'Yes, they had there good life here before 48. But then they decided to go to war' - The European Jews took over Palestinian homes because it was granted to them by other states who had no right to do so. The Palestinians put up a fight because they did not want to lose their homes. Would you not do the same if foreigners came to take your home? While I am glad you are being slightly critical unlike many other Israelis whom I have heard from, your mentality is the same. Israeli government was provoked in your opinion, but Hamas wasn't provoked at all, they just decided to put their own life and the life of Gazan women and children risk. How on earth could they have a legitimate grievance ey? Think, Yoav. Whos lacking in self criticism?
And no it was not the UN's right to give Palestine (what is now called Israel) to the European Jews, even many Jews share this opinion. But if you consider the UN to be the benchmark of legality, consider this: under UN conventions, all refugees have the right to return, So that means Palestinians do, but where should they go

And I am British, and no we do not have a higher moral high ground. I am its biggest critic because of its previous colonisation of so many parts of the world and ofcourse its invasions of Iraq and Arghanistan and the role it played in displacing Palestinians.
'They could run there own country' - simply not true

You say Hamas use schools and hospitals to hide in - this info comes from the IDF and Israeli government and is used to justify to citizens like yourself and the world, the killing of innocent Palestinians. And it is clearly working. If the people did not support Hamas, they wouldnt have voted for them. Colonialists always depict the colonised as barbaric and in this case as terrorists, in order to justify their brutality. They also depict themselves as the victims and as oppressed to legitimate violence,which is what the Israeli government is doing. The British in India did the same when Indians were uprising as did the white people in South Africa when the black people were uprising.

About Hamas hanging PLO forces (if this is true) I was not aware of it. And no I would not demonstrate. I demonstrate about Israel because she is a colonialist and what she is doing is State terrorism backed by the US government and also the British government has had a huge role to play in it therefore it is my moral obligation to do my bit. If I was to demonstrate about non-state violence/terrorism I would be on a demonstration everyday as it happens everywhere.

3. Ofcourse Hamas are responsible for firing rocckets but they are not responsible for the situation. In my view, this tragic situation is not merely becasue Hamas are firing rockets. It is unfortunatet that the killing of nearly 900 Palestinians has brough back to some people's attention, the real grievance which is that Israel has taken land which belongs to Palestinians, thus making them refugees and homeless.

I read this on a plackard when I was at a demonstration to show my solidarity for the Palestinians:
'You take my water, Burn my olive trees, Destroy my house, Take my job, Steal my land , Imprison my father, Kill my mother, Bomb my country But i am to blame:I shot back'

Hey Yoav..I'm enjoying our friendly debate

1. Do you think Israel's offensive is putting its people first? It may seem that way, but what do you think the children who have lost their parents, and likewise the mothers who have lost thier children since December 27th will think of Israel? Do think their hatred of the occupiers will be less than than of Hams? I think not
2. You must understand it from the Palestinians point of view, they want more than peace, they want justice. They want to return to their homes/land that were seized by the Israeli colonialists. And ofcourse there is a reason for Egypt closing her borders, they are well aware of what it is like to have Israel as their enemy and therfore feel obliged to comply with thier wishes.

Great to hear from an Israeli who is supporting the Palestinians. I'm from London and it would be great to hear your views more publicy because although many British people are supporting Palestinians, it seems as though many are not due to fear of being accused of anti-semetism - God forbid anyone criticises the state of Israel, they suffered the holocaust, how could they possibly do anything wrong? (sarcasm)
The media here also is not showing the Palestinian arguement or reality, other than showing dead children so it would be great to hear from people like your self because people unfortunately people are more likely to believe your account than a Palestinian's one. Keep up the good work!