How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe

The Guardian by Avi Shlaim | Jan. 7, 2009 (Opinion)

This brief review of Israel's record over the past four decades makes it difficult to resist the conclusion that it has become a rogue state with "an utterly unscrupulous set of leaders". A rogue state habitually violates international law, possesses weapons of mass destruction and practises terrorism - the use of violence against civilians for political purposes. Israel fulfils all of these three criteria; the cap fits and it must wear it. Israel's real ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu - via Tobie Openshaw (f)

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3.7

by Derek Hawkins - Jan. 8, 2009

I read the first sentence and I'm astonished that a publication as reputable as the Guardian has the nerve to call this piece a news analysis when it's so patently an opinion. I've re-tagged it so. That said, it's a well argued opinion, and engaging in that the author is a former member of the Israeli army (though he neglects to tell us in what capacity he served) who purports to have "never questioned the legitimacy of the state within its pre-1967 borders." As such, I find that it carries more weight than other rejections of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and it's largely free of the simpler, more generic arguments against the Jewish state that we see regularly in publications like the Nation. It touches on the complex ... More »

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4.9

by Dwight Rousu - Jan. 18, 2009

Professor Shlaim presents a capsule history of Israeli-Palestinian relations, and regretfully concludes Israel has become a rogue state. The history and details serve to give a better view of the present events.

Shlaim was also interviewed on Democracy Now!, posted elsewhere on NewsTrust.

Dwight posted this story.

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4.8

by James Canning - Jan. 8, 2009

Outstanding report detailing the immorality of Israel's relentless oppression of the Palestinians. The murderous assault on Gaza has a great deal to do with efforts to steal large portions of the West Bank and keep the Palestinians in a state of subjugation permanently.

Israel is putting its long-term stability needlessly at risk with this murderous assault on Gaza. Israel cannot kill enough Palestinians to enable retention of much of the West Bank. I recommend William Sieghart's excellent comment in The Times (London) Dec. 31st: "We must adjust our distorted image of Hamas" in which he points out that 500 Hamas leaders have PhDs and seek an independent Palestine comprising the West Bank and Gaza. This is not a threat to Israel's survival.

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1.6

by William Hughes-Games - Jan. 8, 2009

There is a very simple way to test the veracity of Avi Shlaim's diatribe about Israel. Pursuade Hamas to offer peace, including everything that countries with normal relations consider part of a peaceful relationship. This must include the Hamas-declaired right of Israel to exist. Then watch what Israel will offer in return. I would be extremely surprised if anyone would be able to find fault with the Israelie response.

Thoughts: Guantanamo Bay - wasted opportunity - See Info »

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2.7

by George Blahusiak - Jan. 8, 2009

Covers a whole lot of ground but very little in the way of detail, i.e., numbers and dates and sources

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4.8

by Kenneth Sibbett - Jan. 7, 2009

A history lesson and refresher of the last 50 years of the struggles of the Palestine people. People forget that it hasn't been that long since their wasn't even a Israel.

Showing the people of Gaza that you're the big dog doesn't make you bad, it make's you a Bully. The Israel government should not forget that they at one time were the sheep and the nazi's were the lion.

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1.9

by Aram Zucker-Scharff - Jan. 7, 2009

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NO RATING

by phil guerra - Jan. 7, 2009

for the most part yes ,yet ...however I find this piece typical of what is written in the main stream press. BUT if one digs a little deeper, there are pieces missing- this last round of Isreali 'self-defense' . If one looks closer at the timeline, a border skirmish lead to an Isreali air raid followed by Hamas rockets. So unless I missed something, then Isreali made the 1st 'air strike'

Both governments deserve some sort of punishment from all this. The Paeistinian people have suffered enough already. What really perturbs me is that Palestiian people are portrayed as all Muslim when in fact there are my fellow Christians dying there. Funny how that little bit gets overlooked-- maybe because if both the American & European people knew this, there might be a loss of support for Isreal???

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3.5

Average

from 8 reviews (50% confidence)

Quality

3.6

Facts

4.0

Fairness

3.8

Information

4.2

Insight

3.3

Style

3.5

Accuracy

3.0

Balance

2.5

Context

3.0

Depth

3.8

Enterprise

4.0

Expertise

3.0

Originality

4.2

Relevance

4.7

Transparency

2.5

Responsibility

3.0

Popularity

3.2

Recommendation

3.4

Credibility

3.1

# Reviews

4.0

# Views

5.0

# Likes

1.0

# Emails

1.0

How our ratings work »

Thoughts: Guantanamo Bay - wasted opportunity

mtkass.blogspot.com by William Hughes-Games | Dec. 26, 2008 (Editorial)

Nothing makes a man more rabid than being treated as an inferiour.

Posted by William Hughes-Games

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Israel Committing "State Terror" in Gaza Attack, Preventing Peace

Democracy Now by Avi Shlaim, Amy Goodman | Jan. 14, 2009 (Interview)

() The assault on Gaza is entering its nineteenth day, with no end in sight. Israel continues its intense bombardment of the territory as Israeli troops edge closer to the heart ...

Posted by Tanya J. Maurer

4.7

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