"USA" writes, "USA is very sick and tired of having to support Israel . Believe me. The average American does not like what it is doing or what it stands for, nor that it takes our tax dollars." The numbers say otherwise. Recent polling shows support for Israel at about 65%, a near record. Support for the Palestinians is about 16%. Another poll shows that the majority of Americans do NOT support Obama's harsh treatment of Israel. And if you're so worried about the tax dollars to Israel, why don't you raise your voice about the even greater sums handed to the Palestinians, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, or the billions given to Pakistan, or the hundreds of millions given to Yemen and Mexico.

what history lesson (from 1948 on), did the rest-world miss, to understand that the occupation is legal, fully acceptable, and/or should not be critisized ? this criticism is answered here with accusations to be anti-semitic, what is plain a defamation of being racists. we are not. i read the papers too. if you know of any criticism on israel - other than the occupation related issues - then let me know...

As a longtime resident of Holland, I have observed that most(but not ALL) Dutch men would rather "talk" about problems than take a STAND on them. There seems to be more of a "wishbone" in Dutch men than a backbone.

wasnt meantioned ? most likely there is NO such special "dutch phenomenon"...

Keep sailing Mike with your head held high. You speak the truth Mike, keep it up.

You yourself "proof my case'. History didn't START in 1948. But if you want 1948, please...In 1948 there was NO Palestine, NO Palestinians, and NO (so called) Israeli Occupation. There were Arabs living in the British Mandate of Palestine, but the majority where Jews.The ONLY OCCUPIERS were the JORDANIANS, occupying Jewish land= Shomron/Samariah (West Bank for you). Jordan, a country given to a tribe from Saudi Arabia by the British from land designated by the UN to be the new 'born again old Jewish country , the land of Israel. These Jordanian occupiers prevented Jews from 'praying in their holiest place (being that for more than 3000 years, before ISLAM ever existed). Jews were murdered and kicked out of Jerusalem (that's why you have Arabs living there. In the Koran nobody cares about Jerusalem). Furthermore, approx. 800 000 jews where 'kicked out of Arab countries, forced to leave behind all their houses and valuables. So stop talking about Israeli occupation of Palistinian land.There never was a Palestinian land to occupy. B.t.w. Gaza belonged to EGYPT and when Israel gave back Sinai to them, they didn't want Gaza back for any prize. As I said, LEARN history from facts, not from the propaganda in the biased media.

thanks for the explanation, how israel became occupier of the areas, and egypt got rid of gaza. actually, i knew this part already... the question was rather, what might make the occupation legal, or not to be criticized. i think, the world sees all what you described - and thats why there was no or very little criticism in the past... but - always there comes a point where things "break", a turning point. its there. to ignore it, will backfire very badly. it wont help, to call people who see this whatever names. its just not true. there is no way to keep the current status quo for longer. thats not anti-semitic, its realistic. to postpone this artificially by foiling negotations etc, would have very bad effect on israel. you will know this, when you read international news, and talkbacks...

Shalom, Even when our society erodes itself from within by weak policy, weak people and a weak stand against the Islam (as a anti-jewish and anti-christian ideology), there are still people who openly support Israel. I consider myself a christian zionist and thanks to Him I have a deep and warm love for Israel and the Jewish people. Two weeks ago first visited your country :-) Shalom Aleichem, Johan van den Top Barneveld - The Netherlands johanvandentop (at) online.nl