Will this increase or decrease the likelihood of terrorist actions in America, Europe and the rest of the world?

If you were a member of a family murdered in this conflict, would you be seeking revenge?

Should Tzipi Livni and Ehud Olmert, be tried for war crimes if or when this conflict comes to an end?

What will the price of oil be in 4 weeks time?

Ps.

When I started this thread, I posted 4 questions, which I was asking myself and thought it would be of interest to include others.

I had some made some conclusions for myself, but was interested to read those of other people.

Also, at the time I thought the Palestinians weren't be given a fair and balanced coverage by the media.

(I wont give opinion of G/MM. I will allow you to consider their postings for yourself.)

As Fred has - allegedly - squelched both Gausie and myself, I fail to see how he would be in a position to 'give opinion of G/MM' anyway.

Or perhaps he hasn't squelched either of us but simple affects to have done so.

Gausie: As far as G is concerned, I have no wish to read his uncouth, abusive, loutish, threatening postings. I did not find him amusing and thought his main intention was to be denigrating and suppress opinions. which did not concur
with his own. I think that's Fred's way of saying that he finds you a little, um, direct.

MM, again I thought more interested in denigration and suppression of opinion and discussion of Israel's action. I also thought him to be patronising. Patronising? Moi? That must be one of Fred's more patronising statements, which is saying something.

This thread really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Its up to hamas whether the blockade continues or not

they just have to stop killing/bombing and rejoin the human race and mahmoud abbas

and its up to others to stop their money flow

All this thread needs now is Mr Ashley James.

:o)

They are just playing games
This follows mahmoud abbas initiative to send a delegation to gaza

Its just one big joke

Friday June 04, 2010 11:42author by Saed Bannoura
The Hamas movement invited Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, of the rival Fateh party, to visit the Gaza Strip as the first step to break the Israeli siege, and end internal divisions between the two movements.

didn't you guys ever learn precis at school? ..... a course in balanced and objective discourse would not have gone amiss either

Gausie,
Do you know why Hamas' refusal to accept the aid unless all items are included, they put on Aljazeera news, that the battery of the Electric wheel chair for handicapped people are removed so no one can use it, do you want Hamas to accept it, if they do a huge Israel propaganda shows that Israel gave the whole shipment to Gaza.
Whenever Haystack, Fred1new and me posts anything, the other group (Israel supporter) uses islam, uses Idiot words, or they posts Iran, Alqaeda or other part than Palestine and Israel problem just to change the situation as a strategy to change the subject, even in their harts they know we are posting the truth.

Haystack, I would like to tell you that you are an encyclopaedia, and I admire you for the large information I had gained from you. So thank you.

Fred as I mentioned before you can criticise me for what ever you want and I accept your criticism, but please do not put my name with the one you mentioned.

Hil: Luckily I think Ashley has been thrice banned, the last time I think a wooden stake was used, too. So far we've managed to keep phases of the moon out of this, if not yet the loonies.

Aawww shucks, DelBoy. And I was going to hold the door for Gausie too.

Hard to know where to begin unpicking your lengthy post above Fred (why write 5 lines when you can write 50.) It goes off at a tangent from my original point and is full of supposition and inaccurracies. I think I will just give it a miss as most on here understand you well enough by now.

Fahel,

Apologies, but one of you postings (P2531, cut and paste) was I thought, inflammatory, and would do little to reduce tension. (If it can be investigated and substantiated in a legitimate "court of law", at some time in the future, it should be.)

Don't fall into the trap of responding in the manner chosen by some on the thread. Their methods don't succeed in the end..

Have a good day.

Isaacs,

When you make sweeping statements about me, and I consider them to be false, you can expect a response from me.

I consider my response more temperate than you merit.

Have a nice day.

Response yes, off at a tangent, essay length, fairly tale no.

Hils,
No need to. He just knocks it off the hinges on the way out.

tomorow i must remember to catch up with this in that wonderfully unbiased paper Khaleej Times, the very mouthpiece of temperance and cool appraisal .... whoops! there's the mullah calling me to prayers to look after the souls of those poor innocent israelis who were injured or killed

Here is an independent view from The Red Cross in December last year.

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-gaza-update-211209?opendocument

Another fron The Red Cross last June

http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/palestine-news-290609?opendocument

in my opinion the leaders of hamas and hezbollah are neck and neck for the next nobel peace prize, along with redneck netenyahu .... they all personalise the images, aspirations and open honesty to which the whole of world youth should aspire ..... so hard to pick which would be the most deserving

Haystack - those links tell the worrying and undisputed tale of the economic hardship that is the lot of Gaza whilst the rockets continue and the blockade is in force. But they also clearly demonstrate that food is not in short supply in Gaza.

Extracts from your link above:

"Most families in Gaza are afflicted by unemployment and poverty. Food is available in shops and markets, but many families cannot afford a nutritious diet. Bakeries frequently have to shut down for lack of fuel." - ie plenty of food available, distribution and welfare by Gaza government (ie Hamas) needs to be improved.

Safety is also a matter of great concern for farmers who own land near the fence separating Gaza from Israel. Some farmers can work freely within 350 metres of the fence, while others risk being shot at if they come within 1,200 metres. In some areas, such as east of the town of Jabalia, they cannot reach their farms at all. As farmers are still not allowed to export their produce through Israel, their harvest is sold locally, which provides little income. As long as the crossing points into Israel remain closed, agriculture is likely to decline further. - ie Gaza has a net exportable surplus of food, but blockade prevents exports and so the food must be consumed locally (!!).

The families are in poverty and unemployed due to Israel destroying much of the infrastructure and the fact that many Gaza residents used to work across the border which is now closed. That in turn means that they cannot afford to buy food as is stated.

"but many families cannot afford a nutritious diet."

The unemployment, poor diet, lack of medical care and poverty have all increased since the blockade.