Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

Rob this isn't a fucking civilised country... its a fucking war!!!

You can't just march in and arrest one of hamas' leaders! Far more would of died in such an attempt... A helicopter gunship is far more effective and accurate with a much higher chance of success.

I don't think this is going to do Israel any favours, but there is no escaping the fact this was the assassination of a high ranking terrorist in a military conflict!

Not one person has awknowledged this.

?!?!?

You sound like a fucking politician, worrying and hiding behind words instead of focusing on the issues... The reality is this man played a large part in the death of a huge number of civilians - whether you call him a terrorist or fighter is irrelivant - this isn't a man you should be jumping to defend!

and for the record terorism is the systematic use of violence as a means to intimidate or coerce societies or governments... which is exactly what hamas do.. don't get tangled up in jargon rob - it's an intellectual cop out

You could label many global leaders as war criminals, from bush to mugabe... If we were to lock up every politician that broke international laws society would fall apart.

What would your sollution be? Talking?

Its very easy to say that, but actually moving forward is a monumental achievement and not something you just do and suddenly the conflict stops.

nostradamus is utter bollocks.

Anyone can say "in 500 years time killer storms will cause havoc on earth"

or

"in the year 2050 a great war will wage between to great powers"

his predictions are so vague that they can be applied to anything.

Rob you said we were right to go to war with Iraq and that Saddam Hussein needed removing...

Do you not see the huge double standad?

In the American run war on Iraq and Terrorism thousands have died, almost every assination attempt led to large numbers of civilians being killed... Yet no-one bats an eyelid.

Even when illegal techniques were emplyed like scatter bombs in built up civilian areas.

Israel launch an extremely accurate succesful assination on one man (killing his bodygaurds and other hamas members) and the global community is in uproar... How can you justify this double standard?

At least the preservation of Israel is an admirable cause... Unlike going to war for oil.

Why are all the Jews so angry? Must be something in the kosher

I was mistaken you said Iraq is a better place now Saddam has been removed...

Pike hush with anti-semitic arse dribble, your getting a tad reptitive

I was mistaken

You would think that a people who have been so harshly oppressed for so long, for no fault of theirs, would learn not to inflict the same on others. I am not referring to the man in question here, who was probably an arsehole of monolithic proportions ( not that I condone state murder ), but to the Palestininas in general.

Vicious cycle, I beleive.

I don't have a problem admiting when I'm wrong

it just rarely happens

This is where the snag comes.

If the jewish people were to back down - the arab nations would attack in a second, as has happened on numerous occassions in the past.

The only way Israel seem to be able to survive is they are forever demonstrating their strength, I'm not condoning it - but I do believe the jewish people need a homeland... The jews can never be in a situation where they are subject to another holocaust...

The arab nations would drive the jews into the sea given half the chance.

I will

If he's all that he's said to be then I'm glad he's dead. The world is a better place without the Hamas leader around, he got his dues.

This man actively organised palestinian suicide bombers blowing up buses in Israel with innocent students on them, and has called for the destruction of Israel. Given their recent and ancient history the Jews have an unarguable right to their own homeland where they can be secure, and the right to defend that security. If it takes a missile strike to take him out then I don't have a huge problem with that.

I'm not very comfortable with some of Israel's tactics these days, but I'll stand up and defend Zionism no problem!

I agree, both sides' leaderships are in a situation that forces them to act aggressively. That is why I would advise a Middle Eastern interventionist policy such as that pursued by the UK during the takeoff of Zionism, but administered by the UN.

At the minute however, the advantage of power ( especially when considering support ) lies strongly with Israel; if Israel adopted a more liberal attitude and took a defensive stance with its armed forces, I am sure the intifada we have at the moment would ease off. Yes, some extremist Arabs might exploit the situation; they would only bring international consternation against their cause, and compromise means sacrifice.

I also beleive that, in the beginning, although Jewish Nationalism may not be a negative force, being specific to Palestine was a bad idea, and that jewish needs could have been handled much better, although it is too late now, and a compromise must be reached and a pragmatic approach taken.

/rant off