I guess Im one of those who "aren't intelligent enough"...so enlighten this poor soul eric. Who do you support?

I support the peace process. I think the problem is the leadership on both sides. Both sides currently have extremist, pro-war, right-wing leadership.

I support whatever will result in the extremists becoming LESS popular with their people so that they elect new, more moderate, leaders. I don't think that Israel's attacks in Gaza will help decrease Hamas' popularity, nor do I think Palestinean rocket attacks will decrease the popularity of Israel's right-wing government. In fact, both seem to have exactly the opposite effect. The more each side attacks, the more the people rally to support the right-wing wackos who run their government. The similarities in how both sides react to attacks is striking.

If you want more specifics, I support Fatah on the Palestinean side, and I support Labor on the Israeli side. Those are the two parties that negotiatied the Oslo Accords in 1993, and those are the parties that presided over the 6 years of peace that followed that treaty. I think they have the track records which best qualify them to negotiate peace. It's just too bad that civilians vote with their emotions rather than with their brain.

The events of the last 90 days have simply caused both sides to want their leaders to be even more extreme. Hamas has increased their popularity, and Israel has gone ahead and elected new leaders who are even bigger war-hawks than the previous corrupt right-wing wackos. This has not helped the peace process at all, and unfortunately the long-term result will be more civilian deaths on both sides.

Do you understand now? I don't know how I can be any more clear. The reason I was against the invasion was NOT because I support Hamas, but was because I am against Hamas and I thought the invasion would help them. And if you read the articles above, it turns out I was right.

LOL!!!!! you are idiotic, israel wants peace we would live in our borders and not bother anyone but they continue therefore Israel must attack back. If you don't show terrorists force then they will walk all over you.

You are naive to think that a nation as powerful as Israel will be 'walked on' unless they show force...WTF is that??

It's so easy for you to justify 1500 people that died in Palestine...and Eric's post clearly shows that Hamas has gained even more support...yet you sit there and brag about how Israel would be trampled on if they don't engage in these kinds of actions??

OK...Had Israel backed down do you really think the Palestinian people would reject Hamas and live in peace with Israel?

The answer is NO...Hamas would have been seen as strong in the face of Israel and the attacks on Israel would have continued with even more fervor. Yes Hamas has more support from the people but what exactly has Hamas have left in terms of infrastructure and the ability to attack? Not much...And the Palestinians who support Hamas will continue to suffer and die as long as that support for Hamas and the hate for Israel continues.

Again...Scores of Germans supported Hitler and also died...Rightfully so.

Ever hear of the intifadas? where on a daily basis suicide bombers went into Israel and put fear into israelis

They did after the signing of the Oslo Accords. Hamas was powerless during the mid-1990s. There was a not a single Hamas attack on Israel from 1993 to 1998, and their approval ratings among Palestineans was lower than 10%. Fatah swept the 1996 elections by a landslide.

Then why does Israel keep building new settlements in the West Bank?

LOL...Yeah Eric there was no violence in the 90's and both sides were holding hands. Hamas was not in power but there was this group called the PLO at that time calling for the destruction of Israel.

There was no attacks on either side from 1993-1998. Not a single one. Fatah is the leading faction of the PLO, and they were calling for peace, and they were the ones who signed the Oslo Accords. They were not calling for the destruction of Israel. The Oslo Accords specifically stated that both sides recognize the other, and that they would both work towards a 2-state solution.