Full Scale War between Isreal and Hamas has broken out in the Gaza Strip.

[geocajun]

I edited my last post because I have just learned that we are not to debate here. I apologize for causing any problems and will finish my remarks by simply saying that I will join you all in prayer for the swift coming of a lasting peace to the whole region.

you can debate here, you're catholic.

 

[GraceInHim]

My feelings.. pray for all in harms ways, both are wrong, Israel IMHO did not have to hit so hard.. Lebanon has no government strong enough to get all Hezbolah. They should try a cease-fire before more innocent people die.

jmo

 

[Andy Broadley]

If this does escalate, then it could affect us all, drawing in the US, Britain, and more of the middle-east.

The BBC are reporting that the British Government have dispatched two warships to the area.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Isreal is in real danger of overstretching itself this time.

If they provoke Syria into war as well as Lebonan, Iran may well join in also.

It is then possible that they will be so preoccupied with war in those fronts that they leave the way open for Egypt to walk in through the back door.

It is interesting that Dubya used Iraq's failure to comply with one UN resolution as a pretext for invasion.

Isreal has (I believe) around 14 UN security council resolutions outstanding on it.

 

[D'Ann]

I haven't watched the news all week until today. I heard about this happening when it did via my hubby. I hate the lost of life for any reason. I don't know that much about this situation, but I'm learning.

Praying for peace and comfort to all of the families who are going to lose their loved ones or have lost loved ones, praying for the troops who have died and/or will die.

Praying that we all don't blow each other up and praying that Jesus will come soon. I don't really care anymore who is right or wrong. Just want peace, real peace, not false peace that will only bring another war in years to come. I'm tired of the fighting, I'm tired of watching moms and dads grieving because it hurts my heart to know the pain that they must be feeling. I'm tired of seeing children becomes orphans.

I'm not saying Israel or Lebanon are right or wrong. I definitely don't like the terrorists and their tactics and they do need to be stopped. I'm just tired of it all though. The pain and suffering, grieving and death that has been caused by men and their war machines.

 

[D'Ann]

MOD HAT "ON"

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRAY FOR THE WAR GOING ON RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IN PAIN AND WHO ARE TRULY SUFFERING. IF YOU ALL WANT TO DEBATE THE POLITICS OF THIS WAR, DO SO IN THE POLITICAL FORUM OR THE CURRENT EVEN FORUM, BUT NOT HERE FOR NOW.

DO NOT CRITICIZE THE VATICAN EITHER.

PLEASE PLAY NICE OR DON'T PLAY.

MOD HAT "OFF"

 

[WordofGod]

MOD HAT "ON"

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRAY FOR THE WAR GOING ON RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IN PAIN AND WHO ARE TRULY SUFFERING. IF YOU ALL WANT TO DEBATE THE POLITICS OF THIS WAR, DO SO IN THE POLITICAL FORUM OR THE CURRENT EVEN FORUM, BUT NOT HERE FOR NOW.

DO NOT CRITICIZE THE VATICAN EITHER.

PLEASE PLAY NICE OR DON'T PLAY.

MOD HAT "OFF"

Your right. Thank You.

 

[WordofGod]

Keep those prayers going since I, for one, believe they are working.

 

[OnTheWay]

How about a collection of western powers simply go in, disarm both groups and then make them behave themselves?

 

[SpoiltMonk]

How about a collection of western powers simply go in, disarm both groups and then make them behave themselves?

Well, that is what the UN is for, but can we trust them to be just?

 

[OnTheWay]

Well, that is what the UN is for, but can we trust them to be just?

The UN is a debating soceity, and occassionally dabbles in looting third world countries. What I was referring to is a simple alliance of a couple of willing western nations. The UN can take a long walk off a short pier for all I care.

 

[SpoiltMonk]

And I should have said "That is what some people think the UN is for."



Who has "responsibility" for the region? The US and the UK historically, but I think the days of Great White Fathering are over...

It can't be fixed simply...

 

[holyorders]

How about a collection of western powers simply go in, disarm both groups and then make them behave themselves?

I like your idea.

I think that both sides need to be shown the errors of their ways. Personally I think the best way to do that is to be a neutral supporter of both sides in regards to helping treat the injured and dying. And force them to all have to be in the same hospitals together to show them just how silly they all are.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Lebanon is not the enemy in this conflict. It is an unfortunate bystander who is getting caught up in the struggle.

The enemy here is Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom have been camping out in Lebanon.

Lebanon is too fractured, and unfortunately, I think they listen too much to Damascus as well...

But I'm no expert.

I think there is a lot more here than meets the eye. Israel has put the hammer down after a long series of "offenses", perceived or real.

I can't really blame Israel for her response, but at the same time I am truly dsorry for the death and destruction her decision to respond will bring about.

I am bothered by the Vatican's assumption that Israel is the wicked aggressor here. It's too easy and smacks of bias.

Bias???

The Vatican is often in possession of information we are not given on CNN and in other news sources. If the Vatican actually said something along those lines (I missed it if it is in the thread) instead of immediaty assuming it is "too easy" and "smacks of bias", I presonally would be asking myself, what information does the Vatican have that I don't?

I know too much of the history of what has been going on over there to be able to simply dismiss what the Vatican has to say if it doesn't support Israel. All one has to do is do some serious research on the USS Liberty and what Retired Rear Admiral Moore and the survirors have been trying to accomplish for the last 40 years to get an idea of what isn't being told us in the news.

Personally, I would listen very carefully and pray for peace for the region. The Jewish Sages, after the destruction of the Temple in 70AD and actions which eventualy forced the Jews to disperse among the nations, that if men tried to re-establish the nation of israel without God, untold bloodshed and suffering would ensue and Israel would become a burden for the whole world. This is exactly what we see happening today and why there are so many Judaic Jews against the State of Israel and Zionism.

I don't know what the solution is, but God does, and all we can do is pray for peace, for what is happening over there threatens to involve the world.



Peace

 

[Woodsy]

Well, that is what the UN is for, but can we trust them to be just?

Uh, that's a trick question, right?

(The UN's hands are stained red with blood, green with filthy lucre, and black with hypocrisy.)

 

[Woodsy]

Isreal has (I believe) around 14 UN security council resolutions outstanding on it.

That means nothing coming from such a body as the UN, who has folks like Chad on its human rights council.
It is also an informative exercise to look back at the countries and events that this august body hasn't bothered to denounce or file resolutions against.

 

[D'Ann]

I have NO trust or confidence or faith in the UN.

 

[holysee]

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/lebgaz214.html

Caritas Internationalis sent out the following statement last night:

As the violence escalates in Lebanon and in the Gaza strip, Caritas calls on all sides to end the carnage, hold an immediate ceasefire and come to the negotiating table. Staff from Caritas in Gaza and Lebanon are risking their own lives to cater to the needs of the wounded, supply goods for civilians to survive and bring food for the children.

Indiscriminate bombings and hostage taking are against all moral and humanitarian laws and principles. Guided by the social teaching of the Catholic Church, and in line with International Humanitarian Law, we are calling today for an immediate ceasefire, an end to all violence, and the beginning of constructive negotiations geared towards long-term solutions.
International Humanitarian Law decrees that states and authorities must protect civilians caught up in conflict, allow free access by humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to those affected and ensure attacks are not aimed at civilian targets. Any state or authority which ignores these rules is in breach of the very conventions that they have signed up to and which help keep our world civilised.
Caritas believes that a just peace is possible in the Middle East, and urges the international community and political leaders to uphold international law and help the people of Israel, of Palestine and of Lebanon to step back from the brink of full-scale war.

Caritas Internationalis has urged the members of the Confederation with seats on the UN Security Council to contact their governments with a view to calling for a ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations.
Caritas Internationalis is a Confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations working in over 200 countries and territories to build a world of justice and peace.