On topic, the Israeli leadership saying it will indemnify soldiers suggests it knows war crimes have been committed and anticipates trouble. On the other hand, they have an election to spin.

Off topic, if the artist formerly known as Polycarp has been suspended I'd like to know why he's allowed to continue posting under another name when the forum rules say -Do not attempt to circumvent suspensions.

The rules aren't exactly specific about a lot of things, but I'd like to know why someone who consistently skates on thin ice is allowed to do so.

Keep responses on topic.
Do not flame.
Do not "shout" (use capital letters excessively).
Do not post the same message across multiple threads.
Do not attempt to circumvent suspensions.
Observe copyright and defamation laws.

This comment is off topic, true, but if I consistently flouted as many of these rules as the artist formerly known as, I would expect some consequences. Does he have a special exemption or something?

BOAZ,

I'll say one thing - you are certainly on top of your subject. Ever thought about going on the Einstein Factor?

Seriously though, it's a bit hard to separate the propaganda from the fact in your references. It's like reading the Bible, hard to determine what was real and what was fable. Are the references actually fact or maybe a bit of political posturing after the event by the Arabs to look good in history? An answer to this will help determine whether or not Israel is on the side of right.

A couple of questions:

1. Even though Jews was wronged in the past, is it not the right thing for them to forgive especially when they are now so powerful?

2. How does Israel address claims of disproportionality in its military response toward the ordinary citizens of Gaza. As ordinary Arab citizens would not have made the decision to attack ordinary Israelites in times past (their leaders would have), they don't deserve such treatment now. I understand the idea of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" but can't the cycle of resentment and killing be brought to an end? Can't Israel take the initiative here and try to live with its immediate neighbours?

Your absence - extremely short, regrettably - has done nothing to tone down your bigotry, Boaz.

And you have the utter gall to ask:

>>WHO the heck is inciting fear, hate and loathing here?<<

Herewith a small sample of your whack-a-mozzie antics since your unwelcome return. I've left intact all the spelling errors, so that everyone will know these are your comments, without having to look them up.

>>Some choose to expose [Islam's] vile nature and core.. you can call that bigotry if you like. I'll wear that as a badge of pride<<

>>[Mohammad] is reported to have said in the authentic oral tradition. "Killing of women and children is permissable<<

>>Mohammad hereby approves of the Israeli night raids which kill women and children<<

>>a group of Muslims wants to blow up the MCG during granfinal<<

>>Arabs in UK and other sympathizers at a pro Graza demonstration are yelling and laughing "LONG LIVE HITLER" "REST IN PEACE HITLER" "PUT JEWS IN OVENS" "JEWS ARE FOSSIL FUEL"<<

>>I refer you to MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH founder of Islam.. to whom HAMAS looks for guidance.. as the prime example of [assassinating political opponents]<<

>>the TRUE nature of Islamic expansion [is] via intimidation and seige<<

Your hatred and loathing shines through everything you write, Boaz.

If I were a Christian, I'd be thoroughly ashamed of the association with you.

In fact, as a human being, I feel pretty much the same way.

Please, do us all a favour, and return to whatever hate-strewn lair you retreated to before.

My apologies to all for an off topic comment but I have to support the comments made by chainsmoker a couple of posts ago. Much of the diatribe and hyperbole here is not only offensive but extremely counter productive.

I am all for strong debate and understand that any topic will have peripheral issues however it seems to me that much of this discussion is more about 'Which side is right' or 'Which religion is right' or 'Which bigot is right' than about whether a war crimes investigation / tribunal should proceed.

Can we not have intelligent on-topic discussion?

From Foxy & others. "Kindly stick to the topic of this thread. Please?" which seems to mean, without saying so much. "Only what the Isrealies did, not what Hamas did."

There is video of Hamas fighters sending rockets up from the UN building that was damaged by bombing. (The Isrealies waited until the Rocket firers were back out on the street before they dropped the bombs.) Is that a war crime by Hamas? or are they allowed to do that.

The other thing is about civilian casualities. (War Crimes) I have been in a war & one thing I noticed is that most 3rd. world soldiers take their wives & children into battle with them. They prepare food, carry water & ammunition, tend the wounded husband & the children. This is their Tradition. One reason for this is that they don't want to leave them at home "unprotected" They may get raped by their neighbour. Of course when the family gets in the way & get killed they can cry "war Crime" too. This fact has to be taken into account. This problem can't be judged properly by looking at it with Western values.

Foxy.

You raised a simple question.

There seems to be sufficient clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed in Gaza by Israel, (e.g. the use made of phophorous, proportionality.)

It would therefore seem reasonable to test this through legal proceedings. Israel could then be either found innocent or forced to accept responsibility for its actions.