Reply #4: I think it worth mentioning that this article is two years old

[Jack Rabbit]

That Jews have been historical victims of persecution does not preclude in any way the fact that other people are as well, including Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

That there are a number of atrocious aspects about Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories does not justify terrorism or anti-Semitism. It is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention for an occupying power to settle parts of its own population into occupied territory. It is also a war crime to target non-combatants by setting off a bomb in a cafe or on a commuter bus.

It is very difficult to discuss these issues without somebody on one side or the other charging that one is biased for bringing up the crimes of one side, as if they are justified or just didn't happen.

The fact is that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians have a proud record of adhering to standards of human rights or international humanitarian law in this conflict. Each side has been abominable, sometimes with barbaric atrocities and sometimes committing atrocities in more refined and civilized ways. That is one of the reasons why the conflict must end.