Dear Burdy,

You are a very funny man.

You accuse me of propaganda? You really have no shame my friend. 

Lol.

And the use of the word 'tiresome' is just plain plagiarism, go find your own adjectives.

I do note you felt no need to challenge any of the facts I have presented. And thankfully I have not yet earned the tag anti-Semite from you. 

My understanding is that 2/3rds of Israelis want the government to accede to Hamas'  deal to release Gilad.

One of those likely to be part of any deal is Marwan Bargouti who had been touted as a possible future leader of the Palestinians.

From Wikipedia;

"Since Barghouti's arrest, many of his supporters have campaigned for his release. They include prominent Palestinian figures, members of European Parliament and the Israeli group Gush Shalom. Israel's Haaretz newspaper wrote that Barghouti "is seen by some as a Palestinian Nelson Mandela, the man who could galvanize a drifting and divided national movement if only he were set free by Israel."

There are many different opinions on what would constitute a fair swap. It will be interesting to see which one prevails, hopefully sooner rather than later.

cteele I believe you are quite correct of your assumption of the release of Marwan Barghouti who is the most popular Palestinian leader today.

He was fundamental in the first and second intifada and believed in passive resistance to all the illegalities that Israel is known for. Unfortunately the Israelis picked him up arrested him on charges of murder and he is currently serving two life sentences.

He would make an ideal Palestinian President and he doesn't have blood on his hands, he isn't a terrorist and he isn't corrupt. Israel saw the danger that a well educated and charismatic man with a vision for the future of Palestine and made him a target.

I'm sure he is the major stumbling block in getting Shalit released. Hamas and Israel appear to have made an agreement on the prisoners to be released but Israel has demanded that some are immediately exiled. Hamas has agreed to several but stops at all that Israel wants exiled. I'm sure you'll find Marwan is the most important prisoner in Israeli hands and want him exiled which Hamas finds unacceptable.

Which group of fanatics? The ones here?

These charmers want us to accept we live in Asia, that we are part thereof, yet would also have us ignore that accepting that fact brings obligations?

I'm heartily sick and tired of the weak-willed, gutless nature of a large number of "Australian's" nowadays. They are willing to abandon any number of people, who despite having made very clear that they want our assistance in determining their own future, should (according to them) be thrown on the scrap heap in favor of running after extremist loons. This Country is free, yes. Those freedoms were bought at great cost by better people than those posting here.

I'm not anti-religion, I am vehemently opposed to extremists of any religion, who would destroy the lives of others based upon their sick reading of textbooks. I am vehemently opposed to these sick-nutjobs repressing others, killing them, determining what they can and cannot do, etc. That is what freedom is built upon, the fundamental freedom to say/do as one pleases, as long as in doing so you do not unfairly impinge upon the freedoms/rights of others.

That mindset is shared by a lot of soldiers in the ADF (and the IDF), like Mr Shalit. Should it be inferred that our soldiers (and the Scottish soldier executed yesterday) equally "deserve" whatever comes to them?

If you would say so, you have abandoned any right/freedom you may ever have had claim to with relation to this Country and citizenship thereof. Please leave voluntarily

"That mindset is shared by a lot of soldiers in the ADF (and the IDF), like Mr Shalit."

It would have been good if membership in the IDF required a certain mindset, but no - Gilad Shalit is a conscript, nobody asked him what his mindset is before he was snapped from his parents' home by the army. His sole "crime" was to reach the age of 18 in sound health.

And to go out on patrol... If he'd 'chosen' to register as a conshy he'd still be alive

"If he'd 'chosen' to register as a conshy he'd still be alive"

Ah sure, Israel does not recognize such things as "conshys", so short of Jesus how many 18 year olds do you know who are willing to spend 37 years in jail for their principles?