I feel great sadness for the many victims of the Israeli incursion into Gaza. But Israel had no other choice. It t had to protect its citizens from the constant and accelerated shellings by Hamas.

There'll never be any winners in that area until there's Israel and a Palestinian State and they learn to live with each other and share whatever drop of water can be had. Much beyond Hamas and any other Islamic extremists, if you look back in time to 1948, the responsibility for what came later lies with the European nations. Two states should have been created at that time, one for the Jews and one for the Palestinians who lived in the area; how can any one people on Earth claim that they are chosen by God? What God? The one who sits and watches while we kill each other over and over and destroy lives in his name???? I have no doubt that they'll continue to kill each other and hate each other to the end of time (with a few honorable exceptions on both sides), because there are religious zealots, fanatics, in both groups. What a tragedy! Another proof (if anyone needed any) that human beings are the stupidest creatures on this beautiful planet. The Earth didn't deserve us!

News organisations and left wing supporters of Hamas certainly didn't this time.
It was a walkover for the IDF, which I congratulate whole heartily.

I think the question should be who lost?..and the answer is...both

mm

If you leave a dog in a checken's cage the obvious winner will be dog....I apllaud Ms Thomson's comments, Israel got created in a place where Palestinians were living for ever, you cannot simply throw out the resident and hand over the place to some-one else unless you create a reasonalbe place for the pushed out resident to avoid any future conflicts. This is what happened in this case, new party came in and settled nicely while original residents are suffering for ever, they have nothing to deffend themselves.
A winner can only be declared when both parties involved are equally balanced in terms strength......it is so sad to watch innocent people are caught in this.......lets pray and hope for the best for all man-kind

Won? Thousand of children dead or injured and lives destroyed for what? Hamas is the same as it was before,the only difference is the civilians in Gaza have no water,proper food and many are maimed and homeless. Also the unusual weapons Israel used may cause cancer later on, more details on that will be known eventually. This did not help Israel at all,now more people want tit for tat revenge.

Israel definitely won in killing more children and spreading more terror.

The loser is Israel and the winner are the extremists. This war has generated a new generation of children who will grow up with hatred and distrust of not only Israel but the US as well. The only winning formulae in this conflict is to give the Palestinian a homeland and support the moderates eagainst the extremists. How would anybody blame a new convert to Bin Laden camp after seeing children and women kllled by what is perceived as Israeli and American war mongers. Lets just hope that Clinton and Obama can have a better understanding that Israel is hurting the US around the world.

HAMAS claiming less than 50 of their fighters died? Then only one thing can be presumed here. Where were they when Israel was inside Gaza? They were hiding in their women's skirts and between their children, how cowardly could they get. Then declaring that they won when in fact if Israel didn't call for a cease-fire they would literally be with their virgins now.

Just shows how pathetic these HAMAS terrorist are and sadly how the world seems to support them during the seige Israel did to defend their country.

This clearly shows that a group such as this will use everything including their civilians to keep themselves safe but cowardly cries for victory.

Hamas is recognised world wide as a terroist organisation, full stop. And as mentioned the only fighting Hamas did was sending a few rockets meant to terrorise women children and old men while hiding behind their own women and children.
I agree that the formation of Israel as a Jewish state does not sit well with me. Too many crimes have been committed under the guise of religion but Israel is a nation approved by the UN. The world must step in under the banner of the UN and keep the extremists in check. maybe in a few hundred years the killing might stop.

Were the original inhabitants of the US who fought the new conquerers from outside the US called terrorists ? Did they fight with arrows while their enemies fought more modern arms? The whole regular Arab armies didnt last more than 6 hours fighting Israel in 1967. Do you expect the few thousand irregular fighters to face the 4th strongest army face to face? I would not call Hamas cowards. They fight for what they believe to be a sacred war or Jihad. I and probably you would not fight a much stronger enemy. Am I a coward or just smart? Would I hide behind the tree, use my human brains, and any means I have to fight an attacking beast or choose not to be a coward and fight him face to face. I personally would choose to be a coward and run away. FYI, Hamas is considered a terrorsit org by Israel and the US. Iran and other 'evil axis' countries consider Israel and the US as Terrorist states. May God have mercy on the human beings who are caught inbetween the fighting of all the terrorist states and movements. All religions and faiths are against the killing of children, women, and civilians in general whether they are jews, Christians, Moslems, or infidels.

I completely agree with Sheila Thompson. It is very sad to see so many innocent victims unfortunately caught in this never ending religious & territorial war. There has been so much of death & destruction, is there an end to this at all? Yes, when Extremists on both sides put down their weapons & stop this senseless war immediately. Human beings are the victims here, not the religion nor the so called "territorial boundaries".
Sadly Religion has always been the root-cause of all fights & wars in the past, present & also in the future. Religious extremists are responsible for all this. Wake up Humanity!! Day-to-day life itself is a struggle for so many millions of people around the world. These religious & territorial warfare's doesn't help. What is the point of killing in the name of Religion? None of the Religion says so. Waging war & killing is NOT the solution here. Jews & Palestinians must endeavor to live side by side peacefully. Be friends, help each other, respect each other & live harmoniously. Be humble & humane. Live & let Live.

If the muslims in Palestine want a place to call their own, maybe they should consider moving to southern Thailand, where the weather is nicer, the scenery is more beautiful, and the muslims there are doing a great job of scaring away the generally non-violent Thai Buddhists. They are using the same tactics to get their way, such as random attacks on unarmed civilians, and then playing the martyr whenever anyone fights back. As for Israelis being God’s chosen people, I would not dare go to war with them, even if they attacked my home, the United States.

Putting Israel and all the horrible crimes that was done to Gaza, I believe the real losers of this war are the Arab leaders especially Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Arabs leaders proved once more that they're good for nothing. They have been debating for weeks and split into three group in the process and yet no decisions or agreements were made. Hussni Mobarak, the Egyptian president, did everything he could to buy more time for Israel to continue its genocide in Gaza. It's really sad to see the whole world watching, people protesting and innocent civilians killed yet nobody stopped Israel from committing war crimes in Gaza, including using prohibited weapons. Israel should have its independent state however I don't think any human being would accept Israel's actions in Gaza. Israel is the biggest loser of all because they lost a lot of public support and created more enemies in Palestine.

If you read the BIBLE, you will know that the boundary for Israel starts at the Great (Mediterranean) Sea and extends to the west side of the Eurphrates River. If Joshua had obeyed God when he told him to totally destroy everything and not keep anything alive, they would not be where they (Israelies) are today. There will be no peace there in our time unless Israel decides to take back all that God gave them and inhabit it all. If so no one on Earth can stop them from doing just that. Research the 6 Day War and see what the captured prisoners told that they had seen to cause them to leave their weapons behind and run away.

Israel might have achieved its goals,
but in the long run, it has lost.
This war created more hate. SO many mothers lost their sons, husbands...Do you think they will find a way to forgive Israel for what they did! Of course not!

Hamas was originally a group that Israel worked side by side with, in order to take out the PLO. But now since they have their own agenda, they become terrorists. Even after they were elected into power by the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, they are still terrorists. How does that make sense. How is a freedom fighter a terrorist. They are defending their soil.

Let us say for example that New York City is overtaken by a foreign power. This group now controls what goes into the city and what comes out. They decide who may enter and who may leave and can detain and interrogate whomever they wish on no charge. What do you think we as Americans would do to stop these people? Would the inhabitants of New York City be the terrorists, or would the occupiers be the terrorists? Its the same for the Palestinians.

I wouldn't say Hamas are coward. There is an imbalance in the power. The coward is the Israeli soldier who fight with the F 16 at first to make sure that there he faces no resistance, and then try to fight on land. Israelis are afraid of death, that is why they didn't try to pull Hamas out. If they really don't afraid of death then they have to end the mission by invading GAZA CITY and pull out Hamas and end its control. They didn't do so -although they could- because they are coward, they are afraid of face to face battle. After all Palestinians will because they are defending themselves. This is their land. Let the jews go to their previous places where they came from in 1948. Otherwise we will revenge and tit for tat.

Mr. David Cherry says he has no problem with the so-called chosen people invading our country, the United States, simply because he believes they are the chosen ones. What he is trying to tell us here is that no matter who they invade or in what fashion they invade, and no matter how immoral it may be, he is in support of them.

I have some news for Mr. Cherry. God will not choose a people who continuously violate the sanctity of human life and carry out immoral actions.

Ms. Leslie says that there will be no peace until Israel inhabits all the land that God gave them. Is this how it is done? By massacring a thousand innocent civilians and injuring 5000 others? There is never peace through war.

I am a moderate person with no mercy for the extremists. However, having seen the killing of women and children by terrorist Israel state, I am willing to join both Al-Qaeda or Hamas if I have a chance to fight Zionist (neo-nazis) in Israel or US in Afghnistan even in exchange of my own life to drive out the Israeli killers.

Israel did not exist before 1948 and it would not exist after 2048 (even before) simply because you can imagine Arabs could not fight Israel 6 days in 1967, now they can last 34 or 22 days inflicting heavy damages to Israeli population. Can you imagine what is going to happen in future despite having US funded illegitimate weapons supplied to Israel? US is misusing their taxpayer money to fund Israeli war machine in lieu of nothin from Israelis but hatred from accross the world.

US and west have no moral standing to talk about peace or Iran supplied arms to Hamas and Hizbullah. Palestinians have the same right to defence as killer Israel have their "so called right to defence" killing women and children in the first place.

What would you do when you and your family members are kicked out from your home and occupied by a forigner in your own homeland by these jews Kazars from europe and US?

Mr. Cherry, jews do not have a homeland and can they go to Thailand or if the US fell in so much deep love with Israel, can US allocate a jungle or island to accommodate these jews who will not have any homeland on earth untill the day of judgement due to their shrewdness and treachery with humankind?

War is not pretty in any form by any means but that is what the Iraeites were instructed to do. Mainly because the inhabitant of the lands back then were pagans (idol worshipers). It bothers me that the media mis-enterpets allah for God. Allah to the Muslems is a femine deity (moon god), not God as we know him. That is misleading people purposly to get support for them. The media needs to get it's facts strait before it opens it's big mouth. Islam was not brought out until 600 years after Christ had acended back to heaven. Don't take my word for it look it up for yourself and get the truth before making allocations unknowingly.

That is 100 percent completley false Leslie,Chrsitian and Jewish Arabs also use the word Allah. Allah is the Arabic word for God,Muslims worship one God,the same God Jews and Christians worship.Muslims believe in all of the same prophets and the virgin birth of Jesus. One of the main objectives in Islam was to get rid of Pagan practices in Arabia at that time.

I wanted to mention there is all sorts of slander out there especially from various sites about Islam. You will always find slander where you look for it. Here is the real explanation http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/13667.htm

Obviously you haven't read the Koran for yourself or know it's history of how it came to be. I have been over there and have been told by them what is what. Yes they believe in Jesus and that He will come back but that Mohammed is coming back first. Like I said before don’t take my word for it look it up for yourself and get the truth before making allocations unknowingly. There are quiet a lot of things they do in their culture that will blow your mind. The roll of wives and pleasure just one example. The answer for that, as the old saying goes, came from the straight horses mouth. Needless to say I was taken by their answers. I visited several different places over there and they all said the same thing.

Actually I have read the Quran many times and I am Muslim, you are pursposefully slandering Islam I see. No point in argueing. Also culture is NOT Islam,unfortunatley in some cultures there are incorrect practices that go against Islam.

The losers are the citizens of the world who have been poisoned by the lies, bias, and hate fed to them by Hamas and Arab/Moslem leaders, by the various media organizations including CNNI and by humanitarian groups who pose as impartial observers but who are anything but.

I am not trying to slander any body, I'm just teiilng you what the peoplein Iraq told me and others thathave been there. I know that doesn't mean its the same world over for all muslims. I hope that you will help me pray for those it does apply to.

Leslie,the culture is a mess in some Muslim countries,Islam actually tried to change that,it did in alot of ways, howvere especially in villages and gulf countries more culture than true Islam remains. It's important that women get educated in the real islam so they can stand up for their rights and know their religion correctly. I lived overseas and did not see what you mentioned peronally,but I was in the city. I do hear some horror stories from the villages, again it's not Islam but culture. One more thing, when I hear of non Muslims reading the Quran I think it's important to mention the Quran needs really good commentary because without it, you may understand very little of the true meaning. Alot is lost in English translation and GOOD commentary is key.

Ms. Leslie I just happen to be a Muslim myself and I would like to inform you that the Arab Chrisrians, Jew and Muslims all refer to God as Allah. We do not believe in any moon god or whatever else you think we believe in. We are a monothiestic people.

We also believe that Jesus will come back but we do not believe that Muhammad will. Apparently you have not been talking to the right peole and I doubt yo have been talking to Muslims in the first place. I just happen to memorize the entire Qur'an by heart, so take my word for it.

There is a clear winner here. I hate when people say there is not. Israel DESTROYED Palestine. They lost and they (Hamas) will say they didn't for years to come to try and build some sort of retaliation and also to make it like they stand a chance. Next time Hamas don't write a check you butt can't cash. That is what this is. And they were beat down beyond Belief. I am an American and I feel sad for the people who were killed an were innocent bystanders but its war. And in war people die. So get over it and lets move on and maybet this time Hamas will learn

When would we atart calling the Israeli government as an extremist government? Hamas honoured a ceasefire for 5 months. They could have held on for more but Israeli government had its agenda of provoking Hamas to the point it had no choice but to retaliate with rockets.. All access routes were choked. Basis necessities, medical supplies fuel were not getting in and people were suffering. Was there any pressure from USA or EU on Isreal to stop that inhuman traetment? On top of that Israel went in and killed 6 Palestinisns.

Why so much concern with Hamas brining in weapons into Gaza which had only managed to kill 10 Israelis (mostly soldiers). Why Israel has a free hand to acquire lethal weapon that could kill 1300 (mostly civilians – women and children included). There are no winners here in this one-sided aggression. The loser is the morality of the west ( that includes media too)..

If you look at history you will realize Israel has attacked the Palestinian people like this before Hamas ever exsisted since 1948. Hamas was only an excuse,Hamas' ability wasn't diminished,only houses,farmland,schools and civilians were destroyed. Also experimental weapons were used why?to eliminate more Palestinians over time. Israel cannot claim defense,you can not defend yourself from a land you have been holding seige and destroying for 60 years. if Canada occupied us for 60 years and we were forced to live in squalor,smashed into a very small piece of land,and regularily humiliated/tortured what would you say about the American citizens who tried to resist this occupation? Would you call them terrorists?

There is no winner.
There will always be extremists, and Israel will always have to use force to defend itself.

Proportionality cannot be used as a legitimate arguement.

On both sides, there are those who truly wish the other were maimed.

Israel will not deny that they have some malevolent soldiers who act inappropriately; they condemn them.

Israel will also not deny that there are plenty of well intentioned
Palestinians, despite the fact that if an Israeli is captured his organs may be paraded through the streets.

Solution:
The many other Arab nations must come to the aid of their displaced, and troubled brothers. Palestinians may be trapped in Gaza, but Egypt also won't let them in, and aid is coming from the UN; not the Saudis, Syrians, Iranians, Lebonese and many more.

The world superpowers must play a more integral role in policing the conflict. Though both sides will be resistent, I think the Obama administration should play parent to this brotherly war. The USA should provide aid; not through war; to both sides.

The most important thing is to dispell all stereotypes and prejudice. Jews often think all Palestinians are Terrorists, and Palestinians may think all Jews want to kill them and take their land. A person should be judged by the merits of his actions.

That being said, as a Jew I must advocate the neccessity for the existence of the state of Israel. The world may not hate us, as we often kvetch (complain .. yiddish) that they do, but nonetheless, a people require a land. Dispersed and without unity, Judaism as a culture and a nationality cannot survive. Also, if indeed we are hated enough as we were in the 1940s, the Jews need Israel to be their shelter.

Am Yisroel Chai – The Nation of Israel Lives On

Don't argue to win, argue to learn.

The idea that Hamas is a terrorist organization is clear only to Israel and its supporters, notably the United States. Hamas is a validly elected government and Israel would do well to begin to recognizing that fact. As for the idea that it is wrong for it to use violence, what exactly are they supposed to use, with the United States having ensured that all the repugnant actions of Israel will never be condemned via the UN or by any other means for that matter. If anything, Israel invented violence in the region via the actions of the Haganah. And yes, Israel has a choice, go back to the pre 1967 borders. Once they do that and Hamas still remains violent, we may begin to believe on its definition as a terrorist organization. At the moment, that is just hot air and PR perpetuated by the rich against the poor.

The killing of innocent people in both sides is heart breaking and very very sad.
As an Israeli I can definitely say – this war is a big failure to all the people that are involved in it (as it is in every war).
It is the failure of Israelis and Palestinians all together to resist the flow and resist the urge to accuse and put the blame on each other rather than trying to make our life better and give a hand for cooperation, friendship and peace.

It is a failure of you and I.

Now is the time to realize that we depend on each other. we are all in the same boat. if there's a hole in one side of it, all of it will sink.
The solution is not in the future.
The solution is not by having one instead of the other.
The solution is not by having all or nothing.
The solution is to realize that we have to put all our energy toward the goal of living in peace.
We are all human beings. we are all the same. we all want to be happy. to raise a family, children, love, education, prosperity.
We can do it if we invest our energy in this direction rather then continue past patterns of hate and violence. no one will win otherwise.
I reach my hand to you for peace.
Please reach your hand back.
Lets make peace between us.
Is is possible if you and I will do it and so are our friends.
Peace will come from us taking responsibility rather than leaving this conflict to be held by politicians and movements.
Lets use our gods for this purpose rather for creating more hatred, violence and suffering.
Lets be friends and help each other as this is the only way.
Are you ready for this? Are you open for this?
Lets do it.
NOW.
With love,
Eyal
Israel

What would you do if your neighbor avowed to kill you? Then they started throwing large firecrackers into you backyard? And they got bigger and more powerful and landed closer and closer to your house? Would you threaten to shot the ones that threw the firecrackers and maybe even shoot one or two? Then they figured out that if they threw a really big firecracker, ran into their house and hid under their child’s bed and dared you to come after them because they knew you didn’t really want to kill children, would you think this cowardly?. If I lived next to a neighbor with enough firepower to turn my house into a hole in the ground I don’t think it would be advisable to deliberately anger them. But then I live in place where there is respect for law and order not the brutal respect only for power that is the Middle East. Hamas gained power by evoking the boogie man (Israel) scaring the people, buying them with public services , propaganda and a vain hope that someday they will triumph over the great Zionist evil. The Israelis need to rethink their strategies if they want peace. As long as the Palestinians are locked into their squalid, poverty ridden ghettos, their hate will remain. Integrate into the Israeli culture. Throw a barbeque, make friends and live together. Everybody wins if nobody loses. Oh and Hamas, Israel isn’t going anywhere so stop being a bunch of adolescent thugs, grow and stop causing so much of your own pain.

This is about international justice, double standards, the winning party and the strong realistic, and the loser is the legally and politically powerful party.

it doesn't matter who wan this war, and honstyl no one wan this war, the both sides lost many things. we cannot say that hamas won this because we have lost more than 1000 palestenian murdered, hope other arab countried help Gaza to refix what is ruined in this attack, this is the point we need to care of.

the winner is a loser in this war, we cannot imagine to look at a child who hasn't a family, we lose families , whole families, those who need our help , support and love.

TO Gaza,
allah brings Gaza a peace, that is what we really need right now.

Everybody lost.

More so those who killed, those who were killed and injured, and all their families.

When will we learn?

Muhyideen, I made only one comment before and I still stand by it. Here is another. God is about setting up His heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one. That is why islam goes afoul in its use of terror and oppression. But you can still get to pick which kingdom you want to be a part of. Do you opt for the heavenly kingdom, or do you opt for the earthly kingdom that will pass away?

David Cherry,
So according to what you say here, anything is legitimate for the purpose of achieving the heavenly kingdom, even killing innocent human beings by deliberate action? everything is legitimate?
This is very sad. no wonder why Israel has to defend itself so firmly.
My hope is that Islam will lead to peace and prosperity rather than hatred and war because at the end the enemy is nowhere else but within yourself. if you have so much hatred inside, you will find the blame for it. if you have love inside, everyone are your friends.
I really hope people will open their eyes and see how much suffering is being cause by the above legitimacy the get from their religion.
I also heard many people say that Islam is a religion of peace. i would really like to see it happening.
eyal

Just as Mr. Cherry claims that Islam is a terrorist religion by his observations of what he sees on television, I can make the same exact conclusion about Judaism just as easily by observing the massacre that has occured in Gaza. But since I know that the people responsible for these attacks are only iding behind the name of Judaism but do not actually practice it, i wont make that conclusion. Mr. Cherry must do the same. He must realize that these aggresions carried out by such terroristsis not in the real name of Islam. Islam is indeed a religion of peace, but as Cathy mentioned, many Muslims follow more of their culture and not religion, ad that goes for people of every other religion also.

As for what I live for and what Muslims should live for, we also live for the next life. But in order to achieve a place in heaven, we must do the best we can on earth in spreading peace and prosperity rather than kill off all those of other religions.

The Palestininian civilians lost, The civilians in Israel who got hit by rockets lost. If the Palestininians keep Hamas in Power everybody loses.It is time Iran is kicked out of the United Nations if it is not The UN should be dissolved.There is no doubt they instigated this.The idiots and antisemites around the world can try to blame the israelis but if Cuba started shelling the USA they would get the same response. If Georgia started shelling Russia they would get the same response . For God's sake, in most Arab countries if you just held up a sign that said you didnt like your dictator or King you would get the same response.

The problem with most people is the lack of understanding of Islam as well as many other faiths. Defending yourself, your family, your property, is a sacred right. It is also supported by civil law as well. The US has declared war against terrorism to defend itself and protect itself. Israel defended itself too. The palestinians defended themselves too by trying to get its land back. The difference is that the the defence by the military weak Palestinians is called terrorism while the defence by the military strong US and Israel is called a legitimate defence. Israel is only defending what they stole from the Palestinians. I do not see the role of religion here. I can only see what each side claim to be a legitimate defence. So war and killing will continue in the name of religion. I see that the survival of the fittest apply here. If the Arabs are military strong, would the US or Israel dare to initiate a 'defence' war? Why didnt the west and the US defend Georgia against Russia?

In almost all his speeches Obama talked about the founding fathers and how they managed to defend their land and defeat the British. He hailed them as heroes. When palestinians fight to reclaim their land they are called terrorists. The difference between fatah and hamas is that Fatah was bought by american dollars but Hamas will defend their land even if the last one will be slaughtered by Israel with US weapons of mass destruction.

It is now well-known that Jews have lost the hearts and minds of most people in the East , North, South and West of the world and they have dragged the US with them in this nasty hole. The hollocaust of Gaza is now the one the world will remember. Even Hitler's nazies would have found it hard to point their guns at children and shoot them . They put them in the gas chambers instead. Israel has slaughtered thousandths of palestinians over the years. Now who are the terrorists? The ones with weapons of mass destruction provided by the USA or those with homemade bombs. I shall never forget the images of the dead children in gaza on my television. Even the pope is outraged by Isreal's murderous behaviour. The US media is not telling the American people the truth about this war. Israel should pay for all the damages. Maybe the USA can also help with that. 20 billion dollars!

Leslie, please go and study the History of the middle East and then study Islam and what it stands for. Then come back and shall read your comments again.

If Fatah was bought by the US, then Hamas is bought by Iran. The battle between Iran with their ambition to control Arab countries and the US (played by Israel) is carried on Palestinian land and paid for Palestinian blood. I just wish that God, whether He is a Christian, Moslem or Jew would wipe out the power and ego hungry piliticians of these countries and factions off the face o this world. But then, it might just be the end of this world because God wants a balance of this world: like the big fish eating the small fish and the the powerful kills the weak, and the Hitlers kind find enjoyment in killing a sub-par species.

The loser is the west and the media who turned a blind eye to this massacre if innocent children, women and grandmothers. There is still time to get a glimpse. please watch
http://www.palestine-info.info/Ar/DataFiles/Contents/Files/gallery/2008/mar/gazza_babies/4.jpg

Hi, Joe . Hamas has only home-made bombs. They do not get weapons from Iran. Your government made you believe that. If hamas has been stocking up weapons over the last few years, where are they then? Why did they not use it? Why is Isreal allowed to have weapons and not the democratic elected government of Gaza? Iran gave them money to buy food and medicine. If you had been starved for years and you could not leave your country what would you do Jo? The poor palestinians dug holes to go and find their food. Any weapons they might have had have been used to protest. Jo. this war is nothing to do with the toy rockets. It is something much bigger.

Israel and Jerusalem:

The Road To Armageddon

"I (God) will bless those who bless you (Israel) and will curse those who curse you"

(Gen 12:3)

The Bible warns the destiny of the World is inseparable from Israel and Jerusalem. The Bible says God would one day re-gather the children of Israel back into their land from among many nations around the world ... the Bible says they would be re-gathered in unbelief ... God warns He is not re-gathering them into their Land because they deserve it, but because His Name and His word are at stake (see Ezekiel 36:17-23) ... the Bible warns God would then make Jerusalem a world trouble spot ... the Bible says all nations of the world will turn against Israel ... the Bible warns that during this time 'Gaza will be forsaken' ... the Bible warns a coming world leader (the 'Antichrist') will rise out of 10 nations which once formed the Roman Empire and will enforce a peace plan (a covenant or treaty) upon Israel ('upon the many' – for many in Israel will be against it) ... and then, after a 3½ year false peace, God warns He will send the children of Israel (and all the nations of the world) through a fiery trial unlike anything in the history of the world, to separate the unfaithful unbelievers from the faithful believers (the coming 'Apocalypse') ... the Bible warns two-thirds of the people of Israel will be 'cut off and die' for their unbelief ... then, one day when the armies of the world will gather in and around nation Israel (the coming battle of Armageddon) and when all seems lost for the children of Israel, the Bible says a believing remnant will recognize their Messiah from Scripture (Messiah) and will call upon His Name (Messiah's return). The Bible then tells us 'after these things' the little nation of Israel and the children of Israel will rule over all nations on Earth under her King and Messiah Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew). The Bible says all of the covenants, promises, curses, prophecies, and blessings God has made to the children and nation of Israel will be fulfilled . . .

First ...

"Thus says the Lord God:

' Surely I will take the children of Israel

from among the nations,

wherever they have gone,

and will gather them from every side

and bring them into their own land."

(Ezekiel 37:21) ['Nations' plural ... this is not their return from Babylon]

The Bible warns a series of events (which will change the world forever) would begin after Israel would once again become a sovereign Nation (after almost 2,500 years) . . . This remarkable event took place on May 14, 1948! How has the world reacted to such a profound fulfillment of Bible prophecy? A miracle that can be documented by simply looking at the Bible and a map. It has ignored it! Just as God warned most of the world will ignore the signs of the coming 'Apocalypse' (also called 'the time of Jacob's trouble', the 'Great Tribulation,' and 'the Day of the Lord.'). Remember, God uses prophecy to prove He is who He says His is, and to authenticate all the warnings and the promises found in the Bible . . .

Then, after Israel has become a Nation once again, God warns . . .

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling [anger, fear]

unto all the people [nations] round about . . ."

(Zech 12:2 KJV)

"And in that day [the 'Day of the Lord' ... the coming 'Apocalypse']

I [God] will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people"

(Zech 12:3)

Don’t miss this . . . God says He is the One stirring things up!

Then, the struggle for 'Peace' and 'Security' . . .

Beware of 'Peace Plans' or 'Roadmaps to Peace'!

"For when they say 'Peace' and 'Safety'

sudden destruction will come upon them"

(1 Thess 5:3 . . . Also see Jeremiah 6:14)

A terrible warning: 'Gaza Will Be Forsaken' . . .

Recently the world watched as all the Jews in Gaza were forcibly removed from their homes and their land ... even the dead Jews were forcibly dug up from their graves and removed from Gaza. This 'uprooting' of the Jews from Gaza which the whole world watched on the news may be a much more 'significant' prophetic event than most realize, and the Bible warns there is more to come . . .

In the book of Zephaniah, God warns Gaza would one day 'be forsaken' (yes, that same Gaza you have now been watching on the world news). Gaza is in the land which was given to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:1-12), and one of Messiah's titles is "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah." The Bible links the forsaking of Gaza to the coming 'Apocalypse,' which is also called 'The Day of Wrath' and the 'Day of the Lord's Anger." From these following passages (Zephaniah 2:1-7), God wants the children of Israel and all people on Earth to learn and know at least three (3) things . . .

1. First, God has issued a terrible warning and a 'plea' to both the children of Israel and to all people on Earth . . .

"Gather yourselves together,

Yes, gather together O undesirable nation

(the nation who would willingly try to give God's land to her enemies)

Before the decree is issued,

Before the day passes like chaff,

Before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you,

Before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you!

Seek the Lord, all you meek of the Earth

who have upheld His justice (meaning ... this warning is also for everybody on Earth!)

Seek righteousness,

Seek humility.

It may be that you will be hidden

In the day of the Lord's anger." (The coming 'Apocalypse' ... the 'Day of the Lord's Wrath')

2. God wants all in Israel and on Earth to know what will help trigger this fierce and terrible anger: Gaza!! He warns, 'Gaza will be forsaken'... her inhabitants (the children of Israel) 'uprooted' and 'driven out' . . .

"For Gaza shall be forsaken,

And Ashkelon desolate;

They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday,

And Ekron shall be uprooted.

Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,

The nation of the Cherethites!

The word of the Lord is against you,

O Canaan, land of the Philistines (Palestinians):

"I [God] will destroy you

So there shall be no inhabitant." (All 'Palestinians' and their allies should take note ...)

3. God also wants all to know there is Hope. He promises hope for all those who will wait in faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ... for one-day in the future, after the coming 'Apocalypse' ... the 'Day of God's Wrath' ... the terrible coming 'Day of the Lord' a remnant of the tribe of Judah will once again peacefully inhabit and prosper in that precious land God promised and gave to them ... and then, and only then, will there be 'peace on Earth.' For at that time, our Messiah and God will restore all the Earth in peace and beauty ... as promised.

"The seacoast shall be pastures,

With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks.

The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah;

They (the remnant of the house of Judah)

shall feed there flocks there (coastlands of Gaza);

In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening.

The the Lord their God will intervene for them,

And return their captives."

(Zephaniah 2:1-7)

Yet, as noted above, the Bible warns prior to 'the remnant of the house of Judah' returning to their land in peace, Israel (and the world) will go through a 'time of tribulation' and 'testing' sometimes called in the Bible the 'Day of God's Wrath' (the coming 'Apocalypse') when 2/3 in the land of Israel will be "cut-off" for their unbelief . . .

"And it shall come to pass in all the Land (Israel), says the Lord,

That two-thirds of it shall be cut off and die,

but one-third shall be left in it:

(only one-third in Israel will survive ... even fewer in the world)

I will bring the one-third through the fire,

will refine them as gold is tested.

They will call on my Name,

and I will answer them.

I will say, 'This is My people';

and each one will say, 'the LORD is my God.'"

(Zech 13:8-9)

The following numbers may just be 'coincidental,' but they are worth noting . . .

1. When Prime-Minister Sharon first asked Israel's 21 member Security Council to vote on whether or not to 'uproot' the Jews from Gaza all the Israeli news sites predicted it would be a very close vote, but the 21 member Security Council's final vote was 14 in favor of forcibly removing all Jews from Gaza and 7 against ... meaning exactly 2/3 of the nation's Security Council had no faith in God's Word that Gaza is part of Judah, Israel and only 1/3 did have faith in God's Word that Gaza is part of Judah, Israel . . .

2. Then, when the vote went to the Israeli Knesset only 1/3 voted in favor of allowing their fellow Jews (from 'Judah') to stay in Gaza ... while 2/3 voted against God's Word (by either voting against their brethren in Gaza, Judah or 'abstaining') . . .

3. Then later, in a poll by Ha'aretz (Israel), only 1/3 of the people polled in Israel showed faith in God's Word by favoring to keep their brethren in Gaza (which is in Judah ... see Judges 1:18-20 and Joshua 14:13 – 15:13 ... then pull out a map.)

An update ... The current Israeli government (under pressure from the US, EU, UN, and Russia – called 'the Quartet' in world news reports) is also preparing to give most of the land of Judah (including Hebron) away to the enemies of Israel. This would be like our government ordering 'Plymouth Rock' closed to Americans. For, as many of you Sabbath School and Sunday School graduates remember, Hebron was given to Caleb (a man of faith who was blessed by God at the time of Joshua ... see Joshua 14:13-14 and Judges 1:20). Hebron is also where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are buried ... and where King David ruled before Jerusalem.

Remember, there was no 'Palestine' in the days of Jesus ... the Romans still called it 'Judea' (Judah) ... just look at their maps and their coins ... it wasn't until after the second Jewish revolt against the Romans (over 100 years after Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) was Crucified and Resurrected) the Romans changed the name from Judea (Judah) to 'Palestinia' (Palestine). The Roman rulers re-named it after Israel's ancient enemy the Philistines in order to try to break the Jews away from their relationship and bond to their Land of Israel. The Bible has much to say about the land of Judah and it has a lot to say about the terrible time we are now moving into . . .

More from the Bible describing the coming 'Time of Israel's (Jacob's) Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) ... the coming 'Apocalypse' ... the 'Great Tribulation' ... whick culminate in the coming battle of Armageddon.

Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah warns . . .

.

"For then there will be great tribulation such as has not been

since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And unless those days were shortened,

no flesh (on Earth) would be saved."

(Matt 24:21-22)

Jesus (Yeshua) warns us that never in the history of Mankind has there been anything as terrible on Earth as the coming 'Apocalypse,' the 'Great Tribulation' – and only a small remnant of the world will survive. (See the prophecies of the 'Apocalypse')

"For I [God] will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem,

[This is remarkable...since we are now seeing all nations turning against Israel.]

the city [Jerusalem] shall be taken,

the houses rifled,

and the women ravished [brutally raped].

Half of the city [Jerusalem] shall go into captivity,

but the remnant of the people

shall not be cut off from the city."

(Zech 14:2)

"And it shall come to pass

in all the Land (Israel), says the Lord,

That two-thirds of it shall be cut off and die,

but one-third shall be left in it:

(only one-third in Israel will survive ... even fewer in the world)

I will bring the one-third through the fire,

will refine them as gold is tested.

They will call on my Name,

and I will answer them.

I will say, 'This is My people';

and each one will say, 'the LORD is my God.'"

(Zechariah 13:8-9)

"At that time Michael [the Archangel] shall stand up,

the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people [the Jews];

and there shall be a time of trouble,

such as never was since there was a nation"

(Dan 12:1)

[Only 1/3 in Israel will survive the coming wars ... and even fewer in the world]

"Cursed be everyone who curses you [Israel],

and blessed be those who bless you [Israel]."

(Gen 27:29)

[This is a clear warning to all people/nations who curse the nation or people of Israel]

"Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam,

also prophesied about these [ungodly] men, saying,

‘Behold, the Lord [Jesus-Yeshua, the Messiah] comes

with ten thousands [millions] of His saints,

to execute judgment on all,

to convict all who are ungodly among them

of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way,

and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners

have spoken against Him.’"

(Jude 1:14-15)

"All that burden themselves with it [Jerusalem] shall be cut in pieces,

though all the people [nations] of the earth be gathered together against it."

(Zech 12:3 KJV)

[We need to support Israel ...God gave Israel and Jerusalem to the Jews ... It’s theirs!]

"Watch therefore, and pray always

that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass,

and to stand [safely] before the Son of Man [Jesus (Yeshua)]."

(Luke 21:36)

[None of us are worthy ... Jesus is ... believe in Him and you will be counted worthy.]

"When you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors!"

(Matt 24:33 NKJ)

"And what I say to you, I say to all 'Watch!'"

(Mark 13:37 NKJ)

The Bible clearly warns there will be no peace in Israel...or the world...until Messiah returns.

God warns none of His prophecies shall fail . . .

"For I am God, and there is no other.
for I am God, and there is none like me . . .
Declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times
things that are not yet done."
(Isaiah 46:9-10)

"Search from the book of the LORD, and read:

not one of these [prophecies] shall fail;

not one shall lack her mate.

For My mouth has commanded it,

and His Spirit has gathered them."

(Isaiah 34:16)

"Indeed I [God] have spoken it;

I will also bring it to pass.

I have purposed it;

I will also do it.

Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,

who are far from righteousness . . ."

(Isaiah 46:11-12)

"Before the decree is issued, before day passes like chaff,

before the LORD'S fierce anger comes upon you,

before the day of the LORD'S anger comes upon you!

Seek the LORD,

all you meek of the Earth, who have upheld His justice.

Seek righteousness, seek humility.

It may be that you will be hidden

in the day of the LORD'S anger."

(Zephaniah 2:2-3)

Israel Back As a Nation ... May 14, 1948

A Remarkable Mathematical Prophecy!

The Prophecy ... (Ezekiel 4:4-6)

"Then God said to Ezekiel,

'Now lie on your left side for 390 days

to show Israel will be punished for 390 years

by captivity and doom.

Each day you lie there represents

a year of punishment ahead for Israel.

Afterwards, turn over and lay on your right side

for 40 days, to signify the years of Judah's punishment.

Each day will represent one year . . .'"

(Ezekiel 4:4-6)

A Mathematical Bible Prophecy . . .

Although a little obscure (and sophisticated) this is one of the most fascinating prophecies found in the Bible.

Here, we find God telling Ezekiel that each day he (Ezekiel) lies on his side will represent one year of punishment for the nation Israel (Israel + Judah) because of their iniquities (sins) against God . . .

So, we have:

390 days Judgment against the 10 northern tribes 'Israel'

+ 40 days Judgment against the 2 southern tribes 'Judah'

= 430 years Judgment against the nation of Israel

The Fulfillment of the Prophetic Judgment Begins . . .

In 606 B.C. Israel (Judah) was taken into captivity by Babylon for exactly 70 years ...

430 years of judgment determined against nation Israel

– 70 years fulfilled during the captivity in Babylon

= 360 years remaining in judgment against the nation of Israel

The Mystery of 360 Years . . .

There should have been a total of 360 years left in judgment against Israel after their release from Babylonian captivity by the Persian general Cyrus, exactly 70 years after the Babylonian captivity began (just as the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied before the captivity) ... but where was the remaining 360 year judgment in Israel's history??!!

The '7X' Factor of God's Judgment . . .

Bible scholars could not find any specific captivity or dispersion that fulfilled these 360 years left in the judgment until a close look in the book of Leviticus revealed a startling prophetic warning ...

"And after all this, if you do not obey Me,

then I (God) will punish you seven times more for your sins."

(Leviticus 26:18)

"Then, if you walk contrary to Me,

and are not willing to obey Me,

I (God) will bring on you seven times more plagues,

according to your sins."

(Leviticus 26:21)

"And after all this,

if you do not obey Me,

but walk contrary to Me,

then I (God) also will walk contrary to you in fury;

and I, even I will chastise you seven times for your sins.:

(Leviticus 26:27-28)

"I (God) will scatter you among the nations

and draw a sword after you;

your Land shall be desolate

and your cities waste."

(Leviticus 26:33)

The 7X factor of God's judgment against nation Israel. God warned Israel if they continued in their disobedience He would multiply their judgment by seven times! Remember, as noted throughout these prophetic studies, God says what He means and He means what He says!

Prophecy Fulfilled . . .

Now, let's apply the 7X factor to the remaining 360 years of judgment against nation Israel in this remarkable mathematical prophecy . . .

360 Remaining years of judgment

x 7 The prophetic '7X' factor

= 2,520 Years of judgment remained against nation Israel

God gave the Jews the most sophisticated calendar on Earth. It is both a Lunar and a Solar calendar. The Jewish calendar uses a 360 day lunar (and prophetic) year and then adds a 'Leap Month' on specific years to accurately coincide with the Solar cycle we use on our 'Julian' calendar ...

The Bible uses 360 day years for prophecies and expects us to add the appropriate 'leap months' on schedule. So, the easiest way to unravel this prophecy is to first convert this prophecy into days ...

2,520 years

x 360 days

= 907,200 days of judgment remained against nation Israel after the Babylonian captivity

Now, convert the 907,200 days found in this prophecy into our 365.25 day solar years (the .25 adjusts for leap years) . . .

907,200 days ÷ 365.25 days = 2,483.78 years of judgment remained against nation Israel

With this information, let's look at this remarkable prophecy again . . .

606 B.C Israel taken into Babylonian captivity

– 70 Years for 70 years

= 536 B.C. End of first 70 years of judgment

+ 2483 Years Now add the 2,483 years remaining in this judgment

+ 1 Year Add 1 year because there is no "0" B.C. or A.D.

= 1948 AD! End of judgment against nation Israel

Israel Back in Her Land as a Nation . . . in 1948!

Judah (Israel) was taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 606 B.C. They were released from captivity 70 years later by the Persians in 536 A.D., exactly as the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied, but their land was still under the control of the Persians. The Persians were later conquered by the Greeks, and the land of Israel remained under Greek control. The Greeks were then conquered by Rome and the land of Israel remained under Roman control. After failed rebellions against Rome around 70 A.D. and another around 100 years later, the Romans removed the Jews from the land of Israel, dispersed them around the world, and renamed the land 'Palestine' after the enemies of Israel. Then, after 2,500 years, for the first time since the Babylonian captivity in 606 B.C., the world watched as Israel once again appeared on the world map as a sovereign nation, on May 14, 1948 ... exactly when the Bible said it would!

"Thus says the Lord God:

'Surely I will take the children of Israel

from among the nations,

wherever they have gone,

and will gather them from every side

and bring them into their own land."

(Ezekiel 37:21) ['Nations' (plural)...this is not their return from Babylon]

A Future Warning For Israel and the World . . .

How has the world reacted to such a profound fulfillment of Bible prophecy? A miracle that can be proven and documented by simply looking at the Bible and a map. It has ignored it! Just as God has warned most of the world will ignore the Bible warnings of the coming 'Apocalypse,' also called 'the time of Jacob's trouble', the 'Great Tribulation,' and 'the Day of the Lord.' The Bible warns the prophetic clock would once again start ticking after Israel would become a nation once more. The Bible says more about the period of time which will follow Israel becoming a nation once more than about any other time in history . . . that's why this news page is here.

Remember, God uses prophecy to prove He is who He says His is, and to authenticate all the warnings and the promises found in the Bible . . . The Bible warns a series of prophetic events which will change the world forever would begin to unfold after Israel would once again become a sovereign Nation (after 2,500 years) which was fulfilled on May 14, 1948!

God has a covenant with Israel that will never be broken. He has revealed a destiny for the nation Israel which will soon be completed.

God has declared a new covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31) and destiny for a people to be drawn from the whole world, through His Messiah, including any and all of the children of Israel who recognize and come to know their Messiah from Scripture. This new covenant is a promise for all who believe in Him (Jesus-Yeshua, the Messiah ... also sent forth as 'a light unto the Gentiles') and will accept Him as their Lord and Savior (saving us from our sins and from the darkness and torment of Hell.)

Have a hard time believing in God? The above verses are clear . . .

Why? God is warning us . . .

Please remember, the Kingdom of Heaven is available to every man, woman, boy, and girl in this world, no matter who they are, where they live, or what they have done. It is freely offered to any and all who will receive it. Simply learn of Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah, invite Him into your life as Lord, believe He died on the Cross for all of your sins and rose from the grave (proving there is a Kingdom of Heaven ... and a Hell). Learn of Him and believe in Him . . . for He was the only one who has ever loved you enough to substitute Himself for you on the Cross. He shed His blood, suffered, and died on the Cross to save you from your sins and from the utter darkness and torment of Hell, if you will accept it, believe it, and trust in it. That is why Jesus is called Savior. He now lovingly and graciously offers you life in Heaven (and we are warned it is a "take it or leave it" proposition.) We have to consciously receive it and accept it in faith. If you sincerely admit you have sinned (which means you will need a Savior to get into Heaven) and ask Jesus to come into your life and honestly try to stop doing (and saying) those things God says are wrong, you will go to Heaven ... and with open arms and tears of joy He will welcome and receive all who will come to Him in faith and in love ... It's God's Promise!!!

The only unpardonable sin is to reject God's love and His free offer of life in the Kingdom of Heaven by rejecting Jesus (Yeshua), the Messiah, who stepped forth from Heaven (as promised) ... not to condemn the sinner, but to save the sinner (from the torment of Hell) and who willingly and lovingly shed His blood on the Cross so we can be washed clean of all our sins. The Bible warns there will be no peace in our lives until we make peace with God through His Son, Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah. The Bible also says there will be no peace in Israel or on Earth until Jesus (Yeshua), the Messiah returns . . .

QUOTES FROM THE QURAN
ITS PRETTY CLEAR
Ishaq:578 "Crushing the heads of the infidels and splitting their skulls with sharp swords, we continually thrust and cut at the enemy. Blood will gush from their deep wounds as the battle wore them down. We conquered bearing the Prophet's fluttering war banner. Our cavalry was submerged in rising dust, and our spears quivered, but by us the Prophet gained victory."
Qur'an:9:88 "The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah's Cause." Qur'an:9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war." Qur'an:9:112 "The Believers fight in Allah's Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed." Qur'an:9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission." Ishaq:325 "Muslims, fight in Allah's Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will be victorious." Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah." Qur'an:8:39 "So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world)." Ishaq:324 "He said, 'Fight them so that there is no more rebellion, and religion, all of it, is for Allah only. Allah must have no rivals.'" Qur'an:9:14 "Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame. He will help you over them." Ishaq:300 "I am fighting in Allah's service. This is piety and a good deed. In Allah's war I do not fear as others should. For this fighting is righteous, true, and good." Ishaq:587 "Our onslaught will not be a weak faltering affair. We shall fight as long as we live. We will fight until you turn to Islam, humbly seeking refuge. We will fight not caring whom we meet. We will fight whether we destroy ancient holdings or newly gotten gains. We have mutilated every opponent. We have driven them violently before us at the command of Allah and Islam. We will fight until our religion is established. And we will plunder them, for they must suffer disgrace." Qur'an:8:65 "O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding." Ishaq:326 "Prophet exhort the believers to fight. If there are twenty good fighters they will defeat two hundred for they are a senseless people. They do not fight with good intentions nor for truth." Bukhari:V4B52N63 "A man whose face was covered with an iron mask came to the Prophet and said, 'Allah's Apostle! Shall I fight or embrace Islam first?' The Prophet said, 'Embrace Islam first and then fight.' So he embraced Islam, and was martyred. Allah's Apostle said, 'A Little work, but a great reward.'" Bukhari:V4B53N386 "Our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah alone or pay us the Jizyah tribute tax in submission. Our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says: 'Whoever amongst us is killed as a martyr shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever survives shall become your master.'" Muslim:C34B20N4668 "The Messenger said: 'Anybody who equips a warrior going to fight in the Way of Allah is like one who actually fights. And anybody who looks after his family in his absence is also like one who actually fights." Qur'an:9:38 "Believers, what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth and fight in Allah's Cause you cling to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? Unless you go forth, He will afflict and punish you with a painful doom, and put others in your place." Qur'an:9:123 "Fight the unbelievers around you, and let them find harshness in you." Qur'an:8:72 "Those who accepted Islam and left their homes to fight in Allah's Cause with their possessions and persons, and those who gave (them) asylum, aid, and shelter, those who harbored them – these are allies of one another. You are not responsible for protecting those who embraced Islam but did not leave their homes [to fight] until they do so." [Another translation reads:] "You are only called to protect Muslims who fight." Muslim:C9B1N31 "I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and believe in me (that) I am the Messenger and in all that I have brought." Bukhari:V9B84N59 "Whoever says this will save his property and life from me.'" Qur'an:8:73 "The unbelieving infidels are allies. Unless you (Muslims) aid each other (fighting as one united block to make Allah's religion victorious), there will be confusion and mischief. Those who accepted Islam, left their homes to fight in Allah's Cause (al-Jihad), as well as those who give them asylum, shelter, and aid – these are (all) Believers: for them is pardon and bountiful provision (in Paradise)." Tabari IX:69 "Arabs are the most noble people in lineage, the most prominent, and the best in deeds. We were the first to respond to the call of the Prophet. We are Allah's helpers and the viziers of His Messenger. We fight people until they believe in Allah. He who believes in Allah and His Messenger has protected his life and possessions from us. As for one who disbelieves, we will fight him forever in the Cause of Allah. Killing him is a small matter to us." Qur'an:48:16 "Say (Muhammad) to the wandering desert Arabs who lagged behind: 'You shall be invited to fight against a people given to war with mighty prowess. You shall fight them until they surrender and submit. If you obey, Allah will grant you a reward, but if you turn back, as you did before, He will punish you with a grievous torture." Qur'an:48:22 "If the unbelieving infidels fight against you, they will retreat. (Such has been) the practice (approved) of Allah in the past: no change will you find in the ways of Allah." Qur'an:47:4 "When you clash with the unbelieving Infidels in battle (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), smite their necks until you overpower them, killing and wounding many of them. At length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind them firmly, making (them) captives. Thereafter either generosity or ransom (them based upon what benefits Islam) until the war lays down its burdens. Thus are you commanded by Allah to continue carrying out Jihad against the unbelieving infidels until they submit to Islam." Qur'an:47:31 "And We shall try you until We know those among you who are the fighters." Tabari VI:138 "Those present at the oath of Aqabah had sworn an allegiance to Muhammad. It was a pledge of war against all men. Allah had permitted fighting." Tabari VI:139 "Allah had given his Messenger permission to fight by revealing the verse 'And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah.'" Qur'an:9:19 "Do you make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Mosque, equal to those who fight in the Cause of Allah? They are not comparable in the sight of Allah. Those who believe, and left their homes, striving with might, fighting in Allah's Cause with their goods and their lives, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah." Ishaq:550 "The Muslims met them with their swords. They cut through many arms and skulls. Only confused cries and groans could be heard over our battle roars and snarling." Qur'an:5:94 "Believers, Allah will make a test for you in the form of a little game in which you reach out for your lances. Any who fails this test will have a grievous punishment." Ishaq:578 "Crushing the heads of the infidels and splitting their skulls with sharp swords, we continually thrust and cut at the enemy. Blood gushed from their deep wounds as the battle wore them down. We conquered bearing the Prophet's fluttering war banner. Our cavalry was submerged in rising dust, and our spears quivered, but by us the Prophet gained victory." Tabari IX:22 "The Prophet continued to besiege the town, fighting them bitterly." Tabari IX:25 "By Allah, I did not come to fight for nothing. I wanted a victory over Ta'if so that I might obtain a slave girl from them and make her pregnant." Tabari IX:82 "The Messenger sent Khalid with an army of 400 to Harith [a South Arabian tribe] and ordered him to invite them to Islam for three days before he fought them. If they were to respond and submit, he was to teach them the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet, and the requirements of Islam. If they should decline, then he was to fight them." Tabari IX:88 "Abdallah Azdi came to the Messenger, embraced Islam, and became a good Muslim. Allah's Apostle invested Azdi with the authority over those who had surrendered and ordered him to fight the infidels from the tribes of Yemen. Azdi left with an army by the Messenger's command. The Muslims besieged them for a month. Then they withdrew, setting a trap. When the Yemenites went in pursuit, Azdi was able to inflict a heavy loss on them." Ishaq:530 "Get out of his way, you infidel unbelievers. Every good thing goes with the Apostle. Lord, I believe in his word. We will fight you about its interpretations as we have fought you about its revelation with strokes that will remove heads from shoulders and make enemies of friends." Muslim:C9B1N29 "Command For Fighting Against People So Long As They Do Not Profess That There Is No Ilah (God) But Allah And Muhammad Is His Messenger: When the Messenger breathed his last and Bakr was appointed Caliph, many Arabs chose to become apostates [rejected Islam]. Abu Bakr said: 'I will definitely fight against anyone who stops paying the Zakat tax, for it is an obligation. I will fight against them even to secure the cord used for hobbling the feet of a camel which they used to pay if they withhold it now.' Allah had justified fighting against those who refused to pay Zakat." Muslim:C9B1N33 "The Prophet said: 'I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prostration prayer, and pay Zakat. If they do it, their blood and property are protected.'" Muslim:C10B1N176 "Muhammad (may peace be upon him) sent us in a raiding party. We raided Huraqat in the morning. I caught hold of a man and he said: 'There is no god but Allah,' but I attacked him with a spear anyway. It once occurred to me that I should ask the Apostle about this. The Messenger said: 'Did he profess "There is no god but Allah," and even then you killed him?' I said: 'He made a profession out of the fear of the weapon I was threatening him with.' The Prophet said: 'Did you tear out his heart in order to find out whether it had professed truly or not?'" Muslim:C20B1N4597 "The Prophet said at the conquest of Mecca: 'There is no migration now, but only Jihad, fighting for the Cause of Islam. When you are asked to set out on a Jihad expedition, you should readily do so.'" Muslim:C28B20N4628 "Allah has undertaken to provide for one who leaves his home to fight for His Cause and to affirm the truth of His word; Allah will either admit him to Paradise or will bring him back home with his reward and booty." Muslim:C28B20N4629 "The Messenger said: 'One who is wounded in the Way of Allah – and Allah knows best who is wounded in His Way – will appear on the Day of Judgment with his wound still bleeding. The color (of its discharge) will be blood, (but) its smell will be musk.'" Muslim:C34B20N4652-3 "The Merit Of Jihad And Of Keeping Vigilance Over The Enemy: A man came to the Holy Prophet and said: 'Who is the best of men?' He replied: 'A man who fights staking his life and spending his wealth in Allah's Cause.'" Muslim:C42B20N4684 "A desert Arab came to the Prophet and said: 'Messenger, one man fights for the spoils of war; another fights that he may be remembered, and one fights that he may see his (high) position (achieved as a result of his valor in fighting). Which of these is fighting in the Cause of Allah?' The Messenger of Allah said: 'Who fights so that the word of Allah is exalted is fighting in the Way of Allah.'" Muslim:C53B20N4717 "The Prophet said: 'This religion will continue to exist, and a group of people from the Muslims will continue to fight for its protection until the Hour is established.'" Bukhari:V5B59N288 "I witnessed a scene that was dearer to me than anything I had ever seen. Aswad came to the Prophet while Muhammad was urging the Muslims to fight the pagans. He said, 'We shall fight on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind you.' I saw the face of the Prophet getting bright with happiness, for that saying delighted him." Bukhari:V5B59N290 "The believers who did not join the Ghazwa [Islamic raid or invasion] and those who fought are not equal in reward." Qur'an:2:193 "Fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief) and religion is only for Allah. But if they cease/desist, let there be no hostility except against infidel disbelievers." Qur'an:2:217 "They question you concerning fighting in the sacred month. Say: 'Fighting therein is a grave (matter); but to prevent access to Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, to expel its members, and polytheism are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they make you renegades from your religion. If any of you turn back and die in unbelief, your works will be lost and you will go to Hell. Surely those who believe and leave their homes to fight in Allah's Cause have the hope of Allah's mercy." Qur'an:2:244 "Fight in Allah's Cause, and know that Allah hears and knows all." Qur'an:2:246 "He said: 'Would you refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you?' They said: 'How could we refuse to fight in Allah's Cause?'" Ishaq:280 "The Apostle prepared for war in pursuance of Allah's command to fight his enemies and to fight the infidels who Allah commanded him to fight." Qur'an:61:2 "O Muslims, why say one thing and do another? Grievously odious and hateful is it in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not. Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in a battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." Bukhari:V4B52N61 "Allah's Apostle! We were absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans. If Allah gives us a chance to do battle, no doubt, He will see how bravely we fight." Ishaq:398 "Ask them for their help. Thereby make the religion of Islam agreeable to them. And when you are resolved in the matter of religion concerning fighting your enemy you will have the advantage." Qur'an:3:146 "How many prophets fought in Allah's Cause? With them (fought) myriads of godly men who were slain. They never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's Cause, nor did they weaken nor give in. Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast [warriors]." Ishaq:393 "How many prophets has death in battle befallen and how many multitudes with him? They did not show weakness toward their enemies and were not humiliated when they suffered in the fight for Allah and their religion. That is steadfastness. Allah loves the steadfast." Qur'an:3:153 "Behold! You ran off precipitately, climbing up the high hill without even casting a side glance at anyone, while the Messenger in your rear is calling you from your rear, urging you to fight. Allah gave you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for the booty that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you." Qur'an:3:154 "Say: 'Even if you had remained in your houses, those ordained to be slaughtered would have gone forth to the places where they were to slain." Ishaq:440 "Helped by the Holy Spirit we smited Muhammad's foes. The Apostle sent a message to them with a sharp cutting sword." Ishaq:470 "We attacked them fully armed, swords in hand, cutting through heads and skulls." Qur'an:61:4 "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His Cause." Qur'an:61:11 "Believers, shall I lead you to a bargain or trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive and fight in Allah's Cause with your property and your lives: That will be best for you!" Qur'an 61:12 "He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Eden: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement. And another (favor) which you love: help from Allah for a speedy victory over your enemies." Qur'an:8:5 "Your Lord ordered you out of your homes to fight for the true cause, even though some Muslims disliked it, and were averse (to fighting)." Qur'an:24:53 "They swear their strongest oaths saying that if only you would command them. They would leave their homes (and go forth fighting in Allah's Cause). Say: 'Swear not; Obedience is (more) reasonable.'" Qur'an:4:74 "Let those who fight in Allah's Cause sell this world's life for the hereafter. To him who fights in Allah's Cause, whether he is slain or victorious, We shall give him a reward." Qur'an:4:75 "What reason have you that you should not fight in Allah's Cause?" [Another translation says:] "What is wrong with you that you do not fight for Allah?" Qur'an:4:76 "Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah." Qur'an:4:77 "Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold from fighting, perform the prayer and pay the zakat. But when orders for fighting were issued, a party of them feared men as they ought to have feared Allah. They say: 'Our Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us, why have You made war compulsory?'" Qur'an:4:78 "Wherever you are, death will find you, even if you are in towers strong and high! So what is wrong with these people, that they fail to understand these simple words?" Qur'an:4:84 "Then fight (Muhammad) in Allah's Cause. Incite the believers to fight with you." Qur'an:4:94 "Believers, when you go abroad to fight wars in Allah's Cause, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who greets you: 'You are not a believer!' Coveting the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils and booty." Qur'an:4:95 "Not equal are believers who sit home and receive no hurt and those who fight in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who fight with their possessions and bodies to those who sit home. Those who fight He has distinguished with a special reward." Qur'an:4:100 "He who leaves his home in Allah's Cause finds abundant resources and many a refuge. Should he die as a refugee for Allah and His Messenger His reward becomes due and sure with Allah. When you travel through the earth there is no blame on you if you curtail your worship for fear unbelievers may attack you. In truth the disbelievers are your enemy." Qur'an:4:102 "When you (Prophet) lead them in prayer, let some stand with you, taking their arms with them. When they finish their prostrations, let them take positions in the rear. And let others who have not yet prayed come – taking all precaution, and bearing arms. The Infidels wish, if you were negligent of your arms, to assault you in a rush. But there is no blame on you if you put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because you are ill; but take precaution. For the Unbelieving Infidels Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment." Qur'an:4:104 "And do not relent in pursuing the enemy." These above verses and sira are factual of what the Koran and Hadiths teach.
I MAKE NO JUDGEMENTS OF CONTEXT OR MEANING.
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
_______________________________________

Thanks Bibi. You are in the UK and comfortable watching TV and getting doses of brainwashing material. You do not appear to be military expert and have no idea about the weapons that were used. I do but not on the Israeli side. for your info, some bombs are home made. Some rockets are imported from somewhere. Take a guess who paid for them and helped smuggle them into Gaza. I admit that Hamas government was democratically elected and the world must respect that. But the well known fact is that Hamas was created by Israel to fight Fatah. Religion was used to brainwash the people to elect Hamas. The population was fed up with the corrupt Fatah leadership too. They wanted a change. If Israel is evil, and their actions appear to be so, then Hamas is also just as evil for not recognizing that they are not a match to the destructive power of Israel. The Palestinians must wake up and throw their leaders out. History shows that the leader of every country who loses a war is removed from power. Unfortunately, hamas leaders wants people like you to believe that they won the war. Nasrallah once said that had he known that Israel would launch a war against hizbollah because of the kidnapped soldiers, he would have released them. How many Lebanese lost their lives in 2006? They may not have lost the war, but they surely didnt win.

No one won and no one ever will.

Bill Clinton's administration came so close to an agreement between the warring parties, let's hope that Secretary Clinton, with the endorsement of President Obama, can start the process again, as start she will have to. The last administration did nothing effective and an eight year hiatus has made the task all the harder.

With Hamas in power, it is going to be a gargantuan task. Until they turn away from violence, there is little or no chance. Let's hope the next 4 years prove more fruitful.

has anybody ever wondered when this isreli- palestinian war will ever end ? families have been torn apart,billions gone up in smoke and it really seems as if someone is having fun with this theater of war.

HAMAS ARE CRIMINALS. I WISH IDF COULD KILL ALL OF THEM . ITS A CRIMINAL GANG WHO DONT CARE ABOUT CIVILIANS . WHY WORLD IS SILENCE ABOUT CRIMES COMMITED BY HAMAS ???

Mr Rubin`s diatribe is the best reason to become an aetheist, maybe even an anti-Semite. It is people like him that are holding the world hostage including Judaism. Hitler wanted a Great Germany too and wanted to increase the boundaries to include the territories surrounding Germany where ethnic Germans lived. We all know what terror he used to achieve that end. My own family lost 17 members caused by his fanaticism. In a way his deluded dream was also religious – a sort of romantic delusion of Pan-Germanism. Israel is even going a step further – it wants to include lands where no Jews live today but lived 2000 years ago. Ergo Israel is even more deluded than Hitler. And unfortunately the two are become more and more indistinguisable. Certainly the same brutality is there, the brain-washing is there, the racism is there, the fanaticisim is there, the torturing is there, the prison camps are there, and maybe one day the Palestinians will have to wear their own "Star of David". This was even advocated by a right-wing Israeli parlametarian a few years ago. But the saddest thing is that Israelis no longer perceive Palestinians as humans. They are like marauding animals that have to be slaughtered to keep one`s own pastures. This arrogance they also have in common with the Nazis, who believed they were the master race. Palestinians for Israelis are considered sub-human, just like the Nazis considered the Jews to be. It is a very unfortunate example of history repeating itself. Unfortunately this racism pervades the whole society. I know I have been there many times. I just feel sorry for the handfull of Israelis that are sickened by the doings of their own people, those who realize that only through negotiations and respect for one`s neighbours and not through an ever increasing build-up of weapons and preparedness for military aggressions can there ever be a lasting peace.

People like Rubin are responsible for every Israeli who died on the battlefield. But of course he is much too fanaticized to even imagine something like that.

I realize of course that the Hamas are also brain-washing their people too. But that is obvious. Much worse is the Israeli brqain-washing because Israel is always trying to show the outside world how tolerant and democratic they are. In fact it is a racist state, one of the worst in the history of the world.

I used to be a staunch supporter of Israel because up till the 1980`s it really was defending itself. I began to have my doubts when the first Lebanese campaign began with Israel`s first indiscriminate killings on a major scale. Indeed it was the Sabra and Shatila massacres of innocent civilians that started turning the tide of the world`s public opnion against Israel fro the very first time. I too was beginning to ask my conscience if I could still support a country that condones the killings of women and children. Today I have come to the opinion that the people who were responsible for these massacres should be prosecuted for war crimes. The Nazis were hanged for things like that. Why are the perpretators of these crimes still not prosecuted???? I`ll tell you why. Because the United States is blocking any such move. In the eyes of the world the United States is thus an accomplice to these atrocities. And you are still wondering why there is an Al Qaeda? I`m certainly not surprised.

From that point on Israel was no longer the victim but the aggressor and it didn`t take a rocket scientist to realize that this aggression policy would soon take hold on the home front too. It was the beginning of the fanatic settlers movement which culminated in illegal land-grabbing, the assasination of Prime Minister Rabin, the infamous Wall, and of course was the main reason for the original Intifada.

Israel has become without a doubt one of the sickest societies the world has ever known and in my opinion all due to these religious zealots that do not have a human conscience. It is not part of their vocabulary.

Israel won of course , but it should of Finish the War . Forget about UN , or anger of Arab Nations . They should of went and finished Hamas once for all . Next time Hamas Fire Rockets into Israel , IDF should us Napalm, or Cluster Bombs . I am tired to see weakness in IDF to Finish Hamas .

Why there is no Palestine

Two ships of state are headed directly toward each other at an average rate of 75 deaths per month.

The first ship, which we will call I., has many captains and no rudder. It is slowly but inexorably sinking from the corrosive effects of corruption, callousness and exhaustion. The second ship, which we will call P., is sinking at a somewhat faster rate, its hull breaking in two, its crew in mutiny against itself. Vessel P. is unable to feed its passengers, unable to alter its fate.

For your matriculation, answer the following, showing your work: What is the probability that both ships will sink before they next have a chance to collide?

Arab leaders have been speaking of creating an independent Palestine for more than a century. Four of the last five Israeli prime ministers have endorsed the concept and spoken of fostering it. The world community recognizes that there should be such a state. So does U.S. President George W. Bush. A billion Muslims believe that there must be such a state.

Why is there no Palestine?

1. Because Israelis can't decide what they want.

Polls have shown that a clear majority of Israelis wants to see an end to the occupation. But history – and the craters of Katyushas and Qassams – indicate that a clear majority of Israelis, and an absolute majority of their leaders, are unwilling to take the potentially catastrophic risks of ending the occupation unilaterally.

Moreover, suspicious of the Palestinians' ultimate intentions and fearful of the social consequences of expelling West Bank settlers, the public shows little inclination to seek a diplomatic solution.

We no longer want to pay the price of occupation, but we have become convinced that the price of ending it is far higher.

2. Because Palestinians cannot decide what they want.

For decades, the Palestinians had no need to decide what they wanted. Israel shunned their representatives, dismissed their aspirations, settled their lands, and imprisoned and otherwise hunted down their leaders.

The occupation was more than simply the address for all complaints, the explanation for all disappointments, the diagnosis for all pain. It was also the excuse for indefinitely delaying debate over the character of a future independent Palestine.

Ironically, the hope of statehood was kept alive through the very darkest periods of occupation. More recently, however, as Gaza drowns in civil war and blood feud, Palestinians have begun to wonder if they will ever have a state at all.

To be able to move toward statehood, Palestinians must decide how they themselves stand on the bedrock issues of the conflict. Fundamentally, they must decide if they wish to make a final peace with Israel, or press for a Palestine to supplant it.

3. Because neither side is willing to abide by peace agreements.

Each side has banks of researchers assembling evidence that the other side consistently violates the explicit terms of signed peace accords. The evidence, on both sides, is conclusive.

4. Because we are, all of us, better at vengeance than we are at forgiveness.

For both sides, it is the first rule of politics: Peace is politically dangerous, if not lethal. War, or at least talk of war, is the safer default setting.

This is similar to, but not the same as:

5. Because we love our extremists too much.

Both sides have a profound sentimental attachment to the militants, extremists and hardliners in their midst. We see them as the keepers of the pure flame, the ideologically untarnished, remnants of a more straightforward era. We also suffer from them, as the minority whose actions intentionally thwart the possibility of peace for the majority.

On the Palestinian side they may be gunmen or suicide bombers or their dispatchers; on our own, hilltop youth or those suffering from Temple Mount delusions.

We tolerate them, we subsidize them, we admire them, we arm them, we forgive them their trespasses, we allow them to live outside our own laws – and, in return, they ruin our lives.

6. Because the policies of both sides play directly into the hands of extremists on the other.

Hamas is Hamas because of Israel. And no group in the Holy Land has done more to bolster the Israeli far right than Hamas.

7. Because the Muslim world wants its Palestinians to suffer.

The Muslim world grants the Palestinians fortunes in lip service, and little else of value. The Palestinians are much more valuable to them as valiant, pathetic symbols of victimhood. The Palestinians are to the Muslim world as the wretched refugees of Gaza once were to the Palestinian leadership. Their image can act as lightning rods for unrest, turning domestic political discord into anger against Israel.

8. Because the West now sees them as terrorists.

All terrorism, like all news, is local. The moment Muslim terrorists strike a Western city, the Twin Towers, the Underground, the Madrid depot, Palestinian resistance turns overnight to terrorism, in the local journalistic vernacular. Thanks largely to Al-Qaida, the West has changed its definition of Palestinian resistance, from defense of the innocent to targeting of the innocent.

9. Because Arafat lied to them.

While Yasser Arafat was signing agreements with Israel, he was letting his people know in hints and winks and exhortations that they would in the end have everything they wanted. Refugees would return to their homes in Israel proper. Jerusalem's Old City would return to Muslim sovereignty. The armed struggle would tip the balance.

There is also the lie inherent in the rule of corruption which Arafat fostered, sapping critical resources, undermining public confidence and crippling efforts at responsive governance.

10. Because they cannot stop themselves.

There is no one to put an end to civil war. There is no spiritual authority, there is no governmental authority, there is no military authority.

11. Because some of the best people in Palestine are leaving.

And because some of the people who cannot leave are unable to think about anything else.

12. Because each side takes it for granted that its side is clearly, morally, objectively in the right, and that the other side is nothing but wrong.

A fool's paradise turns out to be better than no paradise at all.

13. And because the Holy Land is the world capital of wishful thinking.

Deep down, both sides secretly believe that they will get what they wanted all along, whether it's Greater Israel or Greater Palestine, complete sovereignty over Jerusalem or the right of return.

After a century of struggle, the Palestinians deserve better. The Palestinians deserve a nation. But after a century of struggle, they now face their worst test since 1948.

Their ship of state needs a painful refitting, and a radical and perhaps terrifying change of course. As a people, the Palestinians are now facing their matriculation. If they can address their long list of problems head on, they can return to the path of independence. But skip the problems, or get them wrong, and Palestinian nationhood may be just one more dream dying in the dust in Gaza.

Israel and Hamas are just losers. What would Israel loss if She stops trying to occupying. Nothing. What would terrorist groups like Hamas loss if they halt inflicting their own moslem people. Nothing.

I think there is no excuse for the number of Palestinian civillian casualties. Although I do not agree with Hamas' firing of rockets into Israeli towns, I believe Israel should not have launched airstrikes over towns, which caused a huge amount of damage. There are definitely better ways to destroy Hamas weapon storage units.

I think it is so very much dangerous when people with complete ignorance speak about issues of great importance. "Bibi from UK", when I say this I mainly refer to you although many others follow you closely.
How dare you compare the Nazi gas chambers to the recent events in Gaza? And how ignorant can you be when say Iran has not supported Hamas with weapons and that those tunnels are merely for food? The fact that people like you exist and that they voice their unfounded /untrue opinions as if they were the utmost truth scares me to death. No wonder the world is the shape that it is today. I might expect comments like those from people who are constantly bombarded by propaganda (as in GAZA: some actually believe Hamas when it states it "won the war") but not from the UK.
I ask everyone to please refrain from making comments about religions because it is obvious that those lead to nothing. Please leave this blog for people who actually interested in debating a solution to the problem and not merely making unfruitful accussations.
I ask everyone to please read my previous comment and debate in this forum constructively.
"The dispute about who displaced who from the “holy” land is as old as the land itself. Those (Sheila & Syed, as well as many others in the world) who keep stating that hamas is defending their people should get a reality check. It is true that jews displaced arabs when immigrating to palestine, however, we must remember that they were displaced also for that same land and that there were jews still there before the immigration. Let’s not forget that the arabs themselves rejected (several times) the division of the land into two states. Nevertheless, we must ignore the past when trying to find a lasting solution to this problem because in reality both sides are right in their claim for land. We must focus on the present and on sacrifice. Both sides will have to sacrifice some of their terms in order to achieve peace, the complete destruction of the other is not an option here. Therefore, the palestinian people must take this opportunity that Israel is giving it to negotiate REALISTIC terms. I know Israel is no angel, however, it has been known to sacrifice much in exchange for peace. Jordan and Egypt are great examples of this.
For those who believe that Israel does not want peace consider the following. What does Israel gain from this 100-year war? It is extremely costly, Israel would still recieve much financial support from USA even if it was at peace perhaps even more. In contrast, what does Hamas gain from this war? Would Iran and its other donors finance Hamas were it in peace with Israel? The palestinian people must rebel against its extremist leaders and support leaders that are willing to sacrifice some unrealistic terms in order to achieve peace.
Israel must do the same.
Both sides can gain so much from peace. The masses must learn this simple fact and act accordingly."

The weapon manufacturers won the War.

I am a Jew and an Israeli. I am disgusted at the Israeli government not finishing what Hamas started. Instead they have given Hamas the opportunity to re-arm. AS IF THIS IS NEWS! Hamas now has the sympathy of the world and has become the winner in this situation.

However, what is even more disgusting is the way the international community hates the state of Israel. You people are always complaining about what we do. Let me put it to you this way. If you want to stay out of danger stay out of gaza. What do the Gazans do? They keep their women and children (especially the children) WITH THEM so the innocents can die a "martyr". Israel has EVERY right to bomb the hell out of Gaza until the rocket attacks stop.

so much to say ufortunately those of you with strong views will not be swayed by facts .
it is essential to know that you dont have all the facts .
of the 1200 or so "civillian" casualties in gaza 80% were hamas sympathisers ie enemys of israel although the loss of children is tragic it is unfortunate that hamas wanted these "martyrs" for the pr war against israel . note that most of the rckets fired by hamas landed on or arround kinder gardens . the majority of deaths in gaza were from secondary explosions of huge stockpiles of arms stored in mosques and schools . hamas is responsible for all but a handfull of cassualties the remainder a combination of accidents or mistakes are deeply regretted however israel should be commended for it s bravery in putting its ground troops at risk when the air force could so easily have wiped out tens of thousands of hamas voters and fighters.

Congratulations IDF on the several hundred terrorists executed but i fear more needs to be done .you may have won the battle but the war has just begun. those who dont agree with what i say probably also believe israel shot mohammed al dura this lie has helped bring hamas to power and therefore caused great suffering .the fact is that the young boy and his father were shot by pallestinians for pr purposes this is a well known fact in intelligence circles .stop all this hate there is room for us all to live in peace . The moderate s from both sides need to get off their behinds and kill some terrorists so we can all live in peace. salam and shalom to all .

i totaly agreed with isreal and am sure the actualy won the fight against inhuman attack by hamas

More than 2000 Palestinian civilians were killed in cotrast to less than 20 Israelean . Palestinian who have the right to live in thier grandfather's land and have no army invaded by the most strongest army in the middle east.!!!
Where is the balance??

The present excessive Israeli violence against those who are defenseless is not something that just happened today. It has a long history, as long as the history of the Israeli nation. It is not just a sudden reaction to present circumstances, but a continuation of past policies, and Israel continues to prove quite capable of finding justifications for its transgression. Today, they are blaming their conduct on Hamas. Yesterday, it was someone else.

This issue is not just the responsibility of every Palestinian, or Arab, or Muslim, it is the responsibility of everyone on Earth who possesses a human heart.

Hamas has already tortured and executed scores of people deemed as collaberators already. No trial,no judge,no rights, a finger point by Hamas cronie and your dead.

Nobody won. On the contrary mankind has lost by allowing not just the slaughter of innocent people but the near extermination of a people. The world was is shock after WW2 so a Jewish homeland was created. What many people don’t know is that this so called homeland was already on the minds of the Jewish Zionists some 40 years before that war started. Just google search Theodor Herzl (the father of political Zionism) and you’ll see that the Palestinians never had a chance to survive within their own state. The Balfour Declaration was the final nail in the coffin for them. In the end it has very little to do with religion and more to with political extremism. Hamas was DEMOCRATICALLY elected by the people in Gaza and just because Israel and the U.S. disagree with them, they’re labelled a terrorist organization. All they want is that Israel retreats to the pre 1967 borders which would mean that Israel would have to abandon about 30% of what it now occupies which is totally against the Zionist manifesto. As far as the other Arab states, many of them are quite corrupt so it wouldn’t be in their interests to support Hamas because it would just undermine their own totalitarian regimes. So unfortunately, it will always be a no win situation unless there is justice for all. Extremism is a cancer.

you still don`t get it do you Bruce. People like you are the reason Hamas was founded in the first place

Paula Hancocks has concluded her post by saying "Only a part of wars today are fought on the battlefield, or in this case in the crowded streets of Gaza, the rest is won or lost on television screens and through public perception."

Since its very birth as a nation over 60 years ago, Israel's popularity among the Muslim population in the entire world has been a steady, enviable zero per cent. Obviously, it cannot sink below Zero. Hence, I don't think that any ordinary Israeli citizen and, certainly, the Israeli government leaders lose any sleep worrying about their popularity level among the global Muslim population.

There are two major issues (among others) today which divide the Islamic nations from the rest of the world: Palestine and Kashmir.

The Palestine problem can be resolved only if Israel agrees to retreat behind the pre-1967 borders, including dismantling of all its (illegal) settlements on the West Bank and at least partition of or joint ownership of Jerusalem. Even if this most unlikely arrangement is agreed to by a majority in both the sides, there will still be hard-core Islamic jihadists who will be satisfied only with the total obliteration of Israel from the map and who will continue to fight on indefinitely. Hence, there is very little chance for peace to be restored in the Middle East in the near or distant future.

As for the Kashmir issue, Pakistan will never rest until the entire Kashmir valley is handed over to it on a plate. But India does not appear to be in a mood to oblige. The Indian government bristles at the very mention of Kashmir by a dignitary of any foreign government as a disputed territory, as witnessed in the extremely violent reaction to the British Foreign Secretary's unguarded remarks during his visit to the Indian capital a few days ago. Hence, there is absolutely no chance that the Kashmir problem will achieve a lasting solution any time soon.

The sum and substance of this brief analysis is that the antipathy between the Muslims and the rest of the world will continue unabated until Kingdom come.

The alternative solution would be for all the other religious groups like the Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and even Atheists to convert themselves to Muslims and rid themselves of the stigma of being called 'infidels'. Even after that Utopia takes shape, Shias and Sunnis will still be killing each other!

So, where is th end? The short answer is: Nuclear Armageddon and extinction of the human race!!

Bruce, Israel has tortured and killed scores of people as well. In fact they are holding people with out trial, nor charges. And I am impressed with the time you took to find quotes from the scriptures to support your claim, however you have failed to realize that those are just books made of paper and ink, written thousands of years ago. Thus, they have no merit in the 20th Century. You also fail to realize that people, NOT God took the land from the Palestinians. No, there wasn't state of Palestine in the time of Jesus, neither was their a Great Britain, Russia, or United States. On the other hand, in 1948 there were people who inhabited the lands (which were called Palestine), whom identified themselves as Palestinians. Do not turn this into a religious war, when it is not. Hamas may fly the banner, but they are not fighting for their religion. They are fighting for the return of their lands. It is Israel who is waging the holy war by stating they have a right to them because God said so. Back in the days of the real holy war (the Crusades), it was a Muslim (Saladin) who allowed the Jews back into Jerusalem.

Joe- The problem is, Hamas did win this time. They fought a defensive conflict. They inflicted a low casualty on Israelis, both civilian and military. And they gained much more support than they previously had. Israel inflicted a horrendous amount of civilian casualties, attacked a UN school, fought an offensive conflict, and is now under investigation for war crimes by the UN because of excessive use of W.P. in highly populated areas. Israel is drawing much criticism from those who used to support them. Hamas knew they did not stand a chance in a fight with Israel. Instead they out smarted them. Using strategy to gain support for their cause. There is no better recruiting campaign than the slaughter of your family and friends.

This same technique was used for the American Revolution, by means of the Boston Massacre. Civilians attacked two patrolling soldiers by throwing rocks from their windows and pursuing them down the streets, forcing them to panic and react with brutality.

Hamas has won this round.

if anyone is justifying the death destruction and maiming of innocents and still supportinf israel their minds must surely be sick and require the services of a psychiatrist- this includes the members of the bush administration and the “moderate arab states’ who encouraged and stood by ignoring calls from helpless humans of gaza whose only fault was that they took part in a democratic process and duly elected someone who they thought would look after their interests.
if george bush believes that he is a “true christian’ then it is a shame on the entire christian faith which has traditionally ben always known for its compqssion and sympathy for the underdog!
If the christian faith holda these traditions ,they must surely not give in to the premise that jews are the “chosen ones” and let them massacre thousands of innocents- if so then the entire christian faith needs to interspect and analyse why it that i cal it a collection of people who are SICK in their minds – God save us all from these SICK people . Amen

I would agree that Hamas has to go, but I also believe there needs to be a ethical type audit of the IDF and the parliament that has decided ethnic cleansing is the "way to go". As there was a truth and reconciliation mission for the Holocaust, the Apartheid (SF), etc... there will be in Israel, otherwise they will always have enemies, and the US is getting to weak to act as big brother. It will be Irael's survival mechanism kicking in, but the longer she waits, the worst the repercussions.
The short term, is not how we(as humans) survived for thousands of years. Right now we are cautious about our consumption of the worlds natural resources. Well, with all due respect, if we dont get everyone on the same bandwagon, we will barely put a dent in saving our environment. How do you expect to come together to save the Earth, when we are still killing each other, with government sanctioned genocide.
I weep for humankind...
thank you

after reading a couple of the comments ,it has now dawned on me and i believe that you should have figured out that ,it is just going to be a sheer waste of time to attempt to bring peace to the middle east,it is a theater of war that has been divinely ordained by God and i think that every wise man out there will use this as a yard stick in determining who the anti christ will be and the isreal – palestinian ( Hamas) war is really a sign that the end is near. There can not be peace ,and nothing UN can do ,it is only that anti Christ that will broker peace .

Religious nuts, please refrain from blessing us with your input. Next time anything "dawns" on you, please 'un-dawn' it...You serve absolutely no added value, since you believe " the end is near." Go ahead a wait for the end while we try and think of a solution that will bail you and your unproductive ideas out of this predicament.
To everyone else, truly walk the path less traveled and try and serve as objective perspective, receiving all possible information, researching what others claim to be true, and find facts in the absolute, before making potentially negative remarks on an issue that you haven't gather enough intelligence about. Peace starts with education.Maybe one day that moderate voice needed that can serve to broker a peace, can be yours or your children. Look with in your selves to try and serve as envoy, to something as simple as your neighbor.
thank you.

Im pretty sure it would not have "dawned" to you that the end of the world was near if you lived during the World Wars. It is only because you cannot do anything about the situation and you can care less about the innocent Palestinians being massacred, both Chritians and Muslims alike, that you say the end is near. The only end that is near is the end of any hope of you trying even the smallest act to improve the situation of innocent people.

Shaun to you they mean nothing To many of the Arab countries and fundamentalist groups it is the constitution.They Quran might as well have been written this afternoon.In Saudi Arabia and now Iran the exact verbage of the Quran as written is the law of the land. Look it up.This is as it is. All these dictators who now control the UN use the Palestinians and Israelis as a smoke screen to hide what is going on in there own countries.Amnesty international is afraid to go to Saudi Arabia or Syria Look it up. Twenty percent of the voting citizens in Israel are Arabs!!look it up.
Saudi Arabia Index
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Basic Law of Government (1993)
Consultative Council Establishment Act (1993)
Consultative Council Statute (1993)
Consultative Council Membership Statute (1993)
Consultative Council Sanctions Statute (1993)
Consultative Council Finances Statute (1993)
Council of Ministers Statute (1993)
Regional Authorities Establishment Act (1993)

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Constitutional Background
Constitutional reforms – after having been promised since the era of King Feisal – were implemented by King Fahd in 1992. The resulting Constitutional Government is radically different from Western style social order. Article 1 of the Basic Law of Government stipulates that "God's Book and the Sunnah" are the substantive constitution of Saudi Arabia, being only amended (not changed) by reforms of state organization. Saudi Arabian monarchy is religion bound. Furthermore, the new Consultative Council (Shura Council, Majlis al-Shura) is subject to nomination and re-nomation by the king, not to election by the people.
Speeches in the 11,000 mosques are pre-censored by administrative officials, women are not allowed to acquire driving licenses. In 1995, more than 150 delinquents were put to death by being publicly beheaded with a sword; thiefs are punished by cutting off their hand. Islamists openly challenge the Saud dynasty with its 6000 Princes for decadent and corrupt lifestyle. The King submits two of the five secret services directly to his command. Possible successors of the very sick monarch are the Princes Naif, Sultan, and Bandar. An option for a non-dynastic government could be Ahmed Saki el-Jamani, a former oil minister now businessman in London.

The seemingly absolute power of Arabian monarchy has slightly been smoothed by the Islamic rule to take decisions by consultation. The firm belief that greater wisdom, longer experience, and higher knowledge are more likely to lead to the correct decision is an ancient force behind the Consultative Council. However, the constitutional reforms are not likely to concede to any of the western demands for women's rights and free speech.

Parties
There are no opposition parties in Saudi Arabia. The Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights under the professor of physics Muhammad Massari is a militant Islamist Saudi opposition, currently operating from London. Massari is now (Feb 1996) under pressure of the British Government to leave for the Caribbeans. His movement is well-funded by rich members of the clandestine opposition. Another opposition movement is being funded by Ussama Ibn Ladin (Osama bin Laden) and operates from Sudan and Afghanistan.

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The Hezbollah Program
1985
Introduction

The Lebanese Hezbollah (Hizbollah, Hezbullah, Hezbu Allah and other spellings) was founded in Lebanon in the 1980s in response to the Israeli invasion. They are a client organization of Iran and Syria, organizing Lebanese Shi'ites and competing with the more moderate Shi'ite party led by Nabih Berri. The name means "Party of God" (Hizbu Allah). The organization follows the theocratic philosophy of governance of the Ayatollah Khomeini. As the organization evolved, it restated its originally announced objectives of expelling Israel and the Americans and French from Lebanon into objectives of destroying Israel.

With Iranian and Syrian support, Hezbollah developed a force of about 4,000 terrorists, equipped with over 11,000 rockets, anti-tank weapons and heavy mortars. They set up a network of social assistance, mosques and schools in southern Lebanon, distributing largesse supplied by Iran.

After Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah claimed that a tiny bit of land called Sheba'a farms, part of the Golan heights and some other places that are on the Israeli side of the border are really Lebanese, though the United Nations claims it is not so. Hezbollah continued terror attacks on Israeli towns, firing Katyusha rockets and attacking Israeli soldiers, supposedly in order to "liberate" these tiny bits of land, and to free about 400 prisoners held by Israel. In 2004 Hezbollah exchanged the bodies of three kidnapped Israeli soldiers and the drug dealer Elhanan Tannenboim for most of their prisoners.

Following the expulsion of Syrian forces from Lebanon, the Hezbollah were supposed to have been disarmed under the terms of UN resolutions 1559 and 1680. Instead, the Lebanese government allowed Hezbollah to keep its arms and to participate in Lebanese elections. Once they entered the government, Hezbollah paralyzed attempts at reform and reducing Syrian influence.

Two Hezbollah "prisoners" remain in Israel. One is a Lebanese Jew who emigrated to Israel but was arrested for spying for Hezbollah. The other is convicted murderer Samir Kuntar, who killed three members of an Israeli family in Nahariya in 1979 and an Israeli policeman.

On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah attacked an Israeli army patrol inside Israel, killing 3 and capturing 2, and commenced firing Katyusha and other rockets supplied by Iran on Israeli towns.

The program below should not be viewed as a formal or final document. The paragraph added at the end represents the goals of the organization vis a vis Israel. Lebanese tend to ignore these goals and to build on the fiction developed in the first part of the document that Hezbollah aims to unite Lebanon against foreign forces. In fact of course, Hezbollah represents Iranian and Syrian interests in Lebanon.

The part of the program that applies to Israel is:

We see in Israel the vanguard of the United States in our Islamic world. It is the hated enemy that must be fought until the hated ones get what they deserve. This enemy is the greatest danger to our future generations and to the destiny of our lands, particularly as it glorifies the ideas of settlement and expansion, initiated in Palestine, and yearning outward to the extension of the Great Israel, from the Euphrates to the Nile.

Our primary assumption in our fight against Israel states that the Zionist entity is aggressive from its inception, and built on lands wrested from their owners, at the expense of the rights of the Muslim people. Therefore our struggle will end only when this entity is obliterated. We recognize no treaty with it, no cease fire, and no peace agreements, whether separate or consolidated.

We vigorously condemn all plans for negotiation with Israel, and regard all negotiators as enemies, for the reason that such negotiation is nothing but the recognition of the legitimacy of the Zionist occupation of Palestine. Therefore we oppose and reject the Camp David Agreements, the proposals of King Fahd, the Fez and Reagan plan, Brezhnev's and the French-Egyptian proposals, and all other programs that include the recognition (even the implied recognition) of the Zionist entity.

Ami Isseroff

______________________________________________________
THE CHARTER OF THE HAMAS

THE CHARTER OF ALLAH:

THE PLATFORM OF THE ISLAMIC RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (HAMAS)

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

You are the best community that has been raised up for mankind.

Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed, it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-doers.

They will not harm you save a trifling hurt, and if they fight against you they will turn and flee. And afterward they will not be helped.

Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save [where they grasp] a rope from Allah and a rope from man. They have incurred anger from their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them. That is because they used to disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slew the Prophets wrongfully. That is because they were rebellious and used to transgress. Surat Al-Imran (III), verses 109-111

Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors.

The Islamic World is burning. It is incumbent upon each one of us to pour some water, little as it may be, with a view of extinguishing as much of the fire as he can, without awaiting action by the others.

INTRODUCTION

Grace to Allah, whose help we seek, whose forgiveness we beseech, whose guidance we implore and on whom we rely. We pray and bid peace upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, his followers and those who spread his message and followed his tradition; they will last as long as there exist Heaven and Earth.

O, people! In the midst of misadventure, from the depth of suffering, from the believing hearts and purified arms; aware of our duty and in response to the decree of Allah, we direct our call, we rally together and join each other. We educate in the path of Allah and we make our firm determination prevail so as to take its proper role in life, to overcome all difficulties and to cross all hurdles. Hence our permanent state of preparedness and our readiness to sacrifice our souls and dearest [possessions] in the path of Allah.

Thus, our nucleus has formed which chartered its way in the tempestuous ocean of creeds and hopes, desires and wishes, dangers and difficulties, setbacks and challenges, both internal and external.

When the thought matured, the seed grew and the plant took root in the land of reality, detached from temporary emotion and unwelcome haste, the Islamic Resistance Movement erupted in order to play its role in the path of its Lord. In so doing, it joined its hands with those of all Jihad fighters for the purpose of liberating Palestine. The souls of its Jihad fighters will encounter those of all Jihad fighters who have sacrificed their lives in the land of Palestine since it was conquered by the Companion of the Prophet, be Allah's prayer and peace upon him, and until this very day. This is the Charter of the Islamic Resistance (Hamas) which will reveal its face, unveil its identity, state its position, clarify its purpose, discuss its hopes, call for support to its cause and reinforcement, and for joining its ranks. For our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal efforts we can wield, to be followed by further steps and reinforced by successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the enemies are defeated and Allah's victory prevails. Thus we shall perceive them approaching in the horizon, and this will be known before long:

"Allah has decreed: Lo! I very shall conquer, I and my messenger, lo! Allah is strong, almighty.:"

PART I – KNOWING THE MOVEMENT

The Ideological Aspects

Article One

The Islamic Resistance Movement draws its guidelines from Islam; derives from it its thinking, interpretations and views about existence, life and humanity; refers back to it for its conduct; and is inspired by it in whatever step it takes.

The Link between Hamas and the Association of Muslim Brothers

Article Two

The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of the Muslim Brothers in Palestine. The Muslim Brotherhood Movement is a world organization, the largest Islamic Movement in the modern era. It is characterized by a profound understanding, by precise notions and by a complete comprehensiveness of all concepts of Islam in all domains of life: views and beliefs, politics and economics, education and society, jurisprudence and rule, indoctrination and teaching, the arts and publications, the hidden and the evident, and all the other domains of life.

Structure and Essence

Article Three

The basic structure of the Islamic Resistance Movement consists of Muslims who are devoted to Allah and worship Him verily [as it is written]: "I have created Man and Devil for the purpose of their worship" [of Allah]. Those Muslims are cognizant of their duty towards themselves, their families and country and they have been relying on Allah for all that. They have raised the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors in order to extricate the country and the people from the [oppressors'] desecration, filth and evil.

Article Four

The Movement welcomes all Muslims who share its beliefs and thinking, commit themselves to its course of action, keep its secrets and aspire to join its ranks in order to carry out their duty.

Allah will reward them.

Dimensions of Time and Space of the Hamas

Article Five

As the Movement adopts Islam as its way of life, its time dimension extends back as far as the birth of the Islamic Message and of the Righteous Ancestor. Its ultimate goal is Islam, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its Constitution. Its special dimension extends wherever on earth there are Muslims, who adopt Islam as their way of life; thus, it penetrates to the deepest reaches of the land and to the highest spheres of Heavens.

Peculiarity and Independence

Article Six

The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinct Palestinian Movement which owes its loyalty to Allah, derives from Islam its way of life and strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine. Only under the shadow of Islam could the members of all regions coexist in safety and security for their lives, properties and rights. In the absence of Islam, conflict arises, oppression reigns, corruption is rampant and struggles and wars prevail. Allah had inspired the Muslim poet, Muhammad Iqbal, when he said:

When the Faith wanes, there is no security There is no this-worldliness for those who have no faith. Those who wish to live their life without religion Have made annihilation the equivalent of life.

The Universality of Hamas

Article Seven

By virtue of the distribution of Muslims, who pursue the cause of the Hamas, all over the globe, and strive for its victory, for the reinforcement of its positions and for the encouragement of its Jihad, the Movement is a universal one. It is apt to be that due to the clarity of its thinking, the nobility of its purpose and the loftiness of its objectives.

It is in this light that the Movement has to be regarded, evaluated and acknowledged. Whoever denigrates its worth, or avoids supporting it, or is so blind as to dismiss its role, is challenging Fate itself. Whoever closes his eyes from seeing the facts, whether intentionally or not, will wake up to find himself overtaken by events, and will find no excuses to justify his position. Priority is reserved to the early comers.

Oppressing those who are closest to you, is more of an agony to the soul than the impact of an Indian sword.

And unto thee have we revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which has come unto thee. For each we have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed, He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which he has given you [He has made you as you are]. So vie with one another in good works. Unto Allah, you will all return. He will then inform you of that wherein you differ.

Hamas is one of the links in the Chain of Jihad in the confrontation with the Zionist invasion. It links up with the setting out of the Martyr Izz a-din al-Qassam and his brothers in the Muslim Brotherhood who fought the Holy War in 1936; it further relates to another link of the Palestinian Jihad and the Jihad and efforts of the Muslim Brothers during the 1948 War, and to the Jihad operations of the Muslim Brothers in 1968 and thereafter.

But even if the links have become distant from each other, and even if the obstacles erected by those who revolve in the Zionist orbit, aiming at obstructing the road before the Jihad fighters, have rendered the pursuance of Jihad impossible; nevertheless, the Hamas has been looking forward to implement Allah's promise whatever time it might take. The prophet, prayer and peace be upon him, said:

The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him! This will not apply to the Gharqad, which is a Jewish tree (cited by Bukhari and Muslim).

The Slogan of the Hamas

Article Eight

Allah is its goal, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its Constitution, Jihad its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief.

PART II – OBJECTIVES

Motives and Objectives

Article Nine

Hamas finds itself at a period of time when Islam has waned away from the reality of life. For this reason, the checks and balances have been upset, concepts have become confused, and values have been transformed; evil has prevailed, oppression and obscurity have reigned; cowards have turned tigers, homelands have been usurped, people have been uprooted and are wandering all over the globe. The state of truth has disappeared and was replaced by the state of evil. Nothing has remained in its right place, for when Islam is removed from the scene, everything changes. These are the motives.

As to the objectives: discarding the evil, crushing it and defeating it, so that truth may prevail, homelands revert [to their owners], calls for prayer be heard from their mosques, announcing the reinstitution of the Muslim state. Thus, people and things will revert to their true place.

Article Ten

The Islamic Resistance Movement, while breaking its own path, will do its utmost to constitute at the same time a support to the weak, a defense to all the oppressed. It will spare no effort to implement the truth and abolish evil, in speech and in fact, both here and in any other location where it can reach out and exert influence.

PART III – STRATEGIES AND METHODS

The Strategy of Hamas: Palestine is an Islamic Waqf

Article Eleven

The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine has been an Islamic Waqf throughout the generations and until the Day of Resurrection, no one can renounce it or part of it, or abandon it or part of it. No Arab country nor the aggregate of all Arab countries, and no Arab King or President nor all of them in the aggregate, have that right, nor has that right any organization or the aggregate of all organizations, be they Palestinian or Arab, because Palestine is an Islamic Waqf throughout all generations and to the Day of Resurrection. Who can presume to speak for all Islamic Generations to the Day of Resurrection? This is the status [of the land] in Islamic Shari'a, and it is similar to all lands conquered by Islam by force, and made thereby Waqf lands upon their conquest, for all generations of Muslims until the Day of Resurrection. This [norm] has prevailed since the commanders of the Muslim armies completed the conquest of Syria and Iraq, and they asked the Caliph of Muslims, 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, for his view of the conquered land, whether it should be partitioned between the troops or left in the possession of its population, or otherwise. Following discussions and consultations between the Caliph of Islam, 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, be peace and prayer upon him, they decided that the land should remain in the hands of its owners to benefit from it and from its wealth; but the control of the land and the land itself ought to be endowed as a Waqf [in perpetuity] for all generations of Muslims until the Day of Resurrection. The ownership of the land by its owners is only one of usufruct, and this Waqf will endure as long as Heaven and earth last. Any demarche in violation of this law of Islam, with regard to Palestine, is baseless and reflects on its perpetrators.

Hamas in Palestine: Its Views on Homeland and Nationalism

Article Twelve

Hamas regards Nationalism (Wataniyya) as part and parcel of the religious faith. Nothing is loftier or deeper in Nationalism than waging Jihad against the enemy and confronting him when he sets foot on the land of the Muslims. And this becomes an individual duty binding on every Muslim man and woman; a woman must go out and fight the enemy even without her husband's authorization, and a slave without his masters' permission.

This [principle] does not exist under any other regime, and it is a truth not to be questioned. While other nationalisms consist of material, human and territorial considerations, the nationality of Hamas also carries, in addition to all those, the all important divine factors which lend to it its spirit and life; so much so that it connects with the origin of the spirit and the source of life and raises in the skies of the Homeland the Banner of the Lord, thus inexorably connecting earth with Heaven.

When Moses came and threw his baton, sorcery and sorcerers became futile.

Peaceful Solutions, [Peace] Initiatives and International Conferences

Article Thirteen

[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement. For renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion; the nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its faith, the movement educates its members to adhere to its principles and to raise the banner of Allah over their homeland as they fight their Jihad: "Allah is the all-powerful, but most people are not aware."

From time to time a clamoring is voiced, to hold an International Conference in search for a solution to the problem. Some accept the idea, others reject it, for one reason or another, demanding the implementation of this or that condition, as a prerequisite for agreeing to convene the Conference or for participating in it. But the Islamic Resistance Movement, which is aware of the [prospective] parties to this conference, and of their past and present positions towards the problems of the Muslims, does not believe that those conferences are capable of responding to demands, or of restoring rights or doing justice to the oppressed.

Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the nonbelievers as arbitrators in the lands of Islam. Since when did the Unbelievers do justice to the Believers?

And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. 'Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah [himself] is the Guidance. And if you should follow their desires after the knowledge which has come unto thee, then you would have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper. Sura 2 (the Cow), verse 120

There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility. The Palestinian people are too noble to have their future, their right and their destiny submitted to a vain game. As the hadith has it:

The people of Syria are Allah's whip on this land; He takes revenge by their intermediary from whoever he wished among his worshipers. The Hypocrites among them are forbidden from vanquishing the true believers, and they will die in anxiety and sorrow. (Told by Tabarani, who is traceable in ascending order of traditionaries to Muhammad, and by Ahmed whose chain of transmission is incomplete. But it is bound to be a true hadith, for both story tellers are reliable. Allah knows best.)

The Three Circles

Article Fourteen

The problem of the liberation of Palestine relates to three circles: the Palestinian, the Arab and the Islamic. Each one of these circles has a role to play in the struggle against Zionism and it has duties to fulfill. It would be an enormous mistake and an abysmal act of ignorance to disregard anyone of these circles.

For Palestine is an Islamic land where the First Qibla and the third holiest site are located. That is also the place whence the Prophet, be Allah's prayer and peace upon him, ascended to heavens.

Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship, the neighborhood whereof we have blessed, that we might show him of our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer. Sura XVII (al-Isra'), verse 1

In consequence of this state of affairs, the liberation of that land is an individual duty binding on all Muslims everywhere. This is the base on which all Muslims have to regard the problem; this has to be understood by all Muslims. When the problem is dealt with on this basis, where the full potential of the three circles is mobilized, then the current circumstances will change and the day of liberation will come closer.

You are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah. That is because they are a folk who understand not. Sura LIX, (Al-Hashr, the Exile), verse 13

The Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is an Individual Obligation

Article Fifteen

When our enemies usurp some Islamic lands, Jihad becomes a duty binding on all Muslims. In order to face the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews, we have no escape from raising the banner of Jihad. This would require the propagation of Islamic consciousness among the masses on all local, Arab and Islamic levels. We must spread the spirit of Jihad among the [Islamic] Umma, clash with the enemies and join the ranks of the Jihad fighters.

The 'ulama as well as educators and teachers, publicity and media men as well as the masses of the educated, and especially the youth and the elders of the Islamic Movements, must participate in this raising of consciousness. There is no escape from introducing fundamental changes in educational curricula in order to cleanse them from all vestiges of the ideological invasion which has been brought about by orientalists and missionaries.

That invasion had begun overtaking this area following the defeat of the Crusader armies by Salah a-Din el Ayyubi. The Crusaders had understood that they had no way to vanquish the Muslims unless they prepared the grounds for that with an ideological invasion which would confuse the thinking of Muslims, revile their heritage, discredit their ideals, to be followed by a military invasion. That was to be in preparation for the Imperialist invasion, as in fact [General] Allenby acknowledged it upon his entry to Jerusalem: "Now, the Crusades are over." General Gouraud stood on the tomb of Salah a-Din and declared: "We have returned, O Salah-a-Din!" Imperialism has been instrumental in boosting the ideological invasion and deepening its roots, and it is still pursuing this goal. All this had paved the way to the loss of Palestine. We must imprint on the minds of generations of Muslims that the Palestinian problem is a religious one, to be dealt with on this premise. It includes Islamic holy sites such as the Aqsa Mosque, which is inexorably linked to the Holy Mosque as long as the Heaven and earth will exist, to the journey of the Messenger of Allah, be Allah's peace and blessing upon him, to it, and to his ascension from it.

Dwelling one day in the Path of Allah is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. The place of the whip of one among you in Paradise is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. [God's] worshiper's going and coming in the Path of Allah is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. (Told by Bukhari, Muslim Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja)

I swear by that who holds in His Hands the Soul of Muhammad! I indeed wish to go to war for the sake of Allah! I will assault and kill, assault and kill, assault and kill. (told by Bukhari and Muslim).

Article Sixteen

We must accord the Islamic [young] generations in our area, an Islamic education based on the implementation of religious precepts, on the conscientious study of the Book of Allah; on the Study of the Prophetic Tradition, on the study of Islamic history and heritage from its reliable sources, under the guidance of experts and scientists, and on singling out the paths which constitute for the Muslims sound concepts of thinking and faith. It is also necessary to study conscientiously the enemy and its material and human potential; to detect its weak and strong spots, and to recognize the powers that support it and stand by it. At the same time, we must be aware of current events, follow the news and study the analyses and commentaries on it, together with drawing plans for the present and the future and examining every phenomenon, so that every Muslim, fighting Jihad, could live out his era aware of his objective, his goals, his way and the things happening round him.

O my dear son! Lo! though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Lo! Allah is subtle. Aware. O my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid inequity, and persevere, whatever may befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast heart of things. Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loves not braggarts and boasters. Sura XXXI (Luqman), verses 16-18

The Role of Muslim Women

Article Seventeen

The Muslim women have a no lesser role than that of men in the war of liberation; they manufacture men and play a great role in guiding and educating the [new] generation. The enemies have understood that role, therefore they realize that if they can guide and educate [the Muslim women] in a way that would distance them from Islam, they would have won that war. Therefore, you can see them making consistent efforts [in that direction] by way of publicity and movies, curricula of education and culture, using as their intermediaries their craftsmen who are part of the various Zionist Organizations which take on all sorts of names and shapes such as: the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, gangs of spies and the like. All of them are nests of saboteurs and sabotage.

Those Zionist organizations control vast material resources, which enable them to fulfill their mission amidst societies, with a view of implementing Zionist goals and sowing the concepts that can be of use to the enemy. Those organizations operate [in a situation] where Islam is absent from the arena and alienated from its people. Thus, the Muslims must fulfill their duty in confronting the schemes of those saboteurs. When Islam will retake possession of [the means to] guide the life [of the Muslims], it will wipe out those organizations which are the enemy of humanity and Islam.

Article Eighteen

The women in the house and the family of Jihad fighters, whether they are mothers or sisters, carry out the most important duty of caring for the home and raising the children upon the moral concepts and values which derive from Islam; and of educating their sons to observe the religious injunctions in preparation for the duty of Jihad awaiting them. Therefore, we must pay attention to the schools and curricula upon which Muslim girls are educated, so as to make them righteous mothers, who are conscious of their duties in the war of liberation. They must be fully capable of being aware and of grasping the ways to manage their households. Economy and avoiding waste in household expenditures are prerequisites to our ability to pursue our cause in the difficult circumstances surrounding us. Therefore let them remember at all times that money saved is equivalent to blood, which must be made to run in the veins in order to ensure the continuity of life of our young and old.

Lo, men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard [their modesty], and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. Sura 33 (Al-Ahzab, the Clans), verse 35

The Role of Islamic Art in the War of Liberation

Article Nineteen

Art has rules and criteria by which one can know whether it is Islamic or Jahiliyya art. The problems of Islamic liberation underlie the need for Islamic art which could lift the spirit, and instead of making one party triumph over the other, would lift up all parties in harmony and balance.

Man is a strange and miraculous being, made out of a handful of clay and a breath of soul; Islamic art is to address man on this basis, while Jahili art addresses the body and makes the element of clay paramount. So, books, articles, publications, religious exhortations, epistles, songs, poems, hymns, plays, and the like, if they possess the characteristics of Islamic art, have the requisites of ideological mobilization, of a continuous nurturing in the pursuance of the journey, and of relaxing the soul. The road is long and the suffering is great and the spirits are weary; it is Islamic art which renews the activity, revives the movement and arouses lofty concepts and sound planning. The soul cannot thrive, unless it knows how to contrive, unless it can transit from one situation to another. All this is a serious matter, no jesting. For the umma fighting its Jihad knows no jesting.

Social Solidarity

Article Twenty

Islamic society is one of solidarity. The Messenger of Allah, be Allah's prayer and peace upon him, said:

What a wonderful tribe were the Ash'aris! When they were overtaxed, either in their location or during their journeys, they would collect all their possessions, and then would divide them equally among themselves.

This is the Islamic spirit which ought to prevail in any Muslim society. A society which confronts a vicious, Nazi-like enemy, who does not differentiate between man and woman, elder and young ought to be the first to adorn itself with this Islamic spirit. Our enemy pursues the style of collective punishment of usurping people's countries and properties, of pursuing them into their exiles and places of assembly. It has resorted to breaking bones, opening fire on women and children and the old, with or without reason, and to setting up detention camps where thousands upon thousands are interned in inhuman conditions. In addition, it destroys houses, renders children orphans and issues oppressive judgements against thousands of young people who spend the best years of their youth in the darkness of prisons. The Nazism of the Jews does not skip women and children, it scares everyone. They make war against people's livelihood, plunder their moneys and threaten their honor. In their horrible actions they mistreat people like the most horrendous war criminals.

Exiling people from their country is another way of killing them. As we face this misconduct, we have no escape from establishing social solidarity among the people, from confronting the enemy as one solid body, so that if one organ is hurt the rest of the body will respond with alertness and fervor.

Article Twenty-One

Social solidarity consists of extending help to all the needy, both materially and morally, or assisting in the execution of certain actions. It is incumbent upon the members of the Hamas to look after the interests of the masses the way they would look after their own interests. They must spare no effort in the implementation and maintenance of those interests, and they must avoid playing with anything that might effect the future generations or cause damage to their society. For the masses are of them and for them, their strength is [ultimately] theirs and their future is theirs. The members of Hamas must share with the people its joys and sorrows, and adopt the demands of the people and anything likely to fulfill its interests and theirs. When this spirit reigns, congeniality will deepen, cooperation and compassion will prevail, unity will firm up, and the ranks will be strengthened in the confrontation with the enemy.

The Powers which Support the Enemy

Article Twenty-Two

The enemies have been scheming for a long time, and they have consolidated their schemes, in order to achieve what they have achieved. They took advantage of key elements in unfolding events, and accumulated a huge and influential material wealth which they put to the service of implementing their dream. This wealth [permitted them to] take over control of the world media such as news agencies, the press, publication houses, broadcasting and the like. [They also used this] wealth to stir revolutions in various parts of the globe in order to fulfill their interests and pick the fruits. They stood behind the French and the Communist Revolutions and behind most of the revolutions we hear about here and there. They also used the money to establish clandestine organizations which are spreading around the world, in order to destroy societies and carry out Zionist interests. Such organizations are: the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, B'nai B'rith and the like. All of them are destructive spying organizations. They also used the money to take over control of the Imperialist states and made them colonize many countries in order to exploit the wealth of those countries and spread their corruption therein.

As regards local and world wars, it has come to pass and no one objects, that they stood behind World War I, so as to wipe out the Islamic Caliphate. They collected material gains and took control of many sources of wealth. They obtained the Balfour Declaration and established the League of Nations in order to rule the world by means of that organization. They also stood behind World War II, where they collected immense benefits from trading with war materials and prepared for the establishment of their state. They inspired the establishment of the United Nations and the Security Council to replace the League of Nations, in order to rule the world by their intermediary. There was no war that broke out anywhere without their fingerprints on it:

...As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their efforts are for corruption in the land and Allah loves not corrupters. Sura V (Al-Ma'ida – the Tablespread), verse 64

The forces of Imperialism in both the Capitalist West and the Communist East support the enemy with all their might, in material and human terms, taking turns between themselves. When Islam appears, all the forces of Unbelief unite to confront it, because the Community of Unbelief is one.

Oh ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pain to ruin you. Hatred is revealed by [the utterance of] their mouth, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain for you the revelations if you will understand. Sura III, (Al-Imran), verse 118

It is not in vain that the verse ends with God's saying: "If you will understand."

PART IV

Our Position Vis-a-Vis the Islamic Movements

Article Twenty-Three

The Hamas views the other Islamic movements with respect and appreciation. Even when it differs from them in one aspect or another or on one concept or another, it agrees with them in other aspects and concepts. It reads those movements as included in the framework of striving [for the sake of Allah], as long as they hold sound intentions and abide by their devotion to Allah, and as along as their conduct remains within the perimeter of the Islamic circle. All the fighters of Jihad have their reward.

The Hamas regards those movements as its stock holders and asks Allah for guidance and integrity of conduct for all. It shall not fail to continue to raise the banner of unity and to exert efforts in order to implement it, [based] upon the [Holy] Book and the [Prophet's] Tradition.

And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, do not separate. And remember Allah's favor unto you how ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus Allah makes clear His revelations unto you, that happily ye may be guided. Sura III (Al-'Imran), verse 102

Article Twenty-Four

Hamas will not permit the slandering and defamation of individuals and groups, for the Believers are not slanderers and cursers. However, despite the need to differentiate between that and the positions and modes of conduct adopted by individuals and groups whenever the Hamas detects faulty positions and modes of conduct, it has the right to point to the mistake, to denigrate it, to act for spelling out the truth and for adopting it realistically in the context of a given problem. Wisdom is roaming around, and the Believer ought to grasp it wherever he can find it.

Allah loves not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who has been wronged. Allah is ever Hearer, Knower. If you do good openly or keep it secret, or give evil, lo! Allah is forgiving, powerful. Sura IV (Women), verses 147-148

The National (wataniyya) Movements in the Palestinian Arena

Article Twenty-Five

[Hamas] reciprocated its respect to them, appreciates their condition and the factors surrounding them and influencing them, and supports them firmly as long as they do not owe their loyalty to the Communist East or to the Crusader West. We reiterate to every one who is part of them or sympathizes with them that the Hamas is a movement of Jihad, or morality and consciousness in its concept of life. It moves forward with the others, abhors opportunism, and only wishes well to individuals and groups. It does not aspire to material gains, or to personal fame, nor does it solicit remuneration from the people. It sets out relying on its own material resources, and what is available to it, [as it is said] "afford them the power you can avail yourself of". [All that] in order to carry out its duty, to gain Allah's favor; it has no ambition other than that.

All the nationalist streams, operating in the Palestinian arena for the sake of the liberation of Palestine, may rest assured that they will definitely and resolutely get support and assistance, in speech and in action, at the present and in the future, [because Hamas aspires] to unite, not to divide; to safeguard, not to squander; to bring together, not to fragment. It values every kind word, every devoted effort and every commendable endeavor. It closes the door before marginal quarrels, it does not heed rumors and biased statements, and it is aware of the right of self-defense.

Anything that runs counter or contradicts this orientation is trumped up by the enemies or by those who run in their orbit in order to create confusion, to divide our ranks or to divert to marginal things.

O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did. Sura XLIX (al Hujurat, the Private Apartments), verse 6

Article Twenty-Six

The Hamas, while it views positively the Palestinian National Movements which do not owe their loyalty to the East or to the West, does not refrain from debating unfolding events regarding the Palestinian problem, on the local and international scenes.

These debates are realistic and expose the extent to which [these developments] go along with, or contradict, national interests as viewed from the Islamic vantage point.

The Palestine Liberation Organization

Article Twenty Seven

The PLO is among the closest to the Hamas, for it constitutes a father, a brother, a relative, a friend. Can a Muslim turn away from his father, his brother, his relative or his friend? Our homeland is one, our calamity is one, our destiny is one and our enemy is common to both of us. Under the influence of the circumstances which surrounded the founding of the PLO, and the ideological invasion which has swept the Arab world since the rout of the Crusades, and which has been reinforced by Orientalism and the Christian Mission, the PLO has adopted the idea of a Secular State, and so we think of it. Secular thought is diametrically opposed to religious thought. Thought is the basis for positions, for modes of conduct and for resolutions. Therefore, in spite of our appreciation for the PLO and its possible transformation in the future, and despite the fact that we do not denigrate its role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, we cannot substitute it for the Islamic nature of Palestine by adopting secular thought. For the Islamic nature of Palestine is part of our religion, and anyone who neglects his religion is bound to lose.

And who forsakes the religion of Abraham, save him who befools himself? Sura II (Al-Baqra – the Co), verse 130

When the PLO adopts Islam as the guideline for life, then we shall become its soldiers, the fuel of its fire which will burn the enemies. And until that happens, and we pray to Allah that it will happen soon, the position of the Hamas towards the PLO is one of a son towards his father, a brother towards his brother, and a relative towards his relative who suffers the other's pain when a thorn hits him, who supports the other in the confrontation with the enemies and who wishes him divine guidance and integrity of conduct.

Your brother, your brother! Whoever has no brother, is like a fighter who runs to the battle without weapons. A cousin for man is like the best wing, and no falcon can take off without wings.

Article Twenty-Eight

The Zionist invasion is a mischievous one. It does not hesitate to take any road, or to pursue all despicable and repulsive means to fulfill its desires. It relies to a great extent, for its meddling and spying activities, on the clandestine organizations which it has established, such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions, and other spying associations. All those secret organizations, some which are overt, act for the interests of Zionism and under its directions, strive to demolish societies, to destroy values, to wreck answerableness, to totter virtues and to wipe out Islam. It stands behind the diffusion of drugs and toxics of all kinds in order to facilitate its control and expansion.

The Arab states surrounding Israel are required to open their borders to the Jihad fighters, the sons of the Arab and Islamic peoples, to enable them to play their role and to join their efforts to those of their brothers among the Muslim Brothers in Palestine.

The other Arab and Islamic states are required, at the very least, to facilitate the movement of the Jihad fighters from and to them. We cannot fail to remind every Muslim that when the Jews occupied Holy Jerusalem in 1967 and stood at the doorstep of the Blessed Aqsa Mosque, they shouted with joy:

Muhammad is dead, he left daughters behind.

Israel, by virtue of its being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims.

Let the eyes of the cowards not fall asleep.

National and Religious Associations, Institutions, the Intelligentsia, and the Arab and Islamic Worlds

Article Twenty-Nine

Hamas hopes that those Associations will stand by it on all levels, will support it, adopt its positions, boost its activities and moves and encourage support for it, so as to render the Islamic peoples its backers and helpers, and its strategic depth in all human and material domains as well as in information, in time and space. Among other things, they hold solidarity meetings, issue explanatory publications, supportive articles and tendentious leaflets to make the masses aware of the Palestinian issue, the problems it faces and of the plans to resolve them; and to mobilize the Islamic peoples ideologically, educationally and culturally in order to fulfill their role in the crucial war of liberation, as they had played their role in the defeat of the Crusades and in the rout of the Tartars and had saved human civilization. How all that is dear to Allah!

Allah has decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and my messengers. Lo! Allah is strong, Almighty. Sura LVIII (Al-Mujadilah), verse 21

Article Thirty

Men of letters, members of the intelligentsia, media people, preachers, teachers and educators and all different sectors in the Arab and Islamic world, are all called upon to play their role and to carry out their duty in view of the wickedness of the Zionist invasion, of its penetration into many countries, and its control over material means and the media, with all the ramifications thereof in most countries of the world.

Jihad means not only carrying arms and denigrating the enemies. Uttering positive words, writing good articles and useful books, and lending support and assistance, all that too is Jihad in the path of Allah, as long as intentions are sincere to make Allah's banner supreme.

Those who prepare for a raid in the path of Allah are considered as if they participated themselves in the raid. Those who successfully rear a raider in their home, are considered as if they participated themselves in the raid. (Told by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)

The Members of Other Religions

The Hamas is a Humane Movement

Article Thirty-One

Hamas is a humane movement, which cares for human rights and is committed to the tolerance inherent in Islam as regards attitudes towards other religions. It is only hostile to those who are hostile towards it, or stand in its way in order to disturb its moves or to frustrate its efforts.

Under the shadow of Islam it is possible for the members of the three religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism to coexist in safety and security. Safety and security can only prevail under the shadow of Islam, and recent and ancient history is the best witness to that effect. The members of other religions must desist from struggling against Islam over sovereignty in this region. For if they were to gain the upper hand, fighting, torture and uprooting would follow; they would be fed up with each other, to say nothing of members of other religions. The past and the present are full of evidence to that effect.

They will not fight you in body safe in fortified villages or from behind wells. Their adversity among themselves is very great. Ye think of them as a whole whereas their hearts are diverse. That is because they are a folk who have no sense. Sura 59 (al-Hashr, the Exile), verse 14

Islam accords his rights to everyone who has rights and averts aggression against the rights of others. The Nazi Zionist practices against our people will not last the lifetime of their invasion, for "states built upon oppression last only one hour, states based upon justice will last until the hour of Resurrection."

Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your houses, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers. Sura 60 (Al-Mumtahana), verse 8

The Attempts to Isolate the Palestinian People

Article Thirty-Two

World Zionism and Imperialist forces have been attempting, with smart moves and considered planning, to push the Arab countries, one after another, out of the circle of conflict with Zionism, in order, ultimately, to isolate the Palestinian People.

Egypt has already been cast out of the conflict, to a very great extent through the treacherous Camp David Accords, and she has been trying to drag other countries into similar agreements in order to push them out of the circle of conflict.

Hamas is calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples to act seriously and tirelessly in order to frustrate that dreadful scheme and to make the masses aware of the danger of coping out of the circle of struggle with Zionism. Today it is Palestine and tomorrow it may be another country or other countries. For Zionist scheming has no end, and after Palestine they will covet expansion from the Nile to the Euphrates. Only when they have completed digesting the area on which they will have laid their hand, they will look forward to more expansion, etc. Their scheme has been laid out in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and their present [conduct] is the best proof of what is said there.

Leaving the circle of conflict with Israel is a major act of treason and it will bring curse on its perpetrators.

Who so on that day turns his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly has incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end. Sura 8 (al-Anfal – Spoils of War), verse 16

We have no escape from pooling together all the forces and energies to face this despicable Nazi-Tatar invasion. Otherwise we shall witness the loss of [our] countries, the uprooting of their inhabitants, the spreading of corruption on earth and the destruction of all religious values. Let everyone realize that he is accountable to Allah.

Whoever does a speck of good will bear [the consequences] and whoever does a speck of evil will see [the consequences].

Within the circle of the conflict with world Zionism, the Hamas regards itself the spearhead and the avant-garde. It joins its efforts to all those who are active on the Palestinian scene, but more steps need to be taken by the Arab and Islamic peoples and Islamic associations throughout the Arab and Islamic world in order to make possible the next round with the Jews, the merchants of war.

We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loves not corrupters. Sura V (Al-Ma'idah – the Table spread), verse 64

Article Thirty-Three

The Hamas sets out from these general concepts which are consistent and in accordance with the rules of the universe, and gushes forth in the river of Fate in its confrontation and Jihad waging against the enemies, in defense of the Muslim human being, of Islamic Civilization and of the Islamic Holy Places, primarily the Blessed Aqsa Mosque. This, for the purpose of calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples as well as their governments, popular and official associations, to fear Allah in their attitude towards and dealings with Hamas, and to be, in accordance with Allah's will, its supporters and partisans who extend assistance to it and provide it with reinforcement after reinforcement, until the Decree of Allah is fulfilled, the ranks are over-swollen, Jihad fighters join other Jihad fighters, and all this accumulation sets out from everywhere in the Islamic world, obeying the call of duty, and intoning "Come on, join Jihad!" This call will tear apart the clouds in the skies and it will continue to ring until liberation is completed, the invaders are vanquished and Allah's victory sets in.

Verily Allah helps one who helps Him. Lo! Allah is strong, Almighty. Sura XXII (Pilgrimage), verse 40

PART V – THE TESTIMONY OF HISTORY

Confronting Aggressors Throughout History

Article Thirty-Four

Palestine is the navel of earth, the convergence of continents, the object of greed for the greedy, since the dawn of history. The Prophet, may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him, points out to that fact in his noble hadith in which he implored his venerable Companion, Ma'adh ibn Jabl, saying:

O Ma'adh, Allah is going to grant you victory over Syria after me, from Al-Arish to the Euphrates, while its men, women, and female slaves will be dwelling there until the Day of Resurrection. Those of you who chose [to dwell in one of the plains of Syria or Palestine will be in a state of Jihad to the Day of Resurrection.

The greedy have coveted Palestine more than once and they raided it with armies in order to fulfill their covetousness.

Multitudes of Crusades descended on it, carrying their faith with them and waving their Cross. They were able to defeat the Muslims for a long time, and the Muslims were not able to redeem it until their sought the protection of their religious banner; then, they unified their forces, sang the praise of their God and set out for Jihad under the Command of Saladin al-Ayyubi, for the duration of nearly two decades, and then the obvious conquest took place when the Crusaders were defeated and Palestine was liberated.

Say (O Muhammad) unto those who disbelieve: ye shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell, an evil resting place. Sura III (Al-Imran), verse 12

This is the only way to liberation, there is no doubt in the testimony of history. That is one of the rules of the universe and one of the laws of existence. Only iron can blunt iron, only the true faith of Islam can vanquish their false and falsified faith. Faith can only be fought by faith. Ultimately, victory is reserved to the truth, and truth is victorious.

And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our Bordmen sent [to warn]. That they verily would be helped. And that Our host, they verily would be the victors. Sura 38 (Al-saffat), verses 171-3

Article Thirty-Five

Hamas takes a serious look at the defeat of the Crusades at the hand of Saladin the Ayyubid and the rescue of Palestine from their domination; at the defeat of the Tatars at Ein Jalut where their spine was broken by Qutuz and Al-Dhahir Baibars, and the Arab world was rescued from the sweep of the Tatars which ruined all aspects of human civilization. Hamas has learned from these lessons and examples, that the current Zionist invasion had been preceded by a Crusader invasion from the West; and another one, the Tatars, from the East. And exactly as the Muslims had faced those invasions and planned their removal and defeat, they are able to face the Zionist invasion and defeat it. This will not be difficult for Allah if our intentions are pure and our determination is sincere; if the Muslims draw useful lessons from the experiences of the past, and extricate themselves for the vestiges of the [western] ideological onslaught; and if they follow the traditions of Islam.

EPILOGUE

The Hamas are Soldiers

Article Thirty-Six

The Hamas, while breaking its path, reiterates time and again to all members of our people and the Arab and Islamic peoples, that it does not seek fame for itself nor material gains, or social status.

Nor is it directed against any one member of our people in order to compete with him or replace him. There is nothing of that at all.

It will never set out against any Muslims or against the non-Muslims who make peace with it, here or anywhere else. It will only be of help to all associations and organizations which act against the Zionist enemy and those who revolve in its orbit.

Hamas posits Islam as a way of life, it is its faith and its yardstick for judging. Whoever posits Islam as a way of life, anywhere, and regardless of whether it is an organization, a state, or any other group, Hamas are its soldiers, nothing else.

We implore Allah to guide us, to guide through us and to decide between us and our folk with truth.

Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our folk, for Thou are the best of those who make decisions. Sura VII (Al-A'raf – the Heights), verse 89

Our last call is: Thanks to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.

From Rafael Yisraeli, in Y. Alexander and H. Foxman, eds., The 1988-1989 Annual on Terrorism (The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers)

Bruce,
Thank you for the brief lecture on Constitutional law , the copy/paste edition, but you went on a tangent that really leaves me to believe either your a preacher or a poor misguided soul completely convinced that religion is the see all and be all of our existence. As Humans evolve so will us believing in super natural powers, astrology, etc...
Ever ask yourself why there is so much religion entrenched with in the Saudi govt?.. It is specifically the Wahabi sect of Islam that has made a behind the scenes "deal" with the monarch upon its establishment. The Wahabi will always contest the "inappropriate" actions of some royalty, but wont do anything, just like the saudi govt, wont do anything when the wahabi harbor international terrorist fugitives. Stalemate.
I do however find it interesting that you try and draw a comparison. I hope you are well read enough to know that when in a poor communities religion thrives quite well (all religions). In fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion. In fact 1/3 of the population is Muslim, including all sides of the spectrum. From radicals to the religious only by name.
Now understand this. Being the fastest growing religion. Do you really want it to spread to the desolate areas filling vacuums left by warfare, which is ideal for fundamentalist/radicals to thrive, or would you like it introduced to a community that have the option of cross referencing information and finding their own legitimate and logical interpretation of the religion. I am trying to put this argument in "crusade" context so that you will hopefully understand it.
I am sure for someone that obviously values siting sources you would appreciate the value of shared knowledge. How can someone dispute radical theory, when it is the only source of new information? How can you find new information when it is either destroyed or unattainable. Our concept of radical theory becomes ones understanding as world truth. (I am getting the impression you grew up in a small town by the way)
From what i now wrote, I do not believe that Islam is growing like what i have seemed to depict as a virus. That, i would classify religion as a whole. However I do believe that religion grows more rampantly in communities where information is censored/screened. Controlling the information a population can be exposed to, can manipulate and radicalize the population as a whole.
I think you have to stop and finally say to yourself, do i truly care about humanity. If you do, then start thinking of steps for a solution. In the end it is about education. Creating environments like Israel just did serves the radical minority. Radicals(Hamas) will be able to recruit much more efficiently, thus serving as a catalyst for misinformation,manipulation, and intimidation.
Education is the only way out.... .otherwise both lose!

I am not a Muslim, I have no issues with normal nonviolent human being of any religion. It is your Job to educate Muslims, It is the duty of these oil rich kingdoms to change the Islamic world however,many just want to hoard the wealth and spread wahabism. As I am well aware there is some type of religious battle between Iran and Saudi Arabia for who gets the title of the center of Islam. They will be in for a very rude awakening if it becomes a battle to harras the israelis like Iran is doing now. The Israel government pulled out of Gaza, dragged hundreds of thousands of there own citizens out of Gaza even in military battles and said here Palestinians this is a start. In return they received thousands of rockets fired into Israel and a promise from a fairly elected Meshaal to fight the Jews forever.Arafat walked out of Oslo most likely on Iranian request. The israelis trained Fata for gods sake!!!All this silly crap about who in Lebanon or who won in Gaza is just nonsense. In both these confrontations somewhere around 1-2 percent of the Israel military capacity was allocated.In Both lebanon and Gaza the israelis always notified residents to get out even by phone..They use this approach to allow these leaders to save face and the opening for dialog.Israel can completely level every Country on its borders in a few hours. On the other hand you had Hamas and hezbollah militants in some areas forcing there own citizens back into areas were leaflets have been dropped toget out.This is just sick!!!The kind of protests by both Israeli Arabs and jews in israel against the government durring this event if ocurring in Syria, Iran, or Saudi Arabia would of meant death, torture, or jail.The first country to allow a muslim women to vote in an election was israel (look it up).If Iran starts supplying material for long range rockets to Hamas and Hezbollah and they are used you will see a major escalation and an attack on Iran. Maybe Hamas and Hezbollah rather than build rockets should try to build something uselfull for export.

Mr. Anthony says get over it and move on? Get over the Palestinians slaughtered by cowards flying over the civilians and dropping bombs on them? This is ridiculous.

And as for other people's blogs talking about how the Jews are the chosen people and what not, they were chosen to safeguard the scriptures which they failed terribly at. They werent chosen to rule the world, or go to heaven automatically. And the Messiah wont come down and save them, especially the zionists. You dont save the oppressors. Its like saving a lion from eating a deer. It just makes no sense.

Last update – 16:21 25/01/2009

Hamas: No reconciliation with Fatah until it ends Israel peace talks

By News Agencies

Tags: hamas, israel news, IDF, gaza

Hamas: No reconciliation with Fatah until it ends Israel peace talks

A senior Hamas official on Sunday said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement must end peace negotiations with Israel before any reconciliation talks can take place.

The remarks by Osama Hamdan were bound to complicate Arab efforts to reconcile Hamas, which controls Gaza, and the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

Hamdan is Hamas' representative in Lebanon and is close to top Damascus-based political leader Khaled Meshal.
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Speaking at a rally in Beirut Sunday, Hamdan said Hamas welcomed Palestinian dialogue, but any reconciliation should be based on a resistance program to liberate territory and regain rights.

He also demanded that the PA end security coordination with Israel, and maintained that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had ended.

Earlier Sunday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that the Islamist militant group would not accept any mediated truce agreement with Israel in Gaza
Barhoum made the comments ahead of talks with Egyptian officials on means to reopen the Gaza border, largely closed since the group violently took over Gaza in June 2007.

The issue of the crossings is key to preserving the cease-fire declared after Israel's 3-week offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Israel, the United States and Egypt are trying to work out security arrangements to ensure Hamas does not smuggle weapons into the strip before any opening.

Another Hamas spokesman, Ayman Taha, told London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper Saturday that his group wants European Union and Turkish troops to patrol Gaza's border crossings with Israel.

"We reject an open-ended cease-fire, but temporary calm with guarantees can be discussed," he also said, without specifying how long.

A low-level delegation from Hamas' rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' West Bank-based government, is also in Cairo for talks, but is not expected to meet with the Hamas envoys.

Asharq Al-Awsat also reported Saturday that Hamas had suggested representatives of the Palestinian Authority be stationed at the Rafah crossing, but that they be residents of Gaza, not the West Bank.

Israel has been allowing some supply convoys into Gaza, though its borders remain largely closed. The Israel Defense Forces says more than 125 trucks a day – on some days nearly 200 – have entered Gaza since fighting ended on January 17th, but aid workers say the numbers are not enough.

Wow
First you do realize you just categorically refused , if given the option, to educate 1/3 of the worlds population. Deeming it "my "responsibility (I am not religious by the way, I feel it divides people rather that brings them together).
Second, evidently you feel that because there are monarchs or dictatorships, in surrounding countries, that are becoming increasingly wealthy from the consumption of natural resources or other commodities they provide, not even distributing the wealth. In turn, driving the wedge between the lower and upper class even further apart in their own states. Not to mention trying to play a "tug-o-war' with the religious fanaticism increasing in the aftermath of this economic policy failure. After managing to run their own countries so "effectively" ,(that was sarcasm) you think that it is the "responsibility" of these backwards monarchs/dictatorships to provide an avenue to be able to "educate" properly the 1/3 of the population that you deemed, ignorant to proper government, policy. Or better yet, how about educating the area where the largest concentration of people live, in ghettos/slums, because the monarch/dictator obviously cares and can sympathize. hmmmmm I disagree. (By the way Saudia Arabia, is not the center of Islam. A pilgrimage required by each happens to reside with in its territory. The Saudi Nationals aren't particularly kind to outsiders, leaving a bad taste with the international Muslim community.(fyi)
Third, The Israeli govt. should stop increasing their settlements. Notice the word "Settlement" when that word exists next to "Occupied territories" usually leads someone to understand "Imperialist power". Its just and equation that makes sense when applying simple common sense. It has been long disputed by Hamas and Israel over the so called pre 1967 borders. Depending on what the agreements may hopefully be, the citizens should abide by the terms agreed upon by their respective governments.
Fourth, you mentioned that the IDF notified residence to get out of areas that were potential targets. One being a designated refuge site, that was hit by air to surface missiles only moments later. Then you mention saving face, have no idea why that existed in your paragraph.
Fifth, Then you talk about leveling everything around its borders? Really, how old are you?
Sixth, Again you mention Hamas as a crooked and corrupt organization. I dont dispute that one bit. Hezballah a like, would love to continue manufacturing more rockets and ammunition, for their survival depends on it, just like praying on the younger community left devastated by attacks like the last one. People left with no direction, and a chip on their shoulder looking for instant gratification. Any radical organization preys on people like this, and Thanks to Israel now they can have a buffet to pick from.
Seventh, Yes I agree, I think the Israeli govt. is more advanced, however the recent developments have convinced me otherwise. I gave Israel way too much credit.
btw, dont ask me to look up anything. I look up everything. I am a researcher by profession, and have lost the will to argue with someone whom wont give me that same respect.
I say that because Lastly, Iran has supplied both parties for a loooooooooooong time now. Look it up!
I hope i have educated some of you, with new information. If i have served no value in your quest for new information I beg your pardon for wasting your time. Whether I have or have not, I leave you with, "dig deeper" The truth is always below the surface. If you watch your 5-30 min of headline news a day, it does not make you a subject matter expert. It also makes if hard for people to converse with you, especially if they have researched this information for years. They find themselves having to quote the same news outlets/agencies just to be able to engage in a proper conversation, cause that is the limit of your capacity. If you dont know please ask, things will go so much faster.
thank you

Bruce, you must have the same gene as Hitler and Osama Bin Laden. The gene that harbours so much "HATE".

More nonsense. Same trap. thousands of years before Muhammed was even born Israel was the land of The Jews. The fact that there is all this bla,bla, about Hamas's rights to shoot unending rockets into Israel shows where the problem is and how simple you average human being is. Once again, 1/3 of the voting public of Israel is not Jewish. And the Key word is voting .When talking about self determination of people unless they elect the people who govern them they do not have self determination.In the Middle East anwhere other than Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, or israel there isnt a voting public therefore no self determination.All these dictators use Israel as a diversion to keep themselves in power and all the neurosynaptically challenged fall for it. In almost all of the Islamic world most nonmuslims have been persecuted till they left. The Iranian Government is now going after the Bahai's in Iran.Genocide, ethnic cleansing whatever you want to call it .These people have caused no harm to anyone.Is this on the UN agenda??? Is there a big uproar about the ethnic cleansing of the Bahai's in Iran?? Anything in the news??CNN. Aljazeera, MSNBC?? Where are the big protest about the Iranian Government rounding up and jailing of the Bahai's?? Pope say anything?? Any protests in the Muslim community?? Europe??Nope, Where is all the focus Its all about them evil jews.

People keep ignoring my plead to leave religion out of this, discussion of such leads to no answer. Oh well, those that blame Israel and jews for the missery of palestinians, why don't give the books of history a visit? The two state solution was given to the palestinians a long time, as a matter of fact, it was when Israel was created. The territory was split into two states Israel and Jordan! Just as many people used to live in Jordan as they do in Israel. Nevertheless, King Hussein in Jordan got tired of all the violence sponsored by palestinian groups (fatah and others). In what is now known as 'Black September' the Jordanian army killed thousands (palestinians claim it was 20,000) of palestinians. Only to later expel the Palestinian authority out of Jordan. No one critizices Jordan for this, if Israel were to do this it would be called genocide. The palestinian authority was later expelled from the Lebanon for similar reasons.
I am not saying Israel should just bomb gaza, I believe sacrifice on both sides leading to peace is the only answer to the problem. However, it seems cinical to criticize Israel from attacking extremists in Gaza (with civilian casualties unfortunately) while at the same time no one cares to point the finger at the palestinians "muslim brothers". Of course it is always the blood thirsty jews who commit crimes against humanity, right? I don't seem to hear anyone asking for an investigation of Hamas' actions and proper punishment.
This insane bias is the exact reason why peace has not been attained in the region. The palestinian's worst enemy is not Israel but their own elected leaders, Hamas.
Again only sacrifice from both sides will lead to peace. Supporting extremists will never help the palestinian cause.

Wow. It took me only 30 or so comment to comprehend how... uneducated the average CNN reader is.

The major problem I have with what I have read is the definition of the word 'terrorist.'

A terrorist is not a bad person, by nature. A freedom fighter, to use a colloquial term, is generally a terrorist. A terrorist can have any agenda, so long as they fight by inspiring TERROR among their foes. So, yes. If America was invaded, and our people fought back, they probably would be terrorists.

Secondly, HAMAS is full of cowards. They are smart, but they are cowards. They have no chance of harming, let alone defeating, the forces of Israel. Thus, they have to cower in fear, and shoot rockets. A smart, AND cowardly plan.

And, to stress a point, anyone who refers to either Islam or Judaism as a 'terrorist religion' or any other generalizing, slanderous term, is either an ignorant, unthinking, or bitter person, if not a mix of the three. No religion supports violence. Violence is despised by all religions, yet used under the guise of it by those with unholy goals, or for self-defense. In all religions, there are pacifists. In all religions, there are those who understand that a big stick shall always triumph over the man speaking softly.

On another note, this has nothing to do with religion. This is about a battle between two forces, not two beliefs. Those dragging religion into it are merely supporting a lackluster argument with pleas to an old or new prejudice.

Finally, no one won this war. No one has ever won a war. War is, in the end, merely about making the other side lose the most. The bigger loser was Hamas. No thinking person believes they only lost 50 warriors; I wouldn't be surprised if they lost 500.

Sheila,

Two states WERE created by the UN in 1947 but the Palestinians rejected the Partition Plan and all the Arab States and the Palestinian leadership declared war on the Jews. The reason only one state exists today is because the Palestinian leadership has never wanted two peaceful states living side by side. There has yet to be a Palestinian leadership that has not declared that they will liberate "all of Palestine".

Finally, someone gets it...JS, for example.

Everything flows from 1948 (or perhaps from whenever the Ottomans conquered Palestine), just as everything in Ireland flowed from 1609, in Bosnia/Serbia from 1398(?)....but what does history/religion really have to do with this?

The ability to forget history and look to the future has been missing from the Palestinian side since 1948...meaning no country in 1948, no Oslo accord, nothing but suffering for people.

It is not Hamas or PLO or Israel or the Irgun or the British or Olmert or Bush or...whomever, that are at fault here.

The malaise that infects the Palestinians is the core issue and until that is solved there will be no peace.

JS please read "An Unnecessary War" according to former president Jimmy Carter(and advisors) you are wrong in your assessment. I will not go into it further until you read it.
Comrade you are right religion should have no bearing when measuring who won or lost this recent exchange of fire. However I would say even further by your measure of the term terrorist, that Hamas and the Iraeli IDF are both terrorizing each others civilian population and should both be judged.
Comrade I would also like to add, as well. Both institutions have won the civilian population has lost... By losing 50 or 500 fighters (it doesn't matter) they have recruited 10 times as much from the repercussion of the incursion. Remember Hamas started as a small organization. It gathers its momentum for a reason.
Who cares what side claims what, when it comes to their fighter casualty. The civilians are the ones we should direct our attention too.
Mohammed bravo

Paula Hancocks I am sure you got the attention you were hoping for with this column. Next time could you please publish something a little less patronizing. Challenge us, dont throw the figurative "meat" between hungry "animals" . I (We) are looking for something that would truly invoke thought and exchange of knowledge from one writer to another. This did nothing but give an avenue for people to vent about tangent topics. thank you

Cuba launches 20 rockets one day, thirty another , 10 the next, 2 another day; takes break. Then 15, celebrates a big day with 40 all in one day. They all land in Florida, and a few die here and there but not too many; maybe 10 0r twelve a year on average. What would the US do?