Has the war begun??

[NewsGuy]

After the Bat Mitzvah massacre, Israeli tanks and infantry rolled into several Palestinian towns, while tightening the noose around Arafat's Ramallah compound. The Israeli tanks positioned just 150 feet away from Arafat, underscored the fact that Arafat, the leader and symbol of Paletinian aspirations, had become a lowly prisoner under house arrest.

And while the Israeli army pulled out of Tul Karm and into Nablus where it arrested Hamas terrorists, the AFP reported that "a coalition of all Palestinian groups, including the radical Islamic movement Hamas and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah, called today for a "general mobilisation" against Israel."

At the same time, the latest Islamic terrorist attack on Israeli shoppers at the Jerusalem "Midrachov" outdoor mall, leaving upwards of 49 wounded Israelis, was met by PM Sharon's response that "the IDF will know how to respond to the terror attack."

Some observers have concluded that matters have deteriorated nearly to the point of becoming an all-out war between Israel and the Palestinians. This view was voiced by Ehud Olmert, jerusalem's mayor who noted that "the battlefield is right here in Jerusalm."

On the other hand, no political solution appears imminent.

The question is whether war is inevitable, or even, if the next Mideast war has already begun.

Your thoughts?

[L@mplighterM]

I hate to think what would have happened if the PA would have gotten the 50 Tons of weapons. It's bad enough.

All out war? I doubt it all I've really seen is material damage in retaliation and a few leaders shot. I don't think Israel has the stomach for an all out war.

[Negev]

Originally posted by NewsGuy
The question is whether war is inevitable, or even, if the next Mideast war has already begun.

Your thoughts?

Yes, I think the war has begun a long time ago when camp david fell apart and arafart decided to go back to his roots of terrorism because he is incompetent politically.

This is just the beginning of the last chapter of the sad arafart story.

If israel is at full war now then let's get it over with the sooner the better like others have said here.

[NewsGuy]

I think we might be seeing a partial-war in progress, and today, there is a possibility that we are witnessing the opening of the second front of the war.

Hizbullah, instructed by Iran, has started shelling Northern Israel, with shrapnel falling in the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. The IAF is operating in Southern Lebanon in response.

This jives with the reports put out by the intelligence community, that the Hizbullah, Iran, Syria and the Palestinians have been coordinating a large-scale attack on Israel, with the Palestinians trying to destroy Israel form the inside, and Hizbullah, armed, trained and directed by Iran, would attack form the North, with Syrian agreement.

Military analysts have recently predicted that the Israeli response might also be to retaliate against Syrian positions in Lebanon, possibly causing Syria to get involved in the Arab war effort. In an extreme scenario, Iraq would also send scuds into Israel, in conjunction with Syria and Hizbullah. Remember that the Palestinians have also now produced a short-range missile of their own, that can reach most Israeli cities.

I don't mean to be an alarmist, but I think that Israel needs to take very strong action to deter such a dire scenario. If war is being forced on Israel by the Arabs again, then Israel and the world should not be in denial.

[L@mplighterM]

I don't think it takes much smarts to figure that the 50 Tons of weapons were for something. I think you can define what's going on in the area as a limited ongoing war.

All out war? I don't think so things will have to get a lot worse. I hope that will not happen because it's a no win situation. Sure you might win today but there's still tomorrow.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM
All out war? I don't think so things will have to get a lot worse.

Unfortunately, things just got worse.

Today's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv brings the number of dead and near-dead to about 7, and nearly 80 wounded Israelis in the past few days.

I don't know how Israel can go on functioning like this.

If this happened in the US, you can bet that war would have been declared a long time ago.

[L@mplighterM]

Yes I agree that the Arabs want to make it an all out war and that it's getting worse there.

US wouldn't put up with it nor would many other nation. One can really feel for the people there.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM
US wouldn't put up with it nor would many other nation. One can really feel for the people there.

Exactly. Which makes it all the more curious why the world opposes Israel taking decisive action against Arafat and against the other Palestinian murderers.

[NewsGuy]

btw - Another escalation in the war happened this past week, when the Palestinians launched "Kassem" missiles at Israel.

These Kassem missiles were developed and manufactured in the Palestinian-controlled territories, inclear violation of Oslo. It is a native Palestinian missile capable of travelling something like 5-7 miles, which is enough to reach right into major Israeli population centers.

In response, Israel launched 4 surface-to-surface missiles into Northern Gaza on Saturday to send yet another warning to the Palestinians to tone things down.

[L@mplighterM]

Well I'll tell you News Guy I can walk both sides of the fence. The fact is that religion plays a large part in the factor. Many Christians are anti-semetic needless to say that goes for the Muslims as well.

Compound that with the fact that most Muslims are clued out they only know what their religious leaders tell them. The fact is most of them dont even know what a jew is or where Israel is located.

PR also plays a large part in anti-semetism. The average jew most likely dosen't understand the issues surrounding the conflict in the middle east.

I believe that most people in the west see it as an issue of "The Jews took the Palestinians land and wont give it back"

If one looked at it in a simplistic manner they would be right. The whole land issue however centers on security which greatly compounds the issue.

On the other hand people seem to be forgiving for the most part so when Arafat says "Give us what we want and we'll behave" people tend to believe him.

He's no more than a con artist. You have to admit he can lie with a smiling face.

If Israel gave him what he wanted it would eventually be the end of Israel.

[NewsGuy]

Adding another escalation in the war:

Today's suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Again, Arabs mass-murder Jews in Israel's capitol.

2 death and more than 160 (!!!) injured.

The BBC reports:

witnesses spoke of seeing bodies in the street and shop windows blown out by the force of the blast.

...

Asked about Israel's response, Dore Gold, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said: "The military will bring its recommendations for the approval of the political echelon".

Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for Mr Sharon, said: "Arafat is responsible since he encourages terrorists to commit suicide acts".

[L@mplighterM]

Awful NewsGuy.

[Solon]

Originally posted by NewsGuy
Asked about Israel's response, Dore Gold, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said: "The military will bring its recommendations for the approval of the political echelon".

I really hope that this time Israel will wake up and start demolishing entire palestinian cities. Get the population out and start leveling. Otherwise there's no consequence for the terrorists. What have the Paletinians to lose? They butcher more and more jews and no consequence. No wonder the killing goes on.

[Bibi4ever]

Originally posted by Solon
Otherwise there's no consequence for the terrorists. What have the Paletinians to lose? They butcher more and more jews and no consequence. No wonder the killing goes on.

yep. the suicide bombers are already set to die so what is the deterrent? only if israel starts going after their cities and families and after other things they care about there would be a reason not to do suicide bombings.

tough but necessary to save lives.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by Bibi4ever


yep. the suicide bombers are already set to die so what is the deterrent? only if israel starts going after their cities and families and after other things they care about there would be a reason not to do suicide bombings.

tough but necessary to save lives.

I agree completely.

Not only is there no deterrent, but Islamic culture actually glorifies the mass murder of non-Muslims and rewards the families of the suicide murderers, so there is every incentive to be a suicide bomber.

[NewsGuy]

Case in point: the hero's memorial service for the female Islamic mass murderer.

[Negev]

further proof the arabs have started a full-scale war on israel:

Kassam-2 rocket lands in Israel after terrorists attacks kill 7 Israeli women in a single weekend

Palestinians fired up to three Kassam-2 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory Sunday and Palestinian gunmen killed two women and wounded five in Be'er Sheva Sunday afternoon.

The Kassam-2 rockets landed approximately two kilometers east of Kibbutz Sa'ad. The IDF has so far located the remains of one rocket, but three explosions were heard midday Sunday.

This was the first time Palestinians have used the Kassam-2 rocket against Israeli targets.

"All the indications lead us to believe that it is a Kassam 2," said IDF spokesman Jacob Dallal. "We found three launchers in Palestinian-controlled areas in Gaza directly west of the Nahal Oz [kibbutz]."

Uri Ya'ari, a security officer at the kibbutz where the projectile fell, said the rocket left a hole in the ground one-and-a-half meters wide and one meter deep, close to the kibbutz farmland.

An Israeli tank shelled the area where the rockets were believed to have been fired from. Infantry soldiers then moved into the area and discovered three launchers.

The rockets have an 8-kilometer range and pose a serious security risk to a number of Israeli cities.

Israeli security forces are concerned that the rockets have also been smuggled into the West Bank from Gaza. On Wednesday, a truck carrying Kassam-2 rockets from Nablus to Jenin was intercepted by an armored corps reserve unit.

Hamas claims responsibility for Be'er Sheva shooting attack

Palestinian gunmen killed two women and wounded five others Sunday afternoon at the entrance to the IDF Southern Command headquarters in Be'er Sheva. The military wing of Hamas, Iz a Din al Kassam, took responsibility for the attack.

The two women have been identified as First Lieutenant Keren Rotstein, 20, from Ashkelon, and Corporal Aya Malachi, 18, from Moshav Ein Habsor.

According to Magen David Adom officials, one person was critically injured, another sustained serious injuries, while two others had moderate injuries and a fifth was lightly wounded.

The five were taken to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, along with another 13 people who were suffering from shock.

The attack occurred when two gunmen dressed in civilian clothes pulled up to the gates of the Southern Command headquarters, near the Old City in Be'er Sheva, around 1.30 P.M., got out of the car and opened fire.

Soldiers at a nearby restaurant returned fire, killing one of the gunmen. The second gunman started running toward a school and was also shot dead by the soldiers.

"I was on the street and suddenly the two got out of a car and started firing in all directions," Captain Guy Shaham told Israel Radio. "They were spraying from the hip in all directions."

One of the gunmen had explosives strapped to his body, which were defused by police sappers. The gunmen's vehicle was also examined to ensure that it was not booby-trapped.

(from haaretz)

[NewsGuy]

In the past 2 days, 3 Israeli soldiers killed in their tank, several israeli civilians shot while driving in their cars, another Kassam missile fired into an Israeli town, and worst of all, another Arabs suicide bomber mass murders Israeli teens at a shopping center.

The world needs to understand that a war has been declared on Israel by the Arabs, and that Israel must react as is appropriate in a state of war.

[raven]

It time to for America to either ---- or get off the pot. The US will still try to stall and stall. Israel will be sitting around waiting for full support and it just might not ever come. OIL. AND under the surface antagonism towards Jews. Sorry, have to say it outloud. We thought it might be over...but it seems the acceptance is just skin deep. All America ever had to do was to say NO. And it didnt. My heart is breaking to know what I know. Glad my Grandpop, Grandmom, Mom and Dad are not here to see this.

Sooner or later, blackmailed or NOT, pressured or NOT...Israel will have to act. They have waited too long already. We cannot allow ourselves to be slaughtered. No country would put up with what is going on with the same as is happening to Israel.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by raven
Sooner or later, blackmailed or NOT, pressured or NOT...Israel will have to act. They have waited too long already. We cannot allow ourselves to be slaughtered. No country would put up with what is going on with the same as is happening to Israel.

Looks like that day is nearer than ever.

At least six Israelis dead in West Bank attack

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Palestinian gunmen killed at least six Israelis in an attack on an army checkpoint in the West Bank, Israeli security sources have said.


The late-night shooting on Tuesday was likely to draw strong Israeli retaliation in a worsening cycle of death and retribution with the Palestinians that has claimed 22 lives over the past 24 hours.


The security sources said the Israelis were ambushed at Ein Ariq, northwest of the Palestinian-ruled city of Ramallah. In addition to the six dead, at least one other Israeli was wounded in the attack on a caravan at the checkpoint. Initial reports said four had been killed.


Earlier on Tuesday in the West Bank's Jordan Valley, a Palestinian bomber tried to board an Israeli civilian bus outside the Jewish settlement of Mehola, the army said. He got only to the second step before the driver pushed him off and sped away.


Witnesses said the Palestinian bolted and blew himself up in a field. There were no other casualties.


"He looked suspicious because he was wearing a jacket zipped to the collar," driver Shalom Dray told Israeli television, noting the balmy weather in the area. "Thank God that I saved 50 people on the bus."


Earlier, an Israeli helicopter fired a missile at an office of the Islamic Hamas group in the Gaza Strip's Jabalya refugee camp, killing two militants and wounding several schoolchildren,


That attack followed Israeli air strikes overnight in Gaza and the West Bank.


DEADLY SURGE


The air raids were Israel's response to four Israeli deaths in Palestinian attacks. In all, 12 Palestinians, including two suicide bombers and a gunman killed after firing at an Israeli convoy, died on Monday and Tuesday.


Bloodshed has surged with international diplomacy largely dormant amid increased pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He is under fire from both the political right and left after a sharp rise in the number of Israeli deaths.

[alexbmn]

so in the last few days the Idf has suffered numerous embarrasments mostly due to ts own failures and the half assed approach to the conflict. First a lone tank rides over a mine in no man's land,then a soldier gets killed at aroadblock and another is beaten up, an elite soldier is killed because of gross neglidgence and finally six soldiers are killed in their sleep while manning a roadblock.What will it finally take for the country to understand that its a real war going and they have to approach it as such?

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by alexbmn
so in the last few days the Idf has suffered numerous embarrasments mostly due to ts own failures and the half assed approach to the conflict.

...

What will it finally take for the country to understand that its a real war going and they have to approach it as such?

That's the sad truth alright.

Looks like this week marks a major turnaround in the Palestinian guerrilla war.

The Palestinians are now showing a very high level of tactical ability, motivated militiamen and operations in many parts of Israel simultaneously, which all point to a high level of intelligence gathering and organization. I've seen some analysts say this is even more advanced warfare than the Hizbullah guerillas showed in Lebanon.

Basically what this means is that Israel cannot rely on the "miluim" reservists to guard their posts, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if soon Israel will need to draft many more soldiers to do the job and protect their posts better.

A draft would not be good news at all, considering Israel's ongoing recession.

So, the only solution, other than a political one, is to slam the Palestinians with a military operation that is so severe as to be a real deterrent against terrorism.

Ironically, it might be just such a harsh Israeli reaction that would give more momentum to a political solution.

[NewsGuy]

Today's Fatah shooting of 10 Israelis waiting at a bus stop in Jerusalem is further proof that there is a full-scale war going on.

Yasir Arafat's Fatah movement claimed responsibility.

This comes one day after Israel pulled back its tanks from Ramallah to allow Arafat more freedom, which was a big mistake of course.

This shooting is the direct result of rewarding Arafat, who heads the Fatah movement, backed by the Palestinian culture which glorifies the mass murder of Jews.

[L@mplighterM]

I don't think it's only backed by Palestinian culture. I'll bet there's celebrations by muslims in many if not almost every country in the world.

Sharon is turning out to be a softie they draw blood and he bombs the odd building that dosen't sound like a fair exchange to me. If the Palestinians did to me and mine what they are doing in Israel they'd be a sorry lot. Let me just say it's a porous border and it's not a one way street.

Remember Kent ? The National Guard shot university students for less. Can anyone imagine what would have happened at Kent if it would have been screaming Muslims demonstrating against the US and going on suicide missions in the community ?

I can and I would fully support such an action.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM
I don't think it's only backed by Palestinian culture. I'll bet there's celebrations by muslims in many if not almost every country in the world.

... Can anyone imagine what would have happened at Kent if it would have been screaming Muslims demonstrating against the US and going on suicide missions in the community ?

Sure, the mass murder of innocent Israelis is a big cause for celebration in Muslim countries. It's a sign that the global Jihad is going well.

If there was even one suicide bombing in the US, or a Muslim shooting at a crowd of people waiting at a bus stop, or at teenagers in a shopping mall, the US would bring in the B52s to take care of business, no matter how many civilian casualties would result accidentally. Just like in Afghanistan.

And it makes no difference if the US is seen or not as an occupier, because after all, plenty of Muslims do see the US as a military occupier in Muslim lands, and as an oppressive regime.

Either way, the news media would be all over such a suicide terrorist incident, unlike when it happens in Israel, where no one really cares and not even one single media outlet broadcast the scene of today's terrorist shooting of 10 Israelis at a Jerusalem bus stop. To the world, Jewish blood is cheaper than anyone elses and there is a completely different standard when it comes to Arab mass murder of Jews.

[Not Beilin]

Originally posted by NewsGuy
Sure, the mass murder of innocent Israelis is a big cause for celebration in Muslim countries. It's a sign that the global Jihad is going well.


Now that Israel is kicking some serious Palestinian butt in the dirtbag refugee terrorism camps, looks like things took a turn for the worse for the Jihad jerkoffs.

Heard also that Israel sent a few missiles into Khan Yunis right into a building where the Palestinians were firing from.

I guess it's a little tough to do Jihad with a kosher missile stuck in your turban. :eek:

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by Not Beilin


Now that Israel is kicking some serious Palestinian butt in the dirtbag refugee terrorism camps, looks like things took a turn for the worse for the Jihad jerkoffs.

All this is not nearly enough, because it has not been a strong enough deterrence.

Much much more is needed, until the PA is collapsed, Arafat, Barghouti and other Palestinian terrorist leaders dead and gone, and the entire Palestinian populations' day-to-day life is made absolutely unbearable. Then there will be a deterrent to Palestinian terrorism and a chance for a state of non-war.

[NewsGuy]

After a week of bloody Palestinian terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians, the Israeli cabinet was reported to agree today to non-stop military actions against the terrorist infrastructure.

Again, I only hope that the pressure will make life unbearable for the Palestinians so that there will be a real deterrent against their terrorism.

[pardon]

Deterrence???

The more massiv an attack the more massiv the counterattack. As one can see from the last few days.

Don't be so naiv!!! You have to erase the whole palestinean people (genocide) or you have to try the peaceful way. But deterrence has and will never work.

Isreal elected Sharon, who promised peace, now it's war!!!!

[NewsGuy]

I agree with you that it's war.

And Israel needs to formally announce a full-scale war against the PA and against the rest of the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure.

There will be no end to the violence until after such a full-scale war.

I think that the Palestinians who today launched the Kassam missiles at close range into an apartment building in Israel have done it.

Now, Israel must retaliate full force, no matter how many Palestinian civilians accidentally die as a result. It will be very unfortunate and regrettable, but in the end if one nation must die, then better that it will be the Palestinian aggressors, and not Israel.

If the attacks against Israeli citizens this week won't do it, I don't know that will, and if Sharon will not go to war to defend Israel, then Israel needs to go to another election asap and elect a government that will, in fact, defend Israel.

[L@mplighterM]

I’ve been saying all along that Sharon is a pussycat or perhaps his testosterone is non-existent. All I’ve heard is rhetoric from Sharon he talks tough but where’s the stick? A few lousy buildings in exchange for one Jewish life or any life for that matter just don’t cut it. No other nation in the world would put up with the Palestinians *hit.

Some of the buildings that I’ve seen destroyed were scheduled for demolition anyways. It’s an insult to the dead when a government retaliates in such a weak manner.

[L@mplighterM]

"If I would have known the reality would get this bad, I would not have joined this government in the first place," a dejected Peres said.

"The decision to hit the Palestinians even harder will not achieve anything. Entering the refugee camps and using fighter jets will only harm Israel's sense of morality and its image abroad. We will pay a heavy price for scorning international opinion."

Statements like that help the Palestinians. What's he after another peace prize to share with Arafat?

[Negev]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM
"If I would have known the reality would get this bad, I would not have joined this government in the first place," a dejected Peres said.

one of israel's main problems is shimon peres having any say-so in the governenment. he is a liability and a loser.

instead of shooting missiles at the palestinian buildings, israel should stuff peres into a cannon and shoot him at the palestinians. would be much deadlier to the palestinians than the missiles.

[L@mplighterM]

israel should stuff peres into a cannon and shoot him at the palestinians. would be much deadlier to the palestinians than the missiles.

*LOL*

[NewsGuy]

I get the impression that, in fact, we're at part 2 of the war.

Finally, Israel has gotten the message that it is war, and seems to be reacting in a rational way, which is air, sea and land attacks on the Palestinian terror machine.

[victot]

well, i dunno, i like shimon peres...
in college in my journalism class, we had to act out being a nobel prize winner, and i spent 5 minutes of my life pretending i was him... heh.

i dunno, i think it's good that israel has at least 1 guy who always advocates peace, regardless if his policies are actually followed or not.
though it's true, he sure does lose a lot of elections...
oh well.

[L@mplighterM]

I see it as an ongoing conflict with ups and downs that has no end. I don’t know who drew the first drop of blood way back when and in any case that’s moot.
Will it ever end? Nope.
Now that Zinni is going to return to the region I’m betting there’s going to be an escalation of violence.

[ibrodsky]

Zinni's return is irrelevant. The only solution is military.

You can tell Israel is in a real bind just by the fact that Sharon is reluctant to go after Arafat. Ultimately, it will be necessary to cut off the head of the snake. History also shows that Arabs become very demoralized when their head thug gets knocked off.

[McSceptic]

It's a false distinction to talk about a military versus a political solution. Military methods are always used in pursuit of a political objective, the question is what is Israel's objective in the occupied territories?

Does it want to incorporate them into Israel? Exterminate and expel the population? Or get rid of a liability?

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by McSceptic
It's a false distinction to talk about a military versus a political solution. Military methods are always used in pursuit of a political objective, the question is what is Israel's objective in the occupied territories?

Does it want to incorporate them into Israel? Exterminate and expel the population? Or get rid of a liability?

Israel's goal is security. Is that so surprising?

The confusion arises from people who conveniently forget that Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza in self defense, and that Yasir Arafat is the Father of Modern Terrorism.

Israel has to hit the Palestinians hard enough and long enough that they will be begging for a settlement that involves:

1. less than 100% of the West Bank and Gaza,

2. no (or very little) "right of return" to Israel proper; and

3. phased implementation so that nothing is given as long as there is terrorism.

[alexbmn]

ok so Israel finally starts treating this conflict as a war and immediately USA is interfering. But the thing is Zinni's visit will be absolutely meaningless. There's nothing wrong with a cessation of violence because it will lead to less people being killed on both sides.But,but the Palestinians will never agree to it because from their point of view a cease fire is basically an admition that the intifada is a failure.

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by alexbmn
ok so Israel finally starts treating this conflict as a war and immediately USA is interfering. But the thing is Zinni's visit will be absolutely meaningless. There's nothing wrong with a cessation of violence because it will lead to less people being killed on both sides.But,but the Palestinians will never agree to it because from their point of view a cease fire is basically an admition that the intifada is a failure.

I think that right now what the US is doing is all for show. The Arabs have been clamoring for Bush to send Zinni, so he's sending him. But President Bush also said that he doesn't know that Zinni's visit will do any good.

Actually, during a previous visit Zinni called a Palestinian terrorist attack in Jerusalem "the most profound evil." Sending Zinni to help broker a cease fire, to which the Palestinians respond by committing atrocities, is helpful as long as Zinni is not afraid to call evil by its real name.

[ibrodsky]

Re: Sharon's new found willingness to negotiate under fire


I was ecstatic to hear this. Ariel Sharon is finally taking forceful action against the Palestinian thugocracy.

I believe that today (Friday) the IDF killed nearly 50 Palestinians and arrested at least another ten (after a reported 250 surrendered).

The reason Sharon is now willing to negotiate under fire is because it's the Palestinians who are the ones under fire. Let's see how they like negotiating while their thugs are being martyred at an accelerated pace!

[L@mplighterM]

I was ecstatic to hear this. Ariel Sharon is finally taking forceful action against the Palestinian thugocracy.

I believe that today (Friday) the IDF killed nearly 50 Palestinians and arrested at least another ten (after a reported 250 surrendered).

All this is fine and dandy but what about their leader Mr. Arafat?

[alexbmn]

the reason Sharon is willing to negotiate under fire is because he cant just tell Zinni to go screw himself.You have to be polite with the US.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by alexbmn
the reason Sharon is willing to negotiate under fire is because he cant just tell Zinni to go screw himself.You have to be polite with the US.

The unwillingness to publicly say how hypocritical the US position has been towards Israel's war on terrorism is the main reason that Arab terrorists feel free to mass murder Israelis.

I recall how, just a few days ago, in Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, about 350 Arab terrorists were simply bombed to death by the US. Well, within 48 hours of that report, there were about 300 Palestinian armed terrorists holed up in Tul Karm, but in this case, the US was busy condemning Israel.

So instead of easily dropping bombs on the Palestinian armed terrorists in Tul Karm and ridding the world of another 300 Arab murderers, Israel has to let them surrender, due to US pressure. You can be sure that these Palestinians who surrendered will be freed soon anough and go back to mass murdering Israeli citizens.

And, to top in all off, within hours of the US condemnation of Israel's war on terrorism, 3 Palestinians opened machine gun fire on Israeli pedestrians in the streets of Netanya and an hour later, a suicide bomber mass murdered Israeli youths at a Jerusalem night club.

The fact that the US and many other "civilized" nations are not standing up to Palestinian terrorism is exactly the reason innocent Israelis are dying. This is what Sharon needs to convey publicy to Zinni and the rest of the Bush administration, and Sharon needs to stop being afraid of offending the US or anyone else for that matter.

[alexbmn]

well the US is trying to appear more neutral in this conflict but everyone knows that all this diplomacy is just for show

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by NewsGuy


The unwillingness to publicly say how hypocritical the US position has been towards Israel's war on terrorism is the main reason that Arab terrorists feel free to mass murder Israelis.


Yes, Colin Powell's recent remarks before a Congressional committee were truly despicable. He said that Israel's policy of "trying to see how many Palestinians you can kill" will only lead to further escalation.

Is Powell so unaware that he does not realize it is the Palestinians who are trying to kill as many Israeli civilians as possible?

The good news is that Israel is taking more aggressive action now by invading the terrorist camps. They don't seem to have any trouble taking hundreds of prisoners. Maybe they should start deporting them to Lebanon.

[NewsGuy]

"Is Powell so unaware that he does not realize it is the Palestinians who are trying to kill as many Israeli civilians as possible?"

Yes, it's unbelievable that Powell would say such a thing publicly, presumably with Bush's approval. I was very disappointed to hear that. I was also dismayed to hear another State dept. Arabist, Richard Boucher, say that Israel was targeting civilians, which of course, is an outright lie. :(




"The good news is that Israel is taking more aggressive action now by invading the terrorist camps. They don't seem to have any trouble taking hundreds of prisoners. Maybe they should start deporting them to Lebanon."

Now, that would be terrific!

Of course, more likely, we'll hear of Arabesty International demanding that Israel provide all Palestinian terrorists with 5-star hotel accommodations, and the State Dept. will have to then publish a scathing criticism of Israel's human rights record.

At the same time, the Europeans will no doubt hold all night vigils in France and Norway in solidarity with those terrorist prisoners and to make sure that the EU puts harsher economic sanctions on Israel.

[L@mplighterM]

I've always said that Powell is a lost cause. US foreign policy is like a weatherwane changes with the direction of the wind.

You can even say he has his brains in his **** because it must be rather small.

Never liked the man.

[Negev]

hey lampy,

don't you have some other outlet for your filthy mouth? every message from you has the bleeped out ******'s.

just cut it out, man.

please. pretty please.