Isn't it about time oursiders stopped interferring in Israeli/Palestinian matters.

Does the world really need another Arab state like the others in the region? Would the Palestinian people want this?

Israel is the only chance for the Palestinian people to have a democratic, viable, indeed, dynamic state. If the Palestinian people had been allowed to accept the two state solution sixty years ago, they would have been the glittering gem among the Arab states. With Israeli know-how and the energy of the Palestinians nothing would have been impossible.

But no ...

After the monumental debacle of Arab armies to “assist” Palestinians, the Arab High Command situated in Iraq undertook a commission into why the unloseable Arab forces lost. The commission found that only 14% (or was it 4%) of Palestinians of arms-bearing age actually took up arms, let alone waved a gun, nor indeed farted, in Israel’s general direction. This satisfied the commission as to why the great combined Arab armies were routed . Palestinians! And the war was for them! Horse-feathers. This may also account somewhat for the derision and contempt of Palestinians held by Arab States. In spite of the government choreographed protests "on behalf of Palestinians," the mention of Palestinians in Arab States brings an automatic glance at the sole of their shoes. Palestinians living in Arab states have no rights, no citizenship, no life at all. They are considered detretis. Rather than employ Palestinians, these states offer great enducements to foreigners to work in their territories. Education ... a decent livelihood ... social benefits ...medical care? Not for Palestinians. Selling second-hand clothing on the streets is considered a plum job ..

Palestinians have been ill served by their political masters, who have either been opportunistic outsider criminals or incompetent. Look at the the bloody and self-destructive adventures Palestinians have been led on; ...look at the black hole into which billions of dollars have disappeared with no benefits to the Palestinian people.

When Israel departed Gaza it left state of the art horticulticultural plants which the Palestinians destroyed leaving no pane of glass intact.

Then there was the horrific bloody civil war waged in Palestinian territories. More Palestinians were killed by other Palestinians in the first ten months, then had been killed in clashes with Israel. Where were the headlines and concern in western media then?

The resultant and very logical stampede to leave Palestinian terrority by thousands of Palestinians and businesses brought down a fatwa forbidding anyone to leave except for those temporary studying abroard ... thus returning. It must be noted that no Arabs in Israel have felt the need to emulate their Palestinian brothers.

After Cast Lead, the Hamas promised any UN Peace-keepers death if they set a foot on their soil.

Yuyutsu is absolutely correct about the continual condemnation of Israel and the effects on the Israeli people. The Guardian admits that Israel is a soft target. Never mind if the reporting is inaccurate or a fabrication. (It was the Guardian that ran a sensational piece about Princess Margaret's love child.) Worldwide media undoubtedly see condemnation of Israel as good copy ... and don't the mouth-breathers lap it. Never mind the quality of the facts, look at the widths of columns it can fill.

The paternalistic drivel meted out to the Palestinians is equally damning. They are eterrnal victims, devoid of agency. Unfortunately, they too are effected, with the very real risk of it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, Palestinians moored into an eternal pathology of paralysis.

Isn't it about the the world encouraged both Israel and the Palestinians. Isn't it about time the world recognised what Israel can offer a Palestinian state.

For the first time the economy on the West Bank is beginning to look good ... and this is largely due to business with Israel.

But Oz and others see the fall-out from a BDS as just collateral damage, never mind that it could sink the emerging fragile Palestinian economy . The promotion of a BDS lies right up there with Mao’s “Great sparrow campaign.”

Dear Danielle,

Here we go again: "Arabs this, Arabs that".

Isn't it about time that you care more for your own people of Israel than try to take pity on those undeserving so-called "Palestinians"?

OK, so THEY are bad, THEY are stupid, THEY are evil, THEY are corrupt, THEY are undemocratic, THEY do not care for each other...

Since that is so, then why should Israel try to mimic their actions?
Why should Israel wish to remain in their land and be infected with their germs?
Isn't it about time for Israel to extract itself from that deadly swamp, return to its own borders and concentrate on improving its own society?

Dear Yuyutsu ,
If the numbers in Group C(Fear Camp)remain stable , and Group A (Settlers & supporters) is EXPANDING , and Group B (Peace Camp) is SHRINKING , but not defecting to the other 2 groups , then where is Group A getting its new support from ?

What voting rights in Israel are enjoyed by Joint Australian/Iaraeii citizens who are domiciled in Australia ?

Dear Oz,

"then where is Group A getting its new support from ?"

Breeding! ! !

In observance of the biblical commandment, "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28), settlers typically have 10-12 children a family.

"What voting rights in Israel are enjoyed by Joint Australian/Iaraeii citizens who are domiciled in Australia ?"

They can vote IF they are physically present in Israel on election day.

Dear Yuyutsu,

As I have consistently maintained, I do not agree with settlers crossing the Green Line. My own opinion is that in doing so they should lose Israeli benefits, protection etc. ... or at most have the same as provided to the Palestinians.

Unless other Israelis are going to match the settlers baby-for-baby, then Israel will be dominated by these groups. Israel runs the real risk of imploding.

Are Israelis prepared to pay taxes to fund those who, for the main part, do not contribute to the public purse. The drain on the average Israeli community is going to be enormous ... as is the resultant resentment.

I suspect that the new law (fines) on those who promote an embargo on settlers' products is more an attempt to get the settlers some way self sufficient and not a burden on the state, rather than a pro-settler position. Didn't the government threaten to cut off funding for settler schools unless maths was taught? This indicates the government want settlers to have some idea of business.

Religious groups can function quite independently. European catholic monastries are self-supporting (albeit celibate). The Amish also are self-supporting.

This is not very heartening for Israel.
Do American Jews still like Israel?
http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=211520

The idea that expatriate Israelis and diaspora Jews have voting rights re Israel would undoubtedly go some way to halting the problems. But would this bring them into conflict with the countries in which they are nationals/citizens