You asked for the source of my belief that the Palestine Liberation Organization wanted to destroy Israel. According to you, the PLO charter describes Israel as "the instrument of the Zionist movement," and goes on to state that the "liberation of Palestine will destroy the Zionist ... presence." If you think that this can be rationally construed as meaning something other than the destruction of Israel, feel free to explain.

I don't believe you denied that Hamas wishes to destroy Israel.

You are correct that I did not provide a history lesson to one who knows the history far better than I. I do believe, in my simple way, that electing a group dedicated to the destruction of Israel likely reflects the desire of at least some voters to see Israel destroyed.

I don't think I can play the role you would assign me in the debate you wish to have. If I ever run into Alan Dershowitz, I'll ask them to stop by and chat with you.

Ask HIM to stop by.

When Jews disagree with Martin Peretz about Israel, they are "self-hating."

When Jews disagree with Glenn Greenwald about Israel, they are "tribalistic."

>>>"What is wrong with hating the people who kicked you out of your homes, steal your land and kill your children?"

Nothing.

>>>"So Israel does all that, but if the Arabs, or Palestinians hate them for it, they are bad people? That's really stupid."

It would have been stupid had I said anything remotely like that, but I didn't. I don't like to be rude, but can you read?

>>>"And once again, although you will pretend you didn't read it: Israel has militarily occupied Gaza and other terrirories for over forty years, during which time they have visited collective punishment on the people there. But I'm supposed to be concerned because the Palestinians don't like them?"

No, I don't care what you are concerned about. Israel has treated the Palestinians terribly. I've never suggested otherwise.

>>>"Next you will be telling me the Palestinians are anti-semitic because they don't just roll over and die when the Zuionists want the land."

How utterly absurd.

>>>"What the hell is wrong with you."

A fair question. I can't sleep, for one thing.

>>>"You have been pushing this same crap for weeks. Where do you think you can go with it?"

Well, for what it's worth, Omooex invited me to chime in this evening. Don't blame me, blame him. By the way, no one forces you read my comments. Just skip them if you don't like them. That's what I normally do with yours when they're not directed to me.

>>>"Anyway, the Palestinians can't even break the occupation, but I'm supposed to be worried they are going to destroy Israel? Get real."

Derbig, I am really wondering about your reading comprehension skills. If you go back and read my reply to Omooex, you will see that I specifically stated that the Palestinians CANNOT destroy Israel.

I don't know who this Straw-gator is that you're screeching at, but it's getting old fast.

>>>So why does everybody keep stressing over and over, that Hamas "wants to destroy Israel"? I don't understand what is supposed to be so significant about that?

Well, I think it might be significant to Israel. If someone announced that they wanted to destroy me, I would find it significant, even if the person appeared to lack the ability to do so, and even if they had good reasons. It would probably affect my attitude and behavior toward that person. And if that person wanted something from me, I'd probably want to hear that my destruction was no longer their objective before entertaining their request.

>>>"Let's be honest here, there is much room for debate about what the Charter meant. It does not call for the destruction of Israel, but of the Zionist movement."

So it calls for the destruction of the Zionist movement, and it calls Israel the instrument of the Zionist movement. And you honestly believe that this is ambiguous regarding the destruction of Israel? C'mon.

I have seen you make some compelling arguments, and many defensible ones. This is neither.

You doubtless find it offensive when critics of Israel are called anti-Semites or self-hating Jews. But you have no problem comparing me to a rapist and an AIDS virus.

Some commenters are simply too dumb and venomous to be worth reading or engaging, and you have confirmed my suspicion that you belong in that category. Bye.

Thanks, that was very nice of you to say.