AJC.com > Talk of the town > Archives > 2008 > December > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYour thoughts on Middle East crisis?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Israeli military is continuing its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has reportedly left more than 300 Palestinians dead and hundreds more wounded.
Israel said it began the offensive to counter rocket attacks across its borders. The large-scale response, though, has complicated efforts for peace and resulted in a number of anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests around the world.
Meanwhile, a boat carrying medical supplies and international activists, including former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, to the Gaza Strip arrived in Lebanon after being forcibly turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy. Organizers of the relief effort said the boat was in international waters when confronted by the Israeli navy. Israel said the boat, the Dignity, failed to respond Pto a radio warning and tried to out-maneuver the Israeli patrol boat, leading to a collision.
What are your thoughts about the deteriorating situation in Gaza? Was Israel right to turn back the ship loaded with international activists and supplies or did it exceed the boundaries?
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By Steve H
December 30, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Too bad Israel didn’t sink the ship Cynthia McKinney was on. She blows more HOT AIR than a nuke does.
By Dapo
December 30, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
It has become apparent to me that we have determined to eliminate part of the human race. Everything is made by God.
This is America—with our economic power, our wit and knowledge—and we have the knowledge of —thus say the Lord. Why as US allow this kind of behavior goe on. The Middle East has become a dangerous place because—America with its mighty power, watches the tragedy like movies. For God sake—what kind of people are we? We can bring peace into this region if we are really sincere and value human beings and peace. It makes me sad to see the destruction upon destruction that continues. We need to do something quickly.
By Robert
December 30, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I hope Israel grinds the criminals into dust.
By Roger
December 30, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
The biggest TROUBLE MAKERS in the world,Is-ra-hell.Once again Israel murders innocent people,and the world sites silent.The day israel is dealt a blow to take away it’s ability to make war,we will truely see peace in the middle east.
By Roger
December 30, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I hope some country GRINDS israel to dust one day….
By rider237
December 30, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
what peace effort can there be when rockets are daily launched from Gaza into Israel. why was there not an article weeks ago about hamas damaging efforts for peace by attacking Israel?
i hope Israel ends this once and for all. if the “Palestinians” are not going to elect honest leaders who really want peace, how can our sympathies lie with them?
By Virginia
December 30, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Roger! Get your fact straight! Hamas puts its launching pads in residential locations on purpose; the deaths are sought for publicity. Israel has had its malls, homes, cafes etc. targeted on an almost daily schedule. Hamas is using McKinney becasue she reaches an ignorant (meaning unknowing!) segment of the U.S,
By Steverino
December 30, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
What the heck is an international activist? Is that what Cynthia is calling herself now? Or are they the people on the boat displaying a PALASTINIAN Flag? Did the rally think Israel was going to lift the blockade for her? And more importantly, can we get get them to blockade our country and keep Cynthia out of the USA?
By supsalemgr
December 30, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have the papers on Cynthia McKinney certfying she is a complete loon?
Foe those who disagree with Israel, I ask what would you want your government to do if Mexico started lobbing missiles at your family and home?
By Gray Mule
December 30, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Your neighbor has a big dog who will bite. You kick the dog, over and over. The dog bites you. Now, everyone is upset because the dog bit you. Israel will bite. They knew this before they shot the rockets and lobbed the shells at Israel. Now, everyone is upset with Israel. Why? Everyone knew what would happen.
By Manners
December 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
” The large-scale response, though, has complicated efforts for peace “
Maybe Israel should have responded in Hamas-style, randomly shooting rockets into civilian areas of Gaza instead of targeting only terrorist buildings and bomb-making sites.
Oh, we forget that Hamas launches rockets from BEHIND GAZA CIVILIANS.
Too bad McKinney never offered support for the thousands of Israelis killed by terrorists since the infamous Oslo handshake on the White House lawn…
By Deborah
December 30, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
The U.S. government does not object to what Israel does with its weapons because the U.S. taxpayer has paid for them. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has unconfirmed nuclear weapons without signing any treaties, courtesy of the U.S. Wealthy Israel received more tax donations from the U.S. than all of Africa, with its starving people. If you want this disgraceful situation to change, then you will have to demand in a very loud voice that the influence of the Israel lobby stop calling all the shots in Washington, and that all tax dollars to Israel end immediately! In this world, money and power call the shots. Ordinary citizens might not have money, but they have something far more powerful, a collective voice!
By Howard
December 30, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
The Palestinians are being used horribly by Hamas. It is sad that the Palestinians voted them in power. Decisions and votes have consequences. Palestinians are reaping what they have sown. If the harvest is bitter and offers no sustenance, they have only themselves to blame.
The Palestinian voters need to ask themselves, are they better off than they were 18 months ago?
Would they elect Hamas if the vote were today? If their answer is yes, there is no hope for the Palestinians.
By Frank
December 30, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
The real problem is lobbyists in this country, and i was sad to see Obama immediately fill his cabinet with so many pro AIPAC lobbyist immediately after chastising McCain for lobbyists..AIPAC (which is the Israeli lobby in the US) represents something very dangerous; an outside country participating and meddling within our countries affairs to see there own benefit and solely thier own benefit. Its this lobbying that the Israeli government has been able to secure blank checks to do whatever they deem, been able to break UN stipulations on basic human rights, secured more military aid for that single country then the entire continent of africa gets both militarily and economically. Israel needs to be put in check 1 israeli dead does not constitute the entire destruction of Gazas infrastructure, 400 dead, and close to 1000 wounded…people need to look deeper then what they here facts are facts and its sad majority of people have no understanding of the how dramatically lobbyists affect this nations foriegn policy…Read the federalist papers and see what the founding fathers said about lobbyists
By Brad
December 30, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Israel is only doing what any sovereign country has a right to do, protect it’s citizens. It attacked Hamas in Gaza after 100’s of motars shells and missiles were fired into Isreal. Roger needs to get a clue.
By j. miller
December 30, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
the people who bash Israel should study up on the history of that region. Palastine is where it is because no other arab country wanted them. Hamas and the Islamic radicals want to destroy us too.
By Mike Adams
December 30, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
I see from the survey that over 80% of AJC Readers support genocidal war criminals. It’s time for “Americans” to tie that millstone around their necks and head for the deepest part of the ocean. Otherwise as Jesus says, something really bad is going to happen to you. American is a hell bound nation. Mike Adams Atlanta
The Israeli military offensive against Hamas and Gaza will complicate efforts to reach peace in the Middle East. Many say it is time for a new strategy in dealing with the crisis. Should the U.S. open dialogue with Hamas?
No 81.53% 2234
Yes 10.36% 284
Yes, but with conditions 8.
By John Galt
December 30, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
What the heck is Cynthia McKinney doing sticking her ignorant nose in the Gaza strip? She needs to keep her big, anti American, anti Israel mouth shut! It’s to bad the Israeli Navy didn’t sink her yacht!!