What other country in the world would show the restraint shown by Israel, given that Hamas has targeting the Israeli Home Front since 2001 and firing rockets on a near-daily basis for years.?

These rockets didn’t just start a couple of weeks ago. This year alone some 7-800 have been fired into Israel. I was in Sderot, known as the bomb shelter capital of the world, earlier this year, ever mindful that a siren could sound at any given time and thereby giving me only 15 seconds to make it to a bomb shelter. Even Husain Bolt can’t run that fast.

Since 2001, close to 13,000 rockets and mortar have been fired into Southern Israel, an average of 3 a day. Given these statistics, of course both the Government and the Opposition supports Israel's right to defend herself

It’s a proven fact and confirmed by Hamas that people are used as human shields. Their own videos released during this latest conflict confirm that fact. Most unfortunately when people are used in this situation there will be casualties no matter how careful one is. No other fighting force in the world takes the care to avoid civilian casualties as Israel does. As Ret. Colonel Kemp so admirably puts it. “Israel has the most moral fighting force in the world”

The Hamas Charter says “The day of Judgement won't come until the very rocks and trees call out 'Oh Muslim, there's a Jew behind me, come and kill him'"

Until the people of Gaza stand up against Hamas, very unfortunately there will never be peace.

The writer makes numerous errors in his article, but time permits me to only address three.

1. He rails against Israel’s use of what he calls “disproportionate force”.

He bandies this term about as if there is a clear principle of international law behind it, telling us when force is “disproportionate” and why it is illegal.
But there isn’t such a principle.

2. He chastises Israel and her supporters (Australia, the United States and Canada) for downplaying that more civilians died in Gaza than in Israel. Again, as if there is a standard to be met comparing how many die on one side or another. And again, there is no such standard.

3. Among all the dozens of war crimes in international law, none mentions the element of disproportionate force. None.

In respect of Operation Pillar of Defence, the author would make good use of his time examining the relevant military objectives of the Israel Defence Force rather than pass judgment on the basis of the back of a napkin numbers of civilians killed, which has minimal relevance to legal analysis. Minimal.

Like any country when attacked, Israel not only has the right to defend itself - in the eyes of her citizens, is obligated to do so. I sense you acknowledge this but you seem to have a problem with the Israel Defense Forces attacking specific targets such as sources of rocket launchers or Hamas military command directing the rockets as these are positioned in highly-populated areas and thus cause civilian casualities. Hamas has chosen to position rocket launchers in schools, mosques and in apartment buildings and are using the people of Gaza as human shields. This is a war crime as is sending rockets into Israel. It might be more productive if you directed criticism at Hamas for shielding behind women and children - they don't mind as any deaths play on international sympathies

The people wearing the blinkers are those who seem to believe, Israel ought not respond to the daily firing of lethal indiscriminate ordinance, at Israeli towns, cities and villages.
The people wearing the blinkers, simply refuse to understand that Mindless Militant Miscreants are doing Iran's dirty work for them!
Personally, I'd have simply unleashed the dogs of war a very long time ago, and not left a brick standing on a brick in Gaza, or any place for any surviving fundamental fanatic to HIDE behind.
This is the very sad face of fundamental hate, which if it paused long enough to think about unintended and or possible outcomes, would cease forthwith, doing their own enemy's dirty deeds for them, and sit down and get a two state solution finally and fully nutted out.
That is the only outcome which will produce a truly lasting peace, and a return of normality, for the Gaza strip/West bank, and the end of occupation and illegal settlements!
People need to decide, what they really want, real freedom; or, revenge, followed by reprisals, followed by revenge, followed by more reprisals!
Ditto, ditto endlessly repeated, until nobody actually remembers who and or what started it?
Palestinians also need to realise that Iran is a common or vastly more lethal threat, and or, an Iranian military victory, would mark the beginning of the end for all Sunni/moderate Muslims!
And or, all those states, where the Sunnis are in control or numerically superior.
Iran clearly believes she should led the entire Muslim Middle East, and control all its wealth?
If that means dividing and then subjugating various states, or a house divided, and then using elements of that endless division, and the mindless hate that then engenders, to make smooth the path, or do their dirty work for them, then that's what will happen!
Rhrosty.

Dave Hopkins, yours is an outstanding article because it takes the people who glorify killing and genocide and takes them to task.

It clearly spells out the disgusting behaviour of the IDF and labels the Americans as warmongers. It shows the immorality of the Australian, Canadian, U.K. and American Governments, etc, all of whom continue to support Israel's illegal occupations and give a tick to their many atrocities and war crimes.

The commenters above me should join the IDF so they too can get the buzz that comes from killing women and kids and civilians who not only can't defend themselves but live in poverty thanks to the illegal occupation.

Well done, Dave. I hope a few more humanists join in and give the Palestinians the support they deserve!

David G:

The “people who glorify killing” are a major proportion of the Islamist Arab population who cheer and dance in the streets following every major terrorist attack, not just against Israel but against any Western country. The ones who are immensely proud to send their sons and daughters to blow themselves up just to be able to murder some of the infidels. Those who say they cannot wait to resume the suicide bombing campaign.

Atrocities and war crimes are performed by Hamas with every rocket they fire on Israeli civilians. I’m not sure how many thousands of rockets have been fired since Hamas came to power, I’m not sure anyone really knows the exact number as there have been so many. But every single one of these rockets is a war crime.

Since you do not seem to be aware of the situation, let me inform you that there is no occupation in Gaza for many years now, ever since Israel withdrew from the territory, just before the rockets started.

Perhaps it is you who should join Hamas, your philosophy seems to be almost identical to theirs.