The people of gaza collectively must bear the consequences of the actions of their democratically constituted nation.

So, by the same logic, if Israel democratically elects a right-wing government, whose policies may bring about world economic sanctions against Israel, that would be OK ?

rather than instruct Israel how to deal with the disgraceful , idiotic behaviour of its parasitical neighbors. The US should be telling the Pals to stop at all costs. Collective punishment is what these morons deserve, after all ,they voted in Hamas and endorse its actions.

State Department urges Jerusalem not to exacerbate situation in Gaza Strip but says it 'understands' Israel's right to self-defense. State Dept. says here Israel: take this gun and put it to your head, we'll throw yo a big funeral when you're gone.

Firthermore, israel must defend itself and its many millions.Just do whatever is necessary. Forget the rest of the world, and tell them to go home and contend with the Jihadists ,problems, and crime pervading their own countries before dictating to Israel what to do to commit suicide.

This hatefull dhimmi must be ignored by Israel. She is nothing but a tool of extremist Islam.

B'TSELEM MUST PROVE THERE ARE 10 PEOPLE IN GAZA THAT ARE ABLE TO STAND UP AND SAY AS A GROUP ...ISRAEL IS JUSTIFIED AND ALL INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS ON THEIR PART MUST STOP IMMEDIATELLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE HARDSHIP THAT THEIR CIVILIAN POPULATION.CONTINUES TO UNDERGO. AND THERE SHOULD BE NO QUALIFICATIONS TO THIS STATEMENT, I IMAGINE THAT THERE WILL BE NO POSSITIVE RESPONSE EITHER BY THE PALESTINIANS OR THEIR INTERCEDERS...B'TSELEM

WE DO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN FOR CHEAP SAUDI OIL AND GIANT SALES OF F22 AND F35 S TO "ALLIED" ARAB STATES BUT WE DO NOT MIND ISRAEL SECURITY COMES FIRST A PM WITH COJONES WOULD SPEAK LIKE THAT.....

The humanrights for the Israelians is only the Jews rights ... more has no rights by the Jews ... they think that they are the only and the lonly who has rights in this world and the rest has to serve them to get this rights .... ha .... that's why thousends of years passed and still they can not sleep deep with two eyes closed .... blame your selfs .

Every average and intelligent person knows that collective punishment of civilian population is illegal by international humanitarian law even during on going war actions.No way you can compare the effect of the firing of the homemade sugar rockets to Israel harsh response and ongoing siege by shutting off drink water,electricity and fuel during winter .

rest assured there would have been NO Mexico as we know it. Don't listen to anyone and defend the people of Israel.

1.5 Mega watts of electrical cuts means at most that 1500 homes would loose power. In practice, it would mean a choice between Hamas deciding whether to share the tiny reduction between rocket factories or dim a few lights or replace some bulbs with florescents. so New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Biet Selem are making a mountain out a mole hill when they whine about collective punishment.. Collective punishment is not condeming the daily rockets attacks against Sdrot and Ashkelon. Any nation faced with daily rocket attacks would do whatever it took to stop them--- but the Jews are not any nation and restrictions more tight than those applied to any other state must apply to them according to the sick and twisted logic of the state dept and the "human rights aka appologists for terror groups."

it is like saying electricity cuts hurt the population but they are dying -any how- from the Israeli imposed siege.

Israel WILL elect right wing parties, and that will bring peace to ME

Does the HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH not consider that kassam rockets amount to the collective killing of innocent woman and children.Do they also think that collective punishment was allowed when voting for a terrorist organisation.Does Mr tom casey of the US department also think and say kassam rockets should be allowed to fall on humans in Israel and worsen the situation of the civilian population Mr Casey must also continue to convey to the hamas that Israel will kill all who fire or plan kassams against Israel Electricity is used to power the tools to build kassams.

By your definition, going to war and invading another country is a war crime itself because it collectively punishes a civilian population for the actions of its government. I dont want Israel to punish every last Tom Dick and Achmed in Gaza, but Hamas is leaving Israel little choice with its rocket war and haphazzaed civilian targets. That would be a war crime by your definition too. Israel, but using precision arms and going against the launchers and gunmen is NOT a war crime, and neither is the collateral damage incurred by killing the gunmen and rocket launchers. Regrettable yes, but not a war crime. But make no mistake. The 'Palestinian" Arabs want the Jews of the Middle East, gone, dead, or subjugated under Islam. If thats their goal, then Israel punishing them collectively is going to come about to protect themselves. Israel may have a stupid goverment presently but they arent stupid enough to commit suicide.

I do not believe that the British governement supplied German civilian population with electriciy, food and gasoline supply. They bombed German population centers without any concern about collective punishment. Is it hard to say laud and clear that a war is a war?

"Homemade sugar rockets" sounds like something Grandma would bake. Unfortunately it is the explosive warheads with steel shrapnel that cause grave injury and property damage.

An enemy that fires rockets at you on a daily basis from the courtyards of their schools and from the rooftops of their buildings where their families live does not have a "humanitarian situation". US bombed Dresden and Leipzig and Berlin and Rome with damn stupid bombs to push Hitler and Mussolini out of office: Was it collective punishment? Of course it was. War IS collective punishment for the people, for Jerusalem Jews, too.

What about the Human Rights of the people of Sderot? Oh dear, I forgot! They are only Jews and don't have oil! Isn't it amazing, they kill our people and we are to blame. Secretary Rice, STOP appeasing the Arab Oil Kings. They are using oil as a weapon and much of the money that the World is paying for Arab oil is probably going into the coffers of Al Qaeda and other terror organizations!

and in this case it does not. Israel should act as it sees fit. Enough meddling from the US Hate Dept.

Every intelligent person would not know that these supposed sugar rockets as you call it, kill people and destroy infrastructure/homes.. If you had bother to see the rafah crossing debacle, you would notice they drive fairly new cars, were buying expensive motorbikes and bringing back other luxury goods like wide screen tvs etc. By the way George, why should Israel be even supplying anything to people that want them dead? Any intelligent person can answer that.

They want Israel to stop its occupation, and Israel makes its best to disengage... I don't understand why Pals complain. They want their independance, and the opportunity is given to them to produce their own electricity. Instead of that, they rather produce Qassams... Very good way to feed their own people. Time has come for palestinians to live independantly, and manage their own budget without israeil "help". They have enough "brothers" like Egypt ready to welcome them by "breaking their bones" the next time they wil cross the border. I personnally wait for the coming elections, and choose someone from the Right Wing. Then, I hope bring me some peace. I don't want to hear about palestinian problems, they must solve their problems by their own means: Hamas, Fath or whatever... they must do fulfil their job.

would the americans live this way???????? would the french???? brits??????

it is like saying electricity cuts hurt the population but they are dying -any how- from the Israeli imposed siege.

Nearly half the country did not vote. One in six of those who did voted for Olmert.