No surprise at all that they are fighting from within residential areas given the confinement of their "lands", as you say, a complete mess which will only be solved when both sides recognise that the other are not enemies but neighbours, and also only solved when such governments no longer have easy access to international weapon manufacturers who have no regard to where their products are being used or to what effect they are being put to - quite surprising that no-one ever asks such questions of the manufacturers, its probably the only business in the world where you aren't responsible for what your product does.

"The UN are a mess, chaotic rabble that has no real control." As a member of the UN (an importnat one) have we let this happen?

I fear for myself. I live in a Muslim area and the emotions are very high. Young men are stirred up to the extent a discussion is impossible: as an ex-History teacher they do want to raise the matter with me but there is no discussion as yet.

Note to FA: the Tamil suicide bombers were often atheists or did not believe in an afterlife.

Surely most people can differentiate the use of military force to implement current political policy, and the individual actions of a soldier?

When a soldier steps through the gate of a FOB, they know it is a lottery as to which one in the patrol steps on an IED, or is the one which is picked out by a sniper. And yet Dally, they have the balls to do that for everyday of their 6 month tour. Something you may consider when next you are bitchin to Mrs D about the congestion you faced on your drive home.....

And speaking of bitches, where is Durham Giant with some answers to the points I raised re Syria?

Rochdale

as to the snide comment (what! FA sarcastic?) from FA: you made a comment that wars and political violence could be reduced if people did not believe in an afterlife which would reward them for these actions. I pointed out that the Tamil Tigers were atheistic suicide bombers. Disproving your view.
Oh, also read the Bible or Koran: both strongly emphasise punishment for those who shed innocent lives; a point ignored by many who preach their view of religion.

So why are you scared? Are you saying that Britons with Asian forebears care more about people they have never met in Gaza than a fellow Briton than you and may attack you even though it has nothing to do with you?

But people are bemoaning the implementation of Israeli government policy by Israeli troops (who are also risking their lives and getting killed). German soldiers in WW2 "were only doing their job and obeying orders" but people in this country say they should have disobeyed orders. If Iraq was felt to be an illegal war (which it largely was) why did British troops just do what they were ordered rather than refuse? Can't you see the double standards that prevail in British (and each country's own) press and public opinion. That was my point. People are outraged except when its their people who are committing the slaughter. Then it's OK by most people. Sickening hypocrisy.

By the way, I don't drive home you silly individual.

People are entitled to voice their own opinions. Even those who ignore the salient points, crowbar a reference about the Germans and WW2 into a reply, and witter on about a perfectly normal human reaction!

I would suggest you have a read of Carl Von Clausewitz, at the very least you will have a better understanding about War, and perhaps it will take your mind off
the indignities of public transport......

never seen Cadbury been accountable for obesity, or BMW for speeding.....

it's not the product that kills people, it's how it's used.

At least Iraq is a safer more secure country for the ten of thousands of innocents [iwe[/i slaughtered.
Oh, wait on a minute..........................................................................................................

Wear your Help for Heroes wristbands with pride, no really!

"I have here a beautiful hand-made Qassam rocket, to you, £50 cash, no vat, no invoice, no questions asked, it'll make a lovely conversation piece for your mantlepiece or the middle of your dining table and can be decorated by your children with poster paint in a myriad of designs, serving suggestion shown on box. PS, don't hit the base too hard with, for example, a hammer and nail, or be tempted to drill through the case to find out whats inside it because even we don't know, please dispose of carefully and under no circumstances throw it over your neighbours fence".

Indeed! This is my whole point. 99.9% of people
Take what they read in the main stream media as fact when the reality is, it's best to keep an open mind. One prominent msnbc (now NBC news) reporter actually lost their Job early in the conflict due to them wanting to air an anti isreal report. Search Russell brands you tube show "trews" the one with the fox presenter who interviews someone from the West Bank