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?

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Sweden-set-to-officially-recognize-Palestinian-state-380242

Sweden became the first major European country to make the official recognition of the state.

Sweden's center-left government officially recognized the state of Palestine on Thursday, becoming the first major European country to do so.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told parliament in his inaugural address in October that his Social Democrat government would deliver on a manifesto promise to recognize a Palestinian state, drawing criticism from Israel and the United States.

"Today's recognition is a contribution to a better future for a region that has for too long been characterized by frozen negotiations, destruction and frustration," Wallstrom wrote in the daily Dagens Nyheter.

"Some will state this decision comes too soon. I am afraid, rather, that it is too late."

Palestinians seek statehood in the West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as their capital. They have sought to sidestep stalled peace talks by lobbying foreign powers to recognize their sovereignty claim.

Wallstrom said Sweden's move aimed at supporting moderate Palestinians and making their status more equal with that of Israel in peace negotiations, as well as giving hope to young people on both sides.

The UN General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the state of Palestine in 2012, but the European Union and most EU countries have yet to give official recognition.

"EU members confirmed in 2009 their readiness to recognize the state of Palestine when it was appropriate," Wallstrom said.

"We are now ready to take the lead. We hope this can show the way for others."

Wallstrom said despite the fact that Palestinian authorities did not have full control of their land and the country did not have fixed borders, Palestine fulfilled the criteria in international law for recognition.

"Together with other European countries, as well as the United States and other regional and international organizations, the government will now work to support renewed negotiations to reach a final agreement," Wallstrom said.

i am told the following is a most interesting read ......

Avi Shlaim's The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World is a fresh and informed account of the modern world's most intractable conflict.

In the 1920s, hard-line Zionists developed the doctrine of the 'Iron Wall': negotiations with the Arabs must always be from a position of military strength, and only when sufficiently strong Israel would be able to make peace with her Arab neighbours.

This doctrine, argues Avi Shlaim, became central to Israeli policy; dissenters were marginalized and many opportunities to reconcile with Palestinian Arabs were lost. Drawing on a great deal of new material and interviews with many key participants, Shlaim places Israel's political and military actions under and uncompromising lens.

http://time.com/3615198/israel-netanyahu-election/

How Israel’s Coalition Government Collapsed

God on Trial - The Rabbi's Speech

Genuine question Haystack , do you believe in God ???

NO

Dil,

He has stopped believing in you.

8-)

Lol Fred and thanks for your honest answer Haystack.

I don't either ... he'd have got rid of the pair of us years ago if he existed imo :-)

This is happening today.

http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.631082

Despite pressure from U.S. and Israel, Switzerland to hold summit on Palestinians
By Barak Ravid

Despite pressure exerted by the United States and Israel, the Swiss government has decided to convene on December 17 the states that are party to the Fourth Geneva Convention to discuss the situation on the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

The General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg accepted the petition by Hamas in which it sought to have itself removed from the EU's list of terrorist organizations.

Hopefully, they will add Israel to the list

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed Tuesday that Palestine would be joining the International Criminal Court on April 1.

The International Criminal Court late Monday announced that it had received documents from the Palestinians indicating they were moving toward going after Israelis for alleged war crimes on two separate tracks.

Last week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed the Rome Statute starting a countdown to when the PA could file war crimes complaints with the ICC Prosecutor's Office asking for an investigation.

The UN secretary-general issued a notification Tuesday stating that: "The Statute will enter into force for the State of Palestine on 1 April 2015 in accordance with its article 126 (2) which reads as follows: 'For each State ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Statute after the deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Statute shall enter into force on the first day of the month after the 60th day following the deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.'”

Monday's announcement indicated that the Palestinians had also filed an "Ad Hoc Declaration" for the ICC to investigate war crimes as of June 13, which would include both Operations Brother's Keeper and Protective Edge.

GOOD!

Is part of the outrage that Netanyahu is whipping up due to seeking a diversion from?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/11351242/International-Criminal-Court-opens-investigation-into-war-crimes-against-Palestinians.html

International Criminal Court opens investigation into war crimes against Palestinians

The move comes after Palestinians formally joined the ICC earlier this month, a move condemned by Israel and the US

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor on Friday opened a preliminary probe into possible war crimes committed against Palestinians, including during last year's Gaza war.

Fatou Bensouda said her office would conduct its "analysis in full independence and impartiality".

Her decision comes after Palestinians formally joined the ICC earlier this month allowing it to lodge war crimes and crimes against humanity complaints against Israel as of April.

At the same time, the Palestinians also recognised the ICC's jurisdiction retroactively, to cover the period during last summer's war in Gaza that killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis.

"A preliminary examination is not an investigation but a process of examining the information available in order to reach a fully informed determination on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with a (full) investigation," Ms Bensouda said.


==========

Perhaps Cynic can answer the question.#


2000 Palestinians were supposed to be killed and 73 Israelis

PS.

Both Israel and the US have condemned the plan, with Washington calling it "counterproductive".

I wonder what is being "counter productive" against,

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/fire-at-every-person-you-see-israeli-soldiers-reveal-they-were-ordered-to-shoot-to-kill-in-gaza--even-if-the-targets-may-have-been-civilians-10223427.html


'Fire at every person you see': Israeli soldiers reveal they were ordered to shoot to kill in Gaza – even if the targets may have been civilians

Israeli campaign group Breaking the Silence interviews more than 60 members of the Israeli army, air force and navy, including soldiers and officers


The Israeli military deliberately pounded civilian areas in the Gaza Strip with incessant fire of inaccurate ordinance during last year’s war against Hamas and was at best indifferent about casualties among the Palestinian population.

Those are the conclusions of a report complied by Breaking the Silence, an Israeli group that has spent the eight months since the end of the war, known as Operation Protective Edge, interviewing more than 60 members of the Israeli army, air force and navy, including soldiers and officers up to the rank of major.

Really? and you support the "Con" Party who actively support the Israelis through your support group in Parliament.

Shame on you, but that just about sums you up.

I don't have to agree with all Conservative policies. They are just much better than Labour.

Another excuse of yours.

Stan,

Haze is getting a little too old and is confused.

(A bit like his mate Manuel.)

Both are having a hard time and taking to their Bath Chairs.

Theresa is pushing them.

...Over a cliff hopefully Fred -):