News
Protest Gone Wrong: Gaza Display Ruined
February 10, 2009 - 12:00am
Less than half a day after members of Cornell community peppered the Arts Quad with flags and signs protesting the war in Gaza, those same signs lay in a heap inside the Green Dragon Café. Around 2 p.m., as the 1,300 black flags — signifying each Palestinian and Israeli who died in the attacks — blew in the February breeze, the accompanying signs were destroyed, stolen and discarded.
The signs, which contained quotes from Amnesty International and the United Nations, were meant to inform students about the attacks in Gaza. The exhibit coincided with a fundraiser organized by the Islamic Alliance for Justice, a group that seeks to raise awareness of local and global current events while giving voice to the Muslim community. The IAJ distributed quartercards to raise funds for Mercy Corp, an international humanitarian aid organization.
Signs of protest: Black flags and explanatory signs denouncing the violence in Gaza line the pathway on the Arts Quad yesterday morning. The signs were later destroyed.
“There’s not much dialogue on campus,” said Khullat Munir ‘09, outgoing president of the IAJ and one of the organizers of the Arts Quad display. “We wanted to get out awareness.”
Tara Malik ’10, current president of the IAJ and an organizer of the display, added that the protest was meant to spur debate about the issues surrounding the Gaza conflict.
Meda Simaika ’09, an acquaintance of members of the IAJ, saw multiple perpetrators removing the signs from the ground outside Olin Library. She urged them stop as they dismantled the display, stomped on the signs and ripped them.
“There was a lot of physical aggression and personal angst,” she said. “It was very aggressive ... these people were so against the truth, so closed-minded. We were very disheartened.”
Cornell Police arrived once the signs had been ripped out of the ground, but were unable to apprehend anyone involved with their removal. Kathy Zoner, deputy police chief, said that there is an active investigation into who removed the signs. She was unable to disclose any details of the case but encouraged anyone with information to contact the police.
Anyone charged in connection with the signs’ removal would face disorderly conduct, or possibly criminal charges, she said. If the perpetrator were a student, he or she would likely be sent to the Judicial Administrator. Otherwise, the suspect would be sentenced through the city court.
The Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee, along with Hillel, has been meeting with the IAJ and the Cornell Muslim Educational and Cultural Association on a biweekly basis since the fall, before the conflict began. Shai Akabas ’09, president of CIPAC, said that the groups have a very good relationship. Nonetheless, he was surprised when he saw the display this morning.
In a statement on behalf of CIPAC, Akabas said, “While we strongly condemn commemorating the deaths of Hamas terrorists that this exhibit represents, we equally believe vandalizing the IAJ’s display goes against every individual’s right to freedom of expression, a right that CIPAC firmly believes in.”
Akabas added, “We’re discussing what the response is going to be, but we haven’t officially planned anything yet.”
Jacob Shapiro ’10, president of Cornell Hillel executive board, similarly felt blindsided by the display when he saw it on the Arts Quad this morning.
“I’m willing to say that I thought it was a little bit sad,” Shapiro said. “This conflict in particular has two sides, and the exhibit does not respect both of those sides. As someone who works with these groups I would have appreciated a heads up.”
Shapiro expressed that while he believes the destruction of the exhibit was wrong, he understands how such a display would conjure up strong feelings. He hopes that Hillel and IAJ can continue to interact on a friendly basis.
This is the second time in less than four months that the University has been embroiled in controversy after protest signs were removed from public areas. In October, a Cornell employee removed pro-life advocacy signs placed in the engineering quad by the Cornell Coalition for Life, citing an unwritten rule prohibiting the signs. The signs were later returned.
Munir maintains that the IAJ had approval to place the signs on the Arts Quad. The demonstration was co-sponsored by Dean of Students Kent Hubbell ’67, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Michelle Moody Adams, the Alice Cook House and a number of professors.
“We [financially] support activities that promote constructive debate regarding contemporary issues of all sorts,” Hubbell said. “We hope that the result will be a constructive one. Sometimes these things are controversial.”
However, Hubbell did not know of any other recent events aimed to provoke discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This protest comes a week after President David Skorton wrote a column in The Sun encouraging an “open and active debate” about the conflict in Gaza in which he touted higher education as a forum for discussion and reconciliation.
This protest stands out from what has been a largely silent response to Israel’s actions in Gaza from American college students. While students at 16 universities in England staged protests of Israel’s actions in Gaza in late January, according to The Guardian, fewer protests at American universities have made the news.
Though the display may be bucking the trend in students’ responses to the events in Gaza, Malik expressed frustration at the events that she believed limited its effectiveness.
These people “can protest any way they want, but vandalism isn’t necessary,” she said.
But Simaika pointed out that the destruction of the display may have increased awareness after all.
“Their actions spoke louder than words could,” she said. “They enforced our point even better.”
Less than half a day after members of Cornell community peppered the Arts Quad with flags and signs protesting the war in Gaza, those same signs lay in a heap inside the Green Dragon Café. Around 2 p.m., as the 1,300 black flags — signifying each Palestinian and Israeli who died in the attacks — blew in the February breeze, the accompanying signs were destroyed, stolen and discarded.
The signs, which contained quotes from Amnesty International and the United Nations, were meant to inform students about the attacks in Gaza. The exhibit coincided with a fundraiser organized by the Islamic Alliance for Justice, a group that seeks to raise awareness of local and global current events while giving voice to the Muslim community. The IAJ distributed quartercards to raise funds for Mercy Corp, an international humanitarian aid organization.Signs of protest: Black flags and explanatory signs denouncing the violence in Gaza line the pathway on the Arts Quad yesterday morning. The signs were later destroyed.
“There’s not much dialogue on campus,” said Khullat Munir ‘09, outgoing president of the IAJ and one of the organizers of the Arts Quad display. “We wanted to get out awareness.”
Tara Malik ’10, current president of the IAJ and an organizer of the display, added that the protest was meant to spur debate about the issues surrounding the Gaza conflict.
Meda Simaika ’09, an acquaintance of members of the IAJ, saw multiple perpetrators removing the signs from the ground outside Olin Library. She urged them stop as they dismantled the display, stomped on the signs and ripped them.
“There was a lot of physical aggression and personal angst,” she said. “It was very aggressive ... these people were so against the truth, so closed-minded. We were very disheartened.”
Cornell Police arrived once the signs had been ripped out of the ground, but were unable to apprehend anyone involved with their removal. Kathy Zoner, deputy police chief, said that there is an active investigation into who removed the signs. She was unable to disclose any details of the case but encouraged anyone with information to contact the police.
Anyone charged in connection with the signs’ removal would face disorderly conduct, or possibly criminal charges, she said. If the perpetrator were a student, he or she would likely be sent to the Judicial Administrator. Otherwise, the suspect would be sentenced through the city court.
The Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee, along with Hillel, has been meeting with the IAJ and the Cornell Muslim Educational and Cultural Association on a biweekly basis since the fall, before the conflict began. Shai Akabas ’09, president of CIPAC, said that the groups have a very good relationship. Nonetheless, he was surprised when he saw the display this morning.
In a statement on behalf of CIPAC, Akabas said, “While we strongly condemn commemorating the deaths of Hamas terrorists that this exhibit represents, we equally believe vandalizing the IAJ’s display goes against every individual’s right to freedom of expression, a right that CIPAC firmly believes in.”
Akabas added, “We’re discussing what the response is going to be, but we haven’t officially planned anything yet.”
Jacob Shapiro ’10, president of Cornell Hillel executive board, similarly felt blindsided by the display when he saw it on the Arts Quad this morning.
“I’m willing to say that I thought it was a little bit sad,” Shapiro said. “This conflict in particular has two sides, and the exhibit does not respect both of those sides. As someone who works with these groups I would have appreciated a heads up.”
Shapiro expressed that while he believes the destruction of the exhibit was wrong, he understands how such a display would conjure up strong feelings. He hopes that Hillel and IAJ can continue to interact on a friendly basis.
This is the second time in less than four months that the University has been embroiled in controversy after protest signs were removed from public areas. In October, a Cornell employee removed pro-life advocacy signs placed in the engineering quad by the Cornell Coalition for Life, citing an unwritten rule prohibiting the signs. The signs were later returned.
Munir maintains that the IAJ had approval to place the signs on the Arts Quad. The demonstration was co-sponsored by Dean of Students Kent Hubbell ’67, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Michelle Moody Adams, the Alice Cook House and a number of professors.
“We [financially] support activities that promote constructive debate regarding contemporary issues of all sorts,” Hubbell said. “We hope that the result will be a constructive one. Sometimes these things are controversial.”
However, Hubbell did not know of any other recent events aimed to provoke discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This protest comes a week after President David Skorton wrote a column in The Sun encouraging an “open and active debate” about the conflict in Gaza in which he touted higher education as a forum for discussion and reconciliation.
This protest stands out from what has been a largely silent response to Israel’s actions in Gaza from American college students. While students at 16 universities in England staged protests of Israel’s actions in Gaza in late January, according to The Guardian, fewer protests at American universities have made the news.
Though the display may be bucking the trend in students’ responses to the events in Gaza, Malik expressed frustration at the events that she believed limited its effectiveness.
These people “can protest any way they want, but vandalism isn’t necessary,” she said.
But Simaika pointed out that the destruction of the display may have increased awareness after all.
“Their actions spoke louder than words could,” she said. “They enforced our point even better.”
staged removeal
Any group(s) that would honor terrorists would also stage the flags removal themselves. They did it to further their outrageous propaganda!!!
To Anon above: If I were to
To Anon above:
If I were to do so, I wouldn't be standing out in the cold trying to stick the stakes into the frozen ground in the first place! You're at cornell dude, speak some sense. Our statement was purely humanitarian, we kept it as a-political as we possibly could. Open hearts and open minds my ass...people like you ruin our campus atmosphere by being so closed-minded.
staged removeal huh?
and how are we supposed to know that you are not also staging this very comment? was it you who removed the flags? or are you trying to create a character that is outwardly outraged by your conclusion (I can tell by your use of THREE exclamation points!!!), but in reality trying to get the daily sun readership to despise you and your made up position to garner more support for the victim group here (which you may or may not be a member of). Woah. So meta my brain hurts. Either way, well done friend. I hope you succeed in doing whatever it is you are trying to do.
no, these were honoring the
no, these were honoring the civilians who died in the attacks. what terrorists? what propaganda?
Honoring?
How can a group who honors terrorists claim to be A-political?
Also, the 1/3 children who were killed, that first statistic, is extremely misleading. The definition of child is under the age of 17 so many of those "children" could have easily been soldiers in training.
The white phosphorus claim is a blatant lie and was proved by US investigators to be false.
The Civilian casualty # is also far from true since Hamas has had many of its soldiers remove uniforms so that they would be counted in those casualties.
Reality Check
Are you serious ?
Don't you have any sympathy for any human life ? Hamas is a terrorist organization, but you can not go ahead and ignore the death of hundreds of children. And for what ? You are claiming "well they could be soldiers in training" .. but they also could not .. they also could be just children .. in fact, mostly were in fact *just children*. Just look at how many children under 2 years old were killed. Where those soldiers in training as well ?
White phosphorus was disproved by a US investigation ?? Which investigation are you talking about ?? The UN, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch all testify that Israel used white phosphorus on Gaza. Even the Israeli army (the IDF) is not explicitly denying using it. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull...
What a shame. Such ignorance
What a shame. Such ignorance at such a 'diverse' and 'worldly' school as Cornell is shameful. I truly pity those arrogant and close-minded individuals that removed, stomped and ripped the signs. I dont know if I pity those that view this as a conspiracy more or less. what a sad, sad world.
Flags
Protest is fair, but 1300 black flags on the Arts Quad are not about dialogue. Their presence constitutes intimidation and does not belong on the campus anywhere. The signs and flags should never have been permitted in the first place. They should have been removed, albeit by the Cornell administration.
Good. This kind of stuff
Good. This kind of stuff belongs in front of Willard Straight, not spread all over campus. Who do these people think they are? Try this kind of thing off campus and you'd not only be arrested, but you'd get a $10,000 bill from the city for cleaning it up.
Raise awareness, indeed. "Look at me! Look at me!" is more like it.
suitable punishment
If the perpetrators were students, they should be referred to the Judicial Administrator and made to take part in community service, preferably raising funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
I think it's good that this
I think it's good that this kind of political protest is allowed here in Cornell, regardless of whether the intention is good or bad. True, anywhere else you'd be arrested and charged a clean-up fee, but that's exactly the point, we should be proud of our campus for tolerating this while in other places don't.
Removing Signs = A Sign of Peace
Those signs should be removed, and those who remove those signs are doing so in search of peace. There is hell right now in the Middle East, why should there be hell right now in our own Arts quad?
Removing the signs is an act to stop the provocative problem, but instead the Islamic Alliance for Justice refuses to remove the signs and insists that Hillel should respond with fighting fire with fire (by responding with Israeli propaganda). This refusal to shake hands early and end the problem is the exact reason for the continuation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflicts! This is a prime example of how the Islamic Alliance for Justice and the organizations it represents have an inclination for aggressive attacks and an avoidance of early peaceful settlements.
Hey IAJ, if you want to start a debate... host a debate! Don't build propaganda billboards in the middle of our walks to class!
ummmmmm
apparently cornell administration doesn't feel the same way:
"The demonstration was co-sponsored by Dean of Students Kent Hubbell ’67, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Michelle Moody Adams, the Alice Cook House and a number of professors."
and that's a serious problem
In fact, I would say that this should be the main "news" factor of this story.
Samson, and the person below
Samson, and the person below him.
Would people honestly listen if we stood out in front of willard straight yelling "stop the killing!"?
I am sorry you found it "intimidating" but this was aimed to be a memorial, albeit morbid, but nevertheless a stern reminder about the lives that were lost. We were given permission to erect the flags, and perhaps a good smack in the face is what people need...
Flags
I am well aware of what happened in Gaza, so I respectfully decline your "smack in the face." Your permission to erect those flags on the Arts quad was a serious misjudgment by the Cornell administration. The flags should never have been permitted on the Arts quad. No other group should be allowed to intimidate and provoke students on their way to class either. Protest, if you wish, in front of the Willard Straight, just like everyone else. Yell whatever you want to. People are free to "honestly listen" or not as they wish, and they should be free to walk past you without fear of intimidation or harassment if they do not care for your message.
In response to the flags
Sitting in Olin Cafe, overlooking the flags, it doesn't feel like dialogue in the least--certainly not academic, certainly not a fair discourse. It feels like a clear stance against Operation Cast Lead--support of those who died, or stance against the war are not the same thing. Call it what it is so people can stop talking past each other. If the organization who planned this was against the war, say that and don't merely state the number of individuals killed. People die in war, obviously and often times tragically. But this is far more complicated than a number-be it accurate or not. Because within this number of individuals killed, there were hamas militants, civilians working for hamas which effectively equals militants, and "innocent civilians." I say this not because they weren't innocent. They were. A four year old child didn't do anything to anyone. But it's more complicated than that. Hamas was using women and children as human shields and deterrents. When Israel warned that a building would be bombed because missiles had been fired from it or were being stored in it--given the opportunity to evacuate and protect all the innocent people, hamas chose to do the opposite and placed women and children directly in the line of danger, hoping that this would protect the buildings and missile storage houses from destruction. When innocents die because of disregard of the opposing side, it may be a war crime. But when innocents die because their own "govnerment" doesn't take the necessary steps to defend them, in fact does the opposite, it must be viewed in a different category. If you want to protest the deaths of these people, you must protest Hamas's rule as well. These deaths did not occur because Israel was bored one day. The flags, don't even begin to explain anything, they just serve as a bitter, one-sided, unjust, overly simplified expression that frustrates people who know just a little bit more than the reported number of deaths.
Best presentation of the facts thus far
This is easily the best analysis of the facts regarding Hamas' treatment of civilians thus far on this page.
Actually, it's not - the
Actually, it's not - the 'human shields' accusation is exactly that, an accusation that is based on information given by the IDF and Israeli officials. Verifying this is made extremely difficult by the fact that Israel completely barred the international press from operating in Gaza during the war, a move roundly condemned by news sources including the NYT. This is NOT to defend Hamas - I'm just wondering where people are drawing their certainty from when making these accusations.
Disturbing
The apparent majority and unwavering support for Hamas and Palestine is quite disturbing...yet it seems the supporters only rail at the opposition by labeling them as ignorant and intolerant. I feel full research has not been conducted on the parts of some of the commenters here...
http://cornellreview.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/protest-brought-to-you-by-...
http://cornellreview.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/bully-pulpit-article-on-is...
Ironic much?
I think its pretty depressing that people took the route of violence and destruction to dent an effort that brings awareness to, well...violence and destruction. This type of ignorant and violent reaction just MIGHT be part of the reason the conflicts have lasted so long in the first place.
how can anyone call this
how can anyone call this propaganda? to even use the word 'protest' is misleading. the flags were an attempt to display the loss of human life ON BOTH SIDES. it's not about children v. men or civilians v. soldiers. it wasn't about palestinian vs. israeli deaths. the flags were all the same color to point out the tremendous loss of HUMAN life that is the result of the latest fighting. it is a sobering reminder of the effects of any conflict, especially for all of us cornellians separated from gaza by thousands of miles.
further, any college campus and especially cornell should be a place for open and free debate. destroying the flags does nothing but deepen hostilities on both sides.
flags yes, signs no
Again, there is no doubt that vandalizing was the wrong way of addressing this protest. But yes, it was a protest and not a simple condemnation of loss of life or a statement against violence. Take a look at a blog post linked down the thread and read the signs that were accompanied by the flags. On the one hand, there was no context and on the other they stated facts that were proven as wrong. Hiding expressions of anger under humane rhetoric is rather hypocritical.
It is a very messy situation and neither Amnesty no UN have exact numbers of the casualties, not to say the proportion of casualties between civilians and militias. The loss of innocent human life is a tragedy and should be commemorated. Violence is a horrible thing and it should be protested. However, taking acts of violence out of context and blindly blaming one side, does not do service to any of these causes.
Because, to say it is in
Because, to say it is in memorial of all the people who died in RECENT fighting, is to say all the people who died in the past month--operation cast lead, it is to take a direct stance against Israel's decision to take action. If the flag protest respected all sides, it would include the 8 years (not just 6 months) that people in Israel have been living under the constant threat of missiles dropping in their neighborhoods--with 15 seconds to find cover--it would include all those deaths too. Just because the people who died in Gaza all died in a short period of time, doesn't make it any worse than 8 years of constant death, injury, and psychological trauma that the civilians in southern Israel have been experiencing. The flags and discourse fails to recognize the reason for the war to begin with, and that's why it is not respecting the loss of human life on both sides.
So, was it a protest or an attempt to initiate a discussion?
I agree that protest is legitimate and perhaps should have been allowed with reasonable limitations. However, I think it is hypocritical to suggest that this was an attempt to start a discussion. If there was an attempt to start a discussion, the organizers would show the complexity of the situation and emphasize the two sides of the conflict. However, they chose to protest and emphasize the suffering of one side, neglecting that of the other and hiding behind semi-civil rhetoric. I think the last quote from one of the organizers shows that it was more of a protest, a provocation, more than an attempt to start a true debate. I am troubled by the university support to the initiative, because it seems to be counterproductive.
Poorly handled by administration
In response to the above, well, response...I completely agree in that no matter what your beliefs are regarding either side here, this was a very disappointing, disturbing, move by the university to support such one-sidedness. Very good response, anonymous @ 8:07.
People have a Right to Dissemination of Information
Clearly, everyone who has posted so far is VERY invested in the issue. As a once Israel supporter, I would have to say that this most recent conflict was a horrific breach of humanitarian interest and that this display could have been much much more poignant. Simple, unmarked black flags signifying BOTH Israeli and Palestinian deaths was an appropriate choice. If the group chose to post graphic photographs of victims (if we are to compare this demonstration to the pro-life one described in the article), I would probably be just as appalled.
As for the validity of the quotes chosen for the posters, yes they are taken out of context and yes, they tell one side of the story. However, not every portrayal of the events is going to be unbiased and in comparison to pro-Israel demonstrations held in the past here at CU, this was not nearly as pointed.
Also, if you are going to nitpick about details, I would reconsider throwing around hyper-politisized terms such as “terrorist.” What makes someone a “terrorist?” What sort of positioning does the person labeling the unfamiliar as “terrorist” say about the labeler? When I listen to M.I.A. am I guilty of supporting terrorism? Or does that not matter because the Tamil Tigers aren’t located near American oil interests?
I would think Cornellians would be able to stand back and view things a little more critically.
I urge you to take a closer
I urge you to take a closer look.
"unmarked black flags signifying BOTH Israeli and Palestinian deaths was an appropriate choice."
Except that they don't signify both sides. If you look at the numbers, which most people do--the recent death toll ratio is ridiculous... over 1000 Palestinians, about 13 Israelis? These numbers are taken out of context. TO have 1330 flags, is to memorialize only the Palestinian side.
This harsh act by Israel was taken because of EIGHT YEARS of Quassam and Grad rockets being launched into Southern Israel. To represent the loss on both sides, this context can not be ignored! Israel held back for 8 years, until this cease fire agreement "ended" and Hamas didn't want to renew the ceasefire. After the ceasefire ended, the rocket fire escalated, reaching into the middle of Israel, threatening power plants, homes, civilian lives, factories that could release harmful chemicals if hit.
And so, after all this time, when the rocket fire escalated, (and during an opportune time diplomatically, before Obama took office) Operation Cast Lead happened. It was meant to silence Hamas, to show them that they can't go on with these rocket attacks. So the people who died in the past between Christmas and the beginning of our Spring Semester--they were mostly Palestinians. This is not representing loss on both sides, by any means.
So what you're saying is
So what you're saying is that 13 Israeli flags and 1287 Palestinian flags would have been more appropriate?
The demonstration was about the general loss of life after this most recent conflict. Its not about assigning blame. I realize that the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long sticky history of which both sides are guilty. I get that. I really do.
However, the people who died most recently are not the ones responsible for the past 80 years of violence. If everyone is so hung up on the past, then we can never move forward.
I'm a German Jew. Think about that one for a while. If I held every other German responsible for my Grandparents' deaths regardless of if they were even Nazi affiliated, I would get nowhere in life.
I hope that people will someday learn to identify with their fellow humans rather than hold grudges against people whose ancestors did wrong to people whom you share some abstract identity with.
Israeli Physics Professor Speaks Out
If anyone is interested in learning more, specifically through the first hand accounts of one of our own professors, please feel free to read / take part in discussion here:
http://cornellreview.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/black-flags-bring-dark-mem...
sorry to shamelessly plug, but it's relevant
Staged or Fantastic
Two Possibilities:
1) the same people who would honor animals who murder women and children only to then hide in school yards are the same people who took down this deplorable display.
2) someone had the courage to destroy this deplorable display of antisemitism.
Either way, this disgusting display is gone. And at the end of the day, I think that's a good thing. We shouldn't have the propaganda of these murdering thugs on our campus.
CIPAC comment
In a statement on behalf of CIPAC, Akabas said, “While we strongly condemn commemorating the deaths of Hamas terrorists that this exhibit represents, we equally believe vandalizing the IAJ’s display goes against every individual’s right to freedom of expression, a right that CIPAC firmly believes in.”
I cannot believe the audacity of CIPAC's lie. Well yes, I can believe it. Go figure, the statements were from Amnesty International and the U.N.. and chosen to underscore the humanitarian tragedy in an apolitical way. But as is clearly evident, when it comes to Israel and Palestine, that is not possible. So, do we all cower and allow that backlash usher in a wave of self-censorship?
The good kind of defamation - sure.
The Muslim students had permission to display the flags by the appropriate Cornell officials. Those who can't stand the THOUGHT of an alternative view have shown here just how hypocritical and anti-American Constitutional freedoms they are. They shouldn't be in an instition of higher learning until they can pass an American citizenship test.
I wonder what the 'good' people of the ADL would think of this trashing of a legitimate expression of concern for the lopsided terror visited upon Palestinians virtually unable to defend their women and children by the overwhelming military force - a WEHRMACHT - much of it paid for by my fellow Americans.
1300 Palestinian men, women and children indiscriminantly slaughtered to avenge 13 IDF forces killed.
Tough men, those Israeli IDF'ers. (I wonder how tough they would be without their tanks, warplanes and attack helicopters.
Israel is rapidly becoming a pariah in the world of civilized peoples. Much of Europe and Britain continue to despise Israel for their intransigence and murderous CONTEMPT for their NEIGHBORS!!
And the defamation sure to follow - in a feable attempt to intimiate me and others who agree with me into silence - we will be labeled anti-semites. OH NO!! not the "anti-semite" slur!! It doesn't fly anymore.
Think of a more appropriate label: like anti-Israeli aggression.
BTW, "Semitic" refers to a family of Afro-Asian LANGUAGES of which Arabic and Hebrew are extant.
I am not opposed to languages.
Not anti-semitic, but simply stupid
I think this is the most ignorant comment on this thread so far. It is full of hatred and nothing else, but hatred. I wouldn't call it antisemitic... I would just call it stupid.
Interesting way of skewing
Interesting way of skewing the information...
"1300 Palestinian men, women and children indiscriminantly slaughtered to avenge 13 IDF forces killed."
How do you avenge deaths that happen in the future? Because the 13 soldiers that died, died during the operation, not before it started.
No. Operation Cast Lead was not meant to avenge 13 IDF forces killed. It was not meant to avenge period. It was meant to deter more rocket launching, to paralyze Hamas, so that maybe the Palestinians can gather together to form a government that actually cares about the well being of its citizens.
Listen... 60 years ago, the Jews who were kicked out of countries around the world--middle eastern and european(or who escaped from countries where they were being brutally attacked) came to a dessert. The army--the tanks, the planes, the helicopters, the intelligence... this is something Israel developed to defend itself. If it didn't have to constantly defend itself, there would be no reason to put so many resources toward the army--maybe their education system and water supply could be improved! But that's not the case. They have to defend themselves when they're constantly being bombarded with rocket fire, and they shouldn't have to apologize for developing their army as they did.