In September of last year, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement where Hamas would stop sending rockets and incendiary balloons into Israel, and Israel would remove its blockade, increase power supplies, reduce restrictions on movement, and initiate economic projects in the palestinian-occupied territories. Israel honored that commitment. Hamas broke it.
Israel never dropped its blockade or initiated economic projects in the Israeli occupied territories and utilities remained a carrot and a stick. Bibi may have wanted to (although I doubt it) but the PM had to focus on other things, like staying out of prison and holding onto the premiership with bloody fingernails.
This conflict actually began in the West Bank ... in East Jerusalem between Palestinian protesters, the Israeli police and Israeli citizens over a local battle for control of the city. Hamas began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw.
What occupation? Are you referring to the Jewish occupation of Israel? Because the only side here that wishes to deny the other side's right to exist is the muslim side.
Israel isn't occupying Israel. What an odd thing to say.
I am referring to Israel's continued occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip --- going on 54 years and counting.
Israel controls every aspect of Palestinian life --- employment, travel, borders, clean water, sanitation services (sewage), electricity, building supplies and permits, medical services and supplies --- and in the West Bank, Israel is the police force. The Gaza Strip is an open air prison.
You can agree with all of this, think it's wise and applaud the Israeli's for doing this. Whatever floats your boat.
But you cannot claim the Israelis are not occupying these territories. Since 1967 Israel has taken and kept control over them. Again, applaud this if you like. But this is the quintessential definition of occupation.
And for the record, Ben-Gurion was not a follower of Judaism.
What record are you updating to say David Ben-Gurion, Founder and First Prime Minister of of Israel (serving a total of 13 years), was not a follower of Judaism? I'd like to alert my friends in Israel where to find this official change.
Granted, Ben-Gurion was a Zionist, but the vast majority of Jews in and out of Israel do not think Zionism precludes one from following Judaism. FWIW, Ben-Gurion also spent much of his younger years studying and teaching Judaism.