I am not a christian either but the west said they were christians and watched while 6 million innocent people were slaughtered.

Now they are watching while Israel does to the Palestinians what they did to the Israelis.

Israel has an army with tanks and helicopter ships that have blown up the water and power supplies of 1.4 million people all over one soldier.

Doesn't anyone else see the shocking over kill here?

Why are the Israelis supposed to be exempt from criticism?

Marilyn Shepherd: "Now they are watching while Israel does to the Palestinians what they did to the Israelis."

Not sure what you mean. I hope that you too aren't comparing Israel with Nazi Germany! When you say "what they did to the Israelis", I suppose you mean what they did to European Jewry. But then, to take you literally, you seem to be saying that Israel is standing by and watching while someone else commits genocide against the Palestinians, which is ridiculous. There is no genocide here. But many Israelis have been the victims of Palestinian war crimes and crimes against humanity, and yes, the world mostly sits back and watches.

MS: "Israel has an army with tanks and helicopter ships that have blown up the water and power supplies of 1.4 million people all over one soldier."

It's not just one soldier (although yes, we take the abduction of even a single soldier very seriously). Since Israel withdrew from Gaza, the Palestinians have launched hundreds of missiles into Israeli towns and villages. These attacks have to stop.

MS: "Why are the Israelis supposed to be exempt from criticism?"

Exempt from criticism? You've got to be kidding. Criticism of Israel in organizations like the UN is way out of proportion to its actions. (For more on this, see http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/israel_un.html ) Did you see the partial list of recent conflict areas that I posted in a previous message? Every one of them more violent than the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including some real cases of genocide, and the world sits back and lets it happen.

Why are Israelis supposed to be exempt from criticism? We're not! You want to criticize, go right ahead. We criticize ourselves all the time!

Colin is spot on.

One only has to go to the Australian newspaper's so called "forum" for evidence of media bias. I have written at least 4 posts in connection with the topic of Palestine/Israel; none have been included, though many attacking Palestinians have been added...none speaking of Israel's internationla crimes sees the light of day. I know that I am not alone; so just how many have been ignored because they do not join in the fallacious attacks on the indigenous people of Palestine.

The SMH has obviously opted out of any controvosy on this subject- ALL letters to do with the subject are ignored. I also know that many people have written condemning Israel's abuses and crimes to this newspaper...why is there a blackout on this subject? Could it be, that in the interests of fairness - the Australian isn't concerned about fairness- they would have to print both "sides" and it's easier just to print none!

Dear Sganot, clearly from your posts and use of 'we' you are either Jewish or Israeli or both.

Welcome to the forum.

To Strewth and Marilyn and others.

Given that every piece of real estate on the face of this globe has borders which were established AND are now 'maintained' by force and power, I'm mystified why Israel is singled out for special condemnation. To do so is to condemn ourselves.

JERUSALEM.

"Indigenous" Canaanites ? *YES*!

Believe it or not, even the 'Bible which has so obviously been 'manipulated to favor Jews' SAYS that...

Genesis 10:18
"Later the Canaanite clans scattered and the borders of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha."

So.....'why' would those pesky Jews and those biased biblical scholars allow such a section to remain ? Why would they not remove it, or change it ?

Deuteronomy 9:5

It is NOT because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the WICKEDNESS of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus 23
31 "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea [a] to the Sea of the Philistines, [b] and from the desert to the River(Euphrates) I will hand over to you the people who live in the land and you will drive them out before you.

Israel is the only 'nation' which has specific borders given by God.
(why not 'beyond' the Euphrates ?, why not include Egypt ?)
ALLIES JUDGED HITLER. ...and 'drove him out' because of....'HIS WICKEDNESS'.....
based on THAT action, we continue to speak English today rather than Japanese or German.

Canaanite Wickedness ? Hurling their children into fires in sacrifice to pagan idols for starters ! Sodom..Gomorah.. u know the story.

Howdy,

I struggle to comprehend, how exactly is it relevant whether the taking of the soldier is kidnapping/capture? In either event it is cassus belli, which justifies Israel taking ANY & ALL action it sees fit. If the Palestinian militia's choose to shelter in built-up areas, and the civilians choose to allow them to do so, so be it. I do not believe tha this choice should force Israel not to make the best of its advantages in both air superiority & artillery. This would cause massive civilian casualties, ONCE, however, even palestinians are not completely stupid. The civilians will no longer be at all keen to provide shelter etc. to militia's knowing that there entire universe can & will be obliterated in a moment, a fortiori, the civilians will no longer provide the requisite support to the militias.

Granted, it is not proportionate, but it is WAR, don't like it, don't pick on one of the most heavily mechanised armies on the planet. Inshallah.

2 bob

So what you are saying 2bob is "I am bigger than you are, and I am a bully, so I will do what I want in your home which I have invaded". (There is some dispute about whether god said you could have the lot.)