P F Tinmore
Diamond Member
- Dec 6, 2009
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We can say that violence that kills civilians, even in an attempt to gain freedom from an oppressor is wrong. But, the fact is that practically no national liberation movement has ever been liberated without violence.
The women that brought bombs to bars and public places to kill French civilians are now considered heroines of the Algerian revolt against the French occupier. The bombing sequence is one of the most watched sequences in the Battle of Algiers. It is quite poignant.
Should the Palestinians behave any differently than the Algerians or non-white South Africans? If so, why?
I am not condoning violence just questioning why some believe the Palestinians should behave differently than other people seeking national liberation.
Killing innocent civilians is wrong...once you start to make that acceptable, then what kind of future are you building? It's that question often asked - do the ends justify the means?
When is it "ok" to kill innocent peolple?
When is it not?
Who decides?
How far do you go before it becomes an atrocity?
Are people living on stolen land exempt from retaliation? Are they, in fact, "innocent?"
If they bought the land they are living on in good faith, then yes, they are. Blame goes to the government that allows settlement building in contested areas.
OK, I understand your point. However, can Israeli citizens be that ignorant of their history.
And besides, Israel's government is hiding so far behind its citizens and military that it is unreachable. Should the Palestinians just sit on their hands while their country disappears out from under them?
It's not being "ignorant of history" - it is in which narrative you believe in - who's version of history is right? Civilians aren't combatents. If you think it's ok to bomb a bus, which could have burned alive many innocent people just going about their daily lives - then was it just to firebomb the Dawabshe family? Or massacre the civilians in Dier Yassin?
When does it go from rightious resistance to just plain murder?
Your response sidesteps my post. You did not address my stated points.
I don't believe in killing anyone.
Are the Israelis ignorant of their history? Do they know that settlements are illegally built on stolen Palestinian land? Probably not.