I think Dr Dor handled it fine. It is a difficult spot to be put on. I also regret civillian casualties in Gaza. I blame then entirley on Hamas but I regret that they happen. I think that is the position of the Govt. We do not need to harden our hearts so much that we cannot feel for the Gazans. Sure it could never happen in an Arab country for Jewish victims, let us be a light unto them

We do not rejoice in death & destruction. There is no joy in the death of enemies, only sadness that it is necessary. We do not pass out candies & sweets to celebrate death nor do we glorify our fallen soldiers as martyrs, we only mourn at our loss. It is certainly regretable that children die in wars but there is no guilt in self-defense. Our enemies embrace a cult of death & violence, a moral sickness that is pathological, a twisted logic of hate. This is why they must not be allowed to win. But the responsibility, the guilt for the deaths of innocent children is not on us - it is on those that perpetrate & initiate violence. A moment of silence for Gazans is not appropriate since the fault is not ours. They bear the ultimate responsibility, not us.

There is something in the Jewish religion that is very noble, but that if taken too far, can be dangerous. Other nations, when they are hit, blame the hitter - but we always blame ourselves; we ask what we did wrong. We originally thought this was just an Exile-mentality phenomenon, but that's not true; there are Jews abroad who are much prouder than many born-in-Israel army officers... We should straighten up, claim and fight for our unquestionable rights on our country, the entirety of our country as explained at : http://israelagainstterror.blogspot.com/2008/01/stop-them-with-clear-cut-victory-part-i.html

We should all ask professors from now on to observe a moment of silence in memory of the Jews who fought against our oppressors. Or how about the Israeli Olympic athletes in '72, since the Olympics are coming up again. How about the millions of Jews that are disappearing because of assimilation--can we have a few minutes for that? Should we take a minute or two for Darfur or maybe a minute for the Kurds who need their own country? I'm going to observe a moment of silence for the downfall of Jewish academia. Is this the type of observance that is being discussed, because it just seems like Dr. Dor is not that observant.

It's ok to have a thought for the children/innocents who lost their lives, while the Palistinians rejoice at the deaths of Israelis, it's what makes us different from them. When you see the dead children being carried in front of the cameras you feel anger at the blatent PR exercise but it's hard not to feel for the child who is being used this way and died pointlessly. There are no such feelings for the Hamas who will always seek destruction of Israel and must be killed, there's no other way to stop them and in the process more children will die but it's Hamas fault.

EVERY TIME A ROCCKET HITS PART OF ISRAELLET THE SAME COLLEGE OBSERVE A MINUTES SILENCE...THESE ARE POTENTIAL KILLERS FOR WHICH JEWS SHOULD LIKEWISE FEEL SORROW.WHY NOT ADD TO THIS THE SORROW OFTHE NON RELEASE OF "SHALLIT" EVERY MORNING....,SORROW SHOULD BE OBSERVED IN MOSQUES AND SYNAGOGUES BUT NOT IN CLASS ROOMS !

I realise why talkbacks should be banned (end) ;-)

Every time I read a talkback from Terry, All I can say or think is "You have expressed my views beautifully and I thank you"

couldn't have said it better

Following up the minute of silence with a discussion made the entire thing acceptable and educational.

Well said indeed. But we in the world community have not held arabs to account for their actions and choices for over a century, why do you expect us to start now?

...would stand for a minute to remember slain IDF soldiers?" No ofcourse not, because a third of the people killed in Gaza were civilians and at least 20 of them were children. You ask us for your sympathy? Why does the occupied, the victim, the one who is getting bombed have to show any sympathy for his oppressors? Are you out of your mind?!

We need brave people like that to stand for causulties on both sides... Enough is enough!

who want us dead. That's exactly the point Bilal, why should we Israelis have any sympathy for those who are constantly bombing the Israeli towns and communities for no reason other than killing innocent human beings ? It is terrorist Hamas's policy to indiscriminately target and kill Israeli civilians, if possible elderly and children. This way Hamas warrant nothing but contempt and hatred, being shot at in legitimate self defence. It is regrettable that these "brave" new barbarians hide behind the skirts of their women and launch their qassams from school yards and kindergartens. Knowing their special "bravery" I am not in the least surprised if one day we hear they launch rockets from hospital wards. It is by now common knowledge that their cruelty and lack of morality has no limits.

if we do not rejoice in death and destruction there shouldnt be any difficulties in having a minutes silence for civilians who died, whether we take responsibility or not. Hamas does not win because you are human enough to sympathise with the death of a child. Please open your heart to humanity.

Should have stood up and sang the Hatikva,Show some gumption, boldness, spunk,for heavens sake. Don't let them walk all over you.

Hi terry,I have been reading your posts,and admire your style, and find you to be one of the better posters. I read the The Gaurdian on the web,and it is as antisemitic as any Palestinian or Arab website,someone of your skills is desperately needed over there to counter the deluge of antizionist and anti Israeli posters.I would love to read your posts over there, we can't allow these people to get away with their overt,covert or blatant antisemitism.Good luck,koltov,cheers.