What are your thoughts on the opposition of the government of Israel's actions?

I agree with pretty much all that you say. The reason I have a tendency to hold Israel at more criticism is because I am a citizen of a country that chooses sides, and that aides Israel in its war crimes. I am a citizen of a country with a government that jails and fines people who give money that reaches Hamas even indirectly, but gives money directly to the IDF. Furthermore, what reason do I have to dwell on the terrorism and injustices committed by Palestinians that are already dwelled upon in detail by politicians and the media? I acknowledge them, and I acknowledge their severity, and I wish for them to stop. But I also realize that dominating them with oppressive power is only going to make the terrorism in the world more prevalent. Israel has given itself immense responsibility by colonializing the West Bank and controlling the Gaza border. As someone who helps give them billions in aid every year, I expect them to act within the geneva conventions and to treat Palestinians as more than the Jews were treated in Nazi Germany.

Do you really think that if Israel backs off, Palestine will just leave them alone? Do you think that if Israel reaches out with a peaceful hand that Palestine will say, "Oh, we're sorry too" and then everyone will go about their business? The reason we support Israel is that someone has to. They are a cornered animal there in the Middle East. They are surrounded by countries that hate them and would give their collective right hands to be able to blow Israel to smithereens. If you don't think that is true, you have your head in the sand. If there is anything that Muslims hate more than the Christian westerners, it is the Israeli Jews. So what do you suggest they do? That is not to say that the Israelis don't hate in return. Yes, the hate is definitely mutual, and Israel is about as far away from spotless as you can get in all of it, but as for the choosing sides thing....the friendship between the US and Israel goes way back to just minutes after the nation was created. We have been their only ally in the UN for pretty much the entirety of history. That being said, we never sold a single weapon to Israel until 1962, and we did not really get involved in their conflicts until 1973 when Egypt refused to enter a cease-fire agreement with them. Since then we have worked with them because we have common interests - keeping weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of other Middle Eastern countries, combating the state-sponsored terrorism that is widespread in that area, and stopping the spread of Islamic extremism (emphasis on extremism). As for the Fourth Geneva Convention, which you keep bringing up....I'm sorry, but this is what REALLY makes me mad about the whole situation. Not only is Israel bullied by the nations that surround them, they are also bullied and harassed by the UN. Some of the meetings convened by the UN to "investigate" whether Israel was breaking the Fourth Geneva Convention lasted UNDER AN HOUR and contained NO evidence, investigation, or anything else other than the hearsay of Arabic nations. There have never been ANY discussions of Palestinian terrorism. Also, the Fourth Geneva Convention, in over 50 years, has NEVER MET TO DISCUSS ANY NATION BUT ISRAEL. It has never met for Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Sudan, Congo, Tibet, or any other nation where the atrocities far outnumbered the things Israel does to defend itself from an entire WORLD full of hostility. The UN is a joke. It is a tool of harassment and bullying, and never there when it is really needed. Israel has become the whipping boy of the world. I, for one, am glad that we as a nation have the balls to stand up for them when no one else will.

I didn't suggest that Israel just back off and pretend that there isn't pervasive terrorism surrounding their land. I suggested that they stop targeting and oppressing civilians, stop building new settlements in Palestinian land, and start working toward real comprehensive peace and reconciliation processes. And Israel is "bullied" by the UN? That's funny, because it was Israel who specifically targeted UN buildings during the last war in Gaza in an attempt to force the UN out. I don't see the UN causing violence to Israel, only attempting to hold them accountable for their war crimes. I bring up the 4th Geneva Convention because it is an extremely important document in international law that is meant to prevent another holocaust. The decisions by those on a committee are irrelevant, because even a plain person such as myself can see the huge violations that Israel has committed that are specifically banned in the 4th Geneva Convention.

Oh, and to answer your question more specifically. No, it is not anti-semitic or anti-Jewish to speak out about this kind of stuff. Even if it was, the truth shall set you free (so says your Bible). Whether or not a person thinks the Jews were justified in their actions is almost unimportant, the fact of this all is that the Jews have acted unjustly towards others. Stealing land and killing many does not feel very "holy" or "god-like" to me (but then again, this is the same god of the Old Testament we are talking about who was all for things such as this).

Thank you for your response. The problem that arises in this logic is that one would simply say that now that the land has been stolen and legitimized, it would not be right for the Palestinians to steal the land that they already lost. My thought on the matter is that the land needs to be shared, not colonized and blockaded. Now that Israel does exist, it would not be right to force the Israelis to abandon their land. But it still doesn't make it right to force Palestinians into oppression. The land should be shared. Israel/Palestine is like two women fighting over a baby in court, and the judge ordered them to cut the baby in half so they could share the baby. But without the baby as a whole, the judges decision leaves both sides angry and without hope. And while I do see how Jews could legitimize Israel's killings with the Torah, I think it's a far stretch. In the Torah, the Jews fought other soldiers, they didn't massively kill and oppress innocent civilians. And with social justice being emphasized so much by the prophets, I just don't understand why any Jew would think that would be okay.

No it is definitely not the Palestinian's fault that the Jews got kicked out of everywhere BUT the attitude of all the surrounding Muslim countries that Israel has to be wiped off the map is definitely wrong and unacceptable. Come on...we all know and they know it too that for thousands of years the Jews have been living there just as the Arabs (Palestinians) have...how can you just tell a people that they have no right to settle at a place which has been their's for all this time? I am not bringing up God's promise and all that but historically, its undeniable that the land belongs to both the Jews and the Arabs...so both sides should behave maturely and accept the truth and learn to cohabit peacefully.

You and I share the same point of view. However, try convincing Palestinians who see their land occupied by people who do not belong to it in any way. Yes. I agree conflict can only be resolved in ways other than bloodshed. But for this to happen, people need to be a little more forthcoming and realistic. Israel does not only deny the fact they have illegally occupied a land that is not theirs, but also block every way to a peaceful resolution; because they know they will be the losing side as a result. Do you think it is Palestinians' fault Jews got kicked out by Muslims and Christians?

Thank for the concurring opinion, my friend. It is always very hard and sad for me to see children n baby die in any conflict initiated by militants, i can not see any joy that can ever derive from these deaths and suffering. PEACE is so hard to achieve in that region since none of them really want that to happen after the world community wasted so much efforts n time on both parties but nothing seem to be working.

I could not have expressed it better! Your concise understanding is clearly shinning through here!

Actually, I would say that Israel hasn't gotten enough bad press. And I am of course not suggesting that Israel let people send rockets in their cities. I am suggesting that their response to the rockets (which is an over-simplification of what they are actually responding to) is simply unacceptable and a complete violation of the 4th geneva convention (which was interestingly enough convened in response to the Holocaust). As for who has killed the most civilians - I assure you that Israel will win that battle with flying colors. I will have to dig up some statistics for you, but I'm sure it is much more disproportionate than you have in mind. Israel is, in fact, the one in power, so what do you think? We have to hold countries accountable for their killings and oppression. What do you think, we should have continued to allow the holocaust to take place because we have no room to judge? And I of course hold all countries to the same international standards, that is why it is international law. Israel, however, seems to think that because of the holocaust the 4th geneva convention is inapplicable to them.

Yes things are complex, and I am not trying to blame Israel for the conflict, only hold them accountable for their actions. I am of course biased as a Christian based on the teachings in the Bible, that is something that I cannot avoid. But regardless of faith, judging Israel based on the 4th Geneva Convention is I think very fair.

I am not questioning Israel's right to defend itself, I am questioning the way they go about doing so, which I not only see as a major human rights and international law violation, but is also counter-productive by encouraging more terror attacks.