Most of the Palestinian casualties have been adult males

[Spazito]

11. I read your OP with interest and appreciate your stating your views on this...

It is a complex issue, not one that can be captured in simple terms. The deaths of innocent civilians be they male, female, adult or child should be condemned, imo, be they Israeli or Palestinian. Hamas should be condemned for use of suicide bombers and it's use of rockets and I have seen little, if any, support for Hamas being stated on DU.

Where you state "Many Israelis have some connection to someone who was killed in such an attack in the late 90’s early 2000s. Attacks that were cheered and celebrated by Hamas - during a time when other Israeli and Palestinian leaders were working towards peace.", I certainly believe that as I am sure Palestinians also have some connection to someone who was killed in attacks by Israel over time. Both Palestinians and Israelis grieve for their dead.

There will be no peace until there is a genuine will to have it and to have that peace concessions must be made. I believe Israel must open the borders, return the land stolen from the Palestinians and acknowledge there needs to be an autonomous State of Palestine. The Palestinians must recognize Israel's right to exist, rid themselves of Hamas and the other "resistance" organizations. Both need to treat the other as equals worthy of respect and autonomy. I am sure there are other concessions that need to be made by both sides, I am only citing some off the top of my head.

Your point "And, of course, Israel is not special in this regard. The US army has killed many many more civilians in its recent “incursions” when the threat to the US mainland was minimal (possibly non-existent). NATO airstrikes continue to destroy families, kill children, destroy homes. To say nothing of some non-Western armies and paramilitary groups around the world. Generally these do not seem to result in the same sort of passionate worldwide response as when Israel behaves similarly." is an interesting one and not one with which I disagree, at least when it comes to my thinking.

Speaking only for myself, I think I held Israel to a higher standard when it comes to the treatment of others given the history of pogroms, discrimination and the ultimate horror, the holocaust. I believed Israel would not be the aggressor, oppressor of another people because of history. I have come to the conclusion I was naive to have believed as I did. I do condemn Israel's actions in Gaza but I do it now without holding Israel to a higher standard than any other country.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to respond to your post with the same thoughtfulness as you showed in your OP.