We can't be war criminals, we're Palestinian

[Behind the Aegis]

In a thousand ways, in a thousand places, the Qassam rocket has
been written off.

It has been routinely dismissed as negligible, its capability little more than symbolic, barely a weapon at all when compared to the monstrous might of Israel's arsenal.

Media dispatches sent round the world describe the Qassams as primitive, unguided, home-made.

They are all of those. They are also a war crime.

They are a lethal weapon fired intentionally and specifically at purely civilian targets. As such, their use, at the hands of their Palestinian gunners, is a flagrant violation of international law.


more...

[booley]

1. Yes but

that hardly refutes that israel is a thousand times mor epowerful, occupiers and also committing crimes.

two wrongs do not make a right.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. It wasn't refuting anything.

It was showing that there isn't only one "bad guy" in this conflict.

[Xeric]

3. we can't be war criminals, we're Israeli

Have the apologists for Israel's war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon sunk to the level of claiming that their crimes are mitigated by the fact that someone else may also be guilty of war crimes? That logical fallacy is just another deflection of responsibility.
When the Deputy Prime Minister openly advocates ethnic cleansing and when Israel yet again refuses to consider a cease fire it's time for Israelis and their US apologists to take a long hard look at who and what they advocate for. Rather than continue down this path they should consider demanding a change of course similar to the one the American people have demanded. A change of course in the disastrous Neo-con policies of their government. Continuing to pathetically run interference for a morally bankrupt regime does nothing for peace and is in no one's interest.
When the Neo-cons in the US government once again vetoed a UN resolution on Israel's bombing of civilians they disingenuously claimed that the resolution was somehow "biased" even though it also condemned those using rockets from Gaza. This "Israel right or wrong" strategy has become one of the greatest impediments to peace. The whole world sees the double standard. This shameful ruse must end.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. No one even said anything like that.

The logical fallacy here is making statements like: "Have the apologists for Israel's war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon sunk to the level of claiming that their crimes are mitigated by the fact that someone else may also be guilty of war crimes?"

As for the "cease fire," what a fucking joke! People really expect Israel to jump at the "opportunity" of self-destruction?

There is a huge double-standard when discussing Israel, which is why DU went as far to create a special forum for such discussions. Bias can't be seen when it involves Israel because that would fuck with the notion of Israel as the perpetual "bad guy." Acknowledging that bias against Israel exists does not mean that bad things should be excused or passed over, but it does mean that sometimes, things aren't always what they seem.

[Violet_Crumble]

31. That's not why this forum was created...

There is a huge double-standard when discussing Israel, which is why DU went as far to create a special forum for such discussions.

The forum was created coz people were clogging up the upstairs forums with I/P threads that were incredibly vicious. If you went back and read the old DU archives you'd have known that...

[Boston Critic]

9. You are mistaken...

it is Hamas that has rejected the complete ceasefire. Israel is the one that proposed it.

Israel has not committed "war crimes." They don't deliberately target civilians. That's what Hamas and Hezbollah does. Where can I read your messages condemning that?

Hamas has said they will stop firing missiles but continue all other aggressions if Israel stops defending itself. That isn't an offer of truce. It's a sick joke. That some gullible anti-Israel types are swallowing it provides Hamas with some laughs, but doesn't bring the region any closer to peace.

[k_jerome]

12. America and its politicians overwhelmingly support Israel...

which neo-cons are you talking about and what neo-con policies?

[booley]

6. ok well I never said otherwise

....but violence begets violence.

And i don't know if violence by the palestinians is really being ignored. Since the US media seems to love pointing it out and using it to justify israeli violence.

[Violet_Crumble]

33. I noticed he clearly pointed out both sides shared blame...

I have yet to see certain posters in this forum do anything but constantly blame the Palestinians. Seeing how yr trying to potray yrself as being fair-minded, bta, could you show us all where you've blamed Israel for anything at all?

[Boston Critic]

8. Yes but

that does not excuse your silence on Palestinian terrorist attacks TARGETING civilians and committing war crimes.

Israel has offered an unconditional ceasefire. Hamas has rejected that out of hand, insisting that they will only stop the missiles in return for Israel stopping ALL defensive action.

I look forward to your response strongly condemning Hamas intransigence, and urging them to accept Israel's offer of a total ceasefire.

[madrchsod]

4. i just read the comments

about this article..reads like the i/p forum here at du. there will be peace when people realize they are just like their neighbors...i know, that may take a very long time.

[Boston Critic]

10. As Golda Meir said...

...there will be peace when the Palestinians decide they love their own children more than they hate Israeli children.

[Violet_Crumble]

32. That's exactly the hateful sentiment that needs to end...

People requoting Golda Meir's hateful and untrue quote as though it's something to be proud of. Attempts to portray Palestinians as unlike other human being and being totally consumed with hatred to the point where they have no other interests or emotions is the same sort of monsterisation of a people as was seen during WWII. Paint the other group as not possessing human qualities other groups have and it gets so much easier to abuse them and carry out atrocities against them. What a pity people haven't learnt the lessons of WWII...

[oberliner]

38. The lessons of WWII?

People will kill Jews willingly and, in some cases, enthusiastically, if given the opportunity to do so.

Can we take that as one of the lessons of WWII as well?

I do not think that Meir believed the things you are extrapolating from that quote and ascribing to her.

Here is another of her quotes:

"I am convinced that peace will come to Israel and its neighbors because the tens of millions of Arabs need peace just as much as we do. An Arab mother who loses a son in battle weeps as bitterly as any Israeli mother."

There are people on both sides of this conflict who do precisely what you describe - demonizing the other as being something less than human. In my view, Golda Meir was not one of them.

Hopefully we would not see that of thing on a board like this either.

[breakaleg]

34. You are free to say anything you like. But at the very least don't turn around and

accuse someone else of feeling hate towards a group of people as you are filled with it yourself and are in no position to judge.

[IntiRaymi]

7. What is the current death toll, Qassam vs. Israeli military might?

Like 400:2?

Or something like it?
Why is the coverage so lopsided - it would seem that palestinian life is worth less to the media.

[Boston Critic]

11. What's your complaint?

Not enough dead in the Jewish state? Or that the Palestinian terrorists like to hide behind their own civilians to jack up their own death toll?

[IntiRaymi]

14. Irresponsible application of force.

Stupidity in the ranks?

A general lack of perspective HERE?

[Boston Critic]

16. Are you confessing?

Your one-sidedness speaks for itself.

[IntiRaymi]

17. Merely a complaint, directed at certain posters here.

I am only requesting this:
That you please stop giving ME the impression that things in your world are so lopsided. Is that so hard? Must I be accused of supporting terrorism, of being an antisemite, and of who knows what else, for this simple request - that you start showing some sort of regard for humanity?

You can pretend if you want to.

[Name removed]

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[IntiRaymi]

21. Well, the lopsidedness is on the scale of the assaults on Gaza

Why demand that I defend the aggressors?

Simple 'mistakes' killing dozens in Gaza - and you are whining about inaccurate rockets that RARELY do so much as injure an israeli?

Christ, you should be complaining about drunken driving in Tel Aviv instead.

And yes, yours is a talking point.

[Name removed]

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[IntiRaymi]

23. Well, be honest about it, "Boston Critic"

The amount of injuries actually caused by these crude rockets are minimal, compared to stupid drunk drivers in Tel Aviv.

This is a textbook case of wilfull self absorption.

[Boston Critic]

25. You act like that's a valid excuse

If I fire a gun at you and keep missing, is that a reason to take the threat any less seriously?

[msmcghee]

27. If you think the damage is minimal . .

. . then why don't you go over to Israel with your family and you can all line up on the border of Gaza in range of any Palestinian with an AK47 - that way you could distract them for a while from firing their Kassams into S'derot - while they kill you and your family . .

. . since the damage they do is "minimal" anyway.

[pelsar]

28. they dont have time to aim....

because the IAF is constantly looking for them...it affects their aim. Though I'm sure those helicopters are violating something or other and shouldnt be there.....oh yea, did i mention how they pay kids some money to collect the launchers after the missles have been launched....and take the risk of getting blown up by an incoming missle?

[Name removed]

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[Boston Critic]

20. This we do know

"Yes, who cares about the Palestinians, indeed?"

Their leaders and the other Arab leaders in the region certainly don't and, historically, haven't cared much at all.

[IntiRaymi]

24. That is a separate issue.

Compounding the one Israel is more than happy to inflict on them.

[Boston Critic]

26. No, it's not separate

...but it does explain why you lack a basic grounding in why the Palestinians never seem to take advantage of an opportunity for peace.

[IntiRaymi]

35. OK. Tell me.

What is so inherently bad about Palestinians, that makes them refuse Israel's generous conditions.

Educate me, Boston Critic.

[Name removed]

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[newyorican]

29. Anyone can be a war criminal...

...the basic minumum requirement is to have drawn breath.

[msmcghee]

30. . . and to have no respect for . .

. . the basic rule of peaceful existence with others - that you don't attack them to get what you want.

[newyorican]

37. Not nesseccarily...

espousing through words doesn't get you there.

It's actions that make a war criminal.

The minimum requirements are sufficient.

[Name removed]

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