I completely agree with you on this, and have to ask the following:

Why are all the Palestinians still in refuge camps?

Is the UN incapable of moving and relocating refugees?

Some of the people in camps there are 3rd generation.

Or is this somewhat more sinister, do the Palestinian officials refuse to allow the refuge camps to be disassembled and the people relocated because it suits their political purpose?

Why has the UN set up schools? Is that in their charter, or is it only in the Palestinian areas they do this - I suspect there is a whole raft of "special" UN activities in the Palestinian areas for political reasons.

The UN then is complicit in keeping innocents in the areas where militants can use them as shields?

Why are they keeping schools running in a war zone? Surely they should cease schooling as there is a war on - or is it because that's the status quo, there is always a war when you're in a Palestinian enclave. If that's the case, then why are they so surprised when something goes wrong?

The whole Palestinian provocation of Israel then bleating about casualties is a bit shallow - if you don't want war, don't annoy your very powerful, but fortunately tolerant, neighbor.

What else is the purpose of firing rockets every day if it is not to get a response?

Dear rpg,

The entire Gaza is a war zone. It is the most
densely populated enclave in the whole world.
There is no where safe to escape to - other
than neutral international zones such as the
UN schools.

According to Khalid Mish'al, head of the Hamas
political bureau, the reason for their
home-made rockets is - it's their cry of
protest to the world.

If 'terrorists' were firing home-made rockets
at Israel from Italian lands adjoining the Swiss
border, would Israel bomb switzerland?

Because that is what Israel has done by bombing
the neutral UN schools.

And if Switzerland responded to Israel what condemnation
would the world have against Switzerland?

Well said Foxy...

"Each side claims to want a cease-fire, but only
on their terms."

Of course we all have views and need to vent our spleens, but ultimately, no matter what we think, Israel has demonstrated that she will look after herself when no one else will.

I'm fairly confident that regarding a 'cease fire' alone... Israels requirments are: (as I have outlined on other threads)

BASIC/MINIMUM
1/ Cessation of Rocket fire
2/ International monitors on the Border with Egypt (and no..NO tunnels)
3/ Hand over remaining rockets. and pledge to not launch mortars.

WISH LIST IMPROVEMENT.
4/ Guarantee of no more Rockets/Mortars.
5/ Return the kidnapped soldier
6/ Renounce the 'destroy Israel part of the Hamas Charter.
7/ Re work the Charter in more peaceful terms.

If the Basic list is complied with... I cannot see any reason for Israel to be there..or to want to be there in Gaza... I'm sure they share this feeling.

My impression is that HAMAS still has serious ideological issue they wish to see fulfilled such as "Israel condemned as an aggressor" etc ..and more..they want other issues external to Gaza resolved such as West Bank settlements etc...
None of those things would be fixed overnight (if ever) so if they link peace to those things.. there simply will not be peace.

With the Settler population growing at 3 times the rest of Israels... one might be persuaded that the likelihood of Settlements being dismantled is increasingly less probable. Hard political reality if nothing else will have this result.

Dear Foxy - none of that answers my questions.

Why don't the UN move the Palestinians out of the refugee camps to OTHER COUNTRIES, not all them to go on for generations.

Every other country with refugees eventually empties them to other countries who take them, we do, others do.

Why have they not been resettled?

"According to Khalid Mish'al, head of the Hamas political bureau, the reason for their home-made rockets is - it's their cry of protest to the world." Then don't expect some of the responses to your anguished cries to the world (that kill your neighbors) to come back in spades and kill your people - do they really expect no consequences?

If 'terrorists' were firing home-made rockets at Israel from Italian lands adjoining the Swiss border, would Israel bomb switzerland? No of course not, they'd bomb the people firing the rockets, there is a big difference in scale though as you know very well in a street setting that was involved and the scenario you pitch in your response - don't skew the argument in this way, you look dishonest.

I can see you're passionate, but get some perspective - how would you deal with your neighbor doing this, regardless of their excuses, killing people as a "cry of pain" is a piss poor excuse, and should not be tolerated.

Prime Minister: If I were the Prime Minister of Australia I would be having a word with my people. You said we were in this world together. Where are you PM Rudd on humanitarian issues, International Law and the Geneva Convention.

Where are you really when it comes to our role in the United Nations? Protecting Mothers and Children?

Why is it only people like Ms Helen Clark who can be firm but fair. Have courage to decide the difference between right and wrong and be visual about it.

A larger part of your voter majority is in absolute grief over all the deaths in the offensive occuring in Gaza PM Mr Rudd. We look to your leadership. It is sad that you leave it to us to stand, as if if such a protest ought to be about doing something only after you see safety in numbers.

God help us Mr Rudd.

What is the meaning of BEST when it comes to Leadership, with your people over these matters. How ever can we promote change without more of the common affirmation?

Action speaks Louder than Words. "Being there" visual, regardless of our joint powerlessness would Help. That is what unitifies us if we make the effort, regardless, if we could only try.

http://www.miacat.com/
.

rpg says
"Why don't the UN move the Palestinians out of the refugee camps to OTHER COUNTRIES, not all them to go on for generations."

?

Is it because the Palestinians rightfully live in Palestine?

Read this, rpg - it may strike you as radical, but it is what many folks consider a reasonable diplomatic position:

http://aipac.org/Publications/SourceMaterialsCongressionalAction/SenateRes.pdf

It is a bill currently before the US Senate, promoting pro-Israel policy for the incoming American administration.


A brief summary of issues, under the heading
"Question of Palestine"

is to be found at:
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/ngo/history.html

Palestinian and pro-Palestinian viewpoints can be found at:

http://www.electronicintifada.net
and
http://www.palestinechronicle.com

Palestinian viewpoints are shared by many nations around the world. See:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9565.doc.htm

This press release, which publicises the viewpoints of voices at the 6061st UN Security Council meeting stated:

"Stressing that there was no military solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, delegations called today for stepped up diplomatic efforts to end it, warning the Security Council that the upsurge in violence threatened hopes for future Israeli-Palestinian peace and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated territory.

"As the Council concluded the special meeting it began yesterday on the Gaza crisis, speakers expressed deep concern that thus far into the 12-day-old conflict, neither side had heeded worldwide calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Decrying the mounting civilian casualties, delegates condemned Israel’s ground incursion into Gaza, even as they called for an end to the launching of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas. Still, it was the plight of the nearly 1.5 million Palestinian civilians trapped by the fighting, and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, that drew the most concern."

There's much more, of course.

rpg, I'm hoping the above broadens your outlook.