Ray is a Christian U.S. citizen living in Chicago. What a joke! I know Edward Said isn't around but can't YNET find a real "Palestinian?"

Arja must be getting her feeds from Hanani again. HEY ARE YOU LISTENING ARJA -- LIKE IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE? When in history has any nation that was attacked ever returned captured land if it was not for a strategic purpose. You pick a fight, you loose, YOU REALLY LOOSE! It's not yours anymore to fight from. How stupid can you be? It's funny how the Christians in Lebenon and some other Arabs did not use their land to make war. Well, those that did are paying the price. Resistance fighters for what? Israel needed much of that land as a strategic millitary buffer which is exactly what any sane nation under constant threat of attack would do. They practically gave it all back, and look what they got, quasams and Hezbos. You know Arja, you and Ray must not be very successful people. Any fool can claim to be the phoney underdog's savior and gain instant acceptance and instant gratification. You don't have to do much work or research either. Just let them use you and push your buttons. They will hand you all the propaganda you need to feel really smart and well informed even though you are the liberal fool, and they are playing the victim game. Problem is most of those outside of that circle of delussion can easily see what is going on. Even the two faced, frustrating Frrench government; although they play along for economic benefit.

I like the word islamofascist. It says what I want to say. I'll stop using it when islamofascists turn in their weapons and become respectable human beings.

Regarding "equality", yes the word is not used in Israel's Basic Rights text you'll find it rather in Israel's Declaration of Independence - "will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations."), but number 4 of the Basic Rights Article on Human Dignity states "All persons are entitled to protection of their life, body and dignity." There are other parts of that Article that relate to other aspects that constitute "equality", but the point is that the law does not define "all persons" as anything other than "all persons", and thus does not prefer one person to another. To the degree that the facts do not bear this out, to the same degree you'll find this to be so in every democracy - yet no other democracy has to defend its right to that title but Israel. Why is it that of all who criticize Israel's democracy, it is mostly heard from those who support those countries who do not have it? On the other hand, this is a law that is meant to apply to Israeli citizens. Not unlike all other states in the world, the rights of citizenship are not applied to anybody who is not a citizen. But there are 20% of our population who are not Jewish who they do apply to, not just the 80% or so who are Jewish. Regarding "resistence fighter" or "terrorist", you are confusing "means" and "ends". It is possible for terrorists to also be resistence fighters. What makes them "terrorists" is how they "resist", not that they "resist". Anybody who blows up busses with non-combatants aboard, their intention obviously being to kill non-combatants on purpose, is a terrorist irrespective of whether their political views support a Palestinian state, or do not support a Palestinian state. Regarding to the Shaba Farms claim, if that were how sovereingty would be defined, then parts of Syria and Lebanon would be Israel's, those lands having been bought and deeded to the Jewish National Fund. International Law sees Shaba as Syrian territory, occupied by Israel, and the final status of that land is a matter of negotiation between Syria and Israel that does not concern Lebanon. Hizbollah's perception of Shaba is merely a pretext to ensure its continued existence, because if it stopped "resisting", it would stop "existing". Regarding "illegally and immorally oppressed", Israelis can claim the same against the Arabs as a whole, who have attacked it, boycotted it, harrassed it and slandered it from well before its first day of Independence. Israel is legally entitled to be a state, which is more than the Palestinians have - yet these "resistence fighters" have a morality that is highly selective. When it suits their purpose, they find it convenient to be moral. When it doesn't, they call themselves "resistence fighters' and people like you eat it up. And as for your claim of "ethnocracy vs. democracy", you've defined the problem wrongly. If you look at Israel's Declaration of Independence, you'll see, unlike Palestine's charters or those of any Muslim or Arab state, that Israel was DESIGNED to include non-Jews as full partners in building the state, fully equal in all respects, irrespective of the fact that it was also DESIGNED to affirm this "Land of the Prophets" as the Jewish homeland. I don't think that your criticisms are at all in place. When Canada has as many Muslims as a percentage of its population as Israel does, maybe when Quebec treats English and English culture with the same respect as it treats French and French culture, maybe it will be able to claim it is no longer an ethnocracy, as Israel is not an ethnocracy.

Why does Mr. Hanania object to the term "Islamo Fascist"? He never says why it's objectionable, although the answer is obvious from his descritpion of Hizbullah as a "militia." He doesn't like to hear descriptions that convey a truth. Islam as practiced by the Wahabis and the Salafis is no different from the Fascism practiced by Hitler, Mussolini and al-Husseini. All spew hatred against Jews and against human rights and individual freedom. The truth hurts. Especially when it comes from President Bush.

Do you even know where Chaba farms is located on a map and how big it is...? If you did, you would know that it is a tiny piece of land which has (and has always had) a population of ....0 (except for the Israeli military presence). So THAT is what they were "resisting"?? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds, especially since the issue hasn't even been raised by them until the war? And Hamas "resists" what ? The withdrawal from Gaza... ?Ironically , apparently so, cuz they obviously want us back in there. Hamas and Hezbullah "resist" the existence of a Jewish state. Both have attacked AFTER Israel has withdrawn from their areas. Is that resistance?? Your arguments are weak because you sympathize with those who wish to destroy the jewish state by calling them "Resistance fighters" but we can see through your pathetic logic and lack therof...

We are fortunate indeed that these two deep thinkers have a forum for debate . While accusing Israel of all kinds of nefarious deeds and actions they are in the end unable to substantiate any of it , with researthed facts. Arja claims to suddenly , after or during , the most recent war to have begun to research all facts which have drawn Arja to the inescapable conclusion that Israel is wrong Hezbo and the PA ( Palestinian Authority ) are right . Wow! What a surprise. As stated in Arja's more recent talkback , Arja watched Lebanon TV , that bastion of unbiased reporting to conclude the terrorists are really resistance fighters . Impressive research indeed . Tell me Arja and Ray how many American Jewish writers are given such a prominent space in their government controlled papers in Lebanon or the PA to write the pro-Israeli side of events? If the the answer in none why do think that is? You know besides the fact that the world media is controlled by a secret Jewish lobby! Later.

What most comments to this article ignore is that some of what Ray says is valid. There clearly is a pro-Israeli stance in the US press. And American journalists are utter wimps when it comes, not to asking the president tough questions, but to following them up when the president dodges or gives incoherent answers. The Bush administration has indulged a lot lately in the comparison of current terrorist groups, hostile governments, etc., to fascists, meaning particularly the Nazis. We all know our history, and that appeasement attempts with Hitler were foolish. Nazi Germany needed to be defeated militarily, and it was. The problem is that the current world situation is vastly more complex, with the U.S. and Europe facing dozens of terrorist organizations spread all over the world, not a uniformed army on a battlefield. Of course, those who wish to attack us must be captured or killed. No question. But there are situations, as with North Korea, where diplomacy and negotiations must be worked. Bush DID neglect the Israel - Palestinian issue during his presidency, as he has neglected so much domestic policy as well. If Iraq had been the heart of the problem, it might have been worth it. That there was no direct link between Iraq and terrorism, or 9/11, well, that makes it a huge waste of American lives and resources. Now the purpose of this "they're all fascists" rhetoric is to suggest, retroactively, that more diplomacy in the Middle East would have done no good, just as with the Nazis. That's a dodge. It's possible to defend one's country militarily and through counter-intelligence AND employ genuine diplomacy at the same time. With this administration, the we-won't-talk-to-them-until-they-give-us-what-we-want-first approach has in general made the world a more unsafe place. They are not the cause. But they have facilitated the process. So what do you do? Stir up the rednecks with catch phrases. And wait for the next president to sort it all out. Sad.

Shay for president. Or at least in charge of PR!!!

Hezbollah was formed to oust Israeli invaders who occupied southern Lebanon and they succeeded. If one considers the history of the area, it would be logical to be prepared for yet another invasion especially because there were regular Israeli incursions on Lebanese land and airspace. They were aware of Israeli military preparations. They also believed that Israel still had not returned everything they had seized during the previous war. For them NOT to be prepared to resist further Israeli attacks, especially after what Israel was doing to the Palestinians, would have been illogical. At the moment, Hezbollah is helping rebuild Lebanon and is actually more popular than it was before the Israeli invasion. So in my opinion they are RESISTING Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Personally, I do not care for Hezbollah (especially the fanatical Islamic aspects of some or many or most of the members) but neither do I like the Zionist policies and practices of the Israeli government and the terroristic attacks by the military. Which is the worst evil? Which is more humane? Perhaps it's a toss-up! How will it end? Who knows! I'd just like a clearer more honest picture of the situation in the Middle East to be portrayed by the media and understood by Bush (if that's possible!). Right now the media is way too one-sided in the West (including Israel) AND it's way too one-sided in the lands that oppose the West and that cannot lead to a just peace. So what to do? Will calling each other names help? Will dropping bombs help?

I was listening to a CBC reporter in Lebanon. He managed to interview a Hezbollah member and spoke with many Lebanese people. I read mostly reports that come from people LIVING in Israel or Lebanon and for the MOST part I read JEWISH authors, but perhaps you would consider them "self-hating" so they don't count? What a way to dismiss facts and opinions you don't like! Anyway, Ray is the exception ;-)

What an amazingly insightful piece from an obviously independent and objective journalist(?). Now one week from the fifth anniversary of the incidents (is this the way mr hanania would describe the day) and it is still the Americans and Bush's fault. mr hanaia, you are a self-described "arab american". "No man can serve two masters." Which is it. Arab or USA? Pick one and stand up for it. Otherwise you can only be called "two-faced". Or perhaps a wolf in sheep's clothing..

Crossing an international border to kidnap soldiers is not resistance to anything. It is incitement and provocation. Especially since Israel had withdrawn from Southern Lebanon 6 YEARS AGO. What has Israel done to southern Lebanon or the Hezbollah since 2000???? Can you answer that??? And besides, have you ever heard of peaceful resistance...? It's not something that is valued in the muslim world, unfortunately.

Israel exists now, whether its establishment was illegitimate or not, it exists and has the right to exist. BUT Israel does NOT have the right to extend its borders as it is doing by putting settlers on Palestinian land. So while Israel feels threatened, their neighbours feel threatened as well. What a mess! And our media doesn't help the situation with all the fear inciting representations of the problem, just like in the days of the "red scare" and the "yellow scare" - so what's this scare called? For cyring out loud, most people just want to live their lives in peace, with their families and friends and go to work and play, lead normal lives. Living in fear changes all the dynamics and craziness results. Our world leaders use words but send the young to do the dirty work, to fight and die. I wish they'd leave us out of it and just go fight it out amongst themselves if that's what they want to do and let the rest of us celebrate life on our beautiful planet!

on 26 May 1984 Khatami as minister of cultural guidance headed a meeting that resulted in establishing a strike force in Lebanon under Revolutionary Guard guidance including members prepared for suicidal missions. In September 1998 Khatami linked Zionism and racism during his UN speech. See the article, The "New" Russia and Iranian Moderates in Midstream April 1999. Also see August 24, 2006 Frontpage magazine Kenneth Timmerman-Say No to Khatami. No word about his terror activities or why the Chicago Jewish Federation might object to Khatami in the Associted Press article of course. LK , madison wisconsin (09.03.06)

All eyes on Lebanon Joseph Farah, August 1, 2006 You know, it's funny. For years I've been trying to get people to pay attention to the deaths and destruction and injustices being perpetrated on my beloved Lebanon. And nobody cared. When Yasser Arafat's PLO tried to take over the country and make it his terrorist playground, nobody cared. When people were dying by the thousands in the civil war, nobody cared . When Syria had its boot on the neck of its tiny neighbor for 25 years, nobody cared . When Iran dispatched HA terrorists into the country to undermine home rule by Lebanese, nobody cared. When Muslims chased millions of Christians from the country, tipping the balance of power, nobody cared. But now, all eyes are on Lebanon.Do you know why? Because Israel has tried to clean up this hornet's nest. Yet, all we hear about is how many Lebanese are dying. Can I let you in on a little secret? Guess what the total death toll is among Lebanese during the extent of this war including HA terrorists, many of whom are not really Lebanese? You better sit down. The total death toll is just over 500. Now, far be it for me to minimize death tolls. One innocent death is a tragedy . But this is the total all terrorists, civilians, Lebanese army, everything. The whole world is going nuts over this "slaughter". The French, the Russians, the British and yes the Pakistanis. What is needed is some perspective here. May I offer it? Last month alone, U.S. troops in Afghanistan announced killing 600 "suspected" Taliban . That's one month alone. We've been occupying this foreign country since 2002. It began in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. forces went halfway around the world to attack a sovereign nation, to overthrow the government and kill as many people as it deemed necessary over the last five years to prevent more terrorist attacks in the future. Few would suggest that Afghanistan represents any imminent threat to the U.S. today. By the way, according to U.S. military spokesmen, a total of 1,700 Afghanis have been killed since the start of the year. That includes some civilians, some aid workers and more than 70 foreign troops. But, last time I checked, there weren't demonstrations in the streets of the U.S. or elsewhere around the world over this war. Instead, everybody is going ape over Lebanon. By the way, the government of Afghanistan, installed by the U.S., is happy about the war. President Hamid Karzai wants to see the terrorists rooted out of his country. He recognizes it represents the best chance for his nation to be free. Meanwhile, back in Lebanon, a government that has tolerated terrorist bases on its soil for years and years is suddenly indignant about Israel's retaliation against incessant attacks from those strongholds. Does any of this make sense? Do you think those screaming about the bloodshed in Lebanon really give a hoot about Lebanon? If so, where have they been for the last 30 years? Why is Lebanon the top story in every newscast? Why is Lebanon on the front page of every newspaper? Don't you get the impression that the violence there is probably worse than anywhere else on the planet from this focus? Clearly it is not. And the only difference is who's doing the butt kicking in Lebanon. As for me, an American of Lebanese and Syrian heritage, I don't want to see a "cease-fire." I want to see Lebanon freed of the terrorist blight, once and for all. I want to see Lebanon freed from domination by Iran and Syria . I want to see Lebanon be Lebanon. I don't want to see Lebanon suffer for another 30 years. It's time to clean up the mess and allow this poor, little country to heal. And that means getting rid of the disease of HA now. Joseph Farah is founder, editor and CEO of WND and a nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate. His latest book is " Taking America Back." He also edits the weekly online intelligence newsletter Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin .

Re: "stealing by force 'Arab land" Please read the answer that Haji Ahmid al-Husseini gave to the British Peel Commissioner : Evidence of Haj Amin al-Husseini1 Before the Royal Commission, January 12, 1937 Quote from text SIR L. HAMMOND: His Eminence gave us a picture of the Arabs being evicted from their land and villages being wiped out. What I want to know is, did the Government of Palestine, the Administration, acquire the land and then hand it over to the Jews? MUFTI: In most cases the lands were acquired. SIR L. HAMMOND: I mean forcibly acquired-compulsory acquisition as land would be acquired for public purposes? MUFTI: No, it wasn't. SIR L. HAMMOND: Not taken by compulsory acquisition? MUFTI: No.

And what do you think Israelis want to do (second part of your post)? Do you think 6 million Israelis (about 5 million Jews) really want to conquer and subdue 1 billion Muslims? for crying out loud, how on earth are we supposed to feed them?

You're wrong, Arja. First, you present the Arabs in this region as harmless and hobbit-like. One needn't "interpret" the news to conclude otherwise - it is rather very clear that on the whole, Arabs are not willing to tolerate Israel's existence as a Jewish state for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with Israel at all and therefore it makes no difference what we do to make peace. Simply, a western, non-Muslim state will never be accepted by Arab Muslim culture in this location, and that same culture has been hijacked by Saudi and Iranian extremists (Sunni and Shia) such that nobody even remembers anymore that the Koran itself defines this Land as the Jewish home, and not "Palestine". Next, everybody who read about how the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis developed knows that the negotiations did not break down on the matter of who gets what land. This issue was the least contentious of them all, a fact that is airbrushed over when you imply that land issues are driving the conflict. They are not. In this respect, the Palestinians got enough of what they wanted to move on to more contentious issues. It broke down on Arafat's refusal to agree that the conflict was over and that the settlement between the two parties would end all claims of Palestinians against Israel, and on the matter of whether Palestinians would be allowed to live inside Israel as Arafat demanded, or only within the newly constituted state of Palestine. The fate of negotiations was sealed by the Arafada (2nd Intifada), preplanned with the aid of Marwan Barghouti and his ilk. If "most people want to live their lives in peace", why couldn't these two last points be accepted? Further, the matter of what "Palestinian Land" is has never been resolved such that you, or anyone, can claim that it has been stolen. All UN Security Council Resolutions stated that the matter of the border was to be negotiated in a manner that ensures the security of all states in the region, not least of all, Israel. From a civil perspective, if the land is actually owned by a Palestinian and not ownerless (meaning state-owned) under Ottoman Law (which governs title issues in the W. Bank), then you can be assured that in the vast majority of cases "settlers" do NOT live on that land. I doubt you can prove otherwise.

Hezbollah are not "resisting " anything, only attacking. You are correct in your second paragraph , that all anyone wants is to be able to live peacefully and securely. Israelis are no different and that is why the Hezbollah must be disarmed and if possible, disbanded. Settlements are wrong, I agree, but did they also feel threatened when we withdrew from Gaza?

Christianity is NOT a religion. There's no such thing as a "Christianite." Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

"Chriianity is NOT a religion." What planet do you live on? As far as "Christianite", maybe he or she is not an English speaker.

First and foremost, the "land" you mentioned does NOT belong to the so-called "Palestinians." It belongs to Israel. Always has, always will. Second, although the powerless U.N. and other "Internationalist" have persuaded Israel at times to give up certain portions of "their land" the fact remains that only God Almighty can give or take the land. "Seek peace and pursue it" is written in the Bible, yet too many ignorantly seek a "utopia" that will never happen. I pray for those so blinded by their stubborn free will -- or Satan -- they can't see the forest for the trees.

Already in the early 20th century the Palestinians heard about the Zionist plans for the new Jewish State on the lands they inhabited. They already had a reason to worry about their safety, to feel threatened. You should understand how that feels! In 1937, Ben-Gurion, a supposed "compromiser," made his plans clear in a letter to his son Amos: "I am an enthusiastic advocate of the Jewish State, even if it involves partitioning Palestine now, because I work on the assumption that a partial Jewish State will not be the end, but the beginning. When we acquire 1,000 or 10,000 dunams of land, we are happy. Because the acquisition of land is important not only for its own sake, but because through it we are increasing our strength, and every increase in our strength helps us to acquire the whole country. " Elsewhere Ben-Gurion is quoted as saying, "If I were an Arab leader, I would never make terms with Israel. That is natural: we have taken their country. Sure, God promised it to us, but what does that matter to them? Our God is not theirs..... There has been anti-Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault? They only know but one thing: we have come here and stolen their country. Why would they accept that?" And you say the Palestinians aren't RESISTING Israeli takeover of their land?? Have you looked at the maps to see how Palestinian land is decreasing and their residential are getting isolated, separated? More and more Jewish settlements are being built on Palestinian lands. Who is the aggressor? NOT the Palestinians! The Palestinians have the right to RESIST the incursion on what should be THEIR land. But then the Zionist plan is to take it ALL and hope that the Palestinians disappear somehow..... Irene Klepfisz, born in 1941 in Warsaw and whose father died a hero in the Warsaw Uprising wrote: "Am I to feel better that the Palestinians...were not shot by the Israelis but merely beaten? As long as hundreds of Palestinians are not being lined up and shot, but are killed by Israelis only one a day, are we Jews free from worrying about morality, justice? Has Nazism become the sole norm by which to judge evil, so that everything that is not its exact duplicate is considered by us morally unacceptable? Is that what the Holocaust has done to Jewish moral sensibility? " (p 130, Dreams of an Insomnia: Jewish Feminist Essays, Speeches, and Diatribes) The feedback here and the Zionist websites I've visited lately amount to hate talk/literature.

When someone can touch the core of people's fear/hate and ugliness there's hope. The arrogance on the talkback is blinding. People listen to yourselves. All of you Hanania-bashers want this conflict to continue; want more people to die; want to see all moderate Palestinian voices silent; want to be right at the cost of peace. So sad. Ray, there are many more supporters out there but they don't want to be recipients of such hate and delusionalism. You are brave to keep focused no matter how hard they try to silence you. I hope you continue and more Jewish outlets host your columns. Thank you Arja for all your comments too.

There is an arrogance about religions who purport THEIR god is THE god. Sure, worship who or what you want, but don't have the gall to tell OTHERS they have to obey YOUR god and accept YOUR god's judgement. It is even more reprehensible that you use GOD to justify your murder and assault on other peoples. Hmmm I thought it was just the "Islamo-Fascists" who did THAT. And then then there is President Bush who is giving the Christian god a bad name.... at least in my opinion. I tend to see him as an antichrist figure -- metaphorically, not literally. My religious friends have never felt the need to convert me to their religions, be they Jews, Christians, Sufis, Hindi, or Buddhists. We were all able to get along with each other. But then none of us was a literalist fundamentalist. The important aspect of our faiths or spirituality was love -- respect, compassion, loving kindness. Thank you, Sarah :-)

Yes, I get loads of email support and encouragement ... and most make the same, GREAT point ... the people here attacking me are attacking ME because THEY CAN'T ATTACK the ARGUMENTS or my LOGIC.. As they say in America "Sticks and stones ..." Proof positive that I am right, and the haters are wrong. Of course, opinion is just that, opinion. But in the Israel represented by many of the talkback authors here, Israel must not be very Democratic and certainly not very tolerant of different views. JIHAD ME AT HELLO FOLKS ... Jihad me ... at ... hello :) Ray Hanania www.hanania.com

I don't get it - I mean I try so hard to understand the fear Israelis feel - this sense of an impending doom. It just doesn't add up consdering 300+ fissile bombs, ballistic missiles, arguably, the best air force in the world, biological weapons, chemical weapons, Israel is an arms exporter - which of course means it can furnish most of its conventional weaponry, universal conscription for manpower in the armed forces, the best economy in the area, being a major technological producer, farm products and goods, heck Israel has been into space. There is no existential problem facing Israel whatsover. Of course, if this deep seated fear stems from concerns about maintaining Israeli society in the future, which would necessarily, involved greater land area, water sources and access to natural resources then the fear does leave the ephemeral and translusive realm and enters into the realpolitik genre. So let's call a spade a spade because club just won't do. Shalom,