Israel is under of a siege mentality not because of the Arabs but because of the EU UK and their constant hypocrisy on criticizing Israel . By the way if the economist which is British by the way does not realize it yet Israel is at war, http://israelprotect.blogspot.com

The last thing Israel needs is advice from a British magazine, written in a country which is and has always been( remember the expulsion of Jews from Britain and their ban from entering the country) deeply anti-semitic and which has been biased against Israel from its inception. In fact, most of the problems of the modern Middle East can be traced to British colonialism there and their policy of pitting one People against another. Thanks for the advice, Economist, but no thanks.

I find that they are right on the mark about nearly everything, except Israel. Regarding Israel, the Economist's approach is the usual snotty, pig-headed British anti-Semitism disguised as analysis of Israel. Perhaps some day one of their reporters actually will spend some time in Israel with eyes wide open and not wearing a kafiya.

And then asks how come our noses are all brown? For those looking for the exact definition of brownnose: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brownnose “The Gazans have suffered sorely but have not been starved into submission.” “Starved into submission” - How about this dispatch on Gaza from Tom Gross Media http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001114.html “How should Israel handle an authoritarian movement that refuses to recognise it and has in the past readily used terror?” So Hamas is according to The Economist an AUTHORITARIAN movement. Hannah Arendt must be turning in her grave. ‘Has in the past readily used terror’. In the past? The Economist probably meant until 5 minutes ago. Let alone the Grad rockets that fell on our heads a year and a half ago when we all had to spend a fortnight in the shelter.

For their unbelievable lies, disinformation, hate campaign and hypocrisy presented in their media against Israel. Is Fox News the only sane station left in the world? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya7aE1EX4As

What the 1st World cannot accept is the lack of perceived symmetry; they always talk about disproportionate force. When they say this they really mean disproportionate numbers of fatalities. So the objective is to break the blockade and allow large amounts of weaponry to enter Gaza. That way when the next war comes many lives will be lost on both sides and the numbers will be more even. In western terms it will be a fairer fight they will then be able to sleep at night and at that point will express moral indignation and declare that both sides are as bad a each other. The point they really miss is this is a side show. What is more significant is the reducing influence the US and EU having over the whole region and their inability to see the big picture. It’s all about Iranian and Turkish hegemony, and the conflict between Sunni and Shia Islam. The 1st World is in total denial.

we were always alone... the world didn't see us 600 years ago... not 70 years ago.... we know how to manage alone....

Thousands rockets fired at kindergartens, schools, houses are "siege mentality"? tell that to the people of Sderot, Ashkelon, Beer Sheva, villages and kibbutzs near Gaza. What do people living in peaceful England or western Europe in general know about the reality of being a Jewish state in the middle east? The middle east is a rough neighborhood anyhow, but being the only Jewish state there means that perhaps 90% of the people here want us dead. This is not a "siege mentality", this is a fact. If the writes of "The Economist" don't know that, then they don't know much about the region and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, let alone offer a serious psychological analysis of the Israeli psyche...

The economist is a serious weekly publication and a friend of Israel. Their words should be taken seriously.

And with each next year it will be more difficult. Stop your downward spiral and make peace now! The whole world knows what each side will have to give up for a two-state solution. We are just waiting for you to finally realize it.

It's not hard to see where your head is. Perhaps if or when you ever understand what a blockade is and why it is there you will start to "get it"

Quite enough hypocrisy of the European communication so sad that in thire backyard of Europe is a floras of terrorist organizations and Islam is extreme that threatens on culture, sovereignty, and the security of Europe and they are from tips us.how would want to understand the problem of the terror, in the attacks in center London? Hshraia law in Britain?How?..After allif we will be more soft with the terror he will hurt in us, what we won't tried? This is not war between cultures, this war between two opposites, this clash is between 21 of century & 7th, this clash is between barbarizim to the rationalism, this clash is between democracy to the dictatorship, anyway hypocrisy of Europe does unknown boundaries either if driven best wishes or if driven soften, this is the language that they understand and this what will receive, better that Hamas will continue to win in media then we will bury our people .im sure that if Hamas shot one rocket to London believe me in one day Gaza transformed shattered ruins, better to look around your neighborhood hypocritical!

I am not going to preach sanity, on the contrary, I say the advising the following actions: 1- knock the hell out of the Rachel Corrie 2- knock the hell out of Hamas and Hizbullah 3- bombard Syria flat out 4- Finish off Iran then you can sleep in peace forever after.

does hate us. That is not news. The occupation of our land by palis is a problem that we should correct. They should also look into the islamization of the englandistan.

What makes this UK journalist such an 'expert. He must be SUPERMAN because he 'understands Israeli military strategies, Israeli politics, strategic world alliences. He can also 'look into the future and enlighten us all what will be, what will be good or bad for Israel. Isn't the Economist a paper about Economics. Let him stick to his job and 'investigate// answer' why the British economy is in such an abominable state. When he can do 'that, he WILL be a 'genious. Untill then, Israel is quit capable to take care of itself without his 'advise.

Apparently, Economist has economized on his intellectual status! warm regards....Gregg Bowman

British Jews supporting Israel, singing the British national anthem and cars honking horns in support as they pass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01SSxbY9HMY

if you despise Muslims and Islam so much why are you living right in the middle of them. Move to Florida or Jew York ,you'll feel better.

I don't think you understand. It is not a minority that are critical of Israel now. It is everyone, except for a few idiot politicians in the United States. Invading another country's sovereign ground is an illegal act of war. Not one soldier was killed, 9 activist are dead. A teenager with 4 shots to the head. Is it that he was not a jew, so he had no soul?

Maybe you have not noticed, muslims are now living all over the world, In New York & Florida too !!

You ask us to be Galuth Jews like you? Your sightseeing is very narrow!

Certainly the Economist has taken a clear anti-Israel line for as long as I can remember, getting on for 30 years. Unfortunately it, and its journalists who go on into academia, are in a good position to ignore the facts and put across their message with authority.

Should stick to economics Israel did not shoot first it armed flotilla against trying to run the gauntlet. Flotilla came readied for trouble

The Economist article that Israel "shoot first, and ask questions later" is a fact - not an accusation. Stopping a foreign ship 60 miles off Israel -not in the 12-mile Israeli territorial waters, and shoot defending passengers in the head is a "piracy in the high seas" according to int'l law. And the Israeli government contention that the Palestinians in Gaza are victims of Hamas - not of Israel- is laughable. But with the right wingers Netanyahu and Lieberman on the helm, the Israeli government can only become the anathema of the world - and it is almost there. Nikos Retsos, retired professor

The radical Islamic threat is already a reality in Britain and much of Europe. Expect more suicide bombings in London, airports and other targets. Don't expect Israel to help you.

So many commenters here just don't seem to get it. Whether we like it or not, and no matter how much abuse one may pour onto the economist, actions like the Gaza war, the Dubai assassination, and the flotilla shootings, are causing very very serious damage to Israel's image in the outside world. There will always be people who hate Israel, but they are in the minority. Now, people who were otherwise uninterested or friends and staunch supporters of Israel are starting to question exactly what is going on. Increasingly, Israel is being portrayed and perceived as a bullying apartheid state, that has lost touch with reality and the outside world. If things continue in this direction, then sanctions and boycotts will be the next step.

# 6 STATES THAT ....... IN " Masdada, the Jews were wiped out and driven out of Palestine by the Romans", AND THUS HE ADMITS THAT THE JEWS WERE IN ISRAEL, JUDEA, SINCE THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND WERE NATIVE TO THIS LAND. HE THEN CONFUSES AND CONTRADICTS HIMSELF AND STATES ... " end Apartheid in Palestine, let the Natives Vote " #6.. FIRST YOU STATED THAT THE JEWS WERE NATIVE TO THIS LAND BUT GOT BEATEN BY THE ROMANS, AND THEN YOU STATE REGARDING THE NATIVES ............... " let the Natives Vote" . MAKE UP YOUR LYING MIND !! WHO ARE THE NATIVES TO THIS LAND ? YOU ARE OUT TO LUNCH, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS #6.