Gaza again

[Hooahguy]

Sorry Hooah I could have sworn they claimed mission accomplished last time.
Perhaps that indicates that bombing the hell out of people doesn't get the required result.

well, what do you suggest?

[LittleGrizzly]

well, what do you suggest?

Perhaps abondining a useless and counter productive strategy (kill them all) and adopt a useful and proven strategy (hearts and minds)

[Idaho]

well, what do you suggest?

How about something really mind blowing and radical. Something like having a viable nation that isn't blockaded, doesn't have it's infrastructure repeatedly destroyed, and who's citizens are free to travel and meet family members? I realise this is pure pie in the sky stuff

[Crazed Rabbit]

How about something really mind blowing and radical. Something like having a viable nation that isn't blockaded, doesn't have it's infrastructure repeatedly destroyed, and who's citizens are free to travel and meet family members? I realise this is pure pie in the sky stuff

Yeah, because Hamas would still be trying to kill Israelis, and there'd still be chumps defending them.

And iIsrael claims they actually achieved something with all the violence

What has Hamas achieved with any of the violence they began? The people they rule over like dictators - are they better off?

CR

[Idaho]

Yeah, because Hamas would still be trying to kill Israelis, and there'd still be chumps defending them.

Israel and the US say:

"The Palestinians are natural terrorists who will kill us all, don't talk to them or negotiate"

The rest of the world says:

"No they aren't, stop bombing, blockading and stealing their land, and talk"

[HoreTore]

Israel and the US say:

"The Palestinians are natural terrorists who will kill us all, don't talk to them or negotiate"

The rest of the world says:

"No they aren't, stop bombing, blockading and stealing their land, and talk"

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. " - Nelson Mandela

[Hooahguy]

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. " - Nelson Mandela

but it has to be done peacefully. if the palestinians REALLY wanted peace, they would stop launching rockets.
no point in trying to befriend your enemy if they will just stab you in the back a bit down the road.

[Strike For The South]

Israel and the US say:

"The Palestinians are natural terrorists who will kill us all, don't talk to them or negotiate"

The rest of the world says:

"No they aren't, stop bombing, blockading and stealing their land, and talk"

The rest of the world doesn't say that. I'm sure we still have some sway in Latin America or Africa.

Hamas has stated there goal many times. The populace is indoctrinated by imams who demand the killing of the jew.

I do not agree with everything Israel does. But the Palestinians need to be more pragmatic about this whole thing. Sure playing god fearing martyr is cute and makes good press for the bleeding hearts but it doesn't get jack dandy done.

There are arabs who live peacefully in Israel. It doesn't work the other way around thats the most telling thing.

[Tribesman]

well, what do you suggest?

Wow thats a hard one .
I really am going to have to stretch the brain cells on such a hard question .
So lets see errrrr....bombing
Damn , that doesn't work does it .
errrrr....unilateral declarations and unnegotiated actions
Damn that don't work either .
Errrr...hold on there must be something , some wierd concept that just seems to elude me at the moment , I am sure if I really push I will be able to think of it eventually .
errrrr....hey I know, its a really radical concept , such a strange concept that it really is out of this world so its not surprising people havn't considered it before .....but perhaps you know that outlandish thing called diplomacy where groups actually talk to each other might be an idea .

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Wow thats a hard one .
I really am going to have to stretch the brain cells on such a hard question .
So lets see errrrr....bombing
Damn , that doesn't work does it .
errrrr....unilateral declarations and unnegotiated actions
Damn that don't work either .
Errrr...hold on there must be something , some wierd concept that just seems to elude me at the moment , I am sure if I really push I will be able to think of it eventually .
errrrr....hey I know, its a really radical concept , such a strange concept that it really is out of this world so its not surprising people havn't considered it before .....but perhaps you know that outlandish thing called diplomacy where groups actually talk to each other might be an idea .

Tribes:

As you are well aware, "diplomacy" is a pretty general answer. I think Hooah was also asking for your suggestions on how/if to respond the violence and what kind of framework would be necessary --in your opinion -- for a negotiated deal.

[Tribesman]

Well lets see Seamus , how best to stop the rockets ?
Thats a hard one isn't it , lets think for a moment .
Didn't some people say they wouldn't fire rockets if the border crossings were opened ?
So I suppose a really crazy idea would be to open the border crossings and see if the rockets stopped .

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Well lets see Seamus , how best to stop the rockets ?
Thats a hard one isn't it , lets think for a moment .
Didn't some people say they wouldn't fire rockets if the border crossings were opened ?
So I suppose a really crazy idea would be to open the border crossings and see if the rockets stopped .

Okay, that's one point. How about the general response to violence? How about when some idiot, probably unsanctioned even by Hamas, launches a rocket anyway since the last time "worked." You've answered in the specific, but there is a larger concern you do not directly address.

[Husar]

Okay, that's one point. How about the general response to violence? How about when some idiot, probably unsanctioned even by Hamas, launches a rocket anyway since the last time "worked." You've answered in the specific, but there is a larger concern you do not directly address.

Call it a tragedy, tell the Palestinians that you won't bomb them for what he did. If you know more, ask the Palestinian authorities for help in the investigation. I mean generally what the US would do if someone from Canada came and made a chainsaw massacre in Illinois.
Haven't heard of many Canadians yet who think the US should be driven into the sea so maybe they kind of work together.

So what should the Palestinians do when a bunch of settlers come with Uzis, build houses on their land and have their kids throw stones at Palestinian kids?

[Don Corleone]

So, Hamas actually violates the cease-fire and fires two rockets and more than half the respondents in this thread are okay with that.

Israel threatens a response, and that's enough to evoke condemnation from the same crowd.

And yet you all insist that you don't take sides. Fascinating case study in self-delusion and the affects of rancor.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Well lets see Seamus , how best to stop the rockets ?
Thats a hard one isn't it , lets think for a moment .
Didn't some people say they wouldn't fire rockets if the border crossings were opened ?
So I suppose a really crazy idea would be to open the border crossings and see if the rockets stopped .

And If they Don't, what then Tribes? Leave them open right? Because we can't block them in, god forbid! We must open the borders so weapons can be smuggled in! Great Idea!