Israel/Palestine; has the shit finally hit the fan?

[Animavore]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/no ... anges-live

You just want to knock their heads together.

[Rum]

Hardly. A skirmish, as ever.

Though Israel is blaming Iran in the midst of all this..soo...

[Jason]

You mean the Israeli government has not stopped their little genocide and they're still blaming Iran? Quelle suprise.

[Ian]

I saw we take off and nuke the whole Middle East from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[Gerald McGrew]

Anyone hear what the Hamas side of this is? What the hell are they firing rockets into Israel for? They're certainly not going to achieve anything tactical/militarily, and they had to know that Bidi would respond very aggressively. So what were they trying to accomplish?

The only thing I can figure is some situation had gotten bad enough that the rockets seemed like a good idea. Was Hamas becoming politically weaker in Gaza? Is Hamas looking to raise worldwide sympathy?

I honestly don't know what they are thinking.

[Svartalf]

they fire the rockets so the israeli bombs don't detonate them in storage.

[Audley Strange]

Probably some mossad or Shit Ben goon looking to rumble up sympathy or discounts on the next round of U.S. handouts.

[mistermack]

Anyone hear what the Hamas side of this is? What the hell are they firing rockets into Israel for? They're certainly not going to achieve anything tactical/militarily, and they had to know that Bidi would respond very aggressively. So what were they trying to accomplish?

The only thing I can figure is some situation had gotten bad enough that the rockets seemed like a good idea. Was Hamas becoming politically weaker in Gaza? Is Hamas looking to raise worldwide sympathy?

I honestly don't know what they are thinking.

You've never had a kid blown to bits, have you? Or a father or mother?
I rather fancy you might want a bit of revenge.
Then of course, there are all the Palesinians being held and tortured by the Israelis.
And the continued theft of land, and persecution of Palestinians every single day.

The Isrealis know how to keep the pot boiling. And rockets are EXACTLY what they want.
But the Palestinians might as well keep firing them, because nothing would be any different if they didn't.
It's not like they've got anything to lose worth keeping.

[Ian]

Another possibility: the Hamas senior leaderhsip didn't order the rockets to fly. Some loose cannon subordinate in charge of a bunch of their rockets decided to start some shit.

I don't think that's likely what went down, but stranger things have happened.

[Gerald McGrew]

You've never had a kid blown to bits, have you? Or a father or mother?
I rather fancy you might want a bit of revenge.
Then of course, there are all the Palesinians being held and tortured by the Israelis.
And the continued theft of land, and persecution of Palestinians every single day.

Sure, but WTF good does launching random rockets do for those things? More Palestinian kids get blown up, and Israel has new excuses to grab land, take prisoners, and build walls.

If their goal is anything other than to accelerate those things, then they're working against their own self-interest.

The Isrealis know how to keep the pot boiling. And rockets are EXACTLY what they want.
But the Palestinians might as well keep firing them, because nothing would be any different if they didn't.
It's not like they've got anything to lose worth keeping.

So you believe this is an act of desperation? I guess I can see that as a possibility.

[laklak]

I saw we take off and nuke the whole Middle East from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

No need. Just sit back and wait.

[Jason]

Sure, but WTF good does launching random rockets do for those things?

It draws the attention of the world for a few days because the genocide is still happening. Israel is still building fortified settlements on Palestinian lands, arming the citizens there, and annexing the area piece by piece. It hasn't stopped. The world just stops paying attention after a few days because it's ok to kill raghead sand niggers.

[Gerald McGrew]

But it doesn't work, and IMO it is counter-productive. Instead of garnering sympathy to their plight and the horrible conditions imposed on them by Israel, it makes them look like...well, terrorists. So to people who aren't already aware of, and sympathetic to their situation, the Palestinians look like either instigators or at least co-aggressors.

IOW, to most of the world this looks like two sides fighting (again).

[Blind groper]

I do not think there is any doubt about the fact that Hamas is hurting itself. The sad thing is that it is all about hatred. The Palestinians hate Israel (and America and Britain) for the very good reason that Israel, America and Britain stole their land off them. Israelis hate Palestinians partly because they feel guilty and it is easier to hate someone than feel guilty about the nastiness you have done to them, and partly because Palestinians keep fighting back.

The whole thing is idiotic, and it is high time the powers that be kicked a bit of butt, on both sides. But especially Israeli butt.

There is no easy solution, but a good start would be for Israel to get out of the conquered territories, turn them over to Palestine, and recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. Israel should do this unilaterally, without conditions, and regardless of the fact that Hamas continues to be hostile. America, Britain etc can then divert their aid money from buying new jets for Israel to building hospitals for Palestine.

[pErvinalia]

Anyone hear what the Hamas side of this is? What the hell are they firing rockets into Israel for? They're certainly not going to achieve anything tactical/militarily, and they had to know that Bidi would respond very aggressively. So what were they trying to accomplish?

I couldn't be arsed getting the links (but I can later if you want)... but this flare up, like most of the other flare ups in the past was precipitated by Israel. There had been a ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, in place for 24 hours, in which there was calm. Then the Israeli's launched their attacks. There's some pretty strong suggestions that it's all motivated by the upcoming Palestinian bid for UN observer status, and Bibi's election in January.