tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post8254466056371830774..comments2023-08-29T13:11:53.254+03:00Comments on Life must go on in Gaza and Sderot: Sige in gazaHope manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432970395012693766noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-49607882379432980442008-04-26T22:53:00.000+03:002008-04-26T22:53:00.000+03:00everyone keeps pointing the finger at Hamas as the...everyone keeps pointing the finger at Hamas as the cause for this conflict. <BR/><BR/>Are you forgetting that it is Israel that invaded the West Bank and Gaza in the first place? <BR/><BR/>And are you not aware that the United Nations ordered Israel to leave the land in the 60's but to date they have refused to comply.<BR/><BR/>The US is well aware of the following fact and one day will be forced to act again on behalf of the Palestinians: The Israeli Government encourages people to break international law by offering Jewish settlers tax breaks and assistance with housing and schooling in exchange for residing in ILLEGAL settlements built on occupied land. There are now half a million settlers. That's half a million people violating international law.<BR/><BR/>These settlers believe that their desires are more important than the Palestinians' rights. This issue, being the largest part of the problem, has nothing to do with Hamas. <BR/><BR/>To any Jew who claims that he has a historical right to the land based on the fact that God gave the land to the Jews let me remind you of this...the same God who gave you the land exiled you for not caring for the poor and obeying his commands. <BR/><BR/>You shall not murder.<BR/><BR/>You shall not steal.<BR/><BR/>You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.<BR/><BR/>You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to compassionate authors all over the globe the world has become aware of the fact that Israel violates Palestinians' Human Rights on a daily basis. Israel treats every Palestinian from the Occupied Territories -- including toddlers, grandmothers, pregnant women, the disabled and handicapped as terrorists. <BR/><BR/>Entire communties are placed under curfew for weeks at a time. During these unexplained frequent events Palestinian families are imprisioned inside their homes and even a small child can be shot simply for stepping out onto his front porch. These curfews have been going on for decades -- LONG before Hamas came to power.<BR/><BR/>Israeli soldiers gas Palestinian children and fire rubber bullets at them. Children have been shot and killed simply for throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. A bullet from the gun of an adult in exchange for a rock in the hand of a child. What cowards these soldiers must be. Remember it is not Hamas commiting these crimes against humanity. <BR/><BR/>Israeli soldiers, not Hamas, bulldoze Palestinians homes down in the middle of the night. Kicking and beating small children and women in the process. <BR/><BR/>Israel, not Hamas, destroyed the economy of the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli military has limited the Palestinians freedom of movement so badly now that 20% of Palestinian children are malnourished and 60% of the population is unemployed. <BR/><BR/>The Israeli soldiers who man the check points are the real monsters in this nightmare. <BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces_checkpoint<BR/><BR/>Pregnant women have been forced to have their babies at check points, women with sick babies seeking medical care have been forced to the back of the line when they approached Israeli soldiers and begged them for permission to pass. There are no bathrooms at these check points and children have wet themselves waiting for 4 to 6 hours for permission to pass through on their way to and from school. <BR/><BR/>There is no where to sit and women have been told by these monsters to sleep on the ground. One women was told that if she would eat grass like a goat she'd be given permission to pass but she rightfully refused and returned to the back of the line. There are thousands of true stories like this one. <BR/><BR/>A new check point can pop up over night and a curfew can be impossed at any time so it is impossible for the Palestinians to plan anything. <BR/><BR/>Families have been split apart by the fences and walls. Some children have not seen their grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins for years. They live close by but the Israeli soldiers will not allow them to pass through to visit them. It's the Israeli Government not Hamas that has torn these families apart. <BR/><BR/>Many families have been left homeless after Israeli soldiers have come in the middle of the night and bulldozed their homes to the ground. If, they resist even women and children are kicked and beaten not by Hamas mind you but Israeli soldiers. <BR/><BR/>60% of Palestians are under the age 18 and the literacy rate in the Occupied Territories is the highest in the region. Child and teachers are frequently turned away at check points after waiting for hours with all their paperwork in perfect order. The War has destroyed many schools in the West Bank and Gaza. Some have been taken over by the Israeli military. <BR/><BR/>I read one story where Israeli soldiers entered a school that was closed due to yet another frequently imposed unexplained curfew. They ransacked the school even going as far as peeing on the floors and writing rude things on the chalk boards. The Palestinians students and teachers cleaned up the school when they returned. And you think Hamas is the monster here? <BR/><BR/>20% of Palestinian children are malnurished as a direct result of decades of almost no freedom of movement. Children who do manage to receive scholarships to leave the occupied terroritories to study are not permitted permission to leave. The Israeli Government you see has stolen their freedom...stolent their dreams. <BR/><BR/>Let me close by saying that I do not agree with the Hamas way of doing things. But we cannot let the Israeli Government use Hamas as an excuse for their crimes against humanity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-87615251143591124002008-04-24T08:05:00.000+03:002008-04-24T08:05:00.000+03:00Hamas has shown no intention or flexibility toward...Hamas has shown no intention or flexibility towards a peaceful resolution of this conflict. Hamas is knowingly putting the Gazans' lives in harms way in an uninvited losing armed struggle. They have successfully brainwashed the majority of Gazans into giving up on peace, while the rest of the world never cared to provide a little incentive. <BR/><BR/>Hamas is truly a monster that Israel's injustice has created.Yasir Kaheilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07965912198826277611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-35747699715072942162008-04-23T17:28:00.000+03:002008-04-23T17:28:00.000+03:00Oh how you cry to the world to do something for yo...Oh how you cry to the world to do something for your peace. Many countries have worked, and continue to work to find a meaningful lasting peace and have yet not succeeded. Why? The answer is not from without but lies within. The Palestinian peoples must look within themselves and truly ask – what is it we want – and take the steps necessary to bring it forth. <BR/><BR/>People in Gaza have much work to do. Palestinians, as a people, have much work to do. You are now living with the fruit of choices you have already made. Is the fruit bitter or sweet? Who have you given your power to? <BR/><BR/>Hamas basically states that there can be no lasting peace until Israel no longer exists. Do you agree? Is this how you see your future? A handful of Arab states hope you do and are working hard to spread this idea so that one day the goal is achieved. In the meantime, Israel will always respond in some way.<BR/><BR/>Your government is now divided. Your economy is in shambles. Food is scarce or expensive. You can barely treat the sick or wounded. No work. No school. No positive/productive future. No peace. <BR/><BR/>What do you want and what are you going to do? <BR/><BR/>If you agree with Hamas then you must take up the rifle and rocket– go out and have a nice day. Maybe peace is in the future, without Israel. <BR/><BR/>If this is not the way then you must tell Hamas that rockets and rifles are not needed. Maybe even telling Hamas that their ideas are not in accordance with the people. That it would be better to increase commerce and trade, hold classes for the children, plant crops, build hospitals, repair and expand utilities, roads and infrastructure. Taking steps to secure a positive future for ourselves, children, grand children and great-grand children. With Israel. Peace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-41106010752669800502008-04-23T00:23:00.000+03:002008-04-23T00:23:00.000+03:00Hamas has only been in power for 2 years. Let's n...Hamas has only been in power for 2 years. Let's not forget that Isreal has been violating the Palestinians human rights for four decades now. The children of Palestine are starving let's stop debating and feed them.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00115470277862666664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-67827685145510069002008-04-22T10:35:00.000+03:002008-04-22T10:35:00.000+03:00Israel may have bullied its way into existence, bu...Israel may have bullied its way into existence, but so has just about every other nation. The wounds are fresh and easy to take advantage of. But picking at them will not allow them to heal. <BR/><BR/> I do not believe, as someone who chose to inform herself on these topics personally, that Islam, our human rights or our history would call for the removal of Israel and its people. It would be tantamount to genocide and no Muslim personally educated on Islam would back this. The Holly book of Islam is one that is difficult to interpret and follow, but it is one meant to be between the follower and their faith, with no intermediaries "guiding" the interpretation process. Islam calls for each Muslim to know his/her religion for her/him self. It is time the Muslims of the world stopped following the example of some sects of Christianity and Judaism in allowing Mullahs and Talibs to tell us what our religion is. Islam does not make room for priests or any other figures between a Muslim and her/his faith. It is time Muslims stopped using and allowing others to use this religion as an excuse for killing, self pity, and attaining power.<BR/><BR/>The corrupt leaders of the world come in every color, religion, race, class etc. We need to stop supporting them, their systems, their media outlets,their reasoning,their information, stop supporting their sound bites, their companies, their ambitions. That goes for all of us, Americans, Israelis, Palestinians, Afghans etc. <BR/>It is important to stop being afraid, to stop just leading our regular lives because we have to, and to push ourselves and our families to believe in this "naive" notion of peace. If we choose to believe in war, well everybody and their uncle has a couple of nuks now, so you can see where that would be headed. <BR/><BR/>And for the toughs and war mongorors, reverting to gaurddog cavemanism and finger pointing like kids doesn't present you as experts on anything but your inability to get past your own little worlds. If one were to give your theory any credit, your inability to live with your own species in a peaceful way makes you misfits and bound for extinction.<BR/><BR/>Finally, neither Jews, Christians, nor Muslims are called on by their religions to rule the world and decide it's fate. We are all flawed, not God.Lina A. Sikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539800590643468850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-67467654226385305322008-04-21T16:55:00.000+03:002008-04-21T16:55:00.000+03:00beautiful post... very moving.beautiful post... very moving.Sriramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05288835877163623610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-13330568053245467582008-04-20T07:41:00.000+03:002008-04-20T07:41:00.000+03:00I totally agree with the article.Sometimes the pol...I totally agree with the article.<BR/>Sometimes the politicians who are supposed to help the citizen make the life of the citizen diffcult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-29011672731852504262008-04-19T14:49:00.000+03:002008-04-19T14:49:00.000+03:00That same oil is used to fuel the rockets you fire...That same oil is used to fuel the rockets you fire at Israel. You cant expect Israel to hand you over the same weapons you are about to use against its citizens.<BR/><BR/>O.k, its not you palestinian citizens, its Hamas who misuse the oil. But why dont you bring Hamas down then? Why did you elect it on the first place?? You are responsible for your own choices, arent you?Rubenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16857412933360557242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-34622004959685531802008-04-18T22:04:00.000+03:002008-04-18T22:04:00.000+03:00Difficult subject indeed. We can all judge and say...Difficult subject indeed. We can all judge and say whos to blame etc, but does anyone really have all the answers? Most of these problems rise through greed and missunderstandings. Greed impares reason.<BR/>I truly believe that one day things will be resolved, but not by the hands of man.<BR/>I feel very sad about the things that go on beneath the sun. If men do these things when the tree is green then what will they do when it is dried and withered?Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14855552503376343664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-72954103394366836122008-04-18T10:30:00.000+03:002008-04-18T10:30:00.000+03:00Nothing will change and if it does then yeah perha...Nothing will change and if it does then yeah perhaps it'll be after a long long time.....realisation is important because it's the average man who suffers and not the freaking leaders who does'nt give a damn bout the people and there troubles....OPINIATEDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10207988450768049904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-84579566660581999972008-04-18T07:06:00.000+03:002008-04-18T07:06:00.000+03:00Anonymous, Not many people blame the palestinians ...Anonymous, <BR/>Not many people blame the palestinians for the situation in gaza. I think you're mistaken on a few fronts besides this. What people have been saying is that there was a elective choice which enabled the palestinians to have leadership which would provide for their needs. Hamas was elected on a platform of destruction when what the region so desperately needed was a platform of extensive CONstruction. Their government is not the only problem though I agree. It's an unfortunate and kind of disgusting continum of violence and despair that self perpetuates and demands a non violent reactive movement from the palestinian people in gaza working in concert with israeli and international supporters who believe that given the chance to see a world of opportunity, palestinians in gaza will choose opportunity over violence and things may begin to change. BUT, this means swallowing pride on both sides of the conflict and also means paying attention to facts.<BR/><BR/>Israel has given up a ridiculous amount of land and will give up more in pursuit of peace. Unfortunetely in the haze of war atrocities on both sides are committed. Israel is the first to champion human rights and groups from witin israel even self police each level of military and government to force accountability and try to stop some of the abuses which are inevitable in wartime. So stop the fighting. Period. Stop complaining about israel not conforming to land resolutions and blah blah blah. It is trying to but the violence makes it hard to garner public support and turns the flow of love off. <BR/>It is not a matter of human rights. We've gone way beyong that in this conflict. It's time to stop the complaining and tit for tat acts, swallow our pride, and work with our brothers and sisters to bring them up out of despair. It doesn't have to be that way.<BR/><BR/>It sucks that people are dying on both sides and not necessarily in equal numbers but even one is far too many. One human life is unquantifiable. Make your choice.Shawnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05824955115528995802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-39613676091718865752008-04-18T01:55:00.000+03:002008-04-18T01:55:00.000+03:00It's so strange that everyone is blaming the Pales...It's so strange that everyone is blaming the Palestinians for what is happening to them. I've read it here time and time again that, "it is their fault for supporting Hamas". We need to educate the public about the history of this conflict. Isreal is the agressor here not the victim. <BR/><BR/>The Palestinian and Jewish people farmed the land peacefully prior to the Zionist movement. Christians could visit the Holy Land without fear. The UN divided the land in the 1940's -- an act which forced many Palestinians into refugee camps. <BR/><BR/>Isreal invaded the West Bank and Gaza during the Six Day War. Security Council resolution 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 called on Israel to withdraw from territories it had occupied in the 1967 conflict but to date they have failed to comply. <BR/><BR/>Isreal stalled by promising to exchange land for peace but stunned the world by building what they call settlements but are in fact towns with schools, grocery stores and housing developments on the land in violation of international law. <BR/><BR/>Hamas did not come into power until January 26, 2006. Isreal began violating the Palestinian's Human Rights in the 1960's -- decades before Hamas was at the helm. So, how can anyone blame the Palestinians support of Hamas as a justification for Isreal's illegal acts against the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza??? <BR/><BR/>Human Rights are Human Rights. For Isreal to hold every single occupant of the West Bank and Gaza, minus the settlers of course, responsible for terrorist attacks is insane. They are simply using this as an excuse not to comply with the United Nations Security Council's Resolution 24.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-56890660755156353272008-04-16T19:02:00.000+03:002008-04-16T19:02:00.000+03:00When the wicked rule the people mourn.This is such...When the wicked rule the people mourn.<BR/>This is such a sad situation. I feel like the Palestinians have brought this on their own heads by trusting Hamas to lead them. I see Isreal defending herself. But the reality is that their are actually only a few people who are causing all this sorrow. If the people would rise up and get rid of them, which all people have the right to do, the problems could be resolved. This seems logical. But in war sometimes things are not logical. Propaganda blinds men to the truth and without truth nothing will be solved. The citizens of Palestine have been indoctrinated for so long they may not be capable of doing what is necessary to have peace. Isreal may just have to accept that this is the best they can get. Until one side changes, there can be no peace. Until there are two reasonable leaders that want peace, no progress can be made. If your leaders are not willing to be reasonable, then find new ones who are. Personal righteousness will bring peace, not cease fires. Jews, Muslims and Christians all agree on the ten commandments,(right?) so if we have leaders who obey them , we ought to have a common place to start. <BR/>Peace will never be achieved by blaming others. We must look for our personal responsibility in the situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-10439968101409649162008-04-16T02:48:00.000+03:002008-04-16T02:48:00.000+03:00Salam Alaikum.Well This is not only sad buit distu...Salam Alaikum.<BR/>Well This is not only sad buit disturbing. Looking at the blogs wont help. We should all do something together and the firts thing, UNITY..which wen definately LACK.<BR/>GOD bless Muslim Ummah.<BR/>And may ALLAH help and reward you both.<BR/>Fi aman ALLAHMaryam Ahmadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04434678708923391322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-47962613203085867002008-04-15T18:45:00.000+03:002008-04-15T18:45:00.000+03:00some of us do see what is going on and we are tryi...some of us do see what is going on and we are trying to help. <BR/><BR/>but the situation is soo horrible...<BR/><BR/>how can the united nations and other organizations sit idle while people are starving and dying and being killed<BR/><BR/>the entire human race should be ashamedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-63183826052459599452008-04-15T10:44:00.000+03:002008-04-15T10:44:00.000+03:00Let's just be strong and be patient for all of thi...Let's just be strong and be patient for all of this. When there's a start, there will be an ending. Let's just hope for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-81076273995312103412008-04-14T22:59:00.000+03:002008-04-14T22:59:00.000+03:00What a sad blog. Thank you for sharing.What a sad blog. Thank you for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-73475437811673058002008-04-14T20:24:00.000+03:002008-04-14T20:24:00.000+03:00We can all pray - that is all we can do - we pray ...We can all pray - that is all we can do - we pray to the same God and daily ask for peace.Carolyn Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445308055664833027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-11862881256032212872008-04-14T18:35:00.000+03:002008-04-14T18:35:00.000+03:00There will only ever be peace when the Palestinian...There will only ever be peace when the Palestinians and their backers realise that Israel's existence is a FACT, Israel is NOT going to go away, so start learning to live with it! And it has to start with education - get rid of the propoganda in school books, on Palestine TV and Hamas Mickey Mouse, for starters!Chrissie Nyssenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07594124872621617408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-26508916181889501422008-04-14T14:29:00.000+03:002008-04-14T14:29:00.000+03:00Read your story really made me know the reality th...Read your story really made me know the reality there. Thank you for sharing with us. Please be strong. I'll pray for you.<BR/>Maybe if more women become leaders in many country (and yours)peace and reconciliation would take a 'serious' matter in our world...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-14271025288464346372008-04-14T04:49:00.000+03:002008-04-14T04:49:00.000+03:00There are heaps of examples of completely amazing ...There are heaps of examples of completely amazing peace groups working at the grassroots level to change things for both of our peoples. It doesn't really help much to complain about our governments unless we're willing to apply judicious ( and non-violent) pressure to keep changing our representation until we get governments that represent the will of the people...Let's keep in mind that both the Israel and Palestinian Gov't were elected in democratic style elections. So if we want change we have choices. We can work to influence slow moving goverments or we can put our hands in the soil and start planting seeds of peace ourselves. I'd be thrilled to have people contact me directly to see how it's possible to really truly affect change in our region. There are many many rays of hope.Shawnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05824955115528995802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-2081273361420679122008-04-13T21:59:00.000+03:002008-04-13T21:59:00.000+03:00It gives me hope to see two friends on either side...It gives me hope to see two friends on either side of this situation. Maybe if more Israelis and Palestinians met in person rather than only hearing about the demonised enemy, or seeing the results of each side's violent leaders, then the common humanity would triumph. If both sides can accept the other as fellow human beings moderate common sense can overcome violence.<BR/>http://overhimself.blogspot.com/A Pedanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00557578922149835789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-39305166933472206092008-04-13T18:01:00.000+03:002008-04-13T18:01:00.000+03:00maybe there needs to be less dependence and expect...maybe there needs to be less dependence and expectation that government leaders will find a path to peace and more initiative by the people that seek it. Can Hopeman and Peaceman each invite a hundred people to walk to the fence separating Gaza and Israel and exchange greetings?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-75264812143901831082008-04-13T14:31:00.000+03:002008-04-13T14:31:00.000+03:00israel must go out from from gaza.israel must go out from from gaza.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968220524668733495.post-77042055015708826082008-04-13T10:43:00.000+03:002008-04-13T10:43:00.000+03:00Thank you so much for your brave and sincere blog....Thank you so much for your brave and sincere blog. All people under siege are worthy of our love and sympathy, be they Palestinian or Israeli. Reading your blog from here in Australia I can't help but cringe at the comments made by some people, not offered in peace but in judgement. How can poeple expect the people from either nation to have any say, or control over their governments - do you in the US have access to or control of George Bush? I can tell you I live in a peaceful country, Australia and we had millions of people march against our involvement in the Iraq war - our government did not heed the masses - The indigenous people of Australia live in conditions that many people would not believe they are so poor and mistreated - when hordes of people in every city in Australia marched for reconciliation our government did not heed us. Again I ask how can Palestinians approach the Hammas or Israelis their own government - we are at the mercy of our governments all over the world, what rules them is money and hatred and maintaining division - let's look at each other as people with the same feelings and thoughts and think the best of our neighbours and not the worst. Try not to judge - as so many of you have done here, but to love!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com