Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Matt, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:51:31 GMT

Don't expect a promotion any time soon, Martin.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ann, St paul, MN — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:52:19 GMT

People who are the victims of terrorism only can see the actual picture, showing childrens dead bodies and destruction doesnt make gaza a victim, we know what is a victim of terrorism feels like. dont trust hamas, their motto is to wipe out Israel with the help of Iran, why arab world is quite? why they are not sending aid to gaza? why they are not supporting hamas? they dont care if their own killed, but their aim is to wipe out Israel.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

James Pruett, Early Texas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:11:15 GMT

Does it not seem strange that Hamas is targeting only
civilians with their rockets and yet no one seems to care?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Celine, JC-NJ — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:15:34 GMT

Martin-- Please keep on blogging. It's always so interesting when you do analysis and/or share inside info with us.

After 60 years of this (if not 5000), I'm convinced there will never be a solution. Each time it seems a solution is being reached, violence breaks out, deliberately, to sabotage peace. And both sides are guilty of it.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mosad, Boston, MA — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:22:52 GMT

What a bunch of puffery. This pretense that both sides are equally guilty. Israel is the 800-pound gorilla here. Hamas won't recognize Israel's right to exist - as long as Israel refuses to recognize the Palestinians right of return. Since Hamas was elected (we wanted elections, remember?), Israel has systematically starved Gaza of food, medicine, fuel, water and electricity. In 7 or 8 years, Qassam rockets have killed 15 or 17 people. Israels is currently killing hundreds of Palestinians, up to a third or more, women and children. This is not a war, not a battle, but a one-sided slaughter. Try a little honest reporting for a change.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Austin James — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:23:50 GMT

I completely agree. It seems that people wish to see the world in "false dichotomies" meaning white and black or good and bad. The problem is that things are just never that simple.I believe that both Hamas and Israel leadership share some degree of guilt for the immense suffering that is being felt by their civilians.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Nicolas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:28:25 GMT

Your article is utter nonsense. Stop trying to decriminalize the barbaric actions of the IDF. Free lance journalists and reporters (including European nationals) are reporting from Gaza. They have not killed them. The IDF might kill them as they have before preventing the images and voice of truth coming out. See what the IDF has done to Rachel Corrie, James Miller, and Tom Handel. There is enough pain inflicted on the Palestinian people - the least you can do is stop trying to blame them. Foreign aid workers are currently in Gaza, living in fear from the aggression of the IDF. If you want sympathy from the world start by telling the truth and separating yourself from the "terrorists" - this case the operations of the IDF.

Just recently, the IDF prevented the world from seeing the crimes they commited in Jenin. You may fool an uneducated audience but only for sometime.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Above Average Citizen, Asheville, NC — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:29:37 GMT

Here's a litmus test. For one day, twenty-four
hours, get Hamas to stop launching missiles into
Israel. If Israel continues the war, then they
are the aggressors and should be pressured into
a cease-fire. However, I predict the fighting
would immediately stop, because Hamas is indeed
the aggressor and the missiles are the cause of
this war, no matter how much is the "collateral
damage". Hamas must be crushed or this will
never end. So stop with the "equivalency
foolishness, and get on with crushing Hamas, the
sooner the better.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Nick Newlin Jr, Riverview, Florida — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:32:24 GMT

Militants live to kill those that oppose them. They don't care what gender they are, nor what age they are. How can anyone not want them eradicated from the face of the Earth?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Allen Fish, Richmond Va — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:33:38 GMT

For Hamas, their charter states their goal – to destroy Israel.

You summed it all up right there. How can a group like that be allowed to rule over anything.
The press should be let in though, but in small groups to prevent out of control "story trumping" to try to get exclusive coverage. Teh last thing needed here is to sensationalize either side. Israel knows that once the press is allowed in, Hammas will make it the number one priority to get as many bodies in front of them as possible and force their side of the story above all. If they cannot get the pres on their side, they will make capturing and murdering journalists the next priority.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

R K, Mem, TN — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:34:10 GMT

why shoud the press be allowed to show anything at all when it ultimately endangers lives by showing soldier positions and usually distorts the truth anyhow.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Larry Davidson Humble, TX — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:43:32 GMT

How can you live in peace with a neighbor who's charter is to destroy you?
If any one of our neighbors kept lobbing grenades into your back yard - how long would it take for retaliation to begin and how far would you go to protect your family from all future possibility of attack?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Barnabas, CA — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:56:14 GMT

Your ‘report” is still another example of propaganda. Just look at your closing paragraph:

“Israel and its supporters argue that there is no equivalence – they have been rocketed for years before their patience ran out. For Hamas, their charter states their goal – to destroy Israel.”

That, I am afraid, is not reporting; that is opinion, and one-sided at best. No mention of the fact that: Hamas won free elections; since the elections, Israel has systematically tried to reverse the elections through economic and infrastructure throttling; that humanitarian efforts to get through the blockade have been consistently stopped by Israel, by force if necessary; the crude rockets fired randomly are the only form of defence or offence available to Hamas aside form field weapons; not one mention of the destructive firepower available to Israel – largely due to the largesse of the US Treasury and billions from US Jews – and the massive civilian deaths resulting from the self-describe “surgical” strikes.

What you SHOULD be commenting on is Israel’s attitude that the lives of 1000 Palestinians are not worth that of even one Israeli …but then again, you state that each time you become a reporting appologist for the Israeli war and killing machine.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

ken quigley — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:56:45 GMT

If I lived in Israel and was getting hit with rockets every day I would hope someone would put a stop to it. Why aren't we blaming the hamas for the problem and not Irael?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Eric Gilge, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:00:49 GMT

The Isreali Defense Forces should take a lessoned learned from the US Army by embedding reporters with their units. If your soldiers are fighting ethically then there should be nothing wrong with this. Turn the actions of your enemy against him by showing the weapons caches and underground tunnels (if they exist) to the world. It may not all be good, but the credibility gained would outweigh the negative - if they have nothing to hide. Hamas could do this as well - if they have nothing to hide. As it is, one is forced to assume that both sides are commiting attrocities.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ken, Long Island, New York — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:00:55 GMT

Martin, the pro-Hamas propoganda that you have been spreading for the last five years is the only message I see on NBC. Your coverage stinks.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John A, Palm Desert , Ca. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:33:24 GMT

Martin
I agree with your assesment to a degree. But the fundemental problem is that we havenot addressed the right of return of the palestinians refugees, as part of the comprehensive peace.

Reality is that Israel isnot going anywhere, and nor are the palestinians people.
Enough of the back and forth Killing.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ealanor, Lisbon, Spain — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:36:45 GMT

If all the Muslims in this world is up in arms against the retaliation of Israel against Hamas launching rocket into Southern Israel, why not let them setup an independent Palestine within their border by offering them a piece of their land? Do I hear any volunteers from the Muslim brothers out there?

The truth of the matter is that no one wants the Palestine mess ( Hamas, Extremist, Economic, Social etc ). The rest of the Muslim world is protesting about it out off political and religious reasons.

I think oil rich nations like Egypt and Saudi can help out, just carve out a piece of terrority like a good Muslim brother and hand it over to the Palestinians, let them setup their independent Palestine and let them rule themselves.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Jomar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:40:07 GMT

It all can be traced back to false promises of Hamas to palestinian people. Its a wishful thinking for palestinians to uproot Israel who by the way has also a claim to the land they are on right now. This issue can never be resolved if both parties do not accept the reality on the ground. I hope they come into their senses.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

bazooka — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:46:12 GMT

Occupying palestinian land, controlling food, medicines and transportation and basic necessaties of life is going to frustate anybody, the frustated party will retaliate with any and every thing even kiliing themselves. So what has happened is that Israel is perpetually and knowingly frustating palestinians and forcing them to do things that they can validly labell as " Terrorism". See the trick!! If the palestinians keep quiet and live under Israeli control, Israel has achieved the objective. If they choose to oppose it like they are doing now, than also they are the sufferers becoz they are "Terrorists", So either ways u palestinians will loose. But normal people think who has made them in to that??

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

J.B — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:48:58 GMT

Both Hamas and Israel need to agree that they were both victims as well as agressors in a given point of time. Israel as well as Hamas or any other nation or country does have the right to defend themselves. But when does self-defense become a twisted goal for absolute vengence? How far can any human being go before the rest of humanity considers them to be murders themselves? It is extremely easy to go from defending oneself and other people to exterminating massive people's. Israel and Hamas need to put an absolute end to their destructive behavior. The world needs to recognize that there are men, women, and children in both Israel and Gaza, who want to achieve peace between their nations. The fighting on both sides needs to stop now.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Duncan, Kailua Hawaii — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:49:19 GMT

Have people noticed that George Bush is almost always wrong in his judgement. He now blames Hamas for all problems. How come Isreal is never wrong. How come the rest of the world, except Isreal, thinks what George Bush say is worng.

I don't see why Isreal should be so blessed as to have the U S prestige damaged by George Bush's polices. Hamas may be firing rockets into Isreal, but no body know the background into the reason why. Isreal is not fair in their dealings with the way they treat the Palestinians. The Jews in the U S are dictating U S policies and they also are not fair in the way they look at other people.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Kevin Mason — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:54:44 GMT

Hamas are Terrorists and nothing but trouble. They should be removed form power. Since Hamas have run from Palistine there has been no headlines of trouble in that state. Terrorism followed Hamas to Gaza and rule Gaza's civilian people by fear from behind a mask and a gun, just so that they can develop a solid base from which to spread their venom. No different to Al-Qaeda in Pakistan after being pushed out of Iraq. Nothing will have a chance to being solved until the Terrorist are dealt with. Civil people with common sense and real desire for lasting peace need to rise above the rule of Hamas terrorism build a new style of peaceful life and rules, something that several generations have not witnessed in that region. But that is a tall ask, is it not?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Arsen Yedigarov Edison NJ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:57:25 GMT

I dont think you people know what your talking about!
Our world has been existing for 5700 years, at that time it was called Old Babilon, There were no jews, no arabs no christians, everyone was equal.
Then everyone has decided that they want to become a jew, arab or christian, kicking each other of the land through the rest of the years.
Before we are jews arabs and christian, We Are People!
and untill we realise that we all should treat eachother with same Respect and have Love for eachtoher, we will have wars!
Everyone in this world should ask them selves a quiestion, what will happen if everyone in this world would stop splitting the land? Share everything they have, will there be a need to fight?
Just look at what is going on in the world today, everyone is killing eachother, and its not only in Israel and Paestine!

You all should Read www.Kabbalah.com It will teach everyone how to stop al this maddness in the world.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Theodore, Virginia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:32 GMT

something most people don't know is that the moment the cease-fire agreement expired, Hamas started lobbing missiles at Israel en masse. what's Israel supposed to do? Hamas, if you're going to poke the tiger, be prepared to fight it.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Dave, SLC, UT — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:02:35 GMT

You have to give Hamas credit for running an excellent PR war. They place their missiles next to homes & schools, praying they will be hit and cause massive civilian casualties. They know the U.S. and European media will devour the propaganda pictures. It's pure genius. I don't even think Joseph Goebbels could have come up with this stuff.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Al Black, Seattle, WA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:04:51 GMT

How can you equalize one side who's *charter* is to anihilate the existance of the other with one who's had enough and wish to protect it's innocent civilians? What would the U.S. do if rockets are fired on Seattle from Vancouver once, let alone for 8 years - on kindergardens, on shopping centers? This is hypocracy at it's best. Put yourself in the Israeli shoes & see where is your threshold of patience. Shame on you. Let's see - who's up here is willing to negotiate their own right to exist? Do you have the right to exist? Is it on the table? This is a war between life and death, between those who value life, not only Jewish life, any life, and those who value death, death of their enemies, children, & themselves. Don't confuse the two. This is a battle between light and darkness. Kill death & get rid of the Hamas evil for good. Do your job and seek the truth. Balanced? Is your existance on the table a balanced position. Think!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

rackia,chicago,Ill. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:07:26 GMT

ISRAEL- THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER,WHILE EVERYONE WATCHES! ISRAELI ZIONISTS YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD ONE DAY.BUTCHERS

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Tom Levittown, pa. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:26:43 GMT

To feel sorry for an open terrorist group; a group that in full view twisted dem. to it's favor. Is nothing short of terrorism itself. They brought this on themselves when they wouldn't be human enough to acknowledge that all have a right to live.

I mean, would you persecute America after 9/11.? We launched a war to defend ourselves from future attacks. This is the same thing on behalf of Israel. Even more important for them... They're surrounded by all those men who won't aspire to be better. Kill them all, I say. Less to worry about for our children and their futures.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

a random person — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:30:53 GMT

Well, from what we can tell, Hamas starts firing missiles at Israel, who immediately uses that as an excuse to bomb and invade them. Which obviously started way back when Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people could never get along (and still can't).

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Rex Trellis, Pismo Beach, California — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:34:06 GMT

This "Stand with Israel -- right or wrong"
is equivalent to Orwell's
"My mother --- drunk or sober"

Tragically, this collective punishment mind set of Israeli leadership will only guarantee that historians of the year 2100 will speak of Israel in the past tense.

A better approach would to be to take the ethical high ground and treat the Palestinians a equals -- not a pests to be driven out.

Once that happens, groups like Hamas won't have a base.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

tallnyc9 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:34:28 GMT

Approved? monitored> why you don't say censored. like in the dictatorial countries that don't have democracy. this is the only space the public have. shame on you mr. censor.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Chris, Kirkland, WA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:36:47 GMT

Mosad, if a foreign group of people was shooting deadly rockets at your wife, children, and yourself REPEATEDLY for years, would you not expect your country stop this? at any cost of foreign life. The world has forgotten a little thing about war, its about protecting yourself, not saving the other sides civillians.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

R M — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:37:03 GMT

There is enough land for both parties, both can live side by side in peace, and it's very clear and obvious to the world who the greedy ones really are.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Manu, San Francisco, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:37:06 GMT

Its not that hard. I cant believe how stupid people are in this issue.

Hamas wants to destroy Israel.
Hamas launches rockets since 2001.
Israel endures for a little but cant take it no more.
Israel does us, and the rest of the world a favor by going to exterminate a terrorist organization, by PROTECTING itself.
PERIOD.

secondly, its a terrorist organization. You dont respond to a few rockets from a terroirst organization with a few rockets. You send in your whole entire army.

What makes me sick to my stomach, is (and I live in SF by the way) when I see Americans protesting Israli aggression against a Terrorist organization. San Franciso can burn in hell for all I care. But it makes me ashamed to call myself an American when I see Americans of ALL races protesting Israli aggression against a terrorist organization that frankly, I think San Francisco would be happy to be rid of.

I say, let Hamas bomb San Francisco, and then let Israel come to SF to fix it. I think at that point Americans would appreciate Israel a little more.

Where were you liberals when Hamas was firing rockets into Israel? Where were you liberals when Israli's died from Hamas agression, no matter how small it was compared to Israel's current war.

That borders on treason if you actually protest against Israeli aggression against a Terrorist Organization. Death of the innocent is inevitable in any war. Including a war to eliminate a terrorist regime from a neighboring strip of land whose government charter calls for the destruction of Israel.

I am not Israeli, but I am a staunch Supporter of Israel.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Kenmei, Upstate, NY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:39:03 GMT

It's real simple.
Both factions know the lay of the land very, very well.
One photo, 1 video can turn the tide of the conflict either way, because it will give a sensitive position and information.
If you were in charge of the lives of your military whether Hamas or Israel, you would do whatever it took to avoid this from happening.
Sorry Free-Press, but unless you go paper/pen only, I don't see any good reason to allow you in.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Brian Indianapolis IN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:41:15 GMT

Go Israel, protect your citizens and don't stop until you win. You don't have to listen or answer to anyone when defending your Country. Terrorism must be defeated around the world.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Bill - Detroit Michigan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:42:18 GMT

Our bible says “An eye for an eyes”, not 100 eyes for an eye. Just because you have the power to do this does not mean that you should. Nor does having the power or any amount of PR make it just.

Israel is killing women and children. This is a cowardly and terrorist action. Since the United States provides material support to Israel, we are Terrorists according to our own standard.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

A Logical Thinker, LA, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:45:01 GMT

Nicolas and Mosad- you could not be more wrong. Of course, it is obvious to any educated person that you are both very biased against Israel, which is why I understand your point of view. However, you cannot place the blame solely on Israel. If the US was bombed on average 20 times a day for almost 2 years, we would have already invaded the country that was bombing us. The facts are simple- on average 20 Quassam rockets fall on Sderot each day, and this has been occuring since summer of 2006. I don't know about you, but if I was being bombed 20 times a day I would want to fight back to get some peace and quiet. Why should Israel cooperate with Hamas when Hamas has made it quite clear that it only wants Israel's destruction. I don't believe that Hamas's opinion would change with our without Palestinian Right of Return. Seriously. Think out your arguments a little more before you spew your bias at us.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:45:12 GMT

I love how the world acts like Isreal is the bad guy. If the world wants to help the people of the Gaza strip. They need to let them know not to stand in front of Hamas militants while they are firing at Isreal over their shoulder. Isreal has every right to defend themselves, no matter what the media tries to portrait. Isreal doen't have the civilian casualties because the civilians from Isreal are smart enough to get out of the way.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Virginia J, Lapine, Or — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:03:53 GMT

Any human on the face of this earth that can justify the killing of another for any reason is sick. But to cut off aid, food, water and when that does not work resort to mass killing should not be allowed to reside on this earth. They will be delt with by a hugher power some day. In the mean time the countries on this planet should band together to stop this madness. (who ever they may be)

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Eric Lehman, Lodi, Ca — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:04:56 GMT

Hamas needs to focus its "Zeal" on helping its people and not on the destruction of Israel. Iran has been backing Hamas for years and the Palestinian people are the victims of that relationship. Israel needs to reach out to the Palestinians and try to help them establish a legitimate government.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Paddy Clarke — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:05:18 GMT

It is very interesting to see journalists laboring to make sure that both sides appear to be fighting a just war ..... and that innocent civilians are caught in the middle. The latter part may be true but how in the world can one get away with the statement - "Can anybody be right if all this is so wrong?" ALL this is so wrong ? If Israel acts to make sure that its population is safe how is that an act of aggression ?

It is silly and pathetic to see Islamists protesting in Brooklyn. How many Jewish people or Israelis did we see protesting when Hamas broke the ceasefire last month and started firing rockets into Israel ? But when Israel attacked Gaza, muslims all over (including some nutjobs in Brooklyn) the world came out in droves and protested (sometimes violently). The message is clear and people who want to see it will see it clearly and it is this - A significant number of Muslims owe their allegience to their brotherhood first and foremost and then to the country that they are citizens of.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Asaad Al-Asaad , Amman / Jordan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:05:53 GMT

After all, just to remind you that all the lands from the Mediterranean to Jordan River is a Palestinian Land; it has been occupied by Israel in 1948 and 1967.
So, Basically Israel is an Intruder, its occupied Palestine, It has no right to live in it.
Ask the British government which was delegated upon Palestine at that time.
Not only Gaza and the West Bank for the Palestinian, But Palestine as whole.
Think about it, if someone kick you out of your home and settled in it, what would your respond be?
Would you ever going forget your home?
The Answer is yours !!.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Fatmeh R. Drbn,MI — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:08:31 GMT

To Above Average Citizen, Asheville, NC and the litmus test... if there was a cease-fire for 24 hours and your prediction that Hamas would stop the fighting and its missiles would stop... wrong! For if indeed Hamas was the aggressor [which its not, for its merely playing defense in this violence game against the Zionist offense team], then we would not have still witnessed people dying prior to this 11-day strike. But people continued to die even when Hamas was not firing missels, and all those dead people died at the hands of Israeli soliders.

Its sad that we have come to refer to people as mere 'collatoral damage' and that one should achieve their goals no matter the amount of damage that is incurred. I wonder if we would still be thiking that if our own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses, children, and friends were the collatoral damage!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

california — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:10:49 GMT

What did Rachel Corrie do to be crushed under an Israeli bulldozer? May be Israel thought she was recruited by Hamas.
Stop fooling your self and just think about your children, would you like this to happen to them or even your cats and dogs????

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

not palestinian nor a muslim but also not fooled by the media! San Jose, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:14:59 GMT

you people are very easily influenced. Do you know the history of Israel? At all? Well here it is in a nutshell... Israel was at one time a country composed ONLY of Palestinian/Muslim people. However, during the cold war many Jews fled to Israel in search of a "safe haven". Just like the native American people opened their land & hearts to European settlers, the Palestinian/Muslim people opened their borders and hearts to the Jewish. Once Jewish people gained numbers in Israel, they began to claim land as their own (very similar to what happened to native Americans) and force was used to remove the Muslims (just like native Americans people!) There were wars and broken treaties! The Jewish Israeli people began trying to section off land and force the Muslim people into small territories (Gaza)and obviously succeeded!. Once the Jewish Israeli had the Palestinian/Muslims cornered into a small section, they began strangling the muslims by blocking aid! We should be protesting modern day Israel! They have forced an entire race of people into one small corner of a country and their goal is to eventually obtain that! How would you feel if you invited a guest into your home and he/she used force to somehow steal it from right underneath you? Would you not "have a fit"?? Would you not fight for your home? Of Course you would! Think people think! News reports state that the "rockets" that hammas has sent has killed very low numbers (4 people from the last report I read)! Yet Jewish Israel is completely annihilating the Palestinians! Just look at the casualties! This conflict is deeper than Hammas!. You would fight for you home too!.. To add insult to injury, how would you feel if while fighting for your stolen home you were then classified as a terrorist!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

san jose — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:22:10 GMT

Be human and think like one too!!!
Remember RACHEL CORRIE
Utterly despicable actions by Israeli army who purposely kill innocent people in the name of collateral damage.
Shame on them and on those who lack the moral courage to speak the truth.
May we have more Rachel Corries to remind us what one young unarmed girl can do.
Stir humanity...

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John K, Hackensack, NJ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:23:51 GMT

The moral equivalency of Hamas - a terrorist organization with the express aim of destroying Israel and killing as many of its citizens as possible - with Israel, a nation that has tried its utmost for 60 years to exist in peace with its neighbors, is rediculous. If Hamas would stop bombing innocent civilians and hiding amongst arab civilians in warfare, there would be no civilian deaths and no humanitarian "crisis".

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Magdi Kamel-Cairo-Egypt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:24:10 GMT

yes it is sad to see men,women and children injured and dieying...but does anyone remember Sadat, who offered peace to palestinian and got killed for it. Palestinian leaders does not want peace, this will mean no more blackmailing, no more swiss bank accounts. Sorry for palestinian victims of their own leadership

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Kagilly, Rome,GA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:42:36 GMT

This is crazy - there's lots getting out from the area from gaza. It just isn't on the US main stream media. You don't see a lot of palestinians with guns, lol, because they don't HAVE any. That's why they blow themselves up.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John Gorden — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:46:59 GMT

Israel has obtained peace with Jordan and Egypt. Hamas is bent on destroying Israel--period. They could care less about having peace except for brief periods of time in order to rearm. What would you do if you were at the helm of Israel?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Reddy, Gilroy, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:47:14 GMT

Why can't Hamas or any other Palestine leadership think differently protesting in a non-violent way? I don't think we would see this kind of blood bath. Wasn't British Raj a 800 pound gorilla too in 20th century?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Jim Munich, Germany — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:50:31 GMT

Israel was born out of European and American guilt around the Holocaust. The Palestinians who wish the "right of return" left because their "Muslim Brothers" said they'd destroy Israel and get their land back. No one (least of all Yasser Arafat) helped the Palestinians deal with their reality and move forward. It served the Muslim World's purposes to keep the Palestinians in camps that became festering sores to irritate Israel. The Israeli government capitulated to it extremist groups and built the settlements in occupied land. Now it is nearly impossible to remove Israel from that land.

Who's at fault? Virtually every nation on Earth and those of us who fail to bring forward and elect competent leaders. If you let a situation degenerate for 60 years, what do you expect?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Neta Blair — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:11:45 GMT

If somebody thinks that we should wait until missiles fall in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from Gaza, it doesn't make any sense. So, that's the problem. A cease-fire doesn't mean that we go to our normal life in Israel, to our jobs, to our schools, while Hamas is working with Iran and Hezbollah to improve their range and prepare for the next round. That doesn't make any sense. I would like some speaker from the Palestinian side, from any Arab country to come out and read the list of names, of Israeli people who were targeted in the last eight years.

In Israel, we have a great sensitivity for human life. This is a democratic country that understand what means to be a civilian and the other side, But for them All Israelis and Jews are targets. They don't differentiate between soldiers and civilians. They actually keep declaring every minute they are targeting Israeli cities.

So, when you're facing this kind of enemy, we have to be very careful with this kind of generalization that they're making. But, I really hope they will pay attention to the human story that happened in Israel for the past eight years, as we pay attention to the human story in Gaza now.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John Arnold, Alexandria VA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:18:28 GMT

Sadly, this eye-for-an-eye crisis goes back to 1947...and the violent history of Israel's birth (yes, Menachem Begin, and others committed terrorist acts galore to the resident Palestineans...and discriminated against the Semetic Jews. Also....question: How come none of the U.S. media are reporting that the Hamas rockets are not tipped/armed with explosives?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Karen, San Francisco, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:29:25 GMT

The reason there has been so little loss of Israeli life caused by Hamas' rocket attacks is because the Israeilis do a great job of using sirens to alert its people of the attacks giving them time to seek sheleter. Moreover, it's not how many Israelis the rockets from Hamas has killed, its that you can't live a normal life. The schools are closed so the Israeili's kids education is interrupted, businesses have to close in the middle of the day disrupting a person's means for making a living, and the fear and stress on the Israelis under constant attack is emotionally and psychologically damaging.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Roberto Blanco, East Bay, California — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:30:07 GMT

Simple message here,,,, don't bomb - don't get bombed! Recognize Smchmecognize! Take youre little piece of heaven and move on!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

maurice aziz — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:31:30 GMT

When there's a war everyone is to blame. But there should be some talks between the elected hamas govt. and the zionists. Till now Hamas Government wont recognize their neighbors. So you have Hamas Govt. hidding and acting as terrorists, instead of representing their people, they use them as cover to shoot. I guess they feel they are fighting a holy war, everyone that dies in the process are heroes. Hamas slagtered their own people, fatah and recently shot the fatah children in their legs for breaking curfew. Fatah children are only allowwed to leave the house on friday for prayers. Similarly, at the beggining of the Israeli air srikes, the Hamas Govt. was giving messages to the citizens via loud speakers noot to be scared or run away we are winnning. Maybe the citizens are being forced at gun point to stay in their place.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Stop the Insanity — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:32:34 GMT

@Mosad, Boston, MA

Since when is it Israel's reponsibility to provide "Gaza of food, medicine, fuel, water and electricity"? The Palestineans in Gaza voted in Hamas as their government. This government should provide for their citizens with "food, medicine, fuel, water and electricity" just as they seem to be providing Ammunitions. Israel is certainly not starving them of these?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Justin, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:42:21 GMT

Israel is committing atrocities and massacres in Gaza and you guys are vindicating its actions ? ... Indecent and hypocrites you are!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Andrew Fairhall — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:53:54 GMT

The core of the ME problem is Iran which empowers and supports Hamas and Hezbollah. If history is any lesson, look at what it took to bring down the Nazis. Iran MUST be destroyed ASAP, be it nuke or whatever. Failiure to do so will put the forces of terror in the ME in a stronger and stronger position. Until Iran is destroyed, there will be no fair and humane 2 state solution. War sucks, but is sometimes needed.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Just a human. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:01:27 GMT

The problem here is that no one seriously want's a solution. People and neighbours may have huge differences but they can still live together. A lot of families have differences but the do not kill each other. Killing will only generate more hatered on both sides. I think if the world is serious and the two parties are serious about living in peace despite their differeces it can be achieved. Where there is a will there is a way. The "WILL" is lacking. May God help all the innocent victims on both sides.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Hank Spirek — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:03:21 GMT

I don't like what is happening but Hamas is a recognised torroist group and must be destroyed.
If Hamas were as brave as they like to pretend they would not use children as shields.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Appalled, Louisiana — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:07:45 GMT

Hamas is not the aggressor; it did NOT break the cease-fire. In early November of 2008, Israel attacked Gaza, killing 6 members of Hamas using an air strike and troops. It was after this event that Hamas again began firing rockets into Israel. BBC News reported this on Nov. 5th and 20th (2008). Haaretz Israel News reported it on Nov. 5, 2008.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Shuky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:10:38 GMT

You guys have to realize what the bigger picture is. This is a global was against extreame Islam. that is why the other Arab countries are not getting involved. They are afraid of Iran type regimes in their country.
Hamas is evil. They must go.
Unfortunately the Palestinians continue to be pawns in this 60 year old game.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Al — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:21:02 GMT

It's third and long for Palestine. They need some weapons, I think. You know, to make it a fair fight.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Stan, Nashville, TN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:24:14 GMT

It's true that Hamas' charter talks about the elimination of Israel; however, Hamas, other pro-Palestinian groups, and Arab nations have called multiple times for a two-state settlement based on the 1967 borders. Additionally, Hamas stated (as recently as November of 2008, to my knowledge) that "a state within the 1967 borders and a truce for many years could be considered Hamas' de facto recognition of Israel" (Ismail Haniyeh). Israel and the United States have rejected this offer and sought to prolong the conflict in order to continue with their policies of Israeli territorial expansion, resource acquisition, and prevention of economic development in Palestinian societies. Not only does Israel not recognize the right of a Palestinian state to exist, it is actively eliminating Palestinian societies.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

lynette Hebaichi, Toledo, Ohio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:30:23 GMT

Israel knows it can never stop missiles launched from Gaza. Ever. It really doesn't want to stop them. The damage to life and property over the years in Israel from missiles is minimal. Israel's aim is to use this relatively ineffective form of resistance to occuptation as a reason not to sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians.Israel's invasion is a twisted show for the world to show them that it was reluctantly forced to act because Hamas doesn't want peace. Israel wants land and will never negotiate. Palestinian blood and it's children are incidental.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

samva Tyler TX — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:46:07 GMT

The Muslims in Gaza voted for Hamas. Hamas wants the destruction of Israel , reap what you sow. Please quit whining Muslims voted for this.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John Nicholson Miami, Florida — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:47:08 GMT

As you say, the job of a reporter, is to report both sides. That doesn't happen very often any more. Not just in conflicts, but also in politics. The honesty of reporters is not a given, and what they do report is based on bias, and not the truth.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

human — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:55:06 GMT

How long u could hide truth ?? really so so sorry for that , but truth coming by all ways , just one question pls , when u write articles as this , u expect that oxident are stupid really to accept this or ur sure about this , or u know they need really beleive anything ? i hope u r not trying to convaince arabians bc bombs and fire in GAZA and images r saying more than what u have in ur article , ashame for humanity , and pls go to any site and look how many journalist killed by israel those years , i'll not convaince u , i know u know all and well , GOD bless humanity in all world amen ,

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Below Average Citizen, Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:06:57 GMT

Theoretically, a journalist should, "...report the story of both sides as fairly as he can." Of course, this rarely occurs in practice. Mr. Fletcher's article approaches theory, albeit obliquely. His logic is pedestrian and almost sounds like that of a high school reporter. Unfortunately, the masses often need implicit information stated explicitly. Therefore, Mr. Fletcher, I applaud how you have chosen to express yourself -- if it was indeed a conscious choice. If nothing else maybe somebody, somewhere might learn to think.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Nick, Detroit, MI — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:08:48 GMT

The polarizing effect of Religion is disgusting. Someone needs to drop the seperation of Church & State bomb on these endocturned fools and get them to stop fighting.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Peter Mcarthy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:25:07 GMT

Those two countries are acting like barbarians Even though Gaza was asking for it i mean next thing you know they will be nuking each other, but what would you do if you were commander of the IDF You would HAVE to protect you people. But i'll tell you this as long as Gazas firing missiles theres gonna be no end to it!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Paul Reynolds, Cleveland, Ohio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:17:39 GMT

Why don't the Israelis agree to a cease-fire? Most of the people the IDF are killing live in poverty and are too weak to move about. The Israelis continue their apartheid against the Palestinians and the U.S. takes a back seat under pressure from the Isreali Lobby. The Israelis use harsh techniques such as torture and other crimes against humanity against Palestinians on the premise it minimises the risks of terrorist attacks. This article is so flawed. The reason the brutal scenes are not being shown is that the Israelis control information into/out of the Gaza strip, and there is little or no evidence of brutality in the Palestinian to IDF direction. What a sham of an article.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Justice Lover — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:24:38 GMT

If you take other person's land by force, build your house on it and force the land owner to give up,then you deserve every attack. That is what happen to Israel.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Walter Renninghoff — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:35:11 GMT

Your neighbor will keep lobbing granades into your yard as long as you insist on disowning that neighbor.
Israel is doing to the Palestinians what we have done to the Indians; history trepeats itself.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Walter Renninghoff — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:36:03 GMT

Your neighbor will keep lobbing granades into your yard as long as you insist on disowning that neighbor.
Israel is doing to the Palestinians what we have done to the Indians; history repeats itself.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John Constant, Hodgenville, KY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:37:25 GMT

Some comments from the One who is in charge.

1 The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus declares the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. 4 On that day, declares the Lord, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But for the sake of the house of Judah I will keep my eyes open, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Lord of hosts, their God.’

6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.

7 “And the Lord will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not surpass that of Judah. 8 On that day the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the Lord, going before them. 9 And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zech 12:1-9 (ESV)

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mauricio Grespan,Sao Paulo,BRASIL — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:42:53 GMT

From the moment you kill women and children,just like Bush and USA did on their senseless war,you can't be right,you became one of the so called TERRORISTS,that's what Israel is doing,becaming the real bad guys!!!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Victor j — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:53:06 GMT

What if New york was being bombed constantly for 8 years? Would you still say this is one-sided?
How much longer are we going to remain totally blind to the international terrorist groups? Hamas and El Kaidah and their friends in Mombay and paris and London they're all one group of people who try KILL you if you don't agree to their doctrine of whatever their supporting that day!
How much longer will it take for the western world to wake up?
We must fully support Israel who is donig the Dirty work for every free thinking human being in the world!!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Francis, UK — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:21 GMT

Anyone of you heard the press conference held by Sarkozy-Asad... Asad, Syria's president, said something i think we should never forget, he said resistance is not a country, nor a hangar of weapons nor a piece of land... Resistance is an ideology that cannot be killed with weapons. Israel is wasting its time with its massacres in Gaza

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Irish Catholic Mom — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:19:26 GMT

While I too am horrified for the innocent civilians in Gaza that are suffering, the reality is that Palestinians elected Hamas knowing that they were a militant organization bent on the destruction of Isreal and the methods they were use to try and achieve it. I didn't see the world protesting when Hamas was consistently firing rockets into Isreal at civilians. The Hamas fighters have no problem hiding like cowards among their people, storing weapons in mosques and schools, threatening to murder anyone who tries to record the conflict, shooting the political opposition in the legs and arms in order to ensure that they do not collaborate with the enemy and then they have the nerve to portray themselves as the victims and hold up their slaughtered women and children as proof of their victimization. These horrifying civilian casulties are the fault of Hamas and Hamas alone. The sad part is that only in the Middle East would these questions even be occuring. If Mexico was randomly firing rockets into the US or if Great Britain suddenly started firing rockets into Ireland, I don't think there would be any question of who is at fault. It is not Isreal's fault that they are better armed and better prepared so as to suffer significantly fewer casualities. While I am saddened and horrified by the civilian losses, anyone who disagrees with Isreal's right to defend itself is a hypocrite.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

joseph, great neck, ny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:32:07 GMT

any claim of israel's responsibility for the situation in gaza is absolute nonsense. it has been a terrorist group who has been firing rockets EVERYDAY into israel. one should be halucinating if hamas would provide its enemy with electricity, food, fuel, they deny it from their own!!! briefly hamas must be eradicated whether some biased people do not like it. secondly i am wondering why only israel is being blamed for not accepting a ceasefire, it is hamas that is rejecting it too but there is no mention of that; apparently hamas is being wiped out of the face of earth and is not worth being mentioned anymore.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Rick, Coulee Dam, Washington — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:34:16 GMT

Let me tell ya some thing people. If you let a terrorist organization lead your country you are just asking for trouble, and HAMAS is a terrorist organization that leads the Palestinian people, therefore it is the Palestinian peoples fault for letting them operate and run their country. Wake up and smell the coffee people. I cannot believe some of the ignorrance of our own people.
Read "A Clean Break". Google it becouse it has been happening for the past few years. Read it and it will really make you think.
It is those HAMAS terrorists that started the the whole thing and Israel aims to see this one through and I hope and prey that they succeed.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Noor Khan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:38:12 GMT

Hamas's charter is to create a single state on all of the land betweeen the Jordan River and the Meditteranean. That state would privilege Muslim Palestinains but allow Christians AND Jews who accepted second-class status to remain in peace. This is basically the same thing as the definition of Israel except it is Jews that are privileged -- and the vast majority of Muslims and Christians who had lived there for two millenia before 1948 were forced out of their homes in order to guarantee a Jewish majority. The basic premis of BOTH groups is the same. But one side has the fourth best-equipped army in the world and the support of the only superpower while the other side has maybe 15,000 men who are all refugees armed with light weapons smuggled in through tunnels- hidden among 1.5 million civilians cramped in one of the most densely populated areas of the world that lives on less than $2/day per capita. Gaza has been sealed off for years, its people CAN'T leave, and the only ways to get food/medicine/fuel are controlled by the IDF -- with the exception of the Rafah crossing, which the Egyptians control but must answer to Israel for. Statements like "they want to destory Israel" are deliberately used to liken Hamas (and before 1991, all Palestinians) to the Nazis. A more accurate staement would be that Hamas demands the dismatling of Israel as a state for all the world's Jews but not for other inhabitants of the land. As I said, BOTH parties are by definition excluding almost half the current population of the area -- one side just has a far more realitic chance of succeeding.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

saflyadmad — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:40:48 GMT

Tiil now how many thousands of Israeli bombs, missiles, rockets, grenades and tank-shells have been blasted into the crowded city and towns of the Gaza Strip by Israels high-tech weaponry? Who supplies this directly/indirectly?
STOP USING US$ to stop all the disaster. Do every measures possible TO GROUND-DOWN US economy!!!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

jorge — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:40:52 GMT

Haha! This thread seems to vindicate the article's point: both sides demonize the other and portray themselves as martyrs.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

free gaza hagerstown MD — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:41:29 GMT

to he person that says isreal isnt responible for suppling gas electicity and the such. gaza has 1 thats right 1 power plant isreal is he main supplier of elecricty in gaza and the west bank. they also supply most of he fuel to gaza and the west bank.

remember president bush and osreal waned free elections hamas won. they and us need to get over that. not one country in the world reckonizes the results of that election even though it was done the way they wanted it. just that the people they wanted to win didnt win.

isreal is the aggressor in this case allways has and allways will be. what needs to be done in my opinion is we need the UN resuliion passed in 1945 which created palastine and isreal to be enforced. isreal needs to give back the land they STOLE for the palastinians egypt jordan and syria back. until they do that they are fair game to aacks from all those nations.

someone please show me where in the hamas charter it says hey are commited to the destruction of isreal? no where in it does it says those excat words. they do not regenizes isreal as a legal sate cause they are not.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Sam Aziz — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:43:12 GMT

Read below on NBC and Martin's 'coverage'.

I go to the Arab news sites in English for the up to date info as NONE of the Westrners news staions have anyone in Gaza!!! For shame Brian Williams and NBC.

http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/2009/01/20091585448204690.html

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Peter V., Alexandria VA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:52:13 GMT

I don't see any mention that the Israeli Supreme Court has demanded that the IDF allow access to Gaza by foreign journalists but the IDF has ignored that ruling. I guess they don't want the world to see what they are doing.

US and Israeli officials often insist on Israel's right to defend itself but they apparently deny that right to Palestinians. It is the Palestinians that have lost their houses and land and are being killed in far greater numbers by the IDF. Until the dispossession of the Palestinian people is recognized as the fundamental cause of the conflict, the bloodshed will go on.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

William Wittenauer, Youngstown, Ohio 44512 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:53:59 GMT

Displacing Palestinians from their land in favor of Israeli settlements will never be right. On the other hand allowing a terrorist organization to gain control, use civilians as shields, smuggle in arms, etc. can never be right either! Israel has a right to
exist and defend themselves from that! Two wrongs ddon't make a right! Israel is playing into the hands of this terorist organization creating a pile of civilian casualties to muster world support against them! They need to find some other way to disarm those thugs!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

P.S. Hancock NY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:58:36 GMT

What a goal, " to wipe out Isreal!" If US neighboring countries publicly had the same goal, and the US was lobbled with rockets we wouldn't just put up with it forever either. Who made many consessions in Gaza in past few years ? Isreal! Who deliberately posiitions themselves next to populated areas and hides out in public buildings? Hamas ! Can't we take a stand for right and wrong any more? I feel sorry for citizens of Gaza but that shouldn't prevent Isreal from protecting it's own citizens.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JC, Lexington Ky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:08:21 GMT

Since when was it wrong for a country to defend its people and interets by whatever means necessary? While I do feel for the civilians of the Gaza strip, I also see that they hold part of the blame. They elected a violent terrorist group to lead them, a group with the sole agenda of destroying Israel. When did it become Israel's obligation to provide food/water/electrical power etc. to Gaza? The people of Gaza have shown they want nothing to do with the Israelis yet when the Israelis do as Hama wants, they call for war? As for the massive firepower Israel possess, seeing as they are surrounded by nations who have historically wanted nothing more than to wipe them off the face of the earth, can you blame them for having a powerful military? How about this to all out there... If this were Muslim v. Muslim, would there be such a outcry? Jew v. Jew?? Christian v. Christian?? I think not. People cry out over the fact that its one religion fighting another religion when it really comes down to survival and security.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Alison Cipriani, New York, NY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:08:36 GMT

This is how the Arabs fight wars. They make it appear that there is a humanitarian crisis (or they themselves create one) so the world will condemn Israel. It doesn't appear to be working this time because I keep reading comments by people all over the US and perhaps the world who have finally caught on to the game being played, this time by Hamas. One wonders why the people of Gaza are so poor. If you spent all of the funds your organization received on bombs and guns instead of schools and hospitals, your people would be in trouble too.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JERRY INDIANAPOLIS IN. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:14:39 GMT

WHERE ARE THE ARAB STATES?DIVIDED OR AGREE.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Paige Mattews, Oregon — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:16:30 GMT

I keep hearing everywhere that Muslims started this war, which in my opinion, is nonesense. Israel started the war 60 years, they were ruthless, it wasn't a war they started, they started a slaughtering ground. Hamas, and all terrorist groups our there started about 60 years ago. Coincidence? Terrorism comes from revenge. If you have your children, your land, everything around destroyed for no reason really, you would wanna destroy whoever started that, no matter what you have to do. That's what terrorist groups are doing, they're acting on their anger, their need for revenge, their need for justice. It's doesn't make them right, it makes them monsters. However, they have every right to be pissed off. It was THEIR children, THEIR land, THEIR everything. Israel says they're doing this to defend their country. Well, what all these people in Arab countries are doing is the only thing they can do to defend their country. Both need to own up and stop all these horrible things. And Israel really needs to stop trying to make Muslims look like animals. They ain't the ones killing kids at the moment are they?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

P. Spark, at sea — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:19:32 GMT

Isn't religion just great? It drives people to hate each other. It drives people to kill in the name of whatever diety they believe in.

One day soon I hope, people will realize that religion is just a manmade concept and turn their backs on religious leaders. A pipe dream of mine, I know.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Elliott Danto, Kendall Park, NJ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:22:02 GMT

Two quotes - both 50 years old from Golda Meir - are the simple truths in this conflict.
1) If the Palestinans laid down their guns there would be no more fighting. If Israel laid down their guns there would be no more Israel.
2) The fighting will stop when the Palestinians love their childrn more than they hate the Jews.
There is something inherently wrong with sending your child off strapped with explosives.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JC, Lexington Kentucky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:05 GMT

Correct me if I am wrong, but the whole "We did this to the Indians" concept fails in this situation. I was unaware that Europeans lived in North America, were removed by Native Americans and then decided to return and carve out new countries. That is what happened to the Israelis. Forced from their homes, persecuted for hundreds of years throughout the world and finally moved back to where their religion and people originated to carve out a homeland that they resided in before Islam was even a religion yet the Israelis are the bad guys here?? I fail to see the connection with that argument.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

lynette Hebaichi, Toledo, Ohio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:25:16 GMT

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

RikC, Wareham, MA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:28:05 GMT

Again,

The bottom line is Hamas' goal is the destruction of Israel. Got it!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Where's the Truth? Philadelphia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:43:11 GMT

It's always been the Israeli contolling of the message. Funded and backed by the United States and cringed at by the rest of the world. Search "USS Liberty" on any search engine. Read it as a Pround American, not a sheep.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

LOVIE--HILL CITY KANSAS — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:44:20 GMT

Every time israel kills a militant, someone takes off his mask an thay say look--israel killed a poor little boy that was do'ing nothing wrong--"yeah right" how many women an children did the u.s. kill when we entered iraq--war is not a walk in the park, people get killed "the good,the bad an the ugly"!!!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

UNKNOWN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:47:13 GMT

ALL OF ISRAELIS ARE PUNISH OF TORROIST. THEY ARE DOING TO THE GAZIAN WHAT WAS DONE TO THEM IN THE HOLOCUST. STOP THIS AGGRESSION. ISRAEL STATE IS THE WORST STATE IN THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THEY ARE ANIMALS. NO HUMAN BEING WILL DO WHAT THE STATE OF ISRAEL IS DOING NOW. KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREND. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WITH THIS TORRIOST ACT OF AGRESSION. LONG LIVE HAMAS AND THE GAZIAN PEOPLE.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Joe Sanders, Onalaska, Wi — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:54:24 GMT

Take a little knife, 2 inch blade and poke someone, not once or twice, but say 50 times. Are you really suprised when they take out a shotgun and shot you full of holes? Defend yourself Israel.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ann, KY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:55:52 GMT

How this current conflict started:

1.Shaky Egyptian-brokered six-month truce between Hamas and Israel agreed on 19 June

2.Palestinian rocket fire and Israeli operations in Gaza reduced

3. Violence resumes on 4 Nov as ISRAEL launches incursion which it says targets Hamas tunnel; Palestinians respond with rocket fire
Hostilities increase;

4. Israel tightens blockade on Gaza
Truce expires on 19 Dec; both sides blame each other for its breakdown; rocket fire increases

5.Israel launches major air strikes on 27 Dec

This is just another chapter in Israel's history of "we must defend ourselves". If Israel had not committed such atrocities repeatedly in its 60 year history, it would not be under attack today. The treatment of the Palestinian people by Israel and the Arab world is appalling. Even if Israel wipes out Hamas completely, the innocent children of Gaza will suffer much trauma and psychological damage. These children have lived in continued poverty and despair; this only grows resentment and angry, an easy breeding ground for the next generation of resistance fighters.

Neither side can win.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Paige Mattews, Oregon — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:56:01 GMT

They don't send off their children strapped with explosives. They chose to go. Just shows how sick this world has become.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

mary john,pgh. pa. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:56:04 GMT

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Pao, Providence, RI — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:56:56 GMT

All I can say is this, stop the video footage from this fighting, stop criticizing the Hamas and Israel altogether. Let them fight until one side give-us and at the end game, they will learn to live peacefully side-by-sde. If Hamas continues to rocket Israel then this fighting can not be avoided now nor the future. A mouse can not beat an elephant so don't Hamas knows this? So stop saying it's disproportionated in Israel response. Hamas fighters knew it and we all knew it...

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Sephanyah Corpus Christi TX — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:59:27 GMT

Hamas does not have a right to exist. Like its Nazi counterpart they seek to destroy us. They fire rockets and then cry foul when we try to stop them.They should be treated like all terrorists snuff them out once and for all. They are animals and cowards. I say we occupy Gaza and take back the land that is ours in the first place.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

oea — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:59:33 GMT

There are lots of people commenting here that think the history started with Hamas election to power. Hamas is the brutal response to a brutal Zionist policy. Give Palestine independence, stop stealing their land and water wells, then if Hamas continue the rockets attacks, nuke them; but first do the right thing.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Barbara, Harrisburg, PA — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:03:24 GMT

To "Stop the insanity":

You really must learn your facts. Hamas would be able to provide for it's citizens, had Israel not frozen all supplies coming in and out of Gaza. No medicine allowed in; no fuel; no food; so the citizens of Gaza became dependent on Israel throwing them a bone here and there. Hamas is not right in what they are doing, but they are the lesser of the evils, since Israel allows people to die waiting to cross the border for medical treatment. I just wonder HOW DO THESE SOLDIERS FEEL letting old women, babies, dying cancer patients, just sit for hours over NOTHING!?

I would LOVE to see any of you claiming Israel is the poor victim live in these people's shoes for awhile. I pray you don't call yourselves "Christian" because what kind of Christian blames the refugee for their situation and plight??? And thinks it's OKAY for them to be wiped off the planet?!

This is genocide. But the term "Never Again" only holds true for one group of people. History has proven it doesn't mean squat for anyone else.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Gerald Eppner,New York, NY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:03:27 GMT

Mr. Fletcher,

As your report is directed primarily to press coverage (or the control and limitation thereof), your last point IS the point. It is quite cleatr to any rational observer that the reason press coverage has been limited, indeed almost nullified, is because it has been anything but fair in the past.It strains credulity to accept the notion that reporters (and/or their editors) have made a reasonable and responsible effort to present the news fairly. In fact, I believe a legitimate argument can be made to the effect that it has been manipulated or, even worse, biased.

GE, New York,NY

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

AS, Sderot — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:04:43 GMT

For all you people that are so strong in your condemnation of israel's actions...the ones that think they know it all...I say this...come, bring your family to Sderot and live with me for a week. It doesn't matter if it's now or during a "cease fire". Once the rockets start falling you'll run out with your tail between your legs. Until then talk not about what you do not know! People in Israel want peace!!! The kind that doesn't involve Hamas rocket attacks and suicide bombers.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Where's the Truth? Philadelphia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:14:11 GMT

JC is correct in the his Indian analogy only so far as the American Indian issue was only a little over 100 years ago, not 500. Think in the year 2100, after 100 years of war in Iraq, our military and capital is so depleted that we have no defense. Then China which has been growing for a century takes all the property in New York City and gives it back to the Indians. They resettle the inhabitants on the trash dump at Staten Island, fence them in and say, This is now your life. What would you do then,
I ask?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

butch bennett daytona beach fl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:18:07 GMT

live by the gun die by the gun lose the guns live in pease

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Paige Mattews, Oregon — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:22:23 GMT

AS, Sderot

Would people who want peace watch children being brutally murdered by their guns and bombs? They think this will stop the terrorrist attacks, i'll bet all of you anything that this is just gonna end up with alot of other terrorrist groups forming, most with all the parents of all the dead children.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Valeria, NY, NY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:23:47 GMT

Someone here said "only 15 or 17 israelis have been killed by Palestinian misciles"-that makes it ok?? The reason is that these people practically live in bomb shelters. It's not ok terrorize their entire lives for years. Israel does everything it can not to hurt covilians even when it is fighting a guerilla war like this by warning people of attacks-which makes their goal of getting militants harder btw. The Pals will never be satisfied with pieces of land-believe their own charter when they say they want to destroy all of Israel. So why give them anything if they don't want peace??
And more over-why does everyone expect Israel to provide for Gaza'a energy, water, etc??? Thank them for doing it at all! Another country would def do everything it can not to give them energy for making more bombs.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

James Epstein, Saint Louis, MO — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:26:40 GMT

Were the United States (or any other nation besides Israel) under even one day or one week of rocket attacks against our population from a hostile enemy nation who's stated goal was the elimination of our country and people, the US would retaliate with at least the force being used by the Israeli's...there seems to be a different global standard of expectation of restraint for the Israeli's than any other country would be expected to exhibit - this, a pernicious and insidious incarnation of anti-semitism.

I suggest giving the population of Gaza, who voted Hamas into power (and the international community) a 90 day time limit to evacuate to the lands of their Arab brethren (who have precipitated and manipulated this decades old situation of refugee status for the so-called Palestinians for their own political and national agendas) or other countries willing to take them (I wager a precious few - perhaps only the US) and then carpet bomb the entire area of Gaza until it is flat as a pancake, and then Israel re-occupy and establish it as another flourishing part of the State of Israel.

What would we do, and what would our people demand of our government were we the ones in the Israeli's shoes?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

bukola — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:27:58 GMT

What or who says a group is a terrorist organisation, you, the us,un,arab league, who? the strong to prove it aggression calls the weak terrorist because it has starved them the opprotunity to buy weapons and itself amasses cache of weapon. The world told hamas to stop. Whether u strap yourself with bombs or hide yourself in tanks and kill other, you are all murderers. Anybody who supports any of them is also a murderer. Justice I believe is when the rest of the world stand on the gulf sea and bomb both israel and hamas to a stand still. We can achieve peace in the middle east if the whole world speaks with one voice. not four voices - israel, hamas, united states and the rest of the world

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Larai Narian, Israeli occupied East Jerusalem — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:30:07 GMT

Prejudice is Pain NBC. Jornalism is about seeing clearly, and not having blind spots as you do have for a long long time now.

Hoping that you will soon see the light

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John, Saint Paul, MN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:32:43 GMT

Violence is never good, and in Israel/Gaza it's on a never ending cycle. Who started it? At this point, who knows. But lobbing rockets into Israel after a cease fire several years ago leads me to believe 'Hamas' started this one...if there ever was a clean slate, they dirtied it first.
As for the UN, does anyone wonder why they're a paper tiger? They accuse Israel of a 'disproportionate response'. When did a proportionate response ever solve anything?? Especially when it comes to war fighting. Take WWII as an analogy. London was Bombed. The allies retaliated. Compare Berlin/Dresden, etc to London circa 1945. Disproportionate? Well, we know how that one turned out...Germany is a world leader, or at least economically and politically respectable in many ways now.
Hamas fires rockets into Israel, and then their 'fighters' hide in mosques, schools, and hospitals...then try to show civilian casualties whe Israel retaliates. At least now, I believe, the world is buying it a bit less than usual. People are sick of war, and Hamas is sworn to war making on Israel. Sorry electorate. You voted Hamas in. That's been a 'great choice' hasn't it? Reap what you sow. Reap it.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

bukola — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:32:56 GMT

lets not support any of the world murderers, the USA, Hamas, Al Qaeda, Russia, China, Isreal. The only reason they exist is that we all recongnise them. If the world resist the veto and war mongerers and choose a one world not a united some, and any form of war against a neigbhor is regarded as war against the whole world. A world where war or retaliation is frowned at and dealt with accordingly.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ray, Eastpointe, MI — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:35:29 GMT

What ever happened to four simple words: "Thou shalt not kill"??? I don't see ANY room for exceptions on ANY side (Arab/Israeli/Protestant/Catholic/etc) in that simple command.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

K.Griffin Midland MI — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:40:23 GMT

We are seeing mostly negative coverage when it comes to this issue. What happened to coverage and indignation when it comes to the hundreds of thousands killed in S. Africa. What about the Russians in Georgia. I can't hardly watch CNN due to the biased slanted reporting. They should be saying there has been 450 Hamas terrorists killed and 50 civilians due to collateral damage. Who can belive what is reported. Let Israel do what it needs to do and stay out of the way.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

amit,London — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:41:40 GMT

people,are you all for real??? Can't you use your eyes to see,your brian to think and your heart to judge just for a second?? Stop relying so heavily on baised(zionist) media.
Bottom line is,that we are allowing and supporting this massacre in the name of "defense".First make life miserable and then simply wipe it off.so nobody lives to complain.The funniest part is we believe that its never gonna come back to bite us.hummmmm.

If US stop supporting israel's cruelty just for once,the mideast crisis will be over before we know it.Let the rest of the world be part of the decision.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JW, World — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:43:55 GMT

Hamas thrives on violence. During the recently broken ceasefire, peace was proving to be damaging for Hamas' popularity as they sunk lower and lower in the Palestinian eye. Aggression against Israel is the party's greatest selling point.
One must question whether Israel would be so willing to inflict such destruction if it didn't have the seemingly unwavering support of the United States.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

steeley haifa iL — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:54:39 GMT

hamas is a bunch of terrorist what do you expect with this guys, terrorist kill innocent people gazan people support hamas they put there life into death ...

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Tom, Dallas Texas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:58:17 GMT

This is the fault of Hamas, no question. Israel was created by UN mandate from land under British control. The British had control large areas of this area for years. So, people, know your facts. As for the alleged Isreal land theft, once again, most of the facts are distorted. Isreal gained control of most of their land by defeating the alleged Arab "armies" that has attacked Israel over the years. Israel defeated these Arabs, and per the rules of war, the land was now Israel. If the Arabs had not attacked, then the land would not have been lost. And, as typical per the cowardly Arabs, after they attacked, and were defeated, the Arabs then cried foul. (And yes, the Arabs are cowards. Who else would glorify suicide attacks against women, children and civilians? Only those too cowardly to stand up and fight.)

Hamas is a group of cowards, like most if not all Arabs. They claim to be "fighters" but they hide amongst women and children, like cowardly dogs. Then after the area is clear, they come out and run their mouths. When the Arabs can field a army and actually defeat someone will really be newsworthy. They could not even beat the French.

And, while I am not a Jew, I do prefer the Israels to the Arabs. Having been oner in that area numerous times I have found the people of Israel to be far more open minded, fair, honest and less bigoted then any Arab.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Gene — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:53 GMT

To Mosad, Since when is it the U.S. responsibility to supply the Israelis with F-15s, bombs, guided missiles, and $50,000,000 dollars a year in aid. Seventy percent of the Americans want the U.S. to reamain neutral and it seems evident this is better for America. The small Jewish population in America has a lot of clout, doesn't it. How about the American Jews acting more like the German and Italian Americans in WWII and doing more of what is in America's interest, not their own selfish religious interests.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ronalee Keene N.H. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:55 GMT

I'm looking for a little more history, I thought , and I could be wrong , but Palistanians were originally refugees from ancient Greece and were the Philistiens. The Romans changed their names.They settled near the sea in the area of Gaza. Wanting to be a country is different than being able to make it so. Someone who knows the real history please feel free to share and enlighten me. Thank you

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Bill, Bowling Green, KY — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:13:00 GMT

Plain and simple, if Hamas wasn't antgonizing Isreal, Isreal wouldn't be invading Gaza. The people of Gaza and the Palestinians have allowed this to occur from within their borders. Hamas hides behind civilians because they are terrorists and cowards. They know that the world media will see civilians being killed and the world will pressure Isreal to stop. The civilian deaths are simply collateral damage and something that occurs in war. The biggest mistake that the US has made in its actions in Iraq is trying to fight a war of surgical attacks that only target the bad guys. If we leave the wives and sons of the terrorists that we have eliminated. The wives will teach their children to hate and the sons will be our new threat ten years from now, all because we were the ones that killed their fathers. Political correctness has no place in war. Have any of these people had remorse for the US and the civilian victims of 9/11? Their intent is to kill all of us (Men, women, and children!), just as Hamas has declared to kill all Isreali's.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

John, St. Paul, MN — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:16:17 GMT

Bukola-

Your misperceptions and lack of a 'location' is telling.
Let me help you with something. Armed people in uniform, or in tanks, etc. aren't MURDERERS. They're KILLERS. Every trained army since the beginning of time trains killers. Society, for the last, say, 300 years accepts standing armies.
Someone dressed like a normal person that walks into a market and intentionally kills civilians is a MURDERER. And a coward to boot.
"Freedom fighters" with scarves over their faces, hiding in mosques, schools, and amongst civilians are murderers and cowards, and their footage of the civilians being killed around them (propaganda) is believe by people who don't understand the cowardice and underhanded-ness of the 'fighters'.
A burned out tank and dead soldiers is not mourned like a dead arab once his scarf is taken off his face.

Once the people begin to realize they're being duped by MURDERERS, and being defended by KILLERS, perhaps the violence can stop.
I don't condone the violence, but I won't condemn the Killers for killing the Murderers. There IS a difference.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JN,LaBelle,Fl. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:16:49 GMT

Hamas was elected by the people.Hamas steals billions from citizens around the world and pumps it into it's war machine.Don't cry and point fingers look at yourselfs and figure out where you went wrong.Terrorisim is not the way.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Oli Alam, Montreal, Quebec — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:17:15 GMT

Nothing is true but man itself, humanity comes first then religion, if we kill each other; there will be no man to follow Religion- so then whats the use of religion. "peace and serenity" . Very funny, I am watching pro-Israel for last 11 days, the way they are talking is basically all fault is on hamas and Israel is doing the right thing. This is irrational thinking, I believe Israel is doing war crime, and we all should stop Israel from killing civilians.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

jeff bunkers,perrysburg, ohio — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:05:57 GMT

and the Zionist's are not a terrorist organization, are they any different than Hamas, I think not

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mary, Sioux City, IA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:07:44 GMT

Way to go NBC. Your piece on the conflict of the middle east was almost as slanted as your videos and pictures of the Iraq war. Hamas is the aggressor and you made Israel look like the bad guys for protecting themselves. I hope someone at NBC reads these because most of the people who made comments are smart enough to know who the victim is and who the aggressor is.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Anti-Terra — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:18:21 GMT

Good for Israel. Take them terrorizers out!

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Kim W. New Jersey — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:18:43 GMT

Dear Not Palenstianian nor Muslim but also fooled by the MEDIA...maybe you should take a little history lesson. Jewish history began about 4,000 years ago (c. 17th century BCE) with the patriarchs - Abraham, his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob. Documents unearthed in Mesopotamia, dating back to 2000-1500 BCE support this. Sorry to say but that was years before the cold war. Israelites were captured and after 400 years of bondage were led to freedom back to Israel 1300 BC. Hmmm still before the cold war. During the next 200-400 years Israelites conquered most of the land of Israel and continue to develop it. For the next 100s and 100s of years several groups controlled portions of Israel including Muslisms, Christian Crusaders, Roman Empire, and British. Israelites never lost their connection with their land. It was unfortunate that everyone was trying to take a piece. Finally Britain's inability to reconcile the demands of the Jewish and Arab communities led to a decision to be made by the UN. On 29 November 1947, the Assembly voted to adopt the committee's recommendation to partition the land into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Jewish community accepted the plan; the Arabs rejected it. But in 1948 when British rule came to an end, Israel became a country. This is coming from the words of a non-Jew. Get your history facts straight.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Facts on the ground. The Middle East — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:21:33 GMT

This is what it's all about. Israel is the instigator. IT IS THE PROBLEM. It was created by the UN out of an ARAB country. The PALESTINIANS lost their homes, land, and country and have been oppressed since 1948. They are fighting to regain their own land on their own, because the world doesn't care one way or the other. All we hear about is the Holocaust, what do we call what is Israel is doing now ? Holocaust II ??? Think about it. Israel has just created millions of more enemies that want to wipe it off the face of the earth, not just Hamas.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

marco fernandez — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:20:15 GMT

ISRAEL THE TERRORIST STATE MUST BE STOPPED....

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

ehv — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:22:05 GMT

For a handful of Hamas terrorist to fight from schools, churches and mosques is despicable.

For the Israeli army to knowingly fire back into these schools, churches and mosques with the full understanding that innocent people will die, in my opinion, is just as disgusting and puts them at the same level as the Hamas terrorists they are fighting with.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mahomma, jakarta, Indonesia — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:00:11 GMT

You can see the great liders are the "Hamas" that instead of looking for prosperity for their own people they provoke this war then to hide like cowards that they are between the civilians, hospitals and schools. Claim that Israel blokade them but not enough to bring all those thousands of rockets from Iran. Why they don't get food and better services for their people instead of all those weapons. Hamas send brain washed young people to explode bombs but you do not see any of the big "shots" or great leaders bomb themselves, they are too smart to be "martirs" they use the brainwashed kids for that. I can not believe how the "smart guys" writting before don't see that.. or maybe they do not want to see it, for some reason.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

JEAN TARVER — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:08:40 GMT

Mr. Early Morning from San Jose, California - you just flunked your history exam!! The noted historian Sir Martin Gilbert has written some very excellent books on the middle east. If I were you I would avail myself to some of his very excellent and unbiased research.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Peter — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:17:08 GMT

It's easy to solve and stop the war.
Give Hamas armory as little good as Israel than there will be no war.
That's happened with Hesbollah.
If they can live nicely, definitely they dont want to be destroyed and give more room to others.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

roland brewer,monteagle,tn — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:36:17 GMT

the palestinians bring it all on there self they cant even live in peace with there owen people so they are reaping there rewards they need to come into the 21centery and wake up

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Judy Rose, New York City, New York — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:36:27 GMT

Actually Israel is the most guiltiest party in this war. It is killing innocent, going on the offensive for no reason other than lies. Their lies are actually that they want the Gaza strip.

It's sad that you guys don't see that picture. I'm glad you brought it out Martin

If you don't believe me and what I say, go there yourself and see.

You'll realize the truth and be sorry that you ever praised Israel.

Because I have.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Sarah A, San Diego, California — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:41:45 GMT

You know it's strange.

Isn't Israel repeating the holocaust by killing palestine?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Albert Sing — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:18:41 GMT

This war is prolonged due to ceasefire and each sides keep piling weapons. We all sympathise with the women and innocent children being killed. If Hamas,Hesbollah,or any other organisation who wants to fight should come out on a level playing field away from homes, schools, temples and ordinary people who do not want to engage in warfare.
It is sheer cowerdice Haamas hiding in the skirts of women and in the midst of children as they are scared to take on Israel face to face.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

D. Sevenson Hartford, CT — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:22:14 GMT

Fletcher's article fails the logic test because it dismisses the gross disprproportionality of the killing. To say that each side is controlling the message assumes that readers lack an ability to differentiate what they see. Israel is indeed controlling the message when it shows wailing women in Serdot upset about a rocket hitting the field nearby. The NBC news report Sunday night showing the Israeli family in Serdot running to the cellar of their palatial home when a rocket hit some distance away was almost comical as the kids were laughing while the mother expressed "grave" concern for their safety. When the camera shows children in Gaza blown apart by mortars and 1000 lb bombs, that's not controlling the message, thats fact.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Andre- NY — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:25:58 GMT

Though the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza is heart wrenching, let us not forget several facts. First, Hamas was elected by the citizens of Gaza. Second, Hamas has been firing over 5000 rockets into the town of Sderot since 2001 and now has been firing rockets with longer ranges. They continue to fire rockets at civilian areas indiscriminately even when stopping rocket fire would help bring about a cease fire and an end to the suffering of its citizens. Hamas also has taken horded humanitarian supplies and gotten rid of doctors not loyal to Hamas, thus worsening the humanitarian crisis even before Israel's incursion. Also, Israel was not the one who broke the cease fire and precipitated this crisis. Finally, Hamas has been using its citizens as human shields as a propaganda weapon to gain favor internationally as they are outmatched militarily. Even one of Hamas' ministers Fathi Hamad has boasted of Hamas' use of innocent civilians as human shields on 2/29/08. Unfortunately, civilians are being held hostage by a cruel, irrational government that, ironically, they elected. So, let us put things in perspective and assert the truth about Israel; it has reached the last resort and is doing what it needs to do to survive just like any other country that has too easily condemned Israel would do (probably after enduring fewer rockets)

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mary, Indianapolis, IN — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:55:51 GMT

There are no winners in a religious war. The more it becomes about winning and domination for the sake of religion - the more inhumane it gets and further from the TRUTH. MY GOD - would NOT approve of needless killing for the sake of one's religion. It's horrendous that COWARDS facilitate such brainwashing. I am by no means perfect, but I can face my judgement.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Eric, Cleveland, OH. — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:57:08 GMT

Israel certainly holds more of the blame here, they are certainly the bigger aggressors here, as is the case 90% of the time when it is engaged in combat against others. Here is an analogy that I think represents the current situation very well. I am a Palestinian Muslim Arab, and I punch you, an Israeli Jew, in the the chest or jaw. You respond by knocking me over the head, causing me to lose consciousness proceed to tie me up and gag me and then run me over with a car while I am still unconscious, killing me in the process. Sure, what Hamas did was stupid and wrong, and Israel has a right to defend itself, but Israel has gone way too far! Myself and my fellow Americans should be ashamed that our government gives/sells weapons to Israel to be used in such a way against the Palestinian people and demand that it stop immediately! I am outraged! After all, our tax dollars largely pay for these weapons to be used in these war crimes, and especially with America's bad economy these tax dollars should be put to much better use here at home! Why do we not give such large amount of military aid to any of out other allies? What the hell makes Israel so special?

When any other country acts in a manner similar to how Israel is currently treating the Palestinians, that country is condemned by the civilized international community. Why is Israel continually allowed to get away with war crimes? Many of the leaders of Israeli military and government deserve to be tried for international war crimes and crimes against humanity in the world court right alongside people like Osama Bin Laden, Vladimir Putin, Mugabe, the dictators who run China, the Bush administration, and also certain members of Hamas.

The Israeli government, the Bush Administration and many others in the U.S. government and some members of the Palestinian Authority/Fatah are now in large part to blame because they are reaping what they sowed, when they largely ignored the free will of the majority of the Palestinian people when they freely elected Hamas to power about 3 years ago. The ignorance of these parties in ignoring the free will of the Palestinian people and their not even attempting to give Hamas a chance or to trying to work with Hamas when it was elected is appalling and should be condemned to the fullest! If the U.S. does really support democracy around the world then America will have to accept the fact that sometimes the citizens of other countries will indeed sometimes elcet parties into power that we do not particularly like. We have to respect their right to do so and try to work with these governments and have a meaningful international relationship even if we are not fond of them. As I said the U.S. and Israel never gave hams a fair chance when it was elected to power 3 years ago! This ignorance certainly plays a large role in the current situation in Gaza. I am rooting for the Palestinians here more than the Israelis because Israel is certainly the bigger villain here, as usual.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Gus, Toronto, Ontario — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:26:53 GMT

ENOUGH WITH ISRAEL THEY DONE ENOUGH, I WONDER WHAT HITLER DID LESS THAN THEM, HOLOCAUST IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN PALESTINE

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Steven, CA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:35:29 GMT

I do not think that it is fair to blame just Israel or just Hamas for this current situation. Rather, I think that both sides contributed to this outbreak of war and both sides are to blame. Just as Hamas operates around civilians, and greatly endangers them, Israel responds by killing both Hamas militants and civilians. Really, this situation spawned hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago, based on religious grounds.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

a sad girl, NY — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:40:50 GMT

i cried while reading all your comments
people are so ignorant
and while you argue whose to blame people die
two wrongs dont make a right
it is not ok to kick people out of their homes, and withhold necessities of life.
read "A Stone in my Hand"

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mahomma — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:47:15 GMT

"This is not the first time that Hamas terrorists have used Palestinian civilians as human shields and has exploited their deaths for the benefit of the international media," an Israeli statement read. "Israel will continue to treat as valuable the lives of all Palestinian civilians and refuses to devalue the lives of Gaza residents in the manner of Hamas."

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Mahomma Jakarta, Indonesia — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:53:33 GMT

Hamas will not survive unless they terrorize their own people, and put the blame of everithing else in Israel. They are a bunch of thiefs that are unable to manage a civilized society, they can not create one, they can not live in one, they will never sustain or support one, they only survive with terror. Why they don't prove me wrong?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Dixie Lee Summers,RN,CCRN — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:12:40 GMT

If both sides are attempting to "control the message" of the attacks, by appealing to our more civilized, human instincts by releasing images designed to rip our hearts out and trigger outrage strikes me as irony personified. Is there hope for humanity? Can we ever be moved to the degree required to find it in our beings to respect each others humanity more than we do a bit of power, a piece of dirt, a barrel of oil, a buck?
At the risk of seeming unbelievably idealistic
and naive, I will say I think so. The common denominator of most of humanity seems to be a nearly humane creature......there was a time when your head might be displayed on the London Bridge if you were found with a rosary....so, we are progressing.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

D. Wilson Minneapolis, Mn. — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:15:38 GMT

Would Hamas be "making nice" if Israel where a Christian country ? (we are the "crusaders remember?)
It wouldn`t make a wit of difference. You see, we All (NON-MUSLIMS)are infidels, and deserve only death. It seem every couple of hundred years or so, some body gets a fatwah from some lunitic cleric and the world is set on fire again. As far as the native Americans go,life isn`t always fair, nor plesant, but since the tribes got the Casino franchises in most states, life has improved a lot by taking the "white mans money", and buying back tribal lands. Last point, for those who question, google the "kenniwick man", and MAYBE native americans WERN`T the only ones here, but may in fact have murdered and stole the lands of others way back in the dark mist of time.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

mwisho mwampamba dar-es salaam tanzania — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:49:17 GMT

im not that well educated but i can say i grasp the fundamental aspects here! for one the world is run by the west in form and in ideology even today! from 70 ad there was no jewish nation but in 1948 intheir infinite wisdom the west decided to crate a country where non had ever existed( there where no countries back then) and so was created israiel armed and backed by the west.
By creating israel out of palestine which had been their for thousands of years they created a people without a land! who were now to be even worse than squatters more live livestock really.
Can anyone here honestly tell me that if your land was taken away from you in the blink of an eye and turned over to someone else and u no longer had any rights in what was your land , that you would not fight that until death! you say that hamas is striking israel with its rockets?! NO hamas is striking jews inside of palestine trying to remove them from the palestine land a right which they have in all laws.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Dr. Allcome, Ashdod, Israel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Mosad from Boston says in the comment above:

"Hamas won't recognize Israel's right to exist - as long as Israel refuses to recognize the Palestinians right of return"

This is not only wrong statement, indicating big lack of knowledge, but also very twisted way to see the conflict.

Hamas is not going to recognize Israel as state. Period.
This is not some condition that Hamas have, there are no terms for Hamas as long as it's about Israel. For Hamas there is no Israel, there is only Zionist's occupation of the Palestine. The ultimate goal of this group, encouraged by false promises of Iran and Syria, is to drive away all Jewish population, step by step from all territories.
Hamas is extremist, ideological and religious group. For them there is no piece talks, their only purpose of existence is to fight Israel.

Why Israel is not attacking Egypt or Jordan? Why Egypt and Jordan are not attacking Israel? These states once participated in wars against Israel. Why not anymore? Isn't it a clear and obvious explanation that all Israel wants is to live in peace? Do you think Israel will attack Gaza just for no reason, just to drop bombs before they expire?

Regarding the "one side slaughter" part in the message:

It's not a slaughter, it's a suicide. Because Hamas doesn't have any respect for human life, they put guns and rockets in the basement of people's home, that big family lives there, and keep it there.
Before attacking such "warehouse" Israeli army calls that home, or shots warning shots, informing the family to leave because the home will be attacked.
And such a call is a fact. This is really what Israeli army does.
But the family refuses to leave. Sometimes they even bring more people in, just before the attack, hoping it will stop it. And there are hundreds of such homes. Palestinians are proud that they keep Hamas' rockets in their homes, so if they are killed by air strike after they were told to leave - how is that a slaughter? It's a suicide.

And now, imagine you are in Boston, sitting in your home, and then suddenly there is a siren, and tens of rockets are falling on Boston, exploding in the streets, in parks, hitting homes. Nice, ah? And then at night, you are sleeping, and the siren again, and rockets again. Boom! Explosion near your home, Isn't it great? And next day you are taking you child to school, going to work - siren, rockets again. A rocket falls near the school, breaking the windows, making damage. You think your child was injured? Fun, really, it's so fun. And the same on the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Twice a day, three times a day, ten times a day. And that is how you live for 8 years. Fantastic! Only 15 or 17 were killed, hundreds of thousands live in constant fear.

So before you even start to judge something you have no idea about, why don't you think a little before. Why don't you leave you nice home in Boston, your cool car, the nice restaurants you eat in, the green parks, your TV with hundreds of channels. Why don't you stand up from your recliner, on which you burp and rub your belly with self satisfaction, and come live in southern Israel, where you'll experience the really good life.
And then I'll see how you talk about slaughter or honest reporting or whatever.

It is very nice to sit far away from the problems and just say anything that comes to you mind without thinking, very easy to judge from the side, sure, I understand. But do you?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

john, Orlando fl — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:44:26 GMT

Nicholas, pull your head out and see the light of day. by your logic, NYC deserved to be hit. Why is it that the palestinians are afraid to give their names when admitting that hamas wsa launching mortars from the UN school?If you lived in a border town in which the neighboring country kept launching missiles, how many would you tolerate before saying some thing has to be done. and would it matter to you, how many people in your town actually died from these missile attacks? Wouldn't it just be unacceptable that you had to live in fear of them?
And Mosad, Boston, MA, nice recitation of the palestinian line, but it's not complately true that Hamas won't recognize Israel's right to exist - as long as Israel refuses to recognize the Palestinians right of return. hames refuses to ecognize Israel's right to exist - period! Thye launch missiles nand mortars into Isreal with inpunity for months. Then when Israel strikes back, they want the wold to step in to stop Israel. It's time for their game to end.my god! the Palestinians can't even stop fihting among themselves!
And Duncan from Hawaii, have you followed this conflict for more than 2 seconds or even 2 weeks. Do they teach history in Hawaii?

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

john, orlando — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:55:46 GMT

to the person in san jose who purports to give a history of the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. please do a little research first. Israel ws creted by a UN mandate in 1947 (ooops! a league of nations mandate) and declared statehood in 1948. Wikipedia would have been a good place to start.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Jeff, Boston — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:19:51 GMT

The comments about when Jews arrived in the area posted by the supporters of Hamas and their tactics are 100% wrong. First: Jews have been there since the beginning of recorded history and never left. In fact even Medina, Islams second holiest spot in Saudia Arabia was originally Jewish. Hebron, part of todays Palestinian territory comes from the word Hebrew. The arabs massacered its' Jewish population there in 1929. If Jews started showing up in 1948, how do you explain 1929? Mark Twain, when he travelled to the area in the late 1800's was actually amazed at how barren and unpopulated it was. Zionism is a late 1800's idea as well. Jerusalem has been in the past a capitol of a Jewish nation, but never once an arab or Islamic nation. The name became Palestine when the Romans dispossessed the Jews from Judea and Samaria and the Arabs took the land. The original conflict started when Jews from Europe began coming to the area and BUYING land, which caused the Arabs to start attacking them. By the way, Yasir Arafat, was not a Palestinian. He was born in Egypt. So support Hamas and its' tactics if you wish, but stop the lying.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Al, South Carolina — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:19:58 GMT

The Israeli propaganda machine keeps reminding everyone that Hamas, the democratically elected government of Gaza, wants to destroy Israel and apparently said so in writing. But who is getting destroyed? Right now it is the Gazans; and soon it will be the Palestinians who live in the West Bank. Israeli governments past and present would never state their true objectives forthrightly, but their actions speak far louder than words. For example, Israel leaders will announce that they want peace with the Palestinians while at the same time starting the construction of a new, illegal settlement in occupied territory the very next day.

The Palestinians have endured this duplicity for decades and have learned the hard way that peaceful resistance against Israel’s annexation of their land isn’t going to stop it. This is the reason why the Palestinians turned to Hamas in the 2006 election.

The only alternatives that Gazans have at this point are to fight Israel or surrender to it. What a shame. I pray the next administration will work hard for a viable two state solution.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ron PEI Canada — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:16:35 GMT

Let those who live by the sword die by the sword.
Hamas lives by the sword and now their turn has come. They are the altimate cowards hiding in the population.
They want Isreal to bomb the children as thy have no intention for peace and live only to fight and kill in the name of there god.
Let them die sooner then later as the ordenary men and women and their children can live in peace.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

brother,brownville,ny — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:55:40 GMT

If history shows us anything,when you go to war to win,seige mentality is the only way to achieve this.

Hamas deserves everything it gets in return for lobbing missiles on civilian targets.

When the end comes it will be the Palestinians ridding
themselves of Hamas. This will be the only way to rejoin the civilized race.

Isreal should wipe this cancer off the face of the earth once and for all

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

M B, Washington USA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:02:49 GMT

Mr. Kamel from Cairo Egypt. I was only 14 when Sadat made peace with Israel and at that time I thought Sadat was committing the crime of the century. Today tens of years later I find it not only that Sadat committed the crime of the century, he is actually to blame for the massacre that is now happening in Gaza. That is the dilemma of some of the Egyptian people, not all us, thanks God I am not one of them, we still don't know what Sadat did. Why don't you read, research, understand history, and then blame the Palestinians. People like you who think Israel wants peace are victims of their own lack of knowledge. Review Israel's behavior after Sadat made the so called peace treaty with Israel. Read, please do. And by the way start with a Robert Fiske article he wrote on the Mubarak and his regime.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

jimmy37 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:56:55 GMT

Israel has nothing to apologize for. The Arabs in Gaza voted for terrorists to govern them and are completely responsible for their own fate. Israel left Gaza completely and has gotten more rockets for its efforts.
Arabs have no claim on Israel at all. Very few people lived in the Palestine area when Jews started buying land to farm. This land was worthless and needed to be desalinized and fertilized and have rocks removed. Other Arabs moved in because Jews needed laborers. These Arabs have no claim on the land.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

jimmy37 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:59:37 GMT

If you think that the rockets fired from Gaza are harmless, I will be glad to come to your house and start throwing stones at. I wonder how long you will let me do this.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Ron.Wapello, Iowa — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:14 GMT

When I was young, I hitch-hiked across the USA, just to fill free and see what the world was about. I went to churches for food and sometimes was given money. The only places that always turned me down were Jewish. They said I was young and healthy and should work for what I wanted. For a long time I stereotyped the Jews as caring for nobody but their own, but as I matured I found they taught me a lesson that all should learn: If one is given everthing they get in the habit of expecting just that and never accomplish anything, but if you earn it, you become a real man or woman. I'm just a simple man, and I hate for anyone to die And/Or get killed, but if anyone fires a missle into my back yard and endangers my family then they shouldn't cry foul for retaliation on their families. All good Moslems should unite and destroy the rotten apples in their group.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Jun Rabe — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:11:32 GMT

It used to be that Palestinians from Gaza and W. Bank freely go in and out of Israel to work. Then the intifadas and other acts of violence were employed against the Jews and naturally Israel, being an independent country, has a right to secure its borders. In 2005, Israeli unilaterally vacated Gaza just so people there would no longer have an excuse to hate them. They even forcibly ejected Jews from settlements in Gaza. Anyone remember this? Still the rockets continue to rain on Israeli communities and its citizens from people who collectively vow and even have it on their charter to erase Israel and Israelites from the face of the earth. So Israel has to retaliate and the cowardly terrorists hide under the skirts of their women and amid children, the old and the infirm. When collateral damage occur, they shout to high heavens about a nonequal fight and the liberals join in on the chorus with gusto. What would they want a democratic country to do with a standing army sworn to protect its people. Do they want Israel to maintain restraint forever or fight the terrorists on equal terms, that is, to fire back also the same number of rockets indiscriminately or just wrap their bodies with bombs and explode amid the children, the women, the infirm? About the control of borders, why don't they also blame their fellow Arabs/Muslims who have huge space to spare but likewise close their borders to them? Gazans have to live the bitter lesson when they were accomodated in Jordan but instead tried to destabilize and take over that country before they were driven out, many of them killed. And by the way, where's the huge amounts of aid from other countries to help the ordinary Palestinians better their lives? Instead of using it to purchase destructive armaments and terrorism, it should have been used as intended.

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Jason — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:39:12 GMT

You want the truth? Well here it is, in black and white. How someone can be anti-israel after viewing this video, is impossible. So if you still are, you are not human.

http://fun.mivzakon.co.il/flash/video/2664/2664.html

(hit the play button on the bottom right)

Israel and Hamas: Controlling the message

Chloe Young — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:55:25 GMT

The whole war on terror is a fraud. The USA and Isreali government have fabricted the whole thing for one reason, and one reason alone....To gain ultimate power. We are but pawns in their sick game. They are using us and feeding us lie after lie and we are falling for it. They are taking away our civil liberities a strain at a time. The blood of all the innocent people who have died are on their hands. Evil people.