http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=86440

Ray, I don't think it is one bit funny to compare Israeli and Palestinian mothers as both doting. Palestinian mothers celebrate the fact that their children blow themselves up along with innocent civilians, in the name of Allah. And the last time I looked none of the Israeli's I know including myself look anything like palestinians! Quite frankly nothing I have ever read of yours makes me laugh, trying to look like a peacenik just dosn't work. Having a leg in each camp is the joke, you are giving validity to the horrors and lies that Palestinians put out and on the other you criticise Israel - find another profession Ray!

Most Israelis and Palestinians - Ashkenazi, Muslim-Arab, Sephardic, Christian-Arab - are absolutely indistinguishable from eachother in looks...

i like the story of frog and scorpion .i have asimilar one .it is the man ridding on a donkey .the donkey start to sing .the man tell him you has an ugly voice i can not dance .the donkey said yes you has a butiful sound i want to hear it .when the man start to sing the donkey was dancing .the man fall and wounded stop singing the donkey stop dancing .now who is the man .who is the other

As evidenced by some notes here, both sides seem to have the same kind of hatred driving their extremists.

Do a google search on Ray Hanania. See for yourselves his asinine and truly vile opinions on matters of life and death relevance to all Israelis who want to live safely and securely in their own homeland. Hanania's repellant and disingenuous complaint's about the anti-homicide-barrier will tell you all you need to know about this man.

After years of the most vile distortions about Palestinian Arab intentions toward Israelis and Jews in general, Hanania tries to sweet-talk his way into projecting a "moral equivalence" fantasy. As I just posted, Hanania's record is out there. Go and see the fraud for what he really is. RAY: Fifth columns won't work this time, in the war against terror. Pick a side but don't try to pretend you're sitting on a fence.

I found Ray to be very moderate: opposing suicide bombings but defending Palestinian rights; calling for Palestinian refugees to compromise on the Right of Return, while calling on Israelis to compromise on the settlements and share Jerusalem. Maybe his harsh criticism of the zettlers annoys you, but then, the settlers annoy many of us in Israel.

Man you people need the chill the F out! You can learn to agree to disagree without crucifying the man I think this articles hilarious (reminds me of my ima. My mother in laws the same)

There NEVER was an Arab country of Palestine. Jerusalem was NEVER the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. JERUSALEM IS MENTIONED OVER 800 TIMES IN THE BIBLE, not once in the Koran. Arabs FIRST took the name “Palestinians” in 1967. Arafat was the FIRST leader of this NEW PEOPLE. Before 1948, Jews were known as the Palestinians! The Jewish newspaper, the Jerusalem Post was called the Palestinian Post. After the Jews miraculously transformed desert and swamps into rich, agricultural land (for which Jews are world famous!) Arabs came in large numbers from Arab countries for jobs from the Jews. The fact that the overwhelming majority of Arabs resided only briefly in Palestine is attested to by the special UN decree: that any Arab who had resided in Palestine FOR ONLY TWO YEARS BEFORE 1948, and then left, would be considered a refugee and so would his descendants!!! On March 31, 1977, Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein: “The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan.”

I believe in the justice of Israel, Ray believes in the justice of the Palestinians. What folks like Linda Rivera, Goy Girl and Li'l Mamzer must understand is that its not about who is right and who is wrong but about legitamacy. We cannot achieve any peace by figuring out who is right or wrong. You gotto be nuts (or Uri Avinery) to pick the side of your opponent. That simply does not work. A sane Israeli believes in Israel, a sane Palestinian believes in Palestine. Don't expect anyone to behave otherwise. If you however think that the other guy -even though you think he's wrong- is right from his side as you are right from your own then you have a basis for dialogue and peace. A large majority of Israeli's accept the notion of two states for two peoples. Even Sharon does and the barrier is the best proof of this. We may not like it, we may fear the prospect but we understand the need of a Palestinian state. The problem is that at this point any Muslim will say thank you and not return the favor. It's why Oslo failed and any other agreement will fail. Once the Islamic world catches up with the rest of us, kills their radicals and severely restricts their influence on public life (like the Pope), and a large scale secularisation sets in, then we can make peace. I used to think this will take more than 500 years. Since the invasion of Iraq I think we are looking at 50 years.

hmmm... what do you mean that Israeli's do not look like Palestinians? you know what? you are right! Whenever I see an orthodox jew in the strees, I just thank God that we, the Arabs, look nothing like Jews!

Humor is very powerful, but I do not delude myself into believing everyone can be affected. The extremists ON BOTH SIDES, will remain extremist. That's what they share. It's the majority of the people who are often forced to choose between th eextremists and nothing, and emotiond rives them to the extremists. But, when hope comes, when people begin to see each other as people, the majority of Palestinians and Israelis look past the hatred of the few (those who want to tell you what history is or isn't, or to only blame the other) and begin to see each other as human beings. The majority of Palestinians and Israelis will eventually liv ein peace. They will each preserve their own histories and views of the past, but we will learn to respect each other. I always expect the hatred not just from fanatic Israelis and Jews, but also from fanatic Palestinians and Arabs. But the truth is that for every one negative comment, I know there are 1,000 supporters who are not driven by emotiont o engage in even verbal conflict. And for every one good person whow rites, I know there are 10,000 who share that view. Most Palestinians and Israelis are good, moderate and fair people whow ant peace. The reason why the fanatics scream so much is that they know that better than anyone and are the most afraid of peace. So I keep writing my moderate maybe centrist views defining for Palestinians a real representative voice, and I use humor to help break down barriers that hold the majority of good people back. Fanatics have nothing if they don't have conflict, bloodshed and death to exploit. In fact, if there is peace, they would all be out of a job. I thank YnetNews for letting me write my column. The truth is that MOST Arab media (there are some great exceptions) only publish my columns when they feel I am critical of Israel. When I point out where both sides are wrong, they won't publish the columns. The Arab World should learn from SOME in the Israeli media like YnetNews and start being real journalists rather than emotional advocates for a cause. Ray Hanania Just my two dinar/shekels

Thank you for some sanity I think your columns are very funny, keep up the good work I think theres one lesson for us all: LEARN TO AGREE TO DISAGREE WITHOUT RESORTING TO VIOLENCE. I think as yehudim we reserve the right to defend ourselves and even use preemptive measures to combat violence against us, in whatever form it takes. Its not easy fighting. Most of the people commenting have probably never shot someone before. Its not easy. You know if you dont do it he'll kill other people and teach others to do the same. You learn to count weapons, not bodies, it helps a little. You do it instinctively and say to yourself: one neshek down, 2 more standing, and you go on and finish the job. 2 Neshakim down, one standing. It not easy but it needs to be done. Very few people have the emotional maturity to do it again and again day in and day out without breaking down. But it needs to be done. But we must be prepared, always, to negotiate with people who also want to negotiate, (and isolate ALL the fanatics). That requires give and take on BOTH sides, not just one side ceding to all of the other sides demands and that side not giving an inch. Shalom, salaam (close enough?)

Ray, you´re just not fun. I´m deadsorry to tell you, but you just don´t have what among comedians are called-Funny bones. I see what you´re grasping for,but unfortunately, you just don´t reach it. Perhaps it´s a good idea to to try to point out real or imaginary similarities between the two people but since we all have to live here in the real world it only feels like a politically correct lukewarm nudge-nudge-joke. If you´ve ever watched palestinian tv you know that their humour reach it´s peak when some old,dressed out,moustache-wearing guy falls over or a kid get slapped for whatever reason. Humour isn´t that big among arabs. Sorry to say, but true. About the other so called similarities I really don´t know what to say, have anyone,who have the slightest knowledge of the world around them,ever made the mistake taking an Israeli for an arab? And as far as I know neither my own mum or any other jewish mum I know would cheer and scream of joy when their kids are being blown to pieces, or slapping them when they showing "weakness" by crying. Ray, you´re maybe an ok journalist, but writing witty maybe just isn´t your bag? Letraot!

Send her child out to murder innocent civilians. I too have done a google search on this man and I saw a very interesting article that was in Frontpage forum, he did not paint Israelis or Jews in a fair light but continued on lameneting that we where the cause of the problem. There are no similairities between Jews and Arabs. Arabs do not look after their children, they are left too run on the streets at all hours of the night, they teach them hate, they breed too many of them and then force them ouut too work at a young age. Ray get over it, the only thing we have in common with the arabs may be that our skin tone is the same. Other then that we share nothing. We have human values , they do not.

I came across your columns when Shalom Achav started sending them out to their members. They are great. Like you write, the people who attack either have no sense of humor, or are just haters. They look for anything they dislike and will trample the roses, petunias and daffodils and anything beautiful to find what they dislike to spread their hatred and share their anger. Just consider them hecklers. And to the hecklers, I read something on Ray's site: "There isn't a Jew or a Palestinian who hasn't said something critical of the other that they have or should regret.." Kind of like the people living in glass houses thing. You can find something about anyone that you dislike, but you have to close your eyes to so much to get there. Carol Lipman

Well its actually weird, that all the talkbacks I read are basically just being against Ray just because he is trying to find a way that is ( I find) actually nice and funny. DOnt you guys want to get over with this stupid war? Its really weird! and in many talkbacks you're describing Palestinians as savage, while Jews are not, that Palestinian mothers are happy when their sons blow themselves in the name of Allah, that we dont look alike? Well I'm going to tell u, first, its not Jews we'r fighting, thats racist, its israel, second, we are not savage, the fact that we are living a war shoul make you believe that what your media shows you is trying its best to show you how bad your enemy looks, and of course, the same is with our media, but hey, i dont believe that all israelis are killers, that all run around with a gun wanting to kill palestinians. Also, who said that palestinian mothers are happy when their sons blow themselves up? Well, yes i admit many are, but to be honest, i find many of the people here actually hating those people bomb themselves up, because it doesnt do us any good. Another point, well, if you dont claim that we both do look alike, well except your immigrants part, then u'r kinda displacing yourselves from this area and with it your claims that you've been here forever, cuz u know, and we all know, that all mediterinian country's residet DO look alike, like it or not. i liked this article a lot, stuff like this is what might get the younger generation to start "Sharing the Holy Land"

It was just a pleasure reading your words! I totally agree with you. You are amazing, and your words are beautiful. I hope that they have some effect on people.

I agree with you Ray ,fanatics got to have a conflict build in within in order to continue the bath of destruction they chose , lets look at time machine in this current conflict .Fanatic /savage ideas killed 29 muslim worshippers at the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron ,before any suicide bomber struck an israeli city . Fanatics killed Rabin ,55 illegal jewish settlements were built on stolen Palestinian private lands during Yehuda Barak term in Gov. while he was talking PEACE in Washington with Yasser Arafat . here is a time machine fact : the first truck bombing in middle east was the bombing of the King David hotel in jerusalem ,killed scores of Arabs ,jews and British alike ,killers were from the Stern gang ,names like Shamir and Menahim Beigin ring a bell ? The destruction and uprooting of olive trees in millions through out Palestine is a shame for humanity . while we find similiarties between two kind of people ,one most important divide is the size of weapons ,big guns don't alwayes produce a clear cut winner ,history will be the judge . eat your falafel sandwish and don't forget the shata .....

You're right, Joe. But Israelis don't like to be reminded of the bad things they do. No one is allowed to mention the terrorism of Begin, Shamir or even Sharon. They call you bad names if you do.

The funny man is suggesting to build peace bcoz we share a lot! we share falafel and humos! and we can just forget about the land occupied "shared" by the israelis! He always use the term "Both" israelis and palestinians as if they've equal suffering! well, the house rules of both Mr and Mrs Hanania doesn't apply to the arab-israeli conflict! it applies to his love for his wife!

Wait . I've never even seen you on even comedy central! whoops!