Replies

"I take it you are not disputing that israeli authorities deliberately destroy palistinian houses as punishment."

And, I take it that you're not disputing that this is a form of punishment for terrorist actions. Taking that as a given, then the issue becomes one of whether these actions are, as you've asserted, a form of "collective punishment" prohibited by the Fourth Geneva Convention. It's up to you to prove that point. (Citing biased sources such as Amnesty International or the Christian Science Monitor is not proof.) Please take note of Art 5 of that Convention when framing your response.

"Rather you have decided that "zoning laws" which deny palistinians permition to build but grant rights to jewish settlers to build in the same zone are fair and legal."

No, I've not decided that. I've only asked if the enforcement of zoning laws is, in your opinion, a war crime. I remind you that there are instances of the Israeli Army removing Jewish settlers and destroying their "homes" as well. While I don't have a cite at hand for that, I have seen film clips on CNN where this happened. I rather doubt either of us has at hand sufficient information to debate whether these "zoning laws" are fairly enforced. And, I'm sure you'll admit that would be an issue more adequately addressed by the courts where all the evidence could be layed out. I'm equally sure that you can produce all sorts of statements from people adversely affected by these "laws" but, quite frankly, most people involved in zoning disputes make similar claims. Whether these claims are valid cannot be established here.

So Arafat tolerates a few token Christians. That is hardly proof that he tolerates Christianity or any other religion or that he would continue that policy if given his own state.

"Your turn now - find me a reference to an article other than by Joseph Farah citing a specific example of Muslim Palastinians targeting christian palistinians."

You can't be serious? Where were you when "Muslim Palestinians" occupied and desecrated the Church Of the Nativity just last year. The list of persecutions of Christians and Jews is quite lengthy including the throwing of stones at Jews praying at the Wailing Wall, the descretion of Jewish cemetaries, the building of Mosques upon ground considered sacred by Christianity and Jews.