First try every single terrorist for war-crimes. Terrorism is listed by the UN as a war-crime, killing people because of their religion is a war-crime, etc. Since they are war-criminals we need to treat them as such. Our penalty includes death for war-criminals. Second - close the border. And for once I mean totally close it. Nobody in, nobody out. No water. No food. No power. No medicine. No fuel. There is no legal requirement for us to supply foreigners with anything for any reason. The world already condemns us for crimes we have never committed. We might as well make the actions fit the punishment.

1) kidnapping an elected leader is NOT a war crime. If it is, please cite the exact UN article as such. It is more likely a violation of diplomatic immunity. However, as Abbas pointed out, under PLO law, as President he has the right to dissolve the Parliament, depending on legal infractions or inability to rule. Hamas has shown both through it's bloody coup AND insisting on a war with a sovereign State in lieu of helping their citizens. Ergo, per PLO law (under which Hamas was allowed to run and be elected) - Hamas is no longer a diplomatically-elected group. 2) Kidnapping to offset or pressure a terrorist group is not a war crime, as terrorist are not protected under any "war crimes" articles. If so, then shouldn't they also be obligated under such articles? They currently are not. 3) A 10-1 ratio of rockets is what was called for, not "deaths". That was your editorial addition. People have claimed it unfair to use targeted missiles by the IDF to counter the broad targeting of qassams, and the playing field should be leveled. I agree. "Qassam" for qassam. Everytime they launch a "fire cracker", we do the same - just in the general direction. That is a very proportionate response, and 10-1 would give a deterrence that Hamas needs every once in a while.

Wow, I am proud of the Haganah. Not even Al-Husseini and his henchmen admitted to that high number. They alluded to the fact that they botched the Deir Yassin lie which caused most Arabs to flee without ever seeing a soldier. In addition, Arab leaders publicly called for Arabs to make way for their armies to vanquish (e.g. genocide) Jews, and return to claim their wealth. Interesting how the Haganah could make 55% of the Arabs run when Arab leaders did their utmost beforehand. Does this attribution fo "facts" to Haganah military intelligence reports happen to be cited by one little weasel looking for attention, by the name of Ilan Pappe?

when he was asking BBSNews about empathy for the Jewish plight. Besides centuries of pogroms and forced ethnic cleansing in the past, in just the past 90 years Arabs have done this to Jews many times. Ethnic cleansing of Arab lands of Jews. Ethnic cleansing of Judea/Samaria, Gaza of Jews and massacres....all before the Stern Gang, Haganah, or Palmach was even covceived. For those who claim the right of return, I ask - are you part of the illegal Arab immigration of the 1930s, or part of the 95% non-land owning Arabs cited by the Turks/British? If you want to return, to where I cannot be sure, would you promise to live in absolute peace and under ALL the laws of the Jewish State of Israel?

The same way one would negotiate with a rattlesnake. With a large long stick. Negotiate with its head in a very forceful way until it can no longer threaten. Then cut off its head and throw it into the toilet.

You think that Bhargouti should be freed for Gilad Shalit ? Are you aware of the MANY Jewish murders he committed & ordered ? What kind of a human being are you?

The Haganah wasn't a terrorist organisation. The Stern and Lehi could be deemed so.... "Personally I wouldn’t be proud of any terrorist group (eg: Haganah or Hamas)" .....you're prevaricating to appear unbiased. You invariably justify Hamas behaviour in your other posts "For those who claim the right of return, I ask - are you part of the illegal Arab immigration of the 1930s, or part of the 95% non-land owning Arabs cited by the Turks/British?" Brilliant point William! While William is not addressing you Matty, you poo poo his very valid question....I suggest you don't have an answer for us. When the PA and Hamas take 'Israel's destruction' out of their Charter...we can start to talk about equal rights

Under the pretense of some sort of intellectual claim, Bechor's only strategy is more, greater, heavier, force or "dilemma tactics", as if this means anything. His absence of intellectual process that suggests more of the same will be more succesful is the curse that he forces every Jew to wear. It is only by better thoughtful strategies that anything will be achieved. Gilad should be home by now and the government's failure is the failure of us all.

We revel in and love the luxury of being able to judge, but not having to make decisions and take responsibility for them. . We are so media-driven that its almost like the media has replaced our minds and spine. Will out leaders and our people be far sighted enough, brave enough to read this article at least 3 times and think it over each time ? I personally think it should be made part of mandatory learning of those who have been charged with the protection of Israel and Israels future, our children. I personally think Im lucky and privileged to read this piece of good sense.

...you might want to note that there are no reliable estimates of illegal Arab immigration in pre-1948 times so attempting to draw conclusions from data that does not exist is really pointless. Oh dear, I hope William has not soiled himself with Joan Peters. You might also note that B'TSelem released figures some years ago based on official Israeli documents that showed more than 40% of Palestinians in the West Bank have title to their land. And ask yourself, why are you and William going down this road? Not ye olde 'Palestinians don't exist' canard again... On prevarication, Haganah did indeed participate on joint operations with Stern and the Irgun, including some massive anti-British bombing campaigns. The forerunner of the IDF did not have clean lily white hands. Also, I have read Matty expressly condemn terrorism by either side, as I have many times, and you are being disingenuous in trying to imply Matty supports terror. Provide evidence. P.S. When Israel changes the Likud platform, then we can talk about "equal rights".

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3825237,00.html "Early reports state that the 3 youths killed in Gaza were unarmed civilians and were probably scavenging for construction materials near the Gaza border." It's clear where 'Matty's' sympathies lie.. pun intended. These 'youths' were found with a ladder and 3 explosive devices.

Mr Bechor, you wrote an excellent article. All options should be on the table when dealing with a terrorist enemy.

...they have meticulous documentation of every incident on a time line. Please explain why IDF forces kept ambulance personnel away from those killed and wounded for at least FIFTEEN HOURS. Just reading through that week's report made me sick and disgusted at Israeli actions. 'Just like reading stories about youths shot at the fence line in the Warsaw Ghetto. http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2008/30-12-2009.htm

Hamas is a terrorist organization. Allowing them to set terms and conditions is absolutely ridiculous, as is assuming a priori that they have any intention of good-faith bargaining. They're terrorists, remember? The concept of good faith is meaningless to them. Israel should offer Hamas a very simple quid pro quo: release Gilad Shalit unharmed and Israel will not destroy Hamas, root and branch. These prolonged "negotiations" accord Hamas a legitimacy it does not deserve and should not have. It is also time to realize that Hamas has no intention of releasing Shalit -- he is Hamas' sole trump card, and they are not about to relinquish that kind of control. We've always known that, whether we admit it or not. So, play the game Hamas' way. If they release Shalit unharmed, Israel will not destroy Hamas. If they continue to refuse to release Shalit, they will be in effect signing their death warrant. Hamas can choose whichever option they prefer. Terrorist rabble pretending to be statesmen? Oh, I think not. Let's turn the tables on Hamas; give them the power to determine their fate. They will not be able to claim that they did not understand the consequences of their choice, whichever option they choose.

Seeing that you believe the PCHR so much why are you here on an Israeli website?? To create & instigate your hatred for us Jews & Israel. What you know about the Warsaw Ghetto is zero.

Meticulous documenting..such as this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRz5WnHemkw If you take this PCHR Weekly for gospel ...... it speaks volumes about you.

BRAVO to you Mark.( for this video)

Thanks, Birdi..... I feel part pity part disdain for this victim of Palestinian propaganda. He spends so much of his time trying to prove Israel wrong, that, in effect his life is based on a lie fuelled by either naivete or hate

Exactly,Mark, I agree with you 100% & thats why we Israel supporters are here to defuel his & Matty Groves' lies.