Dude, where's my comment?

Some readers might wonder what happened to comments posted at this blog but that hasn't been published. Just to clarify one thing; this blog is not, and doesn't pretend to be, an open debate forum. Not that there is anything wrong with open debate forums, but there is already a plethora of such venue and there's no real need to set up a new one.

The comments that haven't been published can, roughly, be divided into two categories:

1) Arguments about the character of Arabs and/or Muslims in general, seeking to portray them as generally bad people and thus deserving the violence inflicted upon them. This blog is not, and won't be, a platform to spread racist hatemongering.

2) Arguments that deal with the character of Hamas, which governs the Gaza strip. Posted comments state that Hamas is sponsored by Iran, seeks to impose Sharia laws, has killed Palestinian opponents and hasn't recognized Israel. Somehow that would legitimize the Israeli violence. But it's an essentially flawed line of argument. International humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and human rights do not cease to be relevant when bad government are in place, they have to be respected at all times. Its a bit like saying, '9/11 was ok, since Bush was president of the U.S.', which of course is a senseless argument. Regardless of what government the Palestinians have, they are entitled to human rights and the Israeli aggression (with mass bombings of civilian areas and institutions) constitute war crimes.

Some commentators even seek to portray the present 'Operation Cast Lead' as action done with the welfare of the Palestinians in mind, that Israel and the Gazan would have a joint interest in de-posing Hamas. This is of course completly detached from reality. This is not completly different from the propaganda issued by Germany during WWII, which tried to argue that the populations of the occupied lands had common interests with the German military in the face of the greater evil (i.e. the Soviet Union). Not that many Poles appreciated being invaded by the Wehrmatch at all.

I think I can speak on behalf of the entire Gazan community when conveying that the Gazans wish no such 'help' from Israel. Is there any Palestinian, organization or individual, that has endorsed the bombings?

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See also: Article in The Guardian