As Israel persists in its military efforts -- by ground, air and sea -- to protect its citizens from deadly Hamas rockets, and as protests against Israel increase around the world, the success of the abominable Hamas double war crime strategy becomes evident. The strategy is as simple as it is cynical: provoke Israel by playing Russian roulette with its children, firing rockets at kindergartens, playgrounds and hospitals; hide behind its own civilians when firing at Israeli civilians; refuse to build bunkers for its own civilians; have the TV cameras ready to transmit every image of dead Palestinians, especially children; exaggerate the number of civilians killed by including as "children" Hamas fighters who are 16 or 17 years old and as "women," female terrorists.
Hamas itself has a name for this. They call it "the CNN strategy" (this is not to criticize CNN or any other objective news source for doing its job; it is to criticize Hamas for exploiting the freedom of press which it forbids in Gaza). The CNN strategy is working because decent people all over the world are naturally sickened by images of dead and injured children. When they see such images repeatedly flashed across TV screens, they tend to react emotionally. Rather than asking why these children are dying and who is to blame for putting them in harms way, the average viewer, regardless of their political or ideological perspective, wants to see the killing stopped. They blame those whose weapons directly caused the deaths, rather than those who provoked the violence by deliberately targeting civilians. They forget the usual rules of morality and law.
Every human shield that is killed by Israeli self defense measures is the responsibility of Hamas, but you wouldn't know that from watching the media coverage.
For example, when a murderer takes a hostage and fires from behind his human shield, and a policeman, in an effort to stop the shooting accidentally kills the hostage, the law of every country holds the hostage taker guilty of murder even though the policeman fired the fatal shot. The same is true of the law of war. The use of human shields, in the way Hamas uses the civilian population of Gaza, is a war crime -- as is its firing of rockets at Israeli civilians. Every human shield that is killed by Israeli self defense measures is the responsibility of Hamas, but you wouldn't know that from watching the media coverage.
The CNN strategy seems to work better, at least in some parts of the world, against Israel that it would against other nations. There are many more protests -- and fury -- directed against Israel when it inadvertently kills fewer than 100 civilians in a just war of self defense, than against Arab and Muslim nations and groups that deliberately kill far more civilians for no legitimate reason. It isn't the nature of the victims, since more Arabs and Muslim civilians are killed every day in Africa and the Mid East by Arab and Muslim governments and groups with little or no protests. (For example, on the first day of Israel's ground attack, approximately 30 Palestinians, almost all Hamas combatants, were killed. On the same day an Islamic suicide bomber blew herself up in a mosque in Iraq, killing 40 innocent Muslims. No protests. Little media coverage.)
It isn't the nature of the killings, since Israel goes to extraordinary lengths to avoid killing civilians -- if for no other reason than that it hurts their cause -- while Hamas does everything in its power to force Israel to kill Palestinian civilians by firing its missiles from densely populated civilian areas and refusing to build shelters for its civilians. It isn't the nature of the conflict, because Israel is fighting a limited war of self defense designed to protect its own civilians from rocket attacks, while most of those killed by Arabs and Muslims are killed in genocidal and tribal warfare with no legitimate aim. The world simply doesn't seem to care when Arabs and Muslims kill large numbers of other Arabs and Muslims, but a qualitatively different standard seems to apply when the Jewish state kills even a relatively small number of Muslims and Arabs in a war of self defense.
The international community doesn't even seem to care when Palestinian children are killed by rocket fire -- unless it is from Israeli rockets.
The international community doesn't even seem to care when Palestinian children are killed by rocket fire -- unless it is from Israeli rockets. The day before the recent outbreak, Hamas fired an anti-personnel rocket at Israeli civilians but the rocket fell short of its target and killed two Palestinian girls. Yet there was virtually no coverage and absolutely no protests against these "collateral" civilian deaths. Hamas refused to allow TV cameras to show these dead Palestinian children, who were killed by their own rockets. Nor have there been protests against the cold blooded murders by Hamas and its supporters of dozens of Palestinian civilians who allegedly "collaborated" withIsrael. Indeed Hamas and Fatah have killed far more Palestinian civilians over the past several years than have the Israeli, but you wouldn't know that from the media, the United Nations or protesters who focus selectively on only those deaths caused by Israeli military actions.
The protestors who fill the streets of London, Paris and San Francisco were nowhere to be seen when hundreds of Jewish children were murdered by Palestinian terrorists over the years.
Moreover, the number of civilians killed by Israel is almost always exaggerated. First, it widely assumed that if a victim is a "child" or a "woman", he or she is necessarily a civilian. Consider the following report in Thursday's NY Times: "Hospital officials in Gaza said that of the more than 390 people killed by Israeli fighter planes since Saturday, 38 were children and 25 women." Some of these children and women were certainly civilians but others were equally certainly combatants: Hamas often uses 14, 15, 16 and 17 year olds as well as women as terrorists. Israel is entitled, under international law, to treat these children and women as the combatants they have become. Hamas cannot, out of one side of its mouth, boast that it recruits children and women to become terrorists, and then, out of the other side of its mouth, complain when Israel takes them at their word. The media should look closely and critically at the number of claimed civilian victims before accepting self-serving and self-contradictory exaggerations.
By any objective count, the number of genuinely innocent civilians killed by the Israeli Air Force in Gaza is lower than the collateral deaths caused by any nation in a comparable situation. Hamas does everything in its power to provoke Israel into killing as many Palestinian civilians as possible, in order to generate condemnation against the Jewish state. They have gone so far as firing rockets from Palestinian schoolyards and hiding their terrorists in Palestinian maternity wards. Lest there be any doubt about the willingness of Hamas to expose their families to martyrdom, remember that the Hamas terrorist leader recently killed in an Israeli air attack sent his own son to be a suicide bomber and then refused to allow his family to leave their house even after learning that he and his house had been placed on the list of military targets.
Many of those who protest Israeli self-defense actions remain silent in the face of real genocides -- such as that in Darfur.
Nor is this double standard -- applied to Israel on the one hand, and Arab and Muslim nations and groups on the other hand -- limited to the current situation in Gaza. It has provided an excuse for the international community to remain silent in the face of massive human rights violations including genocides perpetrated by Arabs and Muslims around the world for years. Many of those who protest Israeli self-defense actions remain silent in the face of real genocides -- such as that in Darfur.
The reality is that the elected and de facto government of Gaza has declared war against Israel. Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, they have committed an "armed attack" against the Jewish state. The Hamas charter calls for Israel's total destruction. Under international law, Israel is entitled to take whatever military action is necessary to repel that attack and stop the rockets. It must seek to minimize civilian deaths consistent with the legitimate military goal, and it is doing precisely that, despite Hamas efforts to maximize civilian deaths on both sides.
The best outcome for purposes of producing peace would be the destruction or substantial weakening of Hamas, which rejects the two-state solution. Israel and the Palestinian Authority could then agree on a peace that would end both the Israeli occupation and the rocketing of Israeli civilians.
(78) Anonymous, March 27, 2019 11:28 PM
The day is coming soon.
For years these terrorists have refused Israeli offers of peace, hiding behind the biased UN who still dislikes Jews, just as Europeans have always and still have a predisposition to dislike Jews. We've seen such rash and offensive behaviour by the Muslim Extremists, committing similar atrocities on innocent civilians. Except there were no Jews that time, and it ended in a Holy war to end all Holy wars - the First Crusade. For some reason, the Middle East has always and will always be unstable. If Palestine, which should receive no international recognition due to its literal existence as a terrorist state, persist with its proselytising behaviour and bigotry, I suspect there will be an annexation of Gaza.
... I just hope next time a gang of Arab bullies try to invade again like Yom Kippur, that Israel will learn that the international community is more interested in terrorism, so long as it tickles their "humanitarian" beliefs, and instead of giving it back, take it and keep it. If the extremists proclaim Jews are inferior, why are they able to crush any radical assaults?
(77) Anonymous, August 30, 2011 4:38 AM
It looks like the truth set's not everybody free.
I agree completely with the author and because Israel don't have the numbers they must outsmart Hamas and a optional short distance anti rocket system would not hurt either.
(76) Clare, March 14, 2009 8:21 PM
How to End of War with Israel
Whoever said this has the solution in a nutshell, "If the Palestinian TERRORISTS lay down their arms, there will be no war. If the Israelis lay down their arms their will be NO ISRAEL Take heart Israel,the end of all this has already been decided and ALLAH loses big time
Jones, April 7, 2013 7:41 AM
If Pals don't fight and don't accept Israeli demands, then what is it?
"If the Palestinians lay down their arms, there will be no war." What if they lay down their arms and still won't accept Israeli peace terms? Will it be "war?" That's the situation in the West Bank- no arms, no serious fighting, and yet no peace either.
(75) Avelino Parungao Jr., January 19, 2009 6:57 PM
until when we could learn?we are all created in the likeness of GOD,but what we are done in return!it's understable to a beast to kill a beast!that's because they are animals,but human's killing human's,it's not!we don't learn,maybe because we forgot our creator!at this modern time,we still act like in primitive world!until when we have learn?i hope it's not to late!GOD BLESS!
(74) Joe, January 19, 2009 6:21 AM
Aaron, here's the real dilema
Aaron, here's a closer look at the daily dilema the IDF and the people of Israel have: Facts: 1. You have the terrorist on target. 2. There Civilians around him. 3. He's planning to plan a bomb / fire a rocket ... basically, kill more jews. 4. If you don't get him now, Israelis will die for sure!! What would you do?! You have to choose! Which civilians do you want to risk getting killed? Israelis or Palestinias? You do the math.
(73) Anonymous, January 17, 2009 7:54 PM
community pressure
Clearly this unilateral ceasefire by Israel will be a fatal error- this entire offensive will only have accomplished half a job, the world if furious and will accuse Israel of war crimes and Hamas is free to revitalize. How can Israeli politicians continue to put Jews through this again and again? Can't the Jewish population have a say and put equal pressure as the 'international community of anti-Semites?'
(72) Jessica, January 17, 2009 5:09 PM
Aaron
Aaron, we live in a world that is not perfect. How can Israel be expected to live in constant torment from Hamas shooting rockets into their land and killing people, and just sit there and do nothing? It is about time they fought back. Then when they finally do decide to fight back, Hamas freaks out and wants a cease-fire. How in a war, can you expect that no innocent civilians will die? How can you make sure that the enemy (especially Hamas who makes sure to hide with the innocent) will be completely alone so that no one else will be injured? Do you remember that the people in Gaza elected Hamas to be their government? The very same government who won't take care of their needs? Israel takes care of the injured enemies in their very own hospitals. They send aid in to the palestinians who elected a terrorist government who wants to wipe israel off the map. Who does these types of things in war but Israel who tries to not hurt civilians? Seriously, you are asking the impossible for people who are just trying to defend their right to exist in G-d's land. If one rocket fired on the U.S. or any other country we wouldn't be sitting here taking it everyday. We would have gone to war long ago. War is not bad when you are fighting off evil.
(71) Zamaaz, January 16, 2009 9:30 PM
Reaction to Aaron's comment The only concrete way to avoid collateral damage, moral question, civilian tragedy, humanitarian tragedy, and all these evils is to avoid war itself... When will Hamas and all other islamic extremists ever stop doing this?
(70) Zamaaz, January 16, 2009 9:12 PM
Ceasefire agreement must be complete to end the Gaza War
The ceasefire is technically stopping the war monentarily to get prepared for a much more tenacious next war...Thus, the ceasefire agreement must allow both parties in conflict to start with 'clean slate', a) the right of State of Israel to live in peace, and secured from all forms of national threat, b) defend itself, and, c) recover the soldier in captivity. If not then it is very essential to proceed the complete war and consolidate Gaza to turn-over it to a more moderate and internationally recognized Palestinian Authority with said conditions for peace.
(69) elsa, January 16, 2009 8:16 PM
May God bless to Israel!!!!!!!
I love Israel so much and I'm praying for Israel. I know about the evil hamas and the palestinians, they are from the devil and very bad and they only say lies. But God loves Israel forever and ever. Be Brave, we are (the christians) with Israel. Shalom to Israel The beloved Israel.
(68) Yaacov, January 16, 2009 7:21 PM
Would be comedy if it wasn't tragic
I find it quite delusional how Hamas makes their demands. If memory serves me right, when Samir Kuntar and the other people were released, they said "we're not going to stop our activity until we have Jerusalem". In fact I heard that many times, it got to be a joke. Murderers demanding everything and even after "peace attempts" they simply won't stop their armed struggle. In my book, the best way to deal with this kind of mentality is to speak the same language, fill them with lead.
(67) Anonymous, January 16, 2009 9:14 AM
not true
Aaron states: "If Israel believed that a high-ranking Hamas militant were located in an apartment building, and knew that there were other, innocent residents in that building, then the bombing of that building and the deaths of those innocents would be Hamas's fault--not Israel's? By the same token, if an armed militant were in the middle of a crowd of civilians, soldiers would be justified in spraying the crowd with rounds to kill that single militant?" Israel does NOT do that. If they did, there would be a whole lot more casualties. Israel tries very hard not to kill civilians.
(66) ed, January 16, 2009 2:43 AM
Though the media around the world has been unfair to Israel, and has been criticizing and blaming Israel for this conflict, I am sure many fair and right minded people are with Israel. Unfortunately, those who criticise and blame Israel for this conflict are probably those who might not even have the full understanding of what is going on. They might not even have the slightest idea of the mentality of the people who are involved in this conflict. It's a war between brave soldiers in uniform against those hiding behind the human shields. The Hamas can play all the media strategy they like. But the truth is the truth.
(65) Gary, January 15, 2009 4:01 PM
Hamas & cease fire, on THEIR terms?
Hamas still has one goal, to kill Jews. They will agree to a cease fire IF, Israel leaves Gaza in 30days? They will never stop killing Jews, a cease fire will only serve to allow them to re-arm and plan another tactic with others bent on exterminating the Jews. I would hope Israel does NOT waiver in there goal to rid Gaza of the Hamas terrorists. The same ones that kill their own people on a daily basis. How can anyone negotiate with suck brutal beliefs? You CAN'T. As much as Israel wants peace and to be left alone, it will not happen until HAMAS and the like,accept Israels right to exist and stops killing Jews. I really don't feel any negotiations will solve a thing with these terrorists.Sad, but I believe true.
(64) joannava, January 15, 2009 2:13 PM
I will always stand with Israel it is Gods land and it will be forever.
(63) Craig, January 15, 2009 11:56 AM
Great article, but CNN not blameless
Great article, except Mr. Dershowitz holds blameless "CNN and other objective news sources" as unwilling pawns of the Hamas PR strategy. He doesn't give them enough credit for being deliberately slanted in their coverage (at the very least complicit).
(62) Aaron, January 15, 2009 11:27 AM
Agreed...it's not cut and dried
Steve Skeete, I appreciate your thoughtful comments and reaction. It stands in stark contrast to the majority of the comments here. I agree completely that these matters are morally and ethically complex. My objection to Mr. Dershowitz's article is that he's disturbingly eager to ignore that complexity in order to clear his conscience. There's no question about Hamas militants deserving capture or death. The problem I'm addressing here is who is responsible for "collateral damage" (a marvelous propaganda phrase in itself). I simply don't see how that responsibility isn't shared between the attackers and those who would shield themselves with innocents. Clearly, we're talking about matters of degree here. The situations I proposed should, with the exception of zealots, cause serious ethical pause for any reasonable person. The situation you propose falls at the other end of the spectrum, where it would be easier to assume some sort of knowledge or collusion on the part of family members. Reasonable people could conclude in that case that the moral costs and prevention of future harm may outweigh the moral costs. But I worry how easily and unthinkingly people can justify any of the scenarios you and I proposed (note 99% of comments here). Public support for war depends on the ability of each side to paint the enemy as faceless and sub-human. It equally depends on the willingness of each side to justify the deaths of innocents on the other. A civilian death on my side is a "tragedy," where a civilian death on the other side is signed off as the ugly-but-justifiable cost of war, or worse, entirely the enemy's fault. No matter how despicable the enemy may be, Israel, as with any military force, should not and cannot be allowed to abdicate responsibility for the suffering it metes out--even when that suffering is deemed justifiable. Israel ignores this at its own peril, further propping up the many corrupt and morally bankrupt governments that surround it. I agree with you that life is complex, and that innocents die. But that's not sufficient, and it creates a slippery slope. For just one example of where this logic leads, recall Madeline Albright: when asked if the death of 500,000 Iraqi children from sanctions was worth it, she replied: "I think this is a very hard choice, but the price--we think the price is worth it." Thanks again for your reasoned argument, and I look forward to your additional thoughts. I'm careful to keep an open mind, and I'm always willing to be swayed by evidence or arguments that I haven't taken into account. Cheers.
(61) leon p.ross, January 15, 2009 9:45 AM
you are right.
you are right about CNN. but also I saw the TVE spanish tv network and I am ashamed when saw the PRESIDENT OF sPAIN ATTACKING Israel and defending Hamas. Also a rally in Madrid against Israel. This is a campaingn like the CNN pictures.
(60) Anonymous, January 14, 2009 11:13 AM
Pure disregard for life....
Not only innocent residents....but terrorist too specially when Israel is calling on cells..dropping panphlets letting INNOCENT and Terrorist know and No, no by the same token because the crowd would have the choice of leaving and escaping from the soldiers AND FROM THE TERRORIST.....your position it's so clear that u can't even get to call Hamas by their name except "neighbors" cause we know their very clear stand about Israel got to have a very clear moral stand about war regarless where it's coming from and yes what this terrorist most of the time do...it's call kidnapping anywhere else.......
(59) Steve Skeete, January 14, 2009 11:02 AM
Not cut and dried
Aaron of "pure proganda" asks: "If Israel believed that a high-ranking Hamas militant were located in an apartment building, and knew that there were other, innocent residents in that building, then the bombing of that building and the deaths of those innocents would be Hamas's fault--not Israel's? He is implying that the act of killing "innocents" in order to get at the guilty is despicable and wrong. One could agree with Aaron if all other things were equal, but what Mr. Dershowitz has argued, resonably in my view, is that with Hamas all things are never equal for both ideological and propaganda reasons. Aaron has to dismiss the philosophy and agenda of Hamas to believe otherwise. If you choose to deliberately use your family, friends and neighbours as human shields, and use the homes, schools, hospitals and mosques of inncocents from which to launch your attacks and assaults, how can you, or anyone else, then accuse your enemy of slaughtering innocents? Let me ask Aaron this. You discover the hideout of a terrorist who is responsible for the death of countless innocent persons, and who if not captured or killed will doubtless cost the lives of countless more, is discovered. This is your one chance to get at him, except for one thing, he has his family in his hideout wth him. Do you sacrifice this family in order to rid the world of a man who is responsible himself for the death of countless innocents, other people's families, or do you let him live because he he chooses, in his wisdom and cowardice, to hide behind his family? And while you are thinking, Aaron, ask yourself this. Should you allow him to live, will you then take responsibility for the subsequent innocent lives that he will go on to take? I am not blood-thirsty Aaron, I just want you to see that every situation is not cut and dried. Life is complex. In war innocents die, and what Israel is involved in with Hamas is war.
(58) Melinda Gottfried, January 14, 2009 9:37 AM
Thanks for video
I had seen many articles mentioning Hamas's use of children as shields, but was mysteriously unable to actually view the footage on any other site. I hope the entire Western World is watching. Then again, it would probably put the video on primetime with the headline "Palestian Soldier Rescues Child from Israeli Gunfire!"
(57) Glen Stout, January 14, 2009 9:07 AM
You missed one point. With the effort to dig tunnels to smuggle in arms and rockets the Palestinians could have built shelters for their people instead. The only down side is that they would leave the citizens exposed and used the shelters for themselves. Glen
(56) Bunny, January 14, 2009 4:11 AM
Great article, except for one error. In the last line you say: "Israel and the Palestinian Authority could then agree on a peace that would end both the Israeli occupation and the rocketing of Israeli civilians." (Emphasis is mine) Israel has not occupied Gaza for three years. Also, in terms of Judea/Samaria, otherwise knows as the West Bank, that land is disputed territory and is not "occupied" land. As far as both Hamas and Fatah are concerned, all of Israel is "occupied Palestininan land". So when you talk of the "Israeli occupation", you're supporting their dishonest take on the situation. Other than that, loved the article.
(55) Pascal, January 14, 2009 4:06 AM
Gaza Media Reporting and the Reality on ground
The world cannot be fooled again by Arab and International Human rights sponsored media propaganda against Isreal in Gaza.Palestines/Hamas brothers deserved what they bargained ( destructions) for.Hamas first fired rockets into Isreal.The UN & the-so called hungry hunan rights activists/organizations did not complain.But,when Isreal retaliated, they wake up from their slumbers to complain.In the midst of the war, when Hamas terrorist were using women and children as human shield, the confused UNO and Human rights Activists did inform the Hamas that behavior is a war crime.Isreal is new to international criticism and will not respond to it untill its missions are accomplished.That is, stopping the rocket firing into Isreal,regime change and the destruction of all Iranian built terrorist infrastuctures in Gaza .
(54) Aaron, January 14, 2009 12:11 AM
Pure propaganda
Let me make sure I understand Mr. Dershowitz's argument. If Israel believed that a high-ranking Hamas militant were located in an apartment building, and knew that there were other, innocent residents in that building, then the bombing of that building and the deaths of those innocents would be Hamas's fault--not Israel's? By the same token, if an armed militant were in the middle of a crowd of civilians, soldiers would be justified in spraying the crowd with rounds to kill that single militant? This is vile and disingenuous propaganda, and the ugliest form of nationalism and tribalism. It is no more nuanced or truthful than the worst propaganda from Israel's enemies. And here lies the great tragedy of Israel and its neighbors. Each side, in its righteousness, is willing to overlook its own atrocities and moral failings. And there are plenty to go around. A pox on both your houses. I hope the many moderate, sane and peaceful Israelis and Palestinians will reject the frothing polemics of all such drivel.
(53) Albert, January 13, 2009 10:17 PM
Israel is the holy nation, only Hamas is responsible for what is happening, why are deliberately firing homemade missiles to fall anywhere, provocative and dirty as they are suicidal, as the enemy acts as it is. Long live the people of Israel and Hamas dogs punishment.
(52) David Weaver, January 13, 2009 10:02 PM
This is a longtime terrorist ploy
Israel needs better PR, their own PR war so to speak. Americans should remember that the people in Gaza were dancing in the streets after 911 and chanting Death to America. It has been a ongoing method of all terrorist groups to use civilians as a sheild, sometimes not of their own free will. It is sad that the media falls for it,Hamas wants one thing death for Jews and no Israel. I pray for the destruction of Hamas and peace for the region.
(51) Orrin Kom, January 13, 2009 8:44 PM
The Truth About Jewish Occupation
For the Arabs, every bit of land administered by Jews is "occupied". Some people suggest Israel return to the pre-Six-Day-War borders, or even to the original 1949 borders. By so doing, they are ignoring history. The Arabs want the Jews dead, or at least out of the Middle East. I can't understand why people find it so hard to understand this. The Arabs are clear on this point. They want the Jews dead. You know, as in not alive. Deceased. The Arabs are not against only "the settlements" in Judea and Samaria. They are against "the settlement", singular. The Yishuv.
(50) David S. Levine, January 13, 2009 7:01 PM
"The CNN Strategy"
Ever wonder why the Arabs call it "The CNN Strategy" and not the "Fox News Strategy"? CNN is a putrid pile of Democrat Party news distorters and disinformers.
(49) Anonymous, January 13, 2009 6:22 PM
Why CNN is Pro-Palestinian
It has been reported that Ted Turner, the largest stockholder in CNN, is a major contributor to Palestinian "charities." By helping the Palestinians "stir up the pot" in the Middle East, he increases CNN viewership.
(48) ata, January 13, 2009 12:31 PM
we must do everything possible to help our brothers!!!! it disgusts me what hamas is doing, they are like animals.
(47) menachem nachshon, January 13, 2009 9:05 AM
true purpose
i don't think anyone with a capability to think can refute the right of Israel to fight for its' survival. It should be pointed out to those who oppose this prsent situation, namely the human rights people, to take a look at Europe at the end of WWII and wonder how many civilians died? I would like for those who oppose Israel and its' fight to go to a location that is hit with missiles and motar fire and still complain. The only issue that i take with the Jewish people is that they don't acknowledge that all is from HaShem for a purpose, and until we do, there is always going to be a sword held at our throat. how much longer are we to think that its' our might assisted by others such as the USA that is our salvation.
(46) Crystal, January 13, 2009 5:59 AM
Shoshanna (beautiful name!) ... your post
moved me very much and it is so very true.... I just want you to know, as I am sure you do, that there are many of us non-Jews who love the Jews and Israel dearly... I feel that I would give my life if it was required of me, to stand with the apple of God's eye....pleased be aware of the deep love many have for you...blessings to you....=-)
(45) Sharon, January 13, 2009 1:45 AM
Reply to Harold Newman
Harold, I'm not sure what you're saying in your comment. Should Israel refrain from defending their country from rocket attacks simply because Hamas has put all thir effort into aquiring rockets and missiles that can only attack innocent civilian areas, rather than aquiring traditional weapons that can be used in a war against an army? or are you suggesting that Israel provides Hamas with weapons to defend themselves with? Hamas fired 6000 rockets into Israel in the last 6 years, what makes you think they couldn't have acquired guns instead? (Not that they would need them if they hadn't fired the rockets.) Although I hate the fact that people are dying, this is a war that Israel needs to fight and win, and they can't pull back just because the enemy uses terrorism as the way it fights instead of fighting the army.
(44) YITZCHAK, January 12, 2009 11:47 PM
BRILLIANT ARTICLE
i thought this article was one of the best i hve ever read on the Gaza situation. It is vital that the new President-elect should receive copy, as well as senators and congressman.
(43) Bracha Brachot, January 12, 2009 11:36 PM
Fight back with your own words in your own home place, Cowardism is the new word to use not terrorism
Cowardism is the new word to use not terrorism. They (Hamas) like the "T" word and wash the brain of children by telling them that they are martyrs. What they really are is "cowards." They are nothing but cowards: they shoot at innocent people. They hide in civilian clothes, they use their own woman and children as shields for their attacks. They are motivated by hatred in the name of God! It is a joke!! let us all start calling them cowards and use the word cowardism instead of the "T" word. It feels good and if all of us start doing it the media may catch on with it and then with the help of Hashem the cowards will hear it too. I call it: the best psychological warfare against the cowards of today!! let us not forget that to kill FEAR we must FACE FEAR. a COWARD DOES NOT LIKE TO BE UNCOVERD. IF YOU SHINE LIGHT TO THEM THEY GET FILLED WITH FEAR THEMSELVES. Have you noticed how many times they covered their faces!!!! A coward likes the dark. they attack from behind. They don't like to be seen. Help me open their eyes for them to see their true nature. Once a coward recognizes that he is a coward then divine intervention is possible and that soul may be changed. But until then.........we are dealing with IRRATIONAL people!!! So don't reason with them!!!! give them an "eye for an eye" treatment. They want to cause FEAR ON US!!!! WE CAN ALSO CAUSE FEAR ON THEM.........By shining the flash light on their faces.......start calling them cowards!
(42) Char, January 12, 2009 10:47 PM
Why no outcry until Israel stood up against Hamas?
The media (CNN) casually reported for months bombings on Israel settlements on an occasional and casual basis. However, as soon as Israel went to fire back, the whole world speaks out! There is something even more sinister on a global basis, yet no nation addresses it: The Arabs pouring into every country on earth, regrouping and gaining in numbers and then demanding sharia law! Their goal for the USA governmental overthrow is by the year 2050. They are causing grave problems in England and France, and England is acquiescing to their demands. There are many Arab countries, and to deny Israel, the home for the Jewish people that was established by HaShem, is shameful and evil. To those who divide my land, HaShem says He will bring them into the Valley of Decision (Kidron Valley). Hamas on one side, Hizbollah on another side, and so it goes -- Israel is surrounded as HaShem prophesied. HaShem is preparing to do a great thing that the whole world will see and know whom it is that He has loved with an everlasting love to the fulfillment of the final endtime prophecies. It is the governments of all other nations He will destroy in the finality. The We wait. We pray. Though He tarries, yet will He come as long ago promised.
(41) Diana, January 12, 2009 9:25 PM
Response to Harold Newman
Hamas wouldn't need a method of defending themselves if they could just get used to the idea of living next door to Israel. For that matter, if they don't have a method of defending themselves, they shouldn't start a war. Hamas fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel in the last year alone. In addition, they do have weapons: the enemy have guns, mortars, Kassam rockets, and the new extended-range Grad rockets with a range of up to 40 km (24 mi). They have booby traps and grenades. As far as I know they don't have airplanes or helicopters. But then, my previous comment still stands. I suspect that you are getting your news from the same sources I used to - I suggest you try the news briefs on Arutz Sheva, or the pictures in Der Spiegel, or Road90.com. You might get a more balanced picture of the conflict.
(40) Melvyn Rosenstein, January 12, 2009 8:45 PM
Belief in death rather than life
The difficulty in understanding not only Hamas but all those involved in Jihad is that they value death rather than what Western culture believes, the value of life. Unless and until we in the West understand this ocean of difference there will be no way to understand or deal with the present threat to our civilizatrion. Israel is only the front line of this attack. Violence is the response of the Jihadists, preferably against the innocent civilians. Their protection is the women and children who frequently do so willingly due to their indoctrination. We find this abhorrent and against all we believe. That is simply not true for Hamas!!!
(39) Noreen, January 12, 2009 3:42 PM
Objective News???
I think one of the first things we do is not be fooled into believing CNN is objective...
(38) Monica, January 12, 2009 3:27 PM
Great article
Thanks Professor Dershowitz
(37) Anonymous, January 12, 2009 3:03 PM
Check out Joe The Plumber reporting from Israel!
Not to digress, but in line with trying to get balance from the media (of which there is 'not'!), I heard Joe the Plumber reporting from Israel. He openly and rightly took the BBC news guy interviewing him (I believe Joe was in Sderot) to task for being part of the one-sided coverage. Look him up and get the word out and get BBC or whoever will listen to actively engage Joe while he is there! He speaks the truth from the ground - IN ISRAEL. Look for Joe at www.pajamastv.com b'shalom
(36) François, January 12, 2009 2:11 PM
Israel go on, you have mi support. And don't stop this time before the victory I think in futur we gone to have the same problem with the moslims in Uerop. im sorry for mi English
(35) ngenge david, January 12, 2009 1:28 PM
CNN
Let cnn give israel a chance,hamas is a terrorist organization ,that has no value for human life,even its own people by using them as their shield,foward ever IDF, HASHEM is with you
(34) Beverly Kurtin, January 12, 2009 12:42 PM
Oh, Mr. Newman!
I don’t know who or what Harold Newman is, but he asked the question, “Should the enemy have a method of defending themselves” and then goes on to lament that Hamas doesn’t have the same kind of weapons that Israel has. Mr. Newman, WHO STARTED THE OFFENSIVE? WHO HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY LOBBING MISSILS INTO THE SOVERIGN STATE OF ISRAEL? WHO IS IT THAT COULD STOP THE HOSTILITIES BY STOPPING THEIR ROCKET FIRE? Is Mr. Newman suggesting that Israel give weapons to Hamas? If he is, then he a lunatic! The United States used two atomic bombs to halt World War II. Should the United States have given Japan nuclear weapons to “defend” themselves? Hamas has one and only one goal: the complete destruction of every Jew in the world, the same goal that Hitler had. The people of Israel has put up with more than any other independent country in the world would have even considered. Hamas continues to shoot rockets into Israel to ATTACK CIVILIANS. Israel takes every opportunity to avoid killing civilians. That is because Jews honor life while the Arabs gladly die in combat so they can be martyrs. They send their women and children to commit mass murder with “suicide” belts. They’re not suicide bombs, they’re out-and-out HOMICIDE BOMBS. How would you like it, Mr. Newman, if you were having pizza with your family and some filthy beast entered the restaurant and blew him/herself up with the goal of killing as many innocent CIVILIANS as they can? Would you then want to give the murderers planes and boats and other weapons with which to kill additional innocent people? The current action is the fault of ONE entity: Hamas. They started it, and Israel will end it. Gone are the days when Jews meekly walked into gas chambers. Gone are the days when Jews don’t fight. Gone are the days when one can kill a Jew and get away with it as if the Jew was so much trash. It is GONE. Israel is a Democracy. How many other Democracies are there in the Middle-East? Go ahead, Mr. Newman, try to find ONE other Democratic country there. You won’t find one. That is why the United States is the friend of Israel. Israel is more like the United States than any other country in the Mid-East. When the Arabs in Gaza decided to vote in terrorists to be their leaders, they signed their own death warrants. In fact, Mr. Newman, they signed their own death warrants in 1948 when they listened to their Grand Mufti who had spend most of WWII in Berlin, listening to mad men talk about the victory that eluded them. The Arabs (there is no such a people as Palestinians despite their wish to convince the world that there are such a people) left their homes and property of their own free will. It wasn’t stolen from them, they voluntarily left because their leaders told them that Israel would be wiped out in a few days and they could return to their homes and property. That was over sixty years ago and their other Arab “friends” have kept them in a constant state of refugeehood. Never in the history of the world has there been a continual refugee class. Only the Arabs could think that one up. And why? Because they think that they’re going to get the land back. Ain’t going to happen, Mr. Newman. NEVER AGAIN!
(33) Linda, January 12, 2009 9:35 AM
No reasonable thinking person is fooled here, we all know what is going on, last night watching the news, I told my husband, "See how they just show and talk about the children being killed in the war?" they could stop it anytime, but they choose not to. they don't care about those children. they would be the same one, if they got a little older, would be strapping bombs to and sendin them out, to kill innocent people. No we are not decieved by any of the hype about how they are the victims. You GO! Israel, and don't stop this time till you have "cleaned house.
(32) Harold Newman, January 12, 2009 8:22 AM
Should the enemy have a method of d defending themselves? How can Hamas possibly defend itself against air sea and land attacks with weapons that can not sink ships or shoot down planes?
(31) Anonymous, January 12, 2009 7:23 AM
Get this message out to the public
I am reading this article on a Jewish sponsored Web site so it's sort of "preaching to the choir". How do you get this message out to Anderson Cooper and Christianne Amanpour (she has never reported a fairly sided broadcast regarding any crisis in the middle east - the minute I see her I change the channel)? I agree with the reader below who talks about your comment regarding "occupation". I was once in favor of a two state solution but when the Palestinians had their first democratic opportunity to decide their own fate, they chose terrorists to represent them - knowing full well Hamas' stance regarding Israel. That election shattered my belief that Palestinians want peace and let's not keep kidding ourselves into thinking they do. Not another inch of our land should be given to them for any reason. I understand that the Lubavitcher Rebbe had always said give them nothing because you'll never get anything for it - I now see the wisdom of his words.
(30) mark, January 12, 2009 7:02 AM
men who hide
men who hide their faces behind rags are sissys. They are the same who hide behind women and children and are more so monsters. And many more are they who hide behind Islam and their angry prophet for are facing their last lifetime in the human form, no wonder there are so many rats and roaches in this world.
(29) Roger Farrah, January 12, 2009 6:21 AM
your fighting a media war
This war must be fought on the internet and all other media, the destruction of Hamas is important but the destruction of lies are vital for the future wars coming.
(28) Anonymous, January 12, 2009 4:05 AM
Great until the last sentence
Mr. Dershowitz, your article was well-stated, but you wrote a puzzling last sentence. There is no "occupation" by Israel. Remember, we supposedly were giving Gaza to those who wanted peace and the Palestinians turned around and voted in Hamas. So after the lesson learned in giving away Gaza, we Jews in Israel are supposed to do it again and give away Judea and Samaria?...and wait to see who takes over there, who the Palestinians vote in? or, wait to see whether the Palestinians will let their true colors come out as they did in Gaza? We in Israel are supposed to take that risk simply because you view us as "occupying" land that isn't ours? I am deeply afraid that many in American and many in Israel, chas v'shalom, will think once Hamas is greatly weakened, "Okay, now we can get back to having peace with the Palestinians because the bad Palestinians (Hamas) are gone." You really think once Hamas is gone from Gaza there will be lasting peace? Mr. Dershowitz, please come move into a community close to Judea, as close as Sederot is to Gaza, and when the peaceful Palestinians who have been given "occupied" land in Judea (chas v'shalom) begin to direct missiles into your Israeli town, please try to live as normal a life as possible. Gaza is not a "strip" and Judea and Samaria are not a "bank". They are all huge stretches of land that put all of the Jewish people in the path of deadly missiles from "peaceful" Palestinians. Until you move here and truly understand the horrific nature of living among and next to those who wish you dead, your opinion and good writing miss the point. You were doing fine until the last sentence.
(27) Jack, January 12, 2009 3:42 AM
CNN
CNN is owned by Time Warner and this corporation is owned by the banks, which in turn are owned by shareholders. These shareholders are mainly oil rich Arabs who determine what gets broadcast and how it's broadcast and what is not. CNN won't give Israel a chance because everybody at Time Warner wants to keep their jobs and not fall into disrepute. The Liberals who are not Jewish hate Israel anyways.
(26) Andy, January 12, 2009 3:14 AM
woyh Hamas we know where we stanD not so with PA
"Israel and the Palestinian Authority could then agree on a peace that would end both the Israeli occupation and the rocketing of Israeli civilians. " what makes you believe that the PA would agree to any two atate solution acceptable to Israel?At least with Hamas we know where we stand.
(25) Saul Cohen, January 11, 2009 11:22 PM
This article should be widely disseminated to Op-Ed pages across the country.
(24) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 8:35 PM
To anonymous #2
This information is not one sided. Read up on the history of Israel and Palestine. Check out support sites who are neutral in this war such as Christians United for Israel. Open your eyes.
(23) Jerrold L. Sobel, January 11, 2009 8:24 PM
Hamas' True Intentions
Professor Dershowitz is right on the money in his analysis of the depraved cowardly way Hamas chooses to fight Israel. Other than pure terror and with no potential for military gain they continuously fire rockets indiscriminately at the Jewish State. Once the inevitable retaliation occurs they have no compunction of placing their populace in harms way solely for propaganda purposes. At first glance it’s difficult for the Western mind to conceive of their goals or from whence they get their inspiration but the answers to these questions are not far from the surface. Hamas unabashedly proclaims their policies of brutality are dictated and codified in the Koran, as well as the Hadith and Sunnah, the holy underpinnings of the Islamic religion. For unbiased people truly interested in this subject, I urge that you place the titles of these religious compendiums into your search engine and read the invective that are aimed at other people and religions which choose not adhere to Islam, particularly the Jews. Lookup “jihad” and see what it has meant to those conquered by this putatively “peaceful religion.” While you’re at it, tap in the term, “dhimmitude,” the abject way of life imposed upon Jews and Christians to this very day in lands dominated by the Arabs. The educated reader will soon realize that conflict with Hamas and the other terrorist States and organizations are just a continuation of an age old struggle between Islam and those “unbelievers” wishing to pursue their own religion, or no religion at all. Now punch in and examine the 36 articles contained within the 1988 Hamas Charter and the picture will even become clearer. Most rational people will recognize the expressed correlation and inspiration these sanctimonious zealots get from the holy books just mentioned. Ask yourself some simple questions, how the Jewish State can make peace with a democratically elected “government,” which has the overwhelming support of its populace while endlessly being attacked? When women and children as young as fourteen engage in terrorist activities from school, hospitals, and Mosques, should they be considered innocents? Would we in the U.S. tolerate incessant rocket attacks from Canada or Mexico? Would any nation state? Why should Israel? Most assuredly, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has little to do with creation a Palestinian State that could have been accomplished on equitable terms anytime between U.N. mandated Partition in 1947, right up to the Camp David Accords in 2000. This has never been the goal of Hamas or the Arab world in general. Their expressed aims are the same as they have been for centuries, conversion of the “unbelievers” to Islam, forced expulsion to those who resist, and eventual world ascendancy of the “true religion.” Jerrold L. Sobel
(22) Chana, January 11, 2009 7:35 PM
Alan Dershowitz should get this published in Newsweek
Newsweek, CNN, and any other mainstream media - there is just no moral equality here. The lies and duplicity of Hamas that the mainstram press parades as "truth" need to be debunked over and over again in order for the REAL truth to finally be heard.
(21) Yofion, January 11, 2009 7:06 PM
To Anonymous
This is necessary to get to the truth. I can't believe you say it's a "one-sided argument." That is indeed the problem. The information reported is one-side, and always against Israel and the truth. That's why these kinds of arguments are so vital. G-d bless President Bush for supporting Israel. The day we stop supporting Israel will spell our doom as a country. Look at history.
(20) Kevin Rogers, January 11, 2009 5:37 PM
Good on you
Well done, tell it like it is. God Bless Kevin
(19) Darryl, January 11, 2009 3:39 PM
Occupation?
You had me the whole time Alan until the last line in your article saying that a peaceful solution would end the Israeli occupation. What occupation? Gaza is Israeli land every bit as much as Jerusalem is. Comments like this just lend credence to the accusations that Israel is fighting because it's illegally occupying Palestinian land. There's no such thing as a Palestinian and these make-believe people don't have any land. It all belongs to Israel. Period. They are the ones occupying what is not theirs.
(18) mayer zayan, January 11, 2009 3:12 PM
jewish blood is cheap
It seems that the critical element is the exploitation of the news as an advertising media to further the cause of the terrorist. The second point is the oil held by the arabs. When the price is down and we are in an economic crisis we hear little words form the saoudis but when the coffers are full and they can afford to gamble the they open their big mouth and pockets. We should have never given in to the world opinion and held fast every inch of land we reclaimed that is originaly ours to keep.
(17) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 2:04 PM
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FACTS
YOU CAN CRY ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS AND PROVE YOUR POINT UNTIL YOU'RE BLUE IN THE FACE AND NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE. NONE OF THIS IS ABOUT DISTORTED FACTS or MISINFORMATION. IT'S ABOUT REALIZING THAT ANTI-SEMITISM IS NON-RATIONAL JEW HATE AND IF I HATE YOU, I'M GOING TO FIND A REASON TO DO THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY or DO. IF YOU SAY IT'S NICE AND SUNNY, I'LL SAY I LIKE THE RAIN. IF YOU DECIDE YOU ALSO LIKE THE RAIN, I'LL SUDDENLY PREFER SUN. ISRAEL AND JEWS WILL NEVER WIN THE 'PR' BATTLE BECAUSE THE DECK IS STACKED. SO WHAT'S THE ANSWER--JUST GIVE UP? NO. THE ANSWER IS TO ACCEPT GOD'S DOUBLE STANDARD AND KNOW AND ACT LIKE THE HOLY NATION JEWS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AND NOT JUST TRY TO PLAY BY THE ANTI-SEMITES RULES AND WIN, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T WIN BECAUSE THEIR ONE RULE ABOVE ALL RULES IS 'YOU LOSE.'
(16) David Feder, January 11, 2009 2:03 PM
and don't forget
...and don't forget that on the first day of Israel's retaliation, Hamas executed more Palestinians as "potential collaborators" than Israel's raid killed.
(15) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 1:34 PM
Amnesty International
The ordinary Palestinians are held hostage by the thugs Hamas and Fatah. Read Amnesty Intenational's report of 24/10/2007 under index no. MDE 21/020/2007, and which also suggests these thugs of Hamas and Fatah use Israel as a pretext to justify the continuation of their brutal behaviour. The website is www.amnesty.org/en/alfresco_asset/58a50751-a325-11dc-8d74-6f45f39984e5/mde210202007en.h A choice in the elections for the ordinary Palestinians only between Hamas and Fatah is like a choice between Hitler and Mugabe.
(14) shoshana, January 11, 2009 1:09 PM
who we need to turn to
this article was beautifully written, clearly explaining the mdia baises. it so very natural for us to read/hear what's going on, and get upset that Isarel isn't being portrayed fairly. however I hate to break it to you, even with all th etruths on the table THE WORLD AT LARGE WILL STILL HATE US we have to stop caring about what the other nations see/feel/beleive about what's going on we have to put our trusts and hopes in G-d only HE can help us, and he will when we do His will
(13) Judge Dread, January 11, 2009 12:31 PM
Islam and Infidels
The article is spot on and is an eye opener even for those who refuse to see. One thing I'd like people to remember is that Islam, while professing itself to be a "religion of peace," is in all actuality a "religion of war." Indeed, even a casual reading of the Qur'an, along with their hadith, convicts Islam of its true intentions, world domination, even by the sword. Finally, it should be noted that the strategy to acheive the aforementioned goal is thus: 1. Accept Islam 2. Pay the jizya (a poll tan on unbelievers in Islam) 3. War with Islam. It is not surprising, therefore, that Islam fights a war on 34 fronts. Where is the media on this fact?
(12) Ran, January 11, 2009 12:02 PM
PA is similar to Hamas - not the same
I must correct Irwin Ruff (comment 3) - PA is very similar to Hamas, but not the same! Arafat was the leader that told his people "piece after piece we will take everything Israel will give us, and only after we cannot get anything else without force, we will use all our force to get more, to get it all eventually". PA today acts exactly so. Hamas is the "bad boy" that reveals the face of Palestinian's strategy too early.
(11) Rob, January 11, 2009 11:39 AM
Thank you
1 I'm really tired of Israel and Hamas getting put on equal moral footing in the media. It's mindboggling that Hamas has support nearly worldwide in this conflict. Is there no way to publicize this in the mainstream media?
(10) David I., January 11, 2009 10:35 AM
Childhood aspirations
In watching some of the Hamas television shows aimed at children, it seems that the greatest aspiration for a Hamas child is to martyr themselves killing Jews or destroying Israel. So, these poor children that are not capable of making a decision for themselves, are being martyred. For Hamas, this is the highest goal achievable for them. So, while I cry for the children, I cannot blame Israel for the crimes of Hamas.
(9) Gad ben Rosen, January 11, 2009 10:31 AM
CNN Stategy Being Used by Hamas to cover up "Death Squads"
Today a video was released onto YouTube showing Hamas Murdering in Cold Blood 12 Fatah Members . It was the most Brutal Thing I have ever seen . I live in Israel and it is well known as of 4days ago there were 35 Fatah Men Murdered (including 3 brothers) and 75 who have been shot in the Knee-cap to render them useless .The Fatah voices coming out of Gaza are that Hamas is throwing the dead Fatah Bodies into the Civillian Dead . This has been openly aired publicly but the Left-Wing "Annie Lenox" Voices are Silent ! So I believe as Hamas uses CNN & the Left-Wing Voices for PR ,it is also using the coverage of Civillian Deaths by CNN & BBC to cover up their Death Squads . Its a Worthy Story to be Told . Why isn't anyone covering it ? Why? Its Jews Fighting Back . The World just can't get past that . Its almost as they (the europeons)feel betrayed by Jewish People. All the Apoligies for the Holocaust and Now You Jews Fight Back and Kill Your Enemy ? How Dare You ! They Just Can't Get Their Short Little Minds Around That Fact !
(8) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 10:20 AM
An effort to provide sanctuary by safe passage for actual civilians away from the conflict zone is missing from the current resolve
The problem with the analysis is not its primary thrust but its collateral implication that turning Gaza into a virtual Free Fire Zone is morally acceptable. In any conflict and especially where the normal "sanctuaries" are not regarded as such, opportunities for safe passage by refugee civilians are historically provided away from the conflict zone. Whether safe passage is to a military internment camp or release to another area would be debated and each would have its significant problems. But I wonder what the leaflets being dropped suggest to the civilian population? Where are they to go? Where is safe for them? Are they, in fact, being offered an "out" from the conflict zone? If so, it hasn't been mentioned in the press and also was not mentioned here. Americans don't cotton to Free Fire Zones so much since Vietnam. When "surgical strikes" aren't realistic, substance has to be given in another way to humanitarian concern. A police officer's bullet in a limited hostage situation is a different situation. When police actions include bombing an entire building known to contain hostages and criminals or "take out" an entire complex including fanatics and also non-combatant women and children (both events are in the memories of the American public) the public reaction has not been "understanding" nor "supportive" of the police tactic--whether it's the FBI or a Municipal Police Dept.
(7) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 10:20 AM
Heart sick
I not only am heart-sick at the war in Gaza, but terribly angry at the media. Israel gets blamed for everything! It makes me furious. If rockets were directed into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico (our borders) does any really believe that we would not retailate, strong and swiftly? Give me a break. My prayers and sympathies are with Israel...still G-d's chosen.
(6) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 9:51 AM
Cowards everyone
Hamas is filled with cowards who use their own people to hide behind. To them life is not precious and their people are only pawns in their game of life. Israel has every right to protect itsself and any one living there. Many times Hamas has i=enhanced the video footage of the war with false pictures of children and women dying just to get international support for how uncivilized Israel is in its attacks on them. Remember that Jerusalem is where G-d placed His name.
(5) Beth, January 11, 2009 9:42 AM
disgusted
I am completely disgusted at this point when I hear a Jew say that they feel sorry for what is happening to the Palestinians. I am sickened by what is being reported on the news. If the press were unbiased, perhaps even the self-hating (Reformed) Jews would get a better understanding of why they should support the country of Israeli no matter what. No one is reporting that Israel helped the Palestinians to set up their state and that THEY chose Hamas as their govt, and now Hamas is killing Palestinian civilians, ooops. Most of the people watching the news have no idea whats going on, they simply think of Israel as a bad guy. They dont know that the Israelis educated the Palestinians in their state, help to set up services, etc. Where do people think the injured Palestinians are being treated? Israeli hospitals by Israeli doctors! They are being treated by the same country they are at war with. Israel wants peace, Hamas teaches the youth of Palestine to hate all Jews. sad sad sad and I am disgusted. I say take em out.
(4) Moshe Rosen, January 11, 2009 9:40 AM
response to poster 2
A couple of websites I would recommend are truthout.org, which is subtle on the situation in Gaza, and camera.org, which fact-checks aspects in the Middle East in response to media bias.
(3) Irwin Ruff, January 11, 2009 9:35 AM
PA is same as Hamas
Prof. Dershowitz makes one error. The PA is no different from Hamas, only weaker. Their covenant also calls for the complete destruction of Israel, their flag shows an Arab state covering all of Israel, Abbas has openly stated that the PA will use supplied arms to fight against Israel, etc. The PA is no partner for peace, its aims are the same as Hamas, although their methods are different. They will make use of Israel while gradually cutting her down to the point where she can be destroyed. Evidence for this is easy to see - while Israel has made many concessions since 1993, The PA has no yielded on one single point.
(2) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 9:28 AM
Both sides must be held responsible
These types of one-sided arguments just reinforce the status quo. Where has it gotten us? Absolutely nowhere. If both sides must commit to making significant changes. Hopefully, the US and the international community can help achieve this now that President Bush will be out of the picture.
(1) Anonymous, January 11, 2009 7:17 AM
May He be the judge between us and them
Since they care so little about their children, may it be the Almighty who judges us and them. Many a times we have seen grwon men cry and beat their chests when hundreds (sometimes thousands) of children die from a natural disaster. Then they'll ask "why, why, has this happened to us?" Selective amnesia since to prop up during those times. Israel should continue being cautious as much as possible but if human shields die, be they children, women or men, then so be it...afterall, this is not a video game, it is war..