Before entering office, perhaps it ought to be the law that American and Israeli officials must undergo a training course in kindergarten, where they will re-learn that the only way to resolve a conflict is to actually talk to the person you have a problem with. Hamas has long proposed talks with its opponents, only to be insulted time and time again with the excuse that “we don’t negotiate with terrorists,” and a “terrorist” is anyone who disagrees with us.

Israel, like most nations which falsely call themselves a “democracy,” has a massive disconnect between the will of the public and that of politicians. 64% of Israelis say they want their government to talk with Hamas about negotiating a ceasefire and the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Senior officers within the IDF reserves have also supported talks with Hamas. Only 28% of Israelis still support the government’s position which favors military action as the universal solution and rules out talks with Hamas.

The Israeli military has intensified illegal daily incursions into Gaza, killing at least 22 people since yesterday. One such missile attack killed two Palestinian youths, under the age of 16, who were playing football. Another child was severely injured while playing in a field, and a 6-month-old baby was killed from fire from an Israeli aircraft (video above). Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, “We are at the height of this battle and we will pursue it until the danger threatening residents in the south ends.”

Five Hamas fighters were also killed by an IDF strike. In response, 40 Qassam rockets were fired into southern Israel, causing the first actual Israeli death in nine months. Defense Minister Ehud Barak vowed to “get those responsible”.

In light of the death of one Israeli in nine months, compared to 22 Palestinians in one day, Israeli cabinet minister Meir Sheetrit made a genocidal remark towards Palestinians that if it were up to him, he “would hit everything that moves with weapons and ammunition”. He absurdly continued, “I don’t think we have to show pity for anyone who wants to kill us.”

h/t Buelahman for the story
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