Perhaps someone with a bit of edookashion can help me - I was having a conversation earlier this evening about this very thread with my OH, and was asked a couple of tricky questions, one of which I wasn't able to answer..

1. "Is Israel-Palestine an undeveloped country, is it a third-world country, or is it just a sh1thole?"
   
   
2. "What civilised person gives a feck anyway ?"
   

Now I know the answer to the second question, but I am not sure of the answer to the first question. Perhaps someone who has no emotional ties to the area can provide an objective answer?

It's just Cyprus, but with lots of arrogant Jews who don't know their place and whining Arabs who have millions of square miles of lush desert and scrubland to settle in, just as soon as the Arab League lets them out of their concentration refugee camps.

In short: a sh1thole.

I've never been, mind, but at least I'm objective.

A) the Arabs in 1948 did NOT have a genocide in mind but to drive out the Jews of Palestine, which is not the same. The Jews in Palestine were perceived as European intruders

B) Nothing really changed after 1948, not least as practically none of the Arab countries with the politically irrelevant exception of Lebanon had an even limited democratic society

C) No, the Arab countries have not to "take responsibility" but to change their entire systems and societies. While I in spite of the apparent corruption of his whole clan and his clear democracy-deficit still see Hosni Mubarak in a fairly positive light, Israel should realize that democracy in the Arab World, even if being "limited democracy" will be better for your country, as

D) You compare Germany and Turkey. But while the Federal Republic of Germany clearly was/is the legal successor of Nazi Germany, the Turkish Republic for a while existed ALONGSIDE with the Turkish Empire and so is not. The question is why the Turks of the Turkish Republic do not simply state, "Sorry this was typical for the Empire" ? The reason is that to accept anything thelike would mean to accept that "national minorities" inside the Turkish Republic would be entitled to have their "National homelands" either in combination with already existing "national entitities" like the Republic of Armenia or the "Autonmous Kurdistan Region" (inside Iraq) or totally separately.

D-2) the atrocities of Nazi-Germany finally are of such dimensions that to equal them to mis-doings of other countries is simply not appropriate

So, if I understand you correctly, it's a sh1thole, full of Jews and Arabs who have never really experienced real hardship but are quite happy to continue to shoot each other safe in the the knowledge that life could be much worse?

Are there also - in presumably much the same way - many @rseholes around the world who spout the same old sh1te about Israel-Palestine but who, at the same time, never listen to "the other side", so basically it's a broken record of crime and retribution repeated ad nauseam.

We're all bored to feck with this - can't you just get your Uncle Bertrand to sort it out once and for all (preferably with a game of Hibble-Bibble)???

As my primary school teacher used to say "The answer is in question".

1. Lumping Israel (an existing, hardly a third world country) with Palestine (not a country, not really a nation, more of a concept - like the Euro, really) is muddying the water.
As for "sh1thole": there is a simple test to that - drink the local tap water & eat locally grown and cooked food. Are they safe ? if not - is there a decent hospital available to the locals ? *

2. How would you define a "Civilised" person ?


*hint

Israel lies south of the Danube, east of the Oder.

Israel is, therefore, a third world country.

er Pashosh, hint, hint, it's a wind-up.

Spoilsport!

and


Just as I was getting in touch with the Japanese to teach you the error of your ways...

btw - my "sh!thole" test still stands.

And the Jordan fails your test - it's literally a sh1thole.


Q.E.D.

Because there are so many Palestinians living there? That's disgustingly prejudiced Weejeem!

I made no such statement - I was merely stating a geographical, toxicological & public-health fact.

You don't need to go making things up, mate - if and when I do express a prejudice, you'll know about it in no uncertain terms.

The Jordan is a river, and also a basketall player. Nobody lives there. The place you're thinking of is called Jordan.

Now you're implicating Michael Jordan

You get a groan for antagonism & attention seeking. You know why you were banned last time and it wasn't for your opinions.

As for Israel, it was great before the pesky Russians arrived. They've spoilt it for everyone. And the Ethiopeans but at least they have heady Ghat.

You used to be able to leave your door unlocked before the Russians took Haifa apart. What is the world coming to eh.

Ina'an din Babour ili Jabhoum !

Oh sorry I misunderstood. you are right it wasn't because I posted this:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225812566850

It was because I cut and pasted too much? Except there were other occasions when I was groaned at for cutting and pasting when what was posted was opinion in my own words?

Another perspective

From today's UN report
""Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law"

&

"Although people are entitled to express their political views, the flotilla acted recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade. The majority of the flotilla participants had no violent intentions, but there exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organisers."

I will now go to find a safe place to hide while you guys slug it out