This is the second in a series of entries looking at what we can expect in 2013. Each weekday, a guest analyst will look at the key challenges facing a selected country – and what next year might hold in store.
By Steve Linde, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Steve Linde is editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post. The views expressed are his own.
Life in the Holy Land is often intense and seldom boring, and the country has captured the attention of the international news media for almost 65 years. This is not likely to change in 2013. Although Israel has a population of only eight million, almost every day generates unexpected and exciting developments. While journalists are not prophets, I would suggest that there are six key challenges facing the Jewish state in the year ahead:
National elections – Israel is all set for what promises to be an interesting national election on January 22, with 34 lists registered to run. A strong right-wing list comprising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud party and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is our Home) is facing off against a splintered Center and Left that includes, inter alia, Shelly Yacimovich's Labor, the Tzipi Livni Party, Yair Lapid¹s Yesh Atid (There is a Future) and Shaul Mofaz¹s Kadima. Current polls show the now merged Likud-Beiteinu list comfortably ahead, with about a third of the seats in the 120-seat Knesset, Israel's parliament. But with growing discontent over the current government¹s foreign and socioeconomic policies, Likud- Beiteinu may in fact win fewer seats than its two component parties have in the current Knesset (42).
Palestinian conflict – Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been deadlocked since September 2010. The present Israeli government does not see the PA’s President Mahmoud Abbas, who controls most of the West Bank, as a potential peace partner, because of his unilateral move on November 29 for Palestine to be recognized by the U.N. General Assembly as a non-member state, his refusal to return to the negotiating table and recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and his attempt to reach a unity deal with Hamas, the radical Islamic organization that controls Gaza. President Shimon Peres and the opposition parties on the Left have urged the government to resume negotiations with Abbas, warning that hopes for a two-state solution are fading as both sides dig in their heels and adopt more extremist positions. The volatile situation increases the chances of a new cycle of violence between Israel and the Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Arab world – Much of the Arab world is still reeling from the so-called Arab Spring upheavals that began in December 2010. From Israel's point of view, the most problematic situation is in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood and its leader, Mohamed Morsy, effectively took over after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. To his credit, Morsy showed strength by brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas last month, but his attempts to suppress democratic reforms are reminiscent of his predecessor. Also of concern is the horrific civil war in Syria, a sworn enemy of Israel, and the chance of the violence spilling over into Turkey and Lebanon, where Hassan Nasrallah's radical Shiite organization, Hezbollah, has emerged as a powerful force that is rearming for another confrontation with Israel.
Iran’s nukes – At the top of Israel¹s external threats, however, is Iran¹s nuclear program.
If, as intelligence reports estimate, Tehran succeeds in building an atomic bomb in the next year, Israel might take military action – with or without the support of the United States. The current Iranian regime has threatened repeatedly to wipe Israel off the map, and the Jewish state, which sprang up in the shadow of the Holocaust, has vowed to pre-empt such a move.
More from CNN: Fact check on Iran and the bomb
Iran is also the primary sponsor of international terror, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in their war against Zionism. Although its current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to be replaced in the coming year, Israel pins little hope on his successor changing course, because he too will have to follow the orders of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is bent on Israel¹s destruction.
Ties with the U.S. – Relations with the United States have been strained in recent years, despite the traditionally strong bond between the countries. U.S. President Barack Obama, who is now in his second term, has had his ups and downs with Netanyahu. After the U.S. backed Israel during its eight-day offensive against Hamas in Gaza in November and voted against the Palestinians at the U.N. General Assembly, Netanyahu angered the Obama administration (and other Israeli allies) by declaring after the vote that he planned to build another 3,000 housing units over the pre-1967 Green Line in response to the Palestinians' unilateral action. Although Obama is wary of intervening in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, unless there is assertive mediation by Washington, the deadlock in the peace process is unlikely to be broken.
The economy – Economically, Israel faces a series of challenges in the coming year. The most immediate is the state budget. The current government decided this should be biannual, but failed to pass one in 2012. In Israel¹s parliamentary democracy, passage of the budget requires horse-trading between the ruling party and its partners, which often sparks coalition crises. The Israeli economy is, for the most part, robust and resilient, with much-heralded advances in hi-tech, agriculture and medicine. Large natural gas finds off the Mediterranean coast yield great promise, and perhaps lucrative deals with nearby countries such Greece and Cyprus. Within the country, the gap between rich and poor appears to be widening, despite the government¹s adoption of the Trachtenberg Committee¹s recommendations for socioeconomic change following widespread social protests in the summer of 2011. If the security situation improves, Israel can expect foreign investment and tourism to continue to grow.
Israel has a vibrant democracy, judiciary and press. Although it has supporters around the world, it also faces an unprecedented campaign of delegitimization. Perhaps its foremost challenge in the coming year will be to find the right balance between safeguarding its own citizens and securing peace with its neighbors.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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The biggest threat to WORLD security is Israe.. there is no greater Terrorist in the world than the jewish state of Israel. Israel repeatedly murders women and children and worst of all doesnt answer to anyone, even when the world is showing Israel that their evil state has crossed the line, Israel fires back saying "you are a non jew" which means to israel the rest of the world is worthless. You have to ask yourself why is it only 2 or 3 countries that support Israel? than you have to take alook at how much Israel pays these offcials during campaign time, than you'll gte your answer. Israel basically sees it in tersm of money, if they can murder over 150 civilians mostly women and children and get away with it....what will they do next? Israel is the ONLY nuclear armed country in the middle east...the nuclear race is not about Iran or the middle east racing to get nuclear weapons..it started since Israel was given the WMDS with over 200 in its stock pile for the supposed peaceful state that carries out genocide and ethnic cleansing...Is Israel even a friend to the United States? or is it just using the United States to fight its thirst for war and land in the middle east, are we being used as Israels bodyguard? if soo, WE AMERICANS NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE...A CHANGE IN OUR VIEW OF ISRAEL, WILL CHANGE ISRAELS PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD
Your anger, jealousy and hatred of Israel doesn't bother us. It just prove how ignorant you are. Yes we have a right to exist, Jews are now living in Judea our promise land, the world will not change one thing, we have prosper since 1948, and will continue to do so, George W Bush said it best, either your with us or agains us, If your for us leave us alone let us live our lives in peace, if your agains us join your Muslim friends who teaches their young innocent chidren to hate and kill the Jews, and remember the only reward anger jealousy and hatred will ever produce is a Cancer of your soul which in turn leads to self destruction, now make your bed and live with it.
Canuck: thanks for proving my point, are you pulling out the RACE CARD(JEWISH) AT ME? i knew you would , its exactly as I stated before Jews think they're the victim even though they murder 11 times as many civilians(women and children) as Hamas does(terrorist org by Israel). ZHow does it make you feel that you support a terrorist state like Israel which loves murdering babies, infants, women, and the elderly? im sure you're proud of Israel for murdering people and than getting away with it by saying its "defense" when YOU'RE MURDERING DEFENSELESS PEOPLE. I never said anything about Israels existence, seems to me like you been programmed to just say it whenever someone speaks the truth about Israel, try to come up with somthing better like hamas threw the children in front of the missile the F-16 fired at the civilians in the building where Israel knew there were nothing but civlians since out of 160 people that were MURDERED 150 of them were civilians and only 10 were militants. I guess being jewish these days means killing defenseless people makes you feel like the nazis, some psycho thriller you jews get by murdering civilians
canuck4israel you are a pathetic human being.
Jason – you are the first one to mention Israel and then you accuse us of pulling the "Jew" card.
What an ignorant, racist, idiotic fool you are.
Go on hating and you will eat yourself out.
Enjoy!
I do not understand why people need to be looking into anything about Israel in 2013.
It has population of one medium city in China, and economy size of Chile or Portugal or Singapore.
What is interesting about it?
Jason... Let me ask you a pretty simple question: Would there be peace if there was no Israel? Would the Iraqis, the Iranians, the Syrians, the Lebanese, the Palestinians, the Chechens, the Pakistanis, the Taliban, etc. all become peaceful if Israel was gone?
On the other hand, would there be peace if there were no Muslims?
Thinker and jojo: why is it that everytime i speak of civilins being massacred by Israel, you keep asking me about Israel existence? is that the only counter argument you can come up with instead of addressing the question of why out of 160 people murdered by Israel 150 of them are civilians mostly women and children, yet both of you like to escape to israels existence? If the palestinians are supposedly the "bad ones" from your point of view, than why is Israel murdering 11 times as many civilians as Hamas? unlike you guys and people who think like you, I BELIEVE IN A PALESTINIAN STATE AND ISRAEL LIVING SIDE BY SIDE. so their goes your existence question. Now can you tell Israel to stop punishing and bombarding the people of Palestine? ohh and thinker believe it or not Jews are not the only ones in the world ever to be persecuted as much as you would like to come to that conclusion to feel better about yourself, ITS NOT A FACT..Many other people have been persecuted the ones who have been the MOST PERSECUTED ARE THE AMERICAN INDIANS, THAT A LARGEST HOLOCAUST IN WORLD HISTORY..but one that is rarely spoken of, i see many jews, how many full blooded American Indians do you see? African Americans have been slaves way before jews were, muslims have also been persecuted in India, Chechnya,Bosnia,myanmar, and palestine. I know you hate muslims so you cant accept the fact they have been persecuted also, but than again i dont think you believe anyone else has been persecuted except jews(which is false. I dont believe any race religion or gender of people should be wiped out, but i do think people who hate and commit violent acts against innocent people should be take to an island so the rest of the world can live in peace. What I see and many other people see from Israel is a ethnic cleansing and a way for them to get more land(yes i read up on the middle east) even though it was partioned by britain the inhabitants were palestinian christians,muslims, and jews(arab jews)..Than the european jews came and wiped out anyone who was not jewish after the holocaust and created another holocaust for people in the region...Palestine has the right to exist, the right to freedom, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, thats right EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS RIGHTS TO NOT JUST ISRAEL..if you feel differently than we will agree to disagree that people everywhere have a right to exist and not only jews
Yes, There will be peace without Israel. You stole land in the name of GOD. GOD belongs to all Jews, Christians, Muslims and people of other faith. HE cannot be unjust to allow stealing. Now remember I am not against Jews,and I have friends who are Jews, they also agree with me. If you like you can check. Justice should be done, and all humanity will be more peaceful, if you we do justice and do not bring flase prapogenda of so called GOD gave it me. Fear GOD and do justice.
Yes there will be as it was before Islam came into existence.
the Israeli issue has nothing to do with religion.
Remove Muslims – you are left with Christians Killings Jews and vise versa
If Israel was in the USA would you have these problems? Jason does have a point and it is the kill ratio and Israels loss of the moral high ground. Operation caste lead 300 plus dead children 1200 Palistinian deaths verses 5/6 Israelie deaths all adults and exceptable? USA war with Iraq thousands killed for an illegal war, heck we are as bad as those we condemn. I have respect for Jews and Muslims but hate radicals and expect more from Israel and the USA as I support them.
Jason, When some one keep firing rockets at a country from civilian building, that country has all the rights to respond back. It's not surpising that civilians die when Israel retaliates. First of all, why the civilians in Gaza are not concerned about the life of their own children and why the hell they allow Hamas to fire missiles from their home? If there are 10 militans firing towards your backyard from a civilian building where there are 150 civilians, will you be worried about your familiy or the 150 civilians? Ofcourse you will hit back with all the power you have. So stop whining...
Mr. Jason, allow me to start off by saying that your posts got small chuckles and giggles out of me. But my question for you is, have you ever been to Israel? Have you seen anything about their lives or about them? How many Jewish people from Israel have you ever met? Later in November, I had the oportunity to go to Israel, and coincedently, during the time Gaza was bombing Israel.
The people in Israel that are not being injured directly do not seem to be very affected by any of the bombing that was happening, because they were used to the threat. They are not, in fact, racist, but merely trying to survive. Actually, I found that many Israeli's loved Americans for siding with them. They aren't particularly fond of people who want to kill them, but can you blame them? Think of America with the terrorists! Are we particularly nice to them? Do we continuously think, "Hey! Don't you love those terrorists?" No. And the same with Israeli's. They usually would advoid Palistinians because they do not want to be persecuted.
You also, sir, have made it sound as if all the Israeli population has killled people. As if just because, as you state, Israeli's are killing people, does not mean that everyone in Israel is killing. Not all Muslims kill people, right? But there are Muslims that do. Just as we cannot blame ALL muslims for the terrorism, we cannot blame all of Israel for any of these killings, in wich I have no heard off yet.
To think that you, or anyone else could have such a hatred against such a smal nation allows me to pitty you. Israel has nuclear power for a reason. When all but three countries are not for you, or are against you, then it may be a good idea to be equipted with such things for self defense.
and if you are a Jew, you will be called a Jewish hater.
they can't make sense out of their own selves. that's a clue too.
Your a sad monkey. I back isreal and yes to death .. SO talk your blasfamy all you want you fool/
Jason, Israel is not the problem, The Arab Spring woke some Arab up. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a convenient sideshow to the real problem with Arab society and an excuse used by corrupt Arab leaders who have ill-served the interest of their own populations and now are reaping the reward of their neglect. They can't even get along with themself. The Sunni-Shiite divide, In Syria, Assad murdering his own people.. In Egypt, The Muslin Brotherhood turning agains their own people. In Iran a Certified Nut Case developing a nuclear bomb. Hamas and PLO jockieying for position. Jason wake up peace is not on their agenda.
Old proverb says "once liar always liar" . Confirm the number of women and children killed in the last war with Gaza . Even with Palestinian sources, which usually lie. Then you will find that it is lower than 20. And even than by tragic mistake Then ask yourself if you are credible source of information as about your opinions about the Israeli-Muslim conflict.
You are a idiot.
Jason that is... terror loving fool.
Your hatred only makes us stronger. You can hate us all you want but nothing will change, Israel is here to stay.
Yes!! We are not going to lie down and die to suit you!!
I AGREE. ISRAEL IS NOT LOOKING FOR PEACE BUT WANT TO KILL OFF ALLT HE PALESTINIANS AND CONTINUE TO BUILD THEIR ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS! THATS THE ISSUE HERE. THEY HAVE MORE WEAPONS THAN MOST OF THE WORLD PUT TOGETHER BUT THAT WILL NOT BRING THEM PEACE AND HAPPINESS UNTIL THEY KNOW JESUS.
Drinking or drugs today? By the way, Jesus was Jewish.
BTW Jeff, Jesus was one of us. Yup, a Jew. How is that for your argument? Yes you are honouring someone who may have been a rabbi. But since most of othe things that are 'known' about him have been largely made up centuries after he lived, I'm guessing the truth is never going to be known.
Jason and all my friends who re having very interesting conversation.
1. Why whole middle east never accepted existence of Israel?
2. Why if whole world accepted Pakistan as nation not Israel , when both countries came on world map because of Religion.
3.why middle east like to wipe out Israel from the world Map? Does Israelite as human being has a right to live freely according to their faith and values like Muslims living in Pakistan, I believe Yes they Do and whole world should accept them it should start from middle east.
4. Why Israelite kids re miles ahead in Science and technology compare to the entire middle east ? Because their parents want them to contribute to the world in good way not in Hamas way .
5. If Jewish community is influential in United states American and Muslims who lives in USA or abroad instead of being jealous accept the fact Jewish re smarter intelligent people know how to succeeds in life other Failed mainly Muslim world
Just simply accept the fact smarter wins looser loose.
6. Why not Palestinian parents instead of teaching jihad to 5 years old kid send this kid to kindergarten then this kid will be a better human being then Jihadist.
BTW I am Pakistani Catholic living in America God Bless America and Israel. My critique re very honest and factual
You are not fooling anyone. Now, go back to your hole, please.
You are not fooling anyone. Now, go back to your hole, please.
So all the problems of the world are caused by jews according to you. So if we disappear, then all the problems of the world should go away, according to your logic.
We do not announce to the world that we want to wipe our neighbours off the face of the map. Unlike Iran.
We do not declare that we are committed to the destruction of ANY of our neighbours. Unlike Hamas.
We prefer peace with our neighbours: like we have with Egypt and Jordan.
We honour those agreements and we do not have war with Egypt and Jordan.
We will NOT sit back and allow those who are committed to our destruction to attack us. And we will not apologize for staying alive.
Tornonto girl: it seems as if you and other jews like to wipe themselves out bc i never heard anyone else in ths room say it, so why do you keep saying it? or is it because you hate Americans and want to wipe us out? Your either for the United States or for Israel, it cant be both because each country has their own interest and they are not the same, so if you hate the United Dtates like other jews here who want ONLY our money than you just like the rest can stop your rhetoric and "victim" "hate" comments. I am for the United States and no other country, if you call that hate than thats only bc you must hate the United States, if you do we have nothing else to discuss
Jason,
Jews only want money huh? Do u have data to support this statement? I imagine you have polled the 6 million jews living in america, and the majority have said, "we only want money"
Probably not. Please stop spouting old stereotypes as if it were a concrete fact. It only proves that you are in fact a racist. Anyone is allowed to disagree with the policies of Israel, but please stop using racist garbage as an argument.
@jason
Nowhere in my statemen do I claim to dislike the United States. Please do not put words in my mouth.
Jason, You have a few screws loose if you think Israel is a terrorist nation, let alone a threat. May I suggest you get some professional help before you mistake an on coming car for a plate of pasta.
Djones: you got a few loose screw, if you think racist remarks are going to deter my opinions about you and the rest of you American hating Jews
The biggest threat to WORLD security is ISLAM. I pronounce it as IS-LAME.
You're another great example of a religious extremist right wing jew, when the focus is on Israel you're using others as scapegoats, just as I thought
Jason, are you saying you support Hamas? You call Israel a terrorist. You want civilians to be okay and safe when they hide with terrorists? What about Hamas launching rockets into civilian territory in Israel? You realize in WWII the allies killed lots of civilians to kill the war machine in Germany, right? If you are really concerned about terrorists why don't you start with Iran? They support world wide terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbula, Al Qida and etc, etc......
Israel is worst than Hamas. ISRAEL MURDERES 11 TIMES AS MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS HAMAS DOES, I DO SUPPORT ANYONE OR ANY COUNTRY THAT MURDERS WOMEN AND CHILDREN, DO YOU? I GUESS SO SINCE YOU SUPPORT ISRAEL, THATS UN-AMERICAN...I GUESS YOU AND OTHERS DONT CARE SINCE YOU DONT LIKE THE UNITED STATES AND YOU JUST WANT THE U.S TO GIVE ISRAEL OUR HARD WORKING TAX DOLLARS SO THEY CAN WIPE OUT PALESTINE AND KILL ALL NON-JEWS...IT WILL NOT HAPPEN, WE WILL NOT LIE DOWN AND BE MURDERED LIKE YOU DO TO THE PALESTINIANS
Quit staring at the sun with binoculars.Israel has the right to defend herself.They are not perfect and have their problems.I for 1 support them and believe Jerusalem should be their capital.I also believe if palestinans would pull their heads out of their asses they could have a separate nation beside Israel.If the muslims would leave them alone everything would be fine.We all have problems.May God bless America and Israel!
Do you honestly believe that all the beautiful places on earth that the place GOD chose for his beloved people? Is it just possible that Abraham got his GPS screwed up and settle somewhere else?
Do you honestly believe that of all the beautiful places on earth, this is the land GOD has promised to his chosen for his people? Is it just possible that Abraham got his GPS screwed up and settle somewhere else?
how come muslims are trying to kill us?
You can drop all pretence . We know what Islam is and how muslims double-talk , and muslims know it even better than we do .. they just hope we are dumb enough or Left enough to fall for it .
how come fellow American muslims are trying to kill us
how come muslims in America cheer when Americans die
Israel is our ally Islam and arab/muslim countrys are not , go to most muslim country and they will try to kill you or cut your head off on You tube.
Actually this is a War of East VS West Old VS New and If your An American Israel is and should be your ally..The MIddle east is hell bent on destroying our way of life..We are talking about democracies with the separation of church and state versus Religiously motivated and controlled dictatorships and or regimes. Jason it is obviously you are just uneducated misinformed or just plain confused..Do some research learn about whats really going on in the world and then make a post..
I stopped reading your comment after the first sentence. Biggest terrorist in the world is Israel? What the hell are you talking about? Israel is in the front of the war against the radical islamic terror, it is the first country to fight it. Did you forgot 9/11? The terror atacks in europe? The suicide bombers? Are they Israeli? No! They are radical Islamic terrorists.
Instead of you I would have shamed, shamed of your stupidity and your disrespect to the people who died because of terror attacks and islamic terror. Shame on you!
When the leaders of Israel no longer expect impunity for their crimes against the people of the region, then they will have a future. Until then the will face constant resistance. Not only from their Arab neighbors, but from conscientious people around the world.
Likewise, until the conscientious people of the world adopt a lifestyle of resistance, brutal warmongers like Israel and the United States will carry on indefinitely.
Now what crime would that be? The crime of tryng to survive despite every attempt by its Muslim neighbors to destroy it? Sorry to disappoint you.
Amartin: the crime of murdering innocent people while playing the "jewish" race card..no one cares anymore how you guys feel, as if you're more important than the rest of the world....you want safety and security? STOP MURDERING WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Spoken by a true Hamas representative.
hows syria working out for you ? eygpt ? how about libya? , lebanon ?soon to fall jordan ?
muslims are slaughting each other like pigs
islam is the culprit here not jews or israel ,
It's easy enough to see what a country is like when you see how it treats its ciizens. The Arab/Muslim countries are all either dictatorships or ruling families who have no interest in democracy.
Egypt has merely traded dictatorships, Syria is trying to kill its own people, and Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan are in the middle of mini wars!! Either way, their civilians are dying at the hands of their government or people who want to rule them like the Taliban.
Dont tell us that Israel murders Muslims, when far more die at the hands of their fellow countrymen. All I hear is crocodile tears.
I
I left some things out about this biased article written again and again in Israel favor. It basically states that israel is not the 4th largest army in the world with HALF(3.8%)of our unempployment, but rather a small tiny country that is the victim of worl oppresion and they're living horribly. The palestinians are too blame for going ahead and become indepedant without Israels stamp of approval, just like the U.S became independant without Britains approval. Of course no one but Israel has the right to defend themself, not even the 4yr old and 8 month old that Israel murdered in Gaza. Of course Israel is upset that the well paid off dictator is no longer in power but a democratically elected leader is, who sides with Palestine. How can we forget Iran, who Israel has been trying to go to war with since before they even had a nuclear energy program, and of course the misquote of Ahmadenijad supposedly reported by rhetoric from israels media" that they want to wipe israel out" although it has never been proven and no video clearly states thats what he said, but we do hear that Israel wants to wipe out Iran many times over, yet Iran doesnt have a right either to defend themself. Poor Poor Israel, awwww, you dont get to murder all the babies you want?? how sad...Yet this author linde describes Israel as the best country in the world......STEVE LINDE ISRAEL ALREADY HAS YOUR NETWORK ON THE PAYROLL, COME UP WITH SOMTHING DIFFERENT
You speak like a very educated person with clear insight into world affares But are you aware of the dilema that those jews have suffered, by no fault of their own. between being taken as slaves by egypt and removed from their land then the extermination of thousands by the Germans, Just because they were different, and practiced religion different from others. I personnally feel that no one seems to care and even go as far as blame them for wanting just to live in the part of the world that contains their history. There is absolutly no reason for anyone including the Jordonians to forbid the Jews from sharing this land with them. without constant hatred and killing by these neighbours. Regardless to your feelings of how they behave in their religious activities, they are a people with feelings and have the right to live in peace.
Jack: i understand the history of the area, did you know that most the Palestinians in the area have been there for thousands of years too, did you know some of those Palestinians at once were jewish who converted to christianity and than to Islam? well they did, and just because someone is jewish, it does not give them the right to inhabit someones land whether they were there 4000 years ago or not, thats just ridiculous, im sorry to say, that would also mean the American Indians who were here only 300 years ago should all come back and take all their land which is all of the U.S. If we are also talking about religious claims than the world will be in turmoil bc as we know many people claim religion as their source for doing wrong, would your God or my God or anyones God justify murdering civilians? I would think not. I see more jews killing muslims than muslims killing jews. The other point I wanted to make, one which you were speaking of at the end of your post was that jews have been persecuted and needed a place to go. I understand completely, but two wrongs does not make a right. Murdering Palestinians will not take away the holocaust, especially when Palestinians had nothing to do with it. Matter of fact i consider there were two holocaust, one that happened to the jews and one that happened to the muslims in palestine bc of the holocaust. Any REAL religious person or one who obeys their faith would say even ONE INNOCENT PERSON IS A GENOCIDE...I my friend have friends of all colors and faith...EVERYONE IS EQUAL, EVERYONE HAS RIGHTS, EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELF..EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREELY
Jack: There is absolutely NO archeological evidence for anything in Exodus. No evidence of a mass exodus from Egypt, no evidence of the Egyptian army being wiped out, no evidence of a people living for any period of time in exile in that area. Add to that the other preposterous details of that story – pillers of fire & dust acting as tour guides, parting seas, talking burning bushes and invisible sky friends making covenants with "chosen" people and it becomes clear that the entire story is nothing but a bronze-age fairy tale. Tragically, this fairy tale is being used to justify the displacement of and apartheid against a people who before 1947 were really pretty peaceful, secular and progressive (well, for middle easterners, anyway). Say what you like about the Big Book of Jewish Fairy Tales (a.k.a. the Old Testament) and the Holocaust, a jew moving to that pathetic patch of dirt they call 'Israel' does NOT have more right to be there than a Palestinian who can trace his ancestry to that land back for generations.
I've always wondered if the Jew's from Europe are even actual historic Jews that belonging to the middle-eastern region, or just more European colonizers with a sympathy inducing cause. I don't know the answer to that question but I don't believe the hype.
Dude, its not they were different. they were prosecuted because everywhere they go they loan sharked its citizens.
Jason... Here is the list of the ten largest armies in the world: China (2,285,000), US (1,458,500), India (1,325,000), North Korea (1,106,000), Russia (1,027,000), South Korea (680,000), Turkey (666,576), Pakistan (617,000), Iran (523,000), Egypt (468,500). Israel has 172,000 soldiers putting it at the 29th place in the list of 166 countries.
Next time try to GET A CLUE of what you're talking about.
Israel has a different structure for its armed forces. It can mobilize hundreds of thousands in 24hrs. It is ia military State with US supplied weapons that is second to none. The reserves in Israel are well trained and get annual training unlike many of the nations you mentioned.
Dean Obedalla... Jason posted some racist lies here. I've shown that his claims were false and that they were racist. One of such claims was the statement saying tha Israel had the fourth LARGEST military on the planet. I've shown it to be a lie.
Do you have a problem with it?
Thinker 23: you are obviously not a thinker but some child I am obviously speaking too, when someone says a country is the 4th largest militarily it does not mean by manpower but rather firepower and technologically advanced...if you check a website other than israels, you will see that israel is the 4th largest, there was also an article written on CNN that said it was the 4th largest military, next time do not bother me with your stupidity, i do not have time for it, only logical and knowledgeable discussions
Israel is Second to the US in power not soldiers.
Check country rankings. Israel is not nearly 2nd to the US in military power.
http://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.asp
Hey Jason! I have you figured out. You are not a Jason at all. You are a Muslim. Using a fake name. If you are a true American. Imagine This! Canada or Mexico sending Missles into the USA that can land anywhere! Kill women and children. Us American Terrorist also. You really need to read the History of Israel. Do you really think they just came back the land of Israel by some chance? Come on man. Your facts do not come close on the killers Israel. You are Muslim or a Nazi! If you want the truth about the fact that the Arabs and Jews are actually cousins, from Ismael and Issac. Yes! The same father Abraham! Go back in HIStory to read all the facts. There are no palestinian people. This started around WW1. At the Balfore Decloration, they tried to give the Aeabs of that area their own country. It was to be split in two way back then. But the arabs who now want this land back, they did not agree way back then. All because they want it all or none.But again, this goes back to Ishmael and Issac.So hey Jason, or any of you who are knocking Israel, wake up. That was the USA back when Those Brits wanted to keep us subject. And if you really want to know where this all started, you will not having a problem Going to the souce. The only real source. Yes! The Christian Holy Bible! Before anyone bashes anyone, Read Genesis. From start to finish. Ask an Arab friend you know who is really the father of all Arabs? Ask a Jewish Friend who i the father of all Jews????? You will get the same answer if you ask any person who knows the history! Jews and Arabs agree where it all started.But I have to ask why is it that all Arab countries want the Jewish nation of Israel destroyed?????? Israel is God's Chosen country. They failed in the begining? Have you never failed God? Read the book of Genises and you will know.What? You do not believe the Bible? OK! But not my purpose here. But if you really want to know the History, Both the Arabs and the Jews have the same story. Just from the other side. WAKE UP! This is not about Arab an Jew.This is all about God and satan. Its where it all started. Its also where it will all end. But for that you will also have to read the last book in the Christian Bible. Revelation. It will really tell you the end. I am not saying the Jew or the Arab is better. They are no different than you and me. We all come from them somehow and someway. But no matter where we come from, There is one God. A God of Mercy and of Grace. As humans? We suck. We fail each and everyday. Just saying that if you have questions? One book has both the answers to where it all started and to where it all ends. Genesis and Revelation!
Jason, what planet do you live on? I mean honestly. I am not going to call you names or label you anti anything. Your words and blogs speak for itself. But I will correct you on some facts. You write that Israel kills women and children. You write that Israel buys its support and looks at the world through money colored glasses. You write allot of garbage with the hopes that people swallow it whole. So, here are some facts. Israel does not target women and children. When any civilians die in an operation, be they men, women or children, it is a failure in the scope of the Israeli military plans. Unfortunately, no bomb is perfect and when terrorists launch their missiles from populated areas, there are going to be civilian casualties. But the main difference here is that organizations, terror purveyors like Hamas and Hezzbolah, are shooting hundreds of rockets into Israel with the intent of killing as many civilians as possible, causing terror and fear for the population. The fact that these pathetic people are not very good at what they do is not Israel's problem. When you continually poke a tiger, you are not allowed to cry fowl when the tiger finally looses it and mauls you. Very simple here.
Regarding the poor Palestinians and their current state of affairs . . . .these people voted Hamas into office and now cry fowl that life has been harder for them in Gaza. Well, I am here to tell you that when you blow the hundreds of millions of dollars you receive on rockets and war instead of infrastructure and education, your society is going to be doomed.
Regarding the Two state solution, remember that there have been many peace proposals turned down by the Palestinians in the past. It's fair to say that the 67 borders are contentious, if for no other reason, there was no Palestinian state prior to those borders. Israel won land that originaly belonged to Jordan, Egypt and Syria, respectively. When the Palestinians realize that there will never be a right of return and that Israel will not be going anywhere . . . .when they are ready to embrace peace and a 2 state solution rather than a respite in fighting to reload and fight on . . . . when they don't use peace talks as a means of gaining land to move rocket launchers closer to Israeli cities and towns and maintain the goal of driving the Jews into the seas, there will be peace. Again, its been said time and again . . .if the Palestinians gave up their terror campaigns and laid down their weapons, there would be peace. If Israel layed down their arms, there would be no more Israel.
You and Amanutjob leader of Iran are 1 in the same.
May you both get what you deserve!
finally: a neutral and sound analysis. Good Article!!!!
comments are nonsense and unfounded. Simply not truth!!!
Exploding Iranian Towel Heads!!!!!!!
#7: THANK YOU FOR PROVING MY OTHER POINT THAT THE JEWS ARE THE MOST RACIST PEOPLE OUT THERE, WHILE SAYING OTHERS ARE ANTI-SEMITIC AND JEW HATING....I HAD A FRIEND WHO SAID JEWS WOULD KILL EVERY NON-JEW IF GIVEN A CHANCE WHEN I SEE POST LIKE YOURS AND OTHERS IN THESE BLOGS, I THINK MY FRIEND IS TELLING THE TRUTH
Can you ask your friend who said "JEWS WOULD KILL EVERY NON-JEW IF GIVEN A CHANCE"... Can you ask him HOW COME every fourth Israeli is a NON-JEW? and HOW COME the number of Jews alive in Gaza and in the Palestinian-controlled areas of thre West Bank is exactly zero?
You must be a palenstien trash .. GO HOME they need you.
I didn't a #7 automatically denoted someone as Jewish. Is that what your relatives in Germany taught you, Jason?
Why Muslims Must Hate Jews –
“That is why the number-one enemy of Islam is, and must remain, the truth. If the truth exposes Islam's unjustified Jew-hatred, Muslims will be left with an empty shell of a religion, a religion whose prophet was a murderer, a thief, and a warlord. Without Jew-hatred, Islam would self-destruct.”
first thing Islam is not Americas friend never was never will .
ragheads around the world denounce America and Israel . Muslim Americans try to kill or have killed fellow americans .
Fort hood for starters..
Rep. Joe Walsh told a town hall that Muslims in America are "trying to kill Americans every week," reports WBBM-TV (video below).
Rep. Walsh said: “One thing I’m sure of is that there are people in this country, there is a radical strain of Islam in this country, it’s not just over there, trying to kill Americans every week. It is a real threat, and it is a threat that is much more at home now than it was after 9/11."
how come muslims are trying to kill us
Jason, how often do they let you use the computer in the insane asylum, you should have proper supervision, your a danger to society.
Apart from all the total gay rights equality, socialized health care, more Arabs who get to vote in Parliamentary elections than every other Arab state combined, world class education, dozens of free political parties, free press, and ranked by Forbes magazine as the 6th best country to be born in it must be...horrible. Just horrible. My suggestion would be to take your feminist gay rights agenda to Gaza instead. See how that works.
I THINK ISRAEL SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE POINTS
1- ATTACK IRAN NOW ASAP GET RED OF THEM STARTING BY ATTACKING SYRIAN SHIIA AND HELPING
THE REVOLUTION, ATTACK AND DESTROY THE TERRORISTS HIZBOALLAH then isolate and attack iran, by helping iraqi revolutionist inside to attack iran inside iraq too.
all other points will fall in place when iran is out of the map
I read various comments regarding the right for isreal to live or die, but I understand that those comments are written by those that have no idea of facts and truth. They are apparently programmed by those that have no love for the Jewish race and dont care whether they believe the truth or not I do however suggest that before condemming others for anything just stop and listen to yoursellves. Your words show contempt and hatred, to the jews because of the lack of understaning of why or where. You also appear to have no belief in God, and therefore would not care if those Jews did or not. but it is for that reason that these Jews require the land that this God gave them. even though they refusded to s;laughter all the original inhabitants at that time. Now they are paying the price. get the faxcts and then form opinions.
I'm neither Jew nor Arab. It seems the Arab world is incapable of peace. It also seem the Jews have shown a ridiculous amount of patience, and that Arabs taunt the Jews constantly to make the first offensive move. I doubt that will happen, but whoever starts the big one, the Jews will finally be able to have some peace, once the evil is gone.
Israel first became a nation in 1312 BC, two thosand years before the rise of Islam. In Jewish and Christian tradition, Abraham is the father of the Israelites throught his son Issac, whose mother was Sarah, Abraham wife.
In Islamic tradition, Abraham is considered the father of Islam throught his son Ishmael whose mother was Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian handmaiden. Issac and Ishmael are half brother. This family feud has been going on for over 4000 years, but the question is why? The immense hatred by the Arab world toward their half brother the Jews began in the time of Mohammed. It is alleged that Allah gave the command. The Jewish rejection of the prophethood of Mohammed deeply affected him., Mohammed wanted to be accepted as a prophet and his pride could not stand the rejection, that the Jews were God's chosen people. The Muslin's have persecuted the Jews ever since.
JJ: I dont even know what to say to you except your opinion is full of lies. If you ever read a book not written by your religious right wing extremist jewish associates, you would know better, but sinced you seem like a racist apartheid supporting follower, nothing i say will make sense since you live in an alternate reality where only jews are important and non jews or gentiles as you would call us do not matter.
It seems more like the jews are persecuting the muslims in palestine
Jason, First when you dont know what to say,you say nothing. Jack Smart gave you a compliment and it went to your head, I beleive he was mocking you, To me you don't sound like an individual well verse on the issues, but more like a rambling moron who will attack anybody that don't agree with you You cannot accept the facts of history.My question to you is what kind of redneck organization do you belong too? or should I say waht Muslin sleeper cell?
You clearly do not know that the Arabs were allies of the Nazis during WWII. Haj Amin el Husseini the Mufti of Jerusalem liked the Nazis' plan for us, and decided to ally himself with them. This is historic, factual truth.
Maybe the history you were taught said that they were the good guys, but the fact is, they were not. The world tends to forget that the Arabs were allies of the Nazis.
There has never been a country in history name Palestine run by the Arab. Jews are the original Palestinians, Arab Palestinian are a so called manufactured people with no history,no currency,and no authenticity, a society who promote hatred, whose sole purpose for existance is to destroy the Jewish state. Arab Palestinian was a word never mention before the1967 war. Most of them were Jordanian set up in refugee camp rejected by the Arab world. Today, these Arab gypsy are still being used as pawn by their puppetmaster their muslin's dictators.
That is right, but there has neven been a country called Israel either. They were both proposed in 1947 UN resolution. Now Israel has a state and Palestinians do not. That is the problem.
Both states were invented in 1947.
The only difference (besides Palestinian not having state yet) is that they were native there (they did not immigrate from anywhere) and Israel was colonized by mostly Eastern European immigrants.
Hey, Paranoid71 and Jason, please stop arguing with history, It makes you look stupid.
I don't see why the Israelis ought to be punished for settling in their own land. That is absurd. Israel has held off enough invasions and given back enough land for decades. How much more land does Israel have to lose to satisfy the muslim world? They won't be satisfied until it is gone. Israel has existed for long enough proven itself time and again in the test of war. They have even given back land that they rightfully took. If you want peace in Israel you have to first get the muslims to agree that Israel deserves to exist on this Earth.
Because its not your land!!!! 10000 generations ago alot of things happened, alot of people used to live else where...People cant claim things from 4000 years ago before Jesus even lived, it doesnt make sense, well alot of atrocities the jews do dont make sense to me but i guess jews are ok with murdering babies, women, elderly, infants, children, or basically all non jews..AMERICA HAS TO STAND UP TO JEWS THAT ARE TAKING OVER THE UNITED STATES AND ROBBING IT TO GIVE THAT MONEY TO THE TERRORIST ANTION KNOWN AS ISRAEL..IF JEWS CAN DO THAT TO THE PALESTINIANS, ONE DAY THEY WILL DO IT TO US
In their own land???? They came from Eastern Europe.
Every single original Zionist came from Eastern Europe. Every single one.
Yes a lot came from Eastern Europe, Western Europe; but there has always been a jewish presence in what is now Israel. I have relatives who are "yerushalmis', or people who have always lived in Jerusalem. They go back hundreds if not over a thousand years.
If you truely belive that, then show by example. Give your land back to American Indians and go back where your forefathers cam from.
The Palestinian conflict is the most crucial issue. Resolving it should be a priority. Can Israel live on constant fear?
The turmoil in the Arab World affects Israel little.
where have you been for the last 50+ years?
Sad to see how distorted all your views are. Your history is a histerical. Do you forget how many more people were killed in the WW2 beside the 6 million jews. What about the 26 million russians that died. What about all the other people who lost their lives, but you don't care. You are all stuck in your false twisted reality fed to you by your telvision set and your false politician and all the propaganda you are fed. Sad Sad America when will you ever learn. You're just the bully of the world and no one likes a bully.
"Although it has supporters around the world, it also faces an unprecedented campaign of delegitimization."
This is absurd. It's impossible to even discuss this issue in the US because every comment is followed by rebukes of "anti-semitism". We need to be able to talk about this issue, all the issues. The idea that every European country who voted for Palestinians to be recognized as a non-member state at the UN are waging a campaign to delegitimize Israel is absurd. Those countries, as well as many people in the US, simply believe that not every stance Israel takes is right, that not everything that they do is justified. But all that needs to be said to stop any rational conversation from taking place is to claim that the world is anti-semitic. Israel is not right to chastise the secular PA by continuing to build on Palestinian land in defiance of international law. Israel needs to negotiate with PA as a state, since everyone has always said there would be a two state solution.
Melody: Its up to the American people to stop this notion that Jews are being opressed even today. Did you know that Israel murders 11 times as many wom en and children as Hamas does, you know the "terrorist organization" yet jews will keep screaming that jews are being persecuted, and when the Palestinians were told by Israel they could not have a state, Palestine went to the U.N alone, and became a non member observer state...How did Israel respond? today they murdered a 17 yr old boy and are with holding Palestines funds and say they will hold it for a couple of more months for defying Israel..does that even make sense? supposedly Israel is a "peaceful" and "democratic" state, yet they are withholding funds that belongs to palestine, they are basically stealing the money that the Palestinians depend on and than at the end Israel is saying they they are the "victim", nothing israel says or does makes sense, yet loonies out there pretend that Israel is a victim and they they are the ones being attacked...actions definitely speak louder than words, as Israels action of their murderous rampage and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians say more than their politcal theater at the U.N can ever say
Melody is right. There is more open discussion in Israel then there is here, thanks to the power of the Lobby.
Only your loving peaceful Muslim's Arab use human shields to protect their ammunition dump, send suicide bomber to do their dirty work, used Islamic terror against their own women, then you cry when innocent civilian becomes casualty of war, This is the price to pay when you elect a terrorist organization to lead you. Then gullible people like you and Alison Weir,Jason and Horus blame Israel for America's problem. Is it any wonder when it come's to Israel the World goes brain dead, then all of a sudden sound logic goes out the window,then reasonable people stop being reasonable.
What is really funny Israel has won every war the Arabs have started and their problem is they can not lose just one. The Arabs cry because they keep getting their collative a*** kicked like a bully who just got his a** kicked for the first time. The Palestinians run to the U.N. and cry “Oh those meanies are at it again” why are they mad we only fired 500 missiles this week.
It is time the Arab community grows up and recognized Israel a state and started working with it.
As long as the Arab cry babies keep people crammed in camps and show none of this Islamic peace and love they keep perching then Israel will need to keep kicking butt with the support of most of U.S.A.
We who do not live under the Arab gun in Israel can not really know what they are going through.
The Palestinians who live in camps out side of Israel who controls them and why after over 60 years they are still there? No other Arab/Islamic state wants them or the trouble/unrest they will bring. Where did all the money from the Arab nations, western nations to house and feed these people go.
In to buying guns and other weapons “little boy/girl” bomb vest” that’s where.
A one state solution could work one person one vote. The problem is the Israelis can not trust the Islamist if they are voted in to power like Hamas was, that deportation and genocide would not be the model Islamic leadership would take. This distrust is why even a two state solution is unpopular with must Israelis.
Hitler convinced the German people that all their problems were caused by the JEWS. To read any blog about Israel all the problems in the world would go away if Israel was destroyed and every Jew killed. Then and only then would peace be ours!
It took the deaths of over 70,000,000 people to prove Hitler wrong.
HOW MANY DEATHs WILL IT TAKE NOW????
Isreal will be the nexr world super power! We wish Isreal success!
Once again, you cannot say anything against the government of Israel and its actions, without being labeled anti-Israel or even anti-semitc
Barbara, that is exactly what the right wing religious jewish extremist want, for you to say nothing!!! and if you do, they try to scare you off by calling you names like anti-semitic and so forth..DO NOT PLAY THEIR GAME..WE ARE AMERICANS!!! we stand proud no matter who it is. If they are such oppressed and poor people that need sympathy than why would they attack you, me or others? when some radical jews start calling you names, just ignore them and call them racist too, they obviously do not care for the United States only care for Israel. Until we stand together against these tyrants they will try to bully us. I have seen the most RACIST people are jews, so what does it matter when a racist calls you a racist like anti-semitic? matter of fact the most anti-semitic people are jews themself since semitism means the race of the middle east, and who hates arabs more than jews?
when people have to twist their own brain to make sense out of it...that's a clue. you know its wrong.
Where did you get that idea?
If you want to inform yourself, go to the Council for the National Interest website.
Jason has a valid point, and I too , as a jew, want 2 states Palestine and Israel living side by side. Israel was created by the UN in Nov 29, 1947. Palestine was also created by the UN, on Nov 29 2012.
Israel is the occupier committing atrocities and human tight abuses and war crimes.
It has been albeled an "Apartheid stet" by the International Russel tribunal in South Africa in 2011, and israelis were among the jury!
, i have been to the West bank, numerous checkpoints which make life soooo difficult for innocent civilians.
Why does Israel allow the settlers to steal more land ? because God gave the land to them ??!! israel is an accupier state committing war crimes and illegal land grab, these are facts in the Goldstone report, a report written by a ...jew !
Mark Levy, Jew for a just Peace
Jason, This is a new low for you, pretending to be a bleeding heart jew.
You sound morally confused and a self hating Jew.
same crap, different day
GOD bless the JEWS............Iran must have lost their minds ,putting their country on a suicide path towards nuclear weapons and wiping out both the Arabs and Jews in the middleeast will be a very sad day!!! If they think they will find favor with GOD by doing this–they wont! Iran should work towards disarming the entire middle east and stop blaming the JEWS and America for their problems?? America is like a third world country now!! The real power is in CHINA-and they want no part in destruction-they want prosperity!!
Perhaps it can be boiled down to Israel either continues to exist, or it doesn't, since the truth is, they are in the Islamic world, and Islam tolerates no other religion. Period.
BLAH BLAH BLAH..STOP YOUR B.S. ITS RATHER THE OTHER WAY AROUND ISRAELS ACTION SAY IF YOU'RE NOT JEWISH THAN YOUR LIFE IS WORTH NOTHING...JEWISH ISRAELIS ARE ALSO MURDERING CHRISTIANS IN PALESTINE AND BURNING DOWN THEIR CHURCHES, ISRAELIS ARE SOME FOUL ANIMALS
Just another reminder of the 'tolerance' of the Arabs: they allied themselves with Hitler, they harassed and exploited their own jewish citizens and stripped them of $$, property and wealth, and now they are are attacking (as in Egypt) the Christian minority in their midst. I don't really see their tolerance for others, do you??
really thesean mean only one thing Jesus is,coming soon this is only the birth pains
In 1947 UN proposed two states: Israel and Plaestine (FACT)
Israel has a state and Pelestinians do not (ANOTHER FACT)
That tells it all. Everything else is propaganda.
they could have had a state in 47. They didn't want us to have one, so they declared war. And the size of the states were far far different than the sizes we came to know later. They have had the opportunity, they just want to kill and destroy us so we can't.
Why do people need to look into anything about Israel in 2013.
Population of 7.5 million which is one medium size city in China, economy size of Chile or Singapore or Portugal? Why so much interest?
Anybody looking into things to happen in Portugal in 2013. How about Chile? Singapore?
If you can handle the truth, I will tell you, Why is the world so polorized around one tiny country in the world, we don't really care about most country anywhere, but why Israel. It't, Good vs Evil, It's set in, our DNA, It's a supernatural battle God vs Satan. As Jews receiving the promised of God as being his chosen people so are we, as Christian we become spritual Jews and received the same promise. This of course upsets satan, and he uses his dicipiles, to spread his hate, jealousy and anger. In 2013 the battle goes on, stay tune to CNN and your TV sets. to see how God is moving his plan foward with Israel. It's funny everything Israel touch turn to gold and everything the enemy touch turn to waste, I recommend that you join the winning taem, God is testing everyone of us. God will always win. God Bless.
This is my opinion. Our "special relationship" with Israel is contrary to our own national interest. Israel can't continue to be an occupying power and remain democratic. The oppressed have become the oppressers.
US Presidents have been trying to prevent a regional and possibly WWIII in the Middle East for over 60 years. The US will protect Israeli security within its borders until the end of time. But more "settlements" are a threat to World Peace.
STATEMENTS OF U.S. PRESIDENTS, Washington Post, May 24, 2009
Sources: Foundation for Middle East Peace, B'tselem and Washington Post research. Population figures are for West Bank, East Jerusalem and (until 2005) Gaza Strip.
"Our position on the settlements is very clear. We do not think they are legal, and they are obviously an impediment to peace."
– President Jimmy Carter, April 12, 1980
Total settlement population: 61,500
"The immediate adoption of a settlements freeze by Israel, more than any other action, could create the confidence needed for wider participation in these talks. Further settlement activity is in no way necessary for the security of Israel."
– President Ronald Reagan, Sept. 1, 1982
Total settlement population (1983): 106,595
"My position is that the foreign policy of the United States says we do not believe there should be new settlements in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem. And I will conduct that policy as if it's firm, which it is."
– President George H.W. Bush, March 3, 1990
Total settlement population: 227,500 "The Israeli people also must understand that . . . the settlement enterprise and building bypass roads in the heart of what they already know will one day be part of a Palestinian state is inconsistent with the Oslo commitment that both sides negotiate a compromise."
– President Bill Clinton, Jan. 7, 2001
Total settlement population: 387,859
"Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must stop, and the occupation must end through withdrawal to secure and recognized boundaries, consistent with United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338."
– President George W. Bush, April 4, 2002
Total settlement population: 414,119
"Settlements have to be stopped in order for us to move forward."
– President Obama, May 18
Total settlement population (2008): 479,500
Sean: that is a great picture of what is happeneing, while Israel is talking about their supposed "defense" they keep stealign more land and blame it on "hamas" as their natural #1 scapegoat...your post with numbers on how Israel has conducted their illegal settlement expansion give a true picture of whats going on and Israels true intent...WIPING OUT THE PALESTINIANS
But those are facts. Americans do not like facts. We need mithology and fairy tales.
This reveal mockery at it's core. All the world can say is stop it until they bring destruction on themselves. How long Israel think it's going to last??? Tick-tack-tick-tack.....
The settlements are an effort by Israel to create facts on the ground and preclude the development of a viable Palestinian state.
God has a master plan and it includes Israel, nothing anyone of us says wiil change anything, Israel is the only country in the world that has a deed that's in the Holy Bible. God chosen people will get all her land back, more then it has today, including part of Saudi Arabia, Syria Jordan, Iraq, Sorry the Bibles says the Wesr Bank and Gaza is Jewish land. As a christian I love my Jewish brothers and sisters, I have never heard any Jews say they hate any country. God's word also say's that at the end, the world will turn their back on Israel. We are seeing Bible prophesy before our eyes, God Bless. I feel sorry for all you atheist, and hate monger, may God help you because your God satan can't.
Do you honestly believe that all the beautiful places on earth , this is the land GOD promissed to his beloved people? Is it just possible that Abraham got his GPS screwed up and settle somewhere else?
Yes I honestly beleive in God's GPS, It's called the HOLY BIBLE, our past ,present and future plan described in details, I myself, Abraham and yourself we do failed from time to time, but my Creator is incapable of failure. Proof that Israel is in her right geographical location is Jerusalem where the first Temple Mount was build almost 3000 years ago,and in the near future Israel will destoy the Golden Dome of the Rock and rebuild her Temple Mount. Keep your eyes on Israel, it's our timepeace.
I GOT TO SAY FREEE FREEE PALESTINE....FREEE FREEE PALESTINE.....FREEE FREEE PALESTINE.. after watching some youtube videos on how Israel oppressing rhe palestinians and suppressing the truth right here in our country...DAMN ISRAELIS ARE SOME EVIL SONS OF BIT*(&*&*
you need to be banned from this site. You are a clear picture of why haters need to be off the internet. BTW, I was not raised to hate Muslims, but I was raised to fear them, and you are a clear example of the hate that pervades Muslims.
Hi Jason, You seem to be a little out of touch with the current situation. Over the last few decades, each time someone has attacked Israel they retaliate with extreme force. Everyone knows this. Perhaps Hamas doesn't know this because they send over their rockets thinking that is something new! Hamas knows that the Jews will whack them back. Hamas uses their own people to gain attention. The blood of children is spilled to get Hamas attention.
John: you got it backwards , its Israel who starts the fight first, BUT blames it on hamas and since our media usually goes with Israels point of view, facts get distorted that Palestine starts and Israel finishes it..Israel starts and finishes it by murdering one baby after another, killing one civilian after another...thats the terrorist state of Israel you support, what the difference between israel and Hitler germany...not much
All the names discussed for secretary of state are great but my fav's are zakraria, amanpour's husband cuz i think these people are diplomatic.
Wow! I am not Jew, Palestinian or American. However I enjoy world history. In my humble opinion, there will never be a peaceful solution in this region; Hatred is too deep. As bad as it sounds, I think peace will only come until one side totally eliminates the other.
your right jose, and serve them right for being such bigots.
israel's drama gets boring after awhile. They won't even be around in a few years, ontop of the fact they're pretty insignificant now.
i myself am sick and tired of israel bleeding america dry.why should americans be giving aid to them.stand on your own two feet like everyone else.
israel is gonna exist and take the land that was promesed to them THE LORD DECLARES not matter what any nation does against israel they will only hurt themselves ...the almighty yhawhe gave that land to the forefathers of the jews thats gods promese and the whole world belong to him and he can give it to whomever .....
Jason, go blow yourself up you dumb sack of sh.t. I'm not Jewish or Israeli, and can smell your racism a mile away. You are a pig, and deserve to drift through life as the useless, vile, and disgusting piece of garbage you are. Go live in Gaza amongst the other dirty terrorists. Chump.
when i read the comments on here, it strikes me that you are all lot of haters, of anybody different then yourselves.
what kind of people call others, rag heads? call people names becouse they have a different religion from you?
your a sad hatefull lot , with people like you theres no hope for mankind.
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Linking back to the name of this article, there is a lot more to watch in Israel and surrounds.
What is happening in Syria and Damascus was prophesied in the Bible (Isaiah 17) and the in the very near future, Damascus would ceases to be a city.
The same about what is happening in Israel at the moment. There will be a buildup. There will be still a lot of blood flowing, but Jesus said in Mat 24:32 Learn from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near... This generation will not pass until all these things take place.
IN 1948, that tree – Israel – started to bloom... brings to conclusion that the current generation will not die of age... Every prophecy and promise in the Holy Bible (Old and New Testament) will come to pass... The Jewish temple will be rebuild – how is unsure – but it will be rebuild in the very near future on Temple Mount.
Israel will be attacked by armies and that is when the Holy God of Israel will be delivering them from their enemies, although not the end yet – but that is all a buildup to the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As He comes to take those who relied on him as well as show himself as Messiah to the Jewish Nation.
You can think what of Israel but God said that those who bless Israel, He will Bless. It is His Children and there is nothing you can do about it. He will hold each person accountable for their deeds.
Now, every one can call each other names and don't allow the sun to shine on them, but not one word of God will be changed and time will soon tell who the real God is. I know HIM... do you?
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