[August]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

I am going to assume (as dangerous as that is) that the above was quoted by OTH, since he was earlier sourced on another quote.

Regardless of its source - it is both right - and wrong. There is no 50-50 body count. Yes, Israel has been the one to directly be the reason why many more Palestinians have been killed. However, for the Palestinian death that Israel is "directly" accountable for, you have to realize that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Tanzim and all the other groups (of which there are MANY) are undoubtedly just as accountable - though indirectly - for those same deaths. They are the ones that choose to hide behind their fellow Palestinians, putting the innocent into danger.

While I will say there is always the exception to the rule - I would also say that the vast majority of Palestinian INNOCENTS that have lost their life should not be heaped on the head of one group or entity - but on them ALL. And when you look at it from that perspective - the Palestinian "freedom fighters" have killed as many of their own as Israel has.

But the whole point that people miss is exactly that - it takes two to "tango" - and neither side is "innocent". However, if Hamas really gave two $hits for their own people, they would spend their time working for the betterment of their people, instead of continuing to put them into the firing line. Groups like Hamas are nothing more than glorified gangs, as was proven during the Gaza fighting between Hamas and the PA - they are more intersted in control and power than they are about working for the betterment of their people. This was further proven when they REFUSED the aid from the six ship flotilla earlier this week. Hamas NEEDS Israel - just like the PLO did. Because without it - people start blaming the people in charge for their plight - instead of their "enemy". Hamas couldn't govern their way out of a wet paper bag without violence.

Until the Palestinian people decide they want a life and yes - a nation - run in way that deserves a seat at the big people table, instead of a loose collection of disjointed regions controlled by various thugs, how can you blame Israel (and the people there today) for not feeling a little coldhearted when these same thugs target them without end?

Hamas and its peers want and need conflict - because its the only thing they know. Its why they go so far as to recruit and brainwash children to carry out suicide attacks.

Well said Hap.