Reply #30: I would like to point out that it happens, regularly,

[PDJane]

to muslim schools in general, and there doesn't seem to be much fuss about it; it's "collateral damage."

I've been waiting for outrage for years and years.

I would point out that I have expressed the opinion that shooting young people at school or play is outrageous, but that retaliation is inevitable when you demonize and displace and belittle an entire people.

It's not that either side is right or wrong, it is that the actions of a handful of Israeli leaders are sabotaging any hope for peace or intelligent dialogue. Palestinians have been responding to the occupation, and the actions of Israel aren't going to procure safety for anyone. Military action will NOT solve the dispute; the only long-term solution is an end to the occupation and withdrawal of Israel from occupied territories, OR a one-state solution. Peace means that everyone gets a bit of what they want and they agree to let the rest go in the interests of getting along with the neighbours. Israel has shown no inclination at all to do so, in spite of all the concessions given them.

I am also aware that a majority of Israelis and a majority of Palestinians want the government to talk with Hamas. They aren't going to do that. A majority of Americans and a majority of Iraqis want the troops out of Iraq. A majority of Canadians and a majority of Afghanis want NATO troops out of Afghanistan. We all want dialogue and peacekeeping efforts instead of bombing of civilians, and since Palestine and Afghanistan and, latterly, Iraq have no armed forces to speak of, it follows that no matter how one slices and dices, all the "militants" of Afghanistan or Iraq or Palestine are civilians. Bombing failed states to rubble isn't going to assist much.