It is responsible and timely to acknowledge that violences exists on both sides of the conflict. Wherever conflict exists.

Statehood for Palestine. Statehood for Israel.

The history of this region, and the history of this conflict spans millenium and generations.

Many nations have had a hand in the formation of the situation we see today. Russia, France, Britain, Turkey (Ottomans), the Vatican.

The US administration is mindful of the large group of political donors and supporters of Israel that influences US decisions. (Australia just follows whatever the US says).

We can take heart that Hamas has a vast social agenda. helping its people by building schools, hospitals and other institiutions.

We can take heart that after many years of violent struggle in Ireland we are seeing acceptance.

We must however remember that the concept of revenge -'the killing of civilians must be punished by the killing of civilans'- has to end.

And we must remember that Israel in not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has a nuclear programme.

Having been to Palestine on many Occasions i can only AGREE there is Double Standard at every corner the American Leaders do not Understand that Peace is a two way Tango not one for the Jews and a separate one for the Arabs they are the same People they originated the same Way By the way i am not Arab......

I love America's definition of democracy.

You are free to choose anyone you want, but if you choose someone we don't like, we won't give you aid and you can go bankrupt

Very democratic

Hamas was elected because Fatah couldnt deliver basic services let alone progress on the flawed and inadequate roadmap. In looking after its mass of political hangers-on, Fatah was essentially corrupt but the West kept on supporting it without trying to sort out the Palestinian Authority's blatant governance problems. Israel and the West are largely responsible for the election of Hamas but that is a diplomatic unmentionable. Here's what a famous Zionist said on reaching a solution:-

ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS

Since both sides begin with a claim of total possession of Palestine as their historical right; and since neither claim can be accepted within the realms of realism or without grave injustice: it is plain that compromise, i.e. partition, is the only correct solution, along Oslo lines – for supporting which Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish bigot.
Ideally, what we are calling for is a relationship of good neighbours, but given the number of bigoted, terrorist chauvinists on both sides, this is impracticable.
The solution must lie somewhat along the lines of reluctant toleration, for fear of far worse – i.e. a savage war which could inflict irreparable damage on both sides.
As for Jerusalem, it must remain the capital of Israel, with the Muslim holy places being extra-territorial to a Muslim authority, and an Arab quarter, with a guarantee from the United Nations of preserving that position, by force if necessary.
ISAIAH BERLIN
16 October 1997
And if that is obvious to a distinguished Zionist scholar, why cant it be the basis for a two state solution and a lasting peace. The "Made in America" roadmap is simply another part of the Bush administration's dysfunctional Middle East policy and is no basis for any lasting settlement

Actually the claims made by both side easy to check. When you do you find the Palestinian have a very strong case and the Israelis have a weak on. the Zionist have fooled many people into believing that the Jew need a home land of their own. Adding to take the god bothers believe fairy tails about god giving them the land. The fact is Semitic Arabs whether they Jews , Christians or Muslims have live side by side in relative harmony. Most trouble in the area is cause by people from outside forces including Zionist which was largely an American Jewish movement.

An excellent analysis of the insufferable double standards that characterise mainstream 'thinking' on this issue. We know that to characterise this conflict as a case of irrational Palestinian/Arab/Muslim terrorism vs rational Israeli counter-terrorism is a gross misreading of its dynamics. But so too is the characterisation of Israel as a democracy. In 1947, when Palestine was partitioned into a Jewish and an Arab state, there were as many, if not more, Palestinian Arabs in the Jewish state as Jews. They were entitled to citizenship in the 'Jewish state'. To achieve a state with a demographic Jewish majority, however, those potential citizens, as non-Jews, were ethnically cleansed by Zionist forces under cover of war in 1948-49 beyond the borders of the Jewish state. There they remain today, disenfranchised, denationalized and stateless in refugee camps. Only when they're allowed to return to what today we curiously call 'Israel proper', and participate in the democratic process as full citizens of that country, will Israel become a genuine democracy.