An excellent article. The actions of Prof Hawking are very unfortunate and ill conceived. There are many progressive Israeli citizens who do not agree with the current Government. Importantly Israel is a democracy with diverse opinions and values.
V sad

"Every man is entitled to express his opinion - but he should be prepared to justify and defend his decisions with detailed and reasoned arguments when those decisions are challenged."

You don't.

Perhaps you should practise what you preach and present reasoned arguments, instead of chauvinistic nonsense.

"Israel is an island of reason, moderation and a desire for peace," the Singer said that Netanyahu stated. I fell about laughing for a few minutes before I began to weep.

Even by Israel's low standards, this statement is a monumental lie.

Religious fanatics eschew reason. Religious fanatics have no understanding of what moderation means (their last attack on the Gaza Strip was clearly genocidal). And as they claim they want peace they have done everything to avoid it while they continue to build settlements on occupied land.

Who is worse: Netanyahu, the liar, or Singer, who repeats the lie?

Because Stephen Hawkins has higher morals when it comes to human rights, than the current Israeli government has.

What a cast list.

"Former US president Bill Clinton, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince Albert of Monaco and Barbra Streisand have accepted invitations"

My guess would be that Mr Hawking took one look at that lot, and decided that the risk of having to sit next to - or worse, listen to - the likes of Mr Tony "I'm so righteous" Blair, was too great.

Pericles, LOL

Once we pass the warmongers and other ethically challenged "notables" the list of invitees continues with the former premier of a (thankfully) non-existent totalitarian state, the prince of a casino-with-a-"country"-attached and ends with a pop singer.

"Israel is an island of reason, moderation and a desire for peace,"

Who else other than Netanyahu and Singer could make or repeat a statement like this with a straight face and not expose themselves to the ridicule of the world. Israel is an embarrassment to Jews and non-Jews worldwide. Unlike in 1948 or 1967 communications today can inform us on a daily basis of the atrocities and humiliations suffered by Palestinians at the hands of their Zionist persecutors. It beggars belief that the people of Israel and their government cannot see that their policies will not lead to peace and security.

Just ignore Singer and he'll go away.Hawking knows the truth and does not support the oppression of the Palistinians.

Palestine - Singer needs to shut up

http://www.ae911truth.org/ Know the truth about why not only the twin towers collapsed but also building 7 which no plane impacted.

Here you will see the absolute scientific proof that controlled demolition was the source of the destruction and not planes driven by terrorists.

What has this got to do with Israel? Just google the four dancing Israelis on youtube.They knew.

#mac

If you care to tell me what you object to in my article I will reply to you.

# David G and Stan 1

Since Israel has offered to cede its claims in more than 90% of the territory claimed by the PLO in 2000/2001 and 2008 - I think Netanyahu's statement to be quite justified

#Pericles and # mac

Hawking obviously prefers the company of the PLO ,Hamas and Hezbollah. That is his choice. It would be nice if he gave us his reasons.

Perhaps Mr Hawking was also aware of the following.

The UN view of the Palestinian Territories can be seen at
the following URL:
http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/OCHA_IsrSettlementPolicies.pdf

The West Bank and East Jerusalem is occupied Palestine (bilaterally recognised by 132 nations in the world including India, China, Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Iceland).

Palestine is officially a non-member State and recognised by the UN. 138 nations supported Pales-tine last November in its successful bid for statehood. France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Greece, Cyprus and Malta were among many European nations to support Palestine. Their vote for Palestine was important as were those cast by India, China, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand who supported Palestine too. The Secretary General of the UN and Vatican Church welcomed the re-birth of Palestine.

However, Palestine (West Bank and East Jerusalem) is still illegally held and sadly Israel's Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu has ignored the ruling of the International Court of Justice (subsequently sup-ported by the UN and EU) with respect to the "separation barrier". This "wall" is 3 times the length of the Berlin Wall.

UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine in 2011 was supported by France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Greece and other European nations.

Please also see UNSC Resolution 478 concerning Jerusalem. The 4th Geneva Convention is applicable to all the Palestinian Territories.

International law and UN Resolutions (over which there are over 150) are ignored by Israel's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

UN Resolutions specify Israel's illegal hold of the Palestinian Territories to be a violation of the 4th Geneva Convention and as such is a War Crime under international law. More so now, that settlements are being placed in another nation.

UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980 - BINDING

UNSC deems Israel's claim to Holy City as "Null and Void".

http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/DDE590C6FF232007852560DF0065FDDB

UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August
1980 - BINDING
The Security Council, recalling its resolution 476 (1980);
reaffirming again that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible;
deeply concerned over the enactment of a "basic law" in the Israeli
Knesset proclaiming a change in the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, with its implications for peace and security; noting that Israel has not complied with resolution 476 (1980); reaffirming its determination to examine practical ways and means, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, to secure the full implementation of its resolution 476 (1980), in the event of non-compliance by Israel ; Censures in
the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the "basic law" on
Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions;

This supersedes the San Remo Conference.

http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/DDE590C6FF232007852560DF0065FDDB

Resolution 694 (1991) - BINDING
Adopted by the Security Council at its 2989th meeting on 24
May 1991
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its resolution 681 (1990),
Having learned with deep concern and consternation that Israel has, in violation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and acting in opposition to relevant Security Council resolutions, and to the detriment of efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, deported four Palestinian civilians on 18 May 1991,
1. Declares that the action of the Israeli authorities of deporting four Palestinians on 18 May is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which is applicable to all the Palestinian territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem;
2. Deplores this action and reiterates that Israel, the occupying Power, refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories and ensure the save and immediate return of all those
deported;
3. Decides to keep the situation under review.

Furthermore, I would like to refer you to specific serious concerns raised by the International Court of Justice (2004) - with relevance to Israel's ‘security barrier’ - which was viewed with alarm by the international community.

Incidentally the reference to the illegality of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem was also reinforced when the International Court of Justice also found the following (in-deed the EU supported the UN vote pertaining to the ‘security barrier’):

That the separation barrier is intended to assist the settlements, the establishment of which violates Article 49 of the Convention. Also, the court pointed out that the restrictions placed on the local population located between the barrier and the Green Line are liable to lead to abandonment of the land, which also constitutes a violation of Article 49. In addition, the opinion stated that taking control of private land to build the barrier injured private property owners, and thus violated Articles 46 and 52 of the Hague Regulations of 1907 and of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Some other key UN Security Council Resolutions on Palestine – BINDING AND INTERNATIONAL LAW (there are over 150 UN Resolutions)

252 (21 May 1968)

Urgently calls upon Government of Israel to rescind measures that change the legal status of Jerusalem, including the expropriation of land and properties thereon.

262 (31 December 1968)

Calls upon Government of Israel to pay compensation to Lebanon for the destruction of airliners at Beirut International Airport.

267 (3 July 1969)

Expects Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem.

271 (15 September 1969)

Expects the demand that Government of Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem.

298 (25 September 1971)

Expects the demand that Government of Israel rescind measures seeking to change the legal status of occupied East Jerusalem.

446 (22 March 1979)

Calls on Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction, and planning of settlements in the Palestinian Territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.

452 (20 July 1979)

Expects Israel cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction, and planning of settlements in the Palestinian Territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.

465 (1 March 1980)

Expects Israel cease, the establishment, construction, and planning of illegal settlements in the Palestinian Territories, occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.

471 (5 June 1980)

Demands prosecution of those involved in the assassination attempt of West Bank leaders and compensation for damages; Expects demands to comply by Fourth Geneva Convention.

484 (19 December 1980)

Expects Israeli compliance with the Fourth Geneva Convention.

David Singer,

"If you care to tell me what you object to in my article I will reply to you."

I object to all your articles, you're a propagandist, when your arguments are refuted you resort to extremely offensive ad hominem attacks.
Some of the arguments that you present are so transparently tendentious that they're an insult to the intelligence of commenters on this site, anyone who doubts this claim need only consult the archives.

I don't think there's any point in engaging in discussions with a propagandist, however, since "silence is complicity", it's necessary to express a dissenting opinion.

Perhaps others might agree.

Every egregious action of every Israeli government flows inevitably from the worst crime the Zionists have committed which was and is to occupy Palestinian land by force and violence in 1947-48 and thereafter, in pursuit of the lie that the global pretend-"Jewish" ethnic group has a (God-given) right to special status over and above every other ethnic group on earth - the status of being the only ethnic group or race to have a special right to a state all for itself.

The fact that the forceful excision of Palestinian land and ethnic cleansing of its inhabitants for this purpose was underwritten by major colonialist powers, including Britain, the USA and USSR, makes it no less a monstrous crime against peace, justice and the right of genuine residence-based peoples to self-determination. The only key to undoing this crime, restoring justice and lifting the threat to world peace is RETURN - exiles to their own homeland and settlers to theirs - even if it means Mr Singer has to put up with being just an Australian like the rest of us and not the recipient of a special gift from god.

Dear Mac,

As long as America continues to support Israel.
Israel can continue to do exactly as it pleases.
More settlements and land for the taking. However
the "we're for peace," rhetoric sounds good.
As does the continued role of playing the victim.

Lexi,

Agreed, unfortunately that's the case, and there's no evidence that the current policy of uncritical American support for Israel will change--and the Zionists have Hollywood on their side.

There will be no peace until the Zionist project is ended.

It seems to me that the complaints about Israel and the rest of the
Islamic world have got it back to front.

Before Islam came on the scene the Middle east was mostly Christian,
Jewish some Zoroastrian and a few other minor sects.
The moslems then came along and by force of arms, murder, and slavery
took over the whole of the Middle East and Persia.
It was an attempt to recover the situation that the crusades were undertaken.

Islam invaded Europe and held Spain for some hundreds of years and
were not deterred until they were defeated by the King of Poland at the gates of Vienna.

That war is not over yet

Bazz,

Many critics of Israel -

(1) aren't ignorant in regard to Islam's 1000 year war against Europe-it all didn't start with the Crusades.

(2) don't have any sympathy whatsoever for the Islamic ideology or its multi-culti apologists.

We are extremely sceptical of the Zionist propaganda line that Israel is in the front line in an existential struggle against the Dark Forces of Islam, the Zionists are involved in a colonialist war against the Palestinians-it's a human rights issue.

Bush ,Blair and Cheney now have to be very careful about where they go.They can now be arrested for war crimes in Switzerland and Malaysia
for their war crimes in Iraq etc.Obama is now facing similar charges.

Mac, I have now come to understand why my previous belief that the
Israel/Islam confrontation has no solution.
Islam has been targeting the Jews since 642 and has been pursuing them
ever since. If the Jews surrender, they will just be killed and or
pursued to their next safe location.
The Koran makes it a religious duty.

It is not a colonial dispute it is genocide, pure and simple.