side refuses to follow the rules of war then you have to deal with that or they will kill you. If I was living in Israel and suffering daily rocket attacks I would want to fight back as well. After all the rockets are attacking Israeli women and children. They are not being fired at soldiers but civilians. The Hamas palestinians do not care who they kill as long as they kill someone.

Sharra1~ I am sorry you are "annoyed" by this conversation but if you look at my comments, you will realize that I have addressed Israel being attacked. I have also explained why the conversation was worded as such (Issues with the biased American media and to illicit a true, emotional response from people with ideas) I apologize if I offended you, but please do not assume I believe one thing, if you have not read the rest of my comments. I have kept up on this conversation because it is important, and I want to learn more. Read my comments, and you will understand my true goal. It was a matter of overkill, that is the issue. The numbers of casualities are never equal, and Israel basically said "We know these people we are killing did not cause this issue, but who cares, watch this!" That is wrong. A University? A hospital? Pharmacies? Women and children? That will protect Israel?

Was this land given to them before or after they killed Jesus? Maybe the negotiations were off the table, considering what Jesus appeared to preach seemed to be the issue in the first place. Truth and brotherhood is what I heard the Carpenter spoke of. If only it were followed. And who said it was their land in the first place? I can better accept that it was won in war, than people claiming "God" gave it to them. You have no way to prove what you say is the truth, it's like reaching up in mid-air.... It's just a grasp. And weak. This blatant disregard should be enough for America to withdraw all funding and whatever agreements we have. I don't care about the money, I do not believe in what is being done. We should have either no part or play an active role, not just stand and watch innocent people being used as pawns in a political/religious mess.

I fogot to mention that this conflict began way back in history. It goes through Abraham's two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Israel is "God's" nation for those particular people. He is the one who gave the directions as to what land was to go to whom, and as long as mankind violates God's directions, there'll be wars and trouble. The end of this will come, but not for some time, and not without a lot more blood shed. As I said previously, it is God's land for his particular group of people - not that they are any better than anyone else, but this is "HIS" mandate, and who has ever come up against God and won? Just pray for peace. That's all one can do, because it's all in "His" hands.

Quite so. I've noticed the same thing myself. I don't know if the media's to be blamed for this, as they didn't give the same amount of coverage to the Hamas mortar attacks long before Israel retaliated. One thing for sure, the Palestinian side has been winning the propaganda war on the issue for a long time. Very few people realize that for Hamas to be happy, Israel would have to be wiped off the face of the earth, and especially in that region, which they (Palestinians) claim to be theirs. Israel has had a very long history in that land, before they came back in 1948. It's just too bad the Palestinian question wasn't settled when Israel was recognized as a state. Now, there are Arabs in Israel, and they co-exist peacefully with the Jews. Some are even elected into the Israeli cabinet! I don't understand why Palestinians have to have it differently. Those who've left that region have flourished in other parts of the world, according to a news show I watched a few years back. Ironically, Arab countries have refused to be of more help to them. So, the world instead turns to Israel for the solution. It's terrible for both peoples to go through such a long war, and in my opinion, unnecessarily. It's even more troubling that other nations/groups have to get involved in it, making the whole thing worse.

I quite agree. It is good to see that someone has noticed that Israel was attacked first. The way most people talk they make it sound like the Hamas did nothing.

It seems that things are muddled enough because both sides believe they own the land. Much like in court. One side thinks they have been slighted, the other believes they have. A judge is brought in to be non-biased and to sort through the facts. Having someone on the outside look at the information, from both sides, could help alleviate some of the disagreements, especially when the information did not come from either conflicting group. If Nuclear bombs are ever used, then you will understand why I have an opinion on this issue. The Balkan Powder Keg.....that is something historians and people alike have feared, and evaluated, watching to see what would happen....same thing.... It is dangerous, and brings rational fear to many who are aware. No point to believe propaganda. I recognize that it is not just Israel, they were responding to repeated attacks; however, their choice in resolving and retaliating, is not anything I want my country to be aligned with. The machinery used is enough for me....

Sharra1~ Thank you for your views! I absolutely agree, it is one thing to be at war, it is another thing to attack hospitals and universities. Sick people are in hospitals, students go to universities. People trying to better their lives go to hospitals and universities, and because Hamas wants war, it is okay for Israel to attack these institutions? I do not understand, nor will I ever condone the attacking of these institutions.

The innocent civilians are the ones who I truly care about, and so often they're cast aside as terrorists alongside Hammas. But the truth is that most of the civilians in Palestine are just doing what they can to fight for survival! They all have their own stories, but many of them have been kicked out of their homes and have been oppressed by Israel, often times as a direct result of militant groups like Hammas. And even the ones who do support Hammas are so desperate for a better life for their people that they don't know where else to turn to. Slowly but surely I think the civilians are truly seeing the true colors of Hammas and I really do hope that Hammas doesn't gain enough sympathy globally to become even larger.

That is what I am talking about. Survival. How are people to ever survive, if People keep killing People? If we cannot get along, there is no hope. If survival is the issue and the desire, how does killing solve anything?

I know I started the conversation out slighted, but I felt it was important to find out how people really felt about this, and I felt this would spark the most controversy. I am not blaming either side; however, the Israelis have pushed it on what is deemed necessary for self-preservation. The Palestinians and the Israelis are people with families. Both are being attacked, and some do not want involvement, but their governments drag them into it.... We must discuss these issues if we are to have hopes of survival. For as long as people kill other people, no one is safe.

I cannot believe that the killing of women and children is "Gods plan." It happens because of what people do. Plain and simple. It is a sick atrocity that should not be occurring in 2009, and yet, it remains. I do appreciate your views, and it rings of compassion. I just have a problem subscribing to this "God's plan" when all it seems to entail is people killing people. It is almost as if it is the excuse for murder, and it does not hold water. Doesn't God say "Thou shalt not kill" ?????????? All these people are going to be surprised when they realize they were acting out of their own mission.....not Gods, or anyone elses for that matter.... God's word=The Bible, The Bible=A book written by man Interesting how the book upholds even the negative actions of the past. Slavery was supposed to happen, according to the bible....maybe the predictions and the acceptance of different things would not exist, if we could forget about this book.

Yesah65~ Thank you for your presence, and your wise words. Life is not fair, I am proud to say my mother has educated me well in that... That is why I stand up and say, things are tough enough, why make them worse? You are absolutely right, and I believe that I why I still have the fear that there is no resolution, because if the desire existed, so would the solution. For as long as someone wants the fight, there will be a fight. For as long as the idiots are allowed to remain, the innocents will suffer the consequences. Idiots are a threat to our survival, and when innocent lives are being claimed at the hands or actions of others, something has got to change.... Thank you for your insight...

I do not want to place blame. Honestly, I do not care. I think it is horrific and disgusting what continues to happen. It is almost 2009 and yet people still think there is hope if entire countries keep attacking others? Really? But I agree....the media is biased...although many would like to believe we get the truth.....so much seems to be swept under the rug when they decide to refer to it...and never ask the right questions or address the vital information... I guess that is my other concern..... Thank you for your comments...