Should Israel be Criticized for Bombarding Gaza?

US lawmakers and pundits take sides

US lawmakers have passed a unanimous resolution in Israel's support and strongly criticized Hamas. A bipartisan statement by senators from both parties expressed "solidarity with Israel during this deeply challenging period," and denounced "the reprehensible and indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hamas and Islamic Jihad against innocent Israeli citizens."

All sides share some blame, says Leslie Gelb in the Daily Beast. But he primarily faults Hamas for pelting Israel with rockets all year. Hamas has claimed credit for all of the rockets, even if they didn't fire them, and in the process did a great disservice to their people.

However, Glenn Greenwald argues that regardless of the rockets, the US media should condemn "Israeli lawlessness and aggression." He hammers American news sources imbalance, when "every primitive rocket that falls harmlessly near Israeli soil is trumpeted with screaming headlines while the carnage and terror in Gaza is mentioned, if at all, as an afterthought."

Since the beginning of Israel's "Operation Pillar of Defense," 35 Palestinians have been killed, including civilians, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Three Israeli civilians have been killed in a rocket attack on Friday, the same source reports, and Palestinian militants have fired 797 rockets into Israel during 2012, according to the Atlantic.

The civilian death toll in the past week is much lower than in the last Israeli-Gazan conflict, Operation Cast Lead in 2008-09. Then, 13 Israelis and 1166 Palestinians were killed, including 709 Palestinian civilians, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Via Robert Wright at the Atlantic, Glenn Greenwald at the Guardian. and Leslie Gelb at the Daily Beast.

What's your stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict?

[Petergriffin]

I will always side with Israel! IMPEACH OBAMA!!!

[Zoe2012]

Common sense, who started it? Israel should respond and respond with full force to stop this terrorism. As far as impeach Obama, sure!

[Petergriffin]

@MBernard I gave an answer to the question about israel. As far as Obama, have you already forgotten about benghazi?

[IraqWarVeteran]

@Zoe2012
http://antiwar.com/blog/2012/11/11/israels-la...

[blue_yahoo]

Israel was and has been bombed shot at and threatened for decades. They are geographically surrounded by their enemies. Hamas, who rules the Gaza strip has threatened to wipe them off the face of the earth and started this latest outburst of combat. Israel drew a line and Hamas crossed it ie the bombing of Tel aviv. So with all this in consideration, isn't this about the stupidest question Politix has asked lately.

[Jim49418]

Agreed, Israel has every right to defend itself. Why should they be criticized?
Just another, in a long list of stupid questions from Politix.

[ded]

How can it be a stupid question if it is being actively debated by intelligent people across the planet?

[blue_yahoo]

@ded Why are intelligent people debating if a country has the right to defend it's self?

[DyingBreed]

Contrary to popular belief, Israel is largely secular and non-religious. This is about territory and old grudges.

[twinertia]

The problem there is that Hamas IS religious, with a worldwide Islamic empire as its goal. Israel is just another rock to be crushed beneath the machinery (something the hyper-religious United States has spent billions to keep from happening). To think that religion isn't the driver here is what'll keep it all going (as it has for thousands of years).

[DyingBreed]

@twinertia So you suggest the U.S. let Israel be crushed?

[twinertia]

All academic, now; we've given Israel plenty of nukes, so a crushing won't be happening anytime soon (until Iran sells its nuke-making knowledge). Israel is only special to U.S. interests because of "end times" fairytales; how else to explain why we've sat by and let other countries crater and die?

[ded]

Out of the comments so far this is the closest to one I agree with! It's pretty sad that the site is so dominated by right-wing pro-Israel hawks that a call to nuke the Middle East is the comment I most agree with. But yeah, Islam is stupid and any person that has had a decent education and still follows Islam is stupid. And the same for Jews and Christians.

[hankf68]

Both sides are wrong. This is about the elections coming up in January, the current war mongers in power want to win re-election, so, they start this newest shit, it's ok, I guess for Israel to bomb the hell out of them, civilians too, but when Hamas shoots missiles back at them (yes, Israel's missiles come from their capital also), it's condemn and dehumanize the Palestinian's, it's a huge double standard. We should force Israel to make peace and move forward to solve our worlds more pressing problem's, otherwise, we will never advance and get past violence and war.

[Thunderchicken]

Should Israel be Criticized for defending itself by Bombarding Gaza?

FTFY and no. Israel has shown great restraint with the Palestinians. The Palestinians on the other hand have shown nothing but aggression. IMO Israel would be right to take Gaza.

[ded]

Palestinians are treated cruelly and humiliated by Israel. If they approach a checkpoint in the wrong way they are shot dead. It's hardly surprising that the Palestinians want to attack their oppressors: you would if you were in their position. Meting out violent punishment every few years is not a solution. If Israel really wants peace, then they need to do things that make them hated less by Palestinians and hated less by thoughtful people across the world.

[Thunderchicken]

@ded

Oppressors? That's a good one. You may wish to read the history of the region.

[ded]

@Thunderchicken Huh? I'm talking out now and in recent decades. Would you like to explain how, now, Palestinians in the occupied territories are not oppressed?

[Thunderchicken]

@ded

Recent as in WW II? Google the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during that time.

[Nickthefiddler]

@Thunderchicken The stern gang were trained by the SS in Poland So don't talk to us about second war. The British know all about Jewish terror gangs I know all about the fact that more British soldiers were killed by Jewish Terrorists than all the conflicts the British have been involved in since. We the British shouldn't have been there either but the Jews had no more right to live in the land of Palestine than us. The Zionists imposed their will on Palestine through violence and terror. The land of Palestine was occupied and annexed by the UN with the support of the West. But it was not their land to give. The Palestinians were robbed of their land.

[S-N-A-F-U]

After having 200 missiles raining down on Israeli towns and villages, they should roll-over and play dead to placate the thumb-sucking, bed wetting liberals in the USofA, no?

[Eliahu]

Well said S N A F U, except for the denigrating of all liberals. Liberals in a liberal society tend to go soft and over run with all manner of growing things.

[ded]

Ooh a few little home-made rockets! WTF Israel doesn't know what suffering is. They killed 1400 people in Gaza last time. The Palestinians killed 13 Israelis. No one should care about the Israeli suffering, it's not on the same magnitude.

[marine1]

If i were calling the shots, gaza would now be crater hole in the earth.

[S-N-A-F-U]

@ded

FYI, there not home made rockets - there much more sophisticated than before, more likely supplied by Iran via N. Korea.

Furthermore, Israel has bent over backwards in the attempt to bring peace to the region - in-spite of the fact that these miscreants from the past want no peace with Israel, but want them dead, period! Israel made the mistake of given the Gaza strip to the Palestine's in the effort to extend the olive branch, and that was a mistake..

Of course the Jews killed more of the enemy then the enemy killed Israelis, because their more determined in protecting their nation from these 16th century neanderthals that "live by the sword", and sworn to "kill ALL infidels." Just as Syria and Egypt intended to do when they took on Israel and got their collective butts kicked big time. They don't want peace, but to drive the Jews from their natural homeland.

Those ancient lands belong to the Jews! The Land of Canaan, renamed Israel by the Lord, was given by God to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession.
In Genesis 12:7, we read: "The Lord appeared to Abram and said,'To your descendants I will give this land.'"

In Genesis 13:15, He repeated His promise when He said, "for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever." He said the same thing in Genesis 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land."

.....And not to a bunch of disgruntled Nomads.

[ded]

@S-N-A-F-U Perhaps you should try a google images search for "al-dalou children" to remind yourself what your 16th century Neanderthals look like.

If you start talking about how X land belongs to Y people because of something written in some 2000 yr old book, and saying that that is somehow relevant, then all you achieve is a public admission that you are clinically insane.

[EL_Guapo]

two words, "Iron Dome". Israel's citizens are hardly in any danger. If Hamas shoots 1000 missiles, they might as well be counted as 2. Aside from costing $25,000.00 per, Netanyahu is just insuring his efforts to block the UN from recognizing Palestine as a partial member. Eventually, Palestine will be recognized as a state.

[mimi57]

Israel has to do whatever it needs to do to protect itself from the evil that wants it and the U.S. destroyed and wiped off the map...The same people who bombed our WTC are the same people who want to kill all Israeli's
and Americans. Israel has never been defeated as of yet, and has the protection of God.. I believe in Israel, I
believe in God, and the USA. Peace to Israel!

[Thegrif]

!@Nickthefiddler
not smug at all. I am trained, skilled and prepared, and I know chance favors the prepared. America backs Israel, and so do I, to the end. If they "throw themselves", then dying for their cause is exactly what will happen. A people supporting terrorist, strapping bombs to children, will find no fear here. Terrorist base everything on sneaky, weak ass little attacks, hoping to strike fear in to their enemies. I see no reason to fear what America could easily completely erase all existance of, should we choose.
F.E.A.R= False Evidence Appearing Real
Terrorist believe their own hype.
If you support, or are, or hide, or aide terrorist in any way, then you are a terrorist, and must be disposed of.
I was simply pointing out that my opinion is, it is not wise to drag America in your mess, but if we must be involved, then we need ti completely eliminate the threat.
Terror and fear tactics are fir children.
Shock and awe is how big boys play.

[Thegrif]

Have a good one goin in "America takes a hands off approach in Gaza

[ded]

I've replied to some other comments. You are not worth replying to.

[HughAkston]

I remember the terrorist attacks of September 11. I also remember that on that terrible day, it was the Palestinians that were shooting rifles in the air, giving candy to their children, and celebrating this country's anguish. I'll never forgot that video footage. It's burned into my mind forever. That being said, I don't care what happens to the Palestinians. If Israel incinerates Gaza ...... fine by me. In fact, I'll celebrate in their misery just as they celebrated in ours. I have not one milligram of sympathy for the Palestinians.

[ded]

The Palestinians hate America because America supports the country that denies them freedom. If Americans had their freedom taken away like that they would fight. Why shouldn't the Palestinians? Anyway, America has killed many 10s of thousands of innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 on which 3000 innocent people were killed, so it's no good appealing to 9/11 as a reason to sympathize with the USA/Israel.

[HughAkston]

@ded 3,000 dead Americans is a good enough reason for me. Of course I can't tell you what to do. If you choose to love and admire a group of people whose sole purpose in life is to kill Jews and Americans, then that's your affair. I choose differently.

[ded]

@HughAkston If America were occupied by Martians, and no American had freedom to move between different bits of the country, or freedom to develop their careers, or freedom to get a good education, and if many thousands of Americans had been killed by the Martian invaders, and if many Americans knew personally a killed American, then wouldn't Americans be pretty much devoted to killing Martians for as long as the occupation lasted?

[HughAkston]

@ded Bye Bye Ded ...... say Hi to the Martians for me......Bye Bye

[ded]

@HughAkston Well I can see from your other posts that that was anomalously unintelligent so I'll reply anyway. You know I'm probably with you that left-leaning politics leads to mediocrity. You shouldn't think I'm some kind of bleeding-heart socialist just because I dislike Israel. Mine was an honest question: why would we expect or demand behavior from a group of people any different from the behavior that we would exhibit were we that group of people?

[David944]

I will stand with Israel, the Jews wont demand I convert to Judaism or die.

[Cool_voter]

Who cares?!
We aren't Israel. We have enough on our plate to police the globe. Tbh, they kinda stir the poop on both sides of the pot over there, why bother..

[Rocker]

As on 7:50 a.m. I have to say every poster is correct. I have to support Israel (without US boots on the ground). Israel's location and predicament is roughly akin to our military base in Cuba - surrounded by opponents.
For the folks who are concerned about civilian casualities, neither side seems to have much scruples in targeting the cities. Israel says they give warning however (as we are told). Hamas is not beneath practicing pussy warfare by intentionally hiding in their own population it appears.
Even if it was a 'toss-up', I'd go with the one that didn't use human shields. There's just something in that that goes contrary to my human nature.

[Antiecm]

No, Israel has told them to leave its lands. Now is the time to bomb them into submission and shoot the survivors one at a time until they are all gone.

[FFX_VA]

The pattern continues, Hamas arms themselves to the teeth and builds networks of tunnels & underground launch sites, Israel reaches a breaking point and acts to destroy the weapons, tunnels, launch sites, and takes out a few militant leaders (and their personal property/wealth while they're at it). Peace will come again, then it will repeat in a few years.

The winners of course are the arms dealers & manufacturers, and reconstruction companies. Hell of a business model.

Although, a lot fewer civilian casualties this round thanks to technology. USA Today has a good article on it. "New weapons alter Mideast battle zone"

http://usat.ly/SCkmJl

[Cheenoguy]

Israel commits more war crimes then any other country yet our leaders blindly support them because a vocal minority thinks Jesus will spank is if we don't.

[FFX_VA]

Our leaders are elected and the President sets foreign policy with advice from the Congress. So who did you vote for for president?

[artjeb]

Remember OBAMA'S words ??
When the winds blow towards the muslims I WILL SIDE WITH THEM
There ya go fella

[SmedleyButler]

Yes they should, what do you expect from inmates in a concentration camp do? If I watching my kids starve to death, no medicine. I would come to a point of " do I die on my knees, or my feet". You so called Christian and jew, neo-con, armchair warriors never served and too easily call for an extermination of human beings. When our Zionist leaders have sucked the life out of us, and killed off our conscripted kids, you will join them in hell. We're being governed by Moloch worshiping, psychopathic oligarchy . Now, I'm sure the IDF's Blog squad will be on me like ugly on a gorilla.

[Denizen_Kate]

" ... like ugly on a gorilla." Before they delete that, I want to thank you for it.:) While I don't agree with you entirely, I must say "nice rant."

[LucyJ]

They should not be criticized,period. Israel has ever right to protect themselves.... To bad Gaza is so close and they can't just make glass!

[FFX_VA]

Absolutely Israel has the right to defend itself, and they do a very good job of it, but don't forget being born a Palestine in Gaza does not make you a bad person or terrorist. There are decent hard working people in Gaza trapped by circumstance. Israel is focused on the militant threat created by Hamas and others, not the people of Gaza. We don't want everyone turned to glass, just the direct threats.

BTW, Israel will make Egypt the hero peace broker in this, it's good politics ;)

[LucyJ]

@FFX_VA you are right. The innocent should be saved....

[artjeb]

YRS ago the isrealies went to war & ended up at EGYPT.
They won the whole area & then retreated back for miles.
Then came the palastinians looking for homeland
Isreal gave in & allowed them GAZA.
The hammas brought trouble with them with the intention of completly eliminating the jews.
The jews should go all out & eliminate the palistinians.