So what other options would you say that Hamas has Witty?

Let's test your claim to moderation by seeing if you have any concern for the Palestinians at all….

Posted by: stevieb | December 29, 2008 at 11:39 AM

To state "we recognize Israel's right to be Israel within 1967 borders, and will prohibit the use of military force against Israeli civilians in the areas that we have jurisdiction, regardless of the status of borders."

"We will participate fully with the Palestinian Authority, and fully adhere to laws and agreements that prior administrations of the Palestinian Authority has implemented."

"We will use all international and bi-lateral methods to assert a mutually healthy peace with our neighbor Israel."

"We recognize that we have participated in a cycle of violence, that has been and is avoidable, IF we apply diplomatic means to accomplish our social objectives."

"We respect Judaism and regard it as a valid religious path in the world, and will defend Jews rights to practise as Jews in the areas of our jurisdiction, and in our relations with other Arab communities."

"We will continue to assert for the rights of Palestinians for equal due process under the law, for all current and historical legal claims."

Posted by: Richard Witty | December 29, 2008 at 03:03 PM

"We acknowledge the historical and continuing suffering of the people of Gaza and of other Palestinians."

"We commit to assist in the welfare of all Palestinians."

"We commit to first, second, third, fourth… one hundredth, communicate by words and agreements, rather than by arms."

"We regard Arabs, Palestinians, Gazans as human beings, peers."

"We will continue to assert our people's rights to live peacefully without threat."

Is it?

The U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, former Princeton University law professor Richard Falk, has labeled what Israel is doing to the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza “a crime against humanity.” Falk, who is Jewish, has condemned the collective punishment of the Palestinians in Gaza as “a flagrant and massive violation of international humanitarian law as laid down in Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.” He has asked for “the International Criminal Court to investigate the situation, and determine whether the Israeli civilian leaders and military commanders responsible for the Gaza siege should be indicted and prosecuted for violations of international criminal law.”

Falk’s unflinching honesty has enraged Israel. He was banned from entering the country on Dec. 14 during his attempt to visit Gaza and the West Bank.

“After being denied entry I was put in a holding room with about 20 others experiencing entry problems,” he said. “At this point I was treated not as a U.N. representative, but as some sort of security threat, subjected to an inch-by-inch body search, and the most meticulous luggage inspection I have ever witnessed. I was separated from my two U.N. companions, who were allowed to enter Israel. At this point I was taken to the airport detention facility a mile or so away, required to put all my bags and cell phone in a room, taken to a locked, tiny room that had five other detainees, smelled of urine and filth, and was an unwelcome invitation to claustrophobia. I spent the next 15 hours so confined, which amounted to a cram course on the miseries of prison life, including dirty sheets, inedible food, and either lights that were too bright or darkness controlled from the guard office.”

The foreign press has been, like Falk, barred by Israel from entering Gaza to report on the destruction.

How come that isn't on the Hamas side?

Palestinians are constantly attacked by Israeli – do they not have the right to live peacefully without threat and military occupation?

Your too funny, Witty.

But generally what you ask for has been accepted by Hamas. Look it up.

You probably know that too. But in your haste to protect Israel from war-criminal charges and worse, you simply cannot see the massive crimes of your people.

You are in denial, Witty.