As far as Israel’s right to defend itself – that UN mandate applies to Gaza as well. Why is Gaza not allowed to defend itself from the constant bombings, targetted assassinations, house-bulldozing, and other things perpetrated against the Palestinians by the Israelis? What about this blockade – it is an act of war to prevent food from reaching a civilian population!

Israel is just as guilty as Hamas in this mess even though they portray themselves as the constant victims. I find it hard to see them as victims when they have put up a wall with virtually no way out, and they control the openings – and then stop allowing vital necessities of life to get inside. Your understanding of just what this blockade is about is not at all reality on the ground there. And this blockade has been in place for over a year. Do you not think that if you lived inside – couldn’t get out, couldn’t feed your family, couldn’t even cook food if you had any in the first place, you would try to do something? I submit that you would be perfectly within your rights to do so.

Israel is not as big a victim as they have made the Palestinians, and while there is violence, it is on both sides. But the bigger offender IMHO is Israel. All you have to do is look at the numbers. What is it, 4 dead Israelis and almost 500 Palestinians so far and more to come? Yeah, Israel is a real victim here.

It is difficult to get accurate, unbiased reporting if journalists are not allowed to do their job. It is easy to get information – YouTube videos from both sides of the conflict, reporting by Israeli newspapers and quotes from Israeli politicians, and coverage from Al Jazeera in English along with the AP and Reuters. But since no foreign journalists are allowed into the strip, it is hard to say what is true.

I am not an unbiased observer. As long as American foreign aid and military hardware are used against a captive (if the borders are sealed and people are not allowed to leave at will, they are captive) population, I cannot remain unbiased.

My point was that the “blockade” has been grossly exaggerated and really been fairly narrow in scope.

Today (Wed.), 93 truckloads with 2,500 tons of food and medical supplies were transferred to Gaza.
Since the beginning of the operation in Gaza Saturday, 6,500 tons of food and medicine were transferred to Gaza.
The World Food Program has informed Israel that they will not be resuming shipment of food into Gaza because their warehouses are at full capacity, with enough supplies for at least 2 weeks.
12 Palestinians from Gaza entered Israel today (Wed.) for medical treatment.

Also, why is Israel denied the same basic rights of self-defense, including blockades, available to any country that is attacked?

Article 51
Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

I do not see how mention of lifting the Gaza blockade is indicative of cant or bias. Maybe the failure to recognize the blockade as part of the problem would be more indicative of cant.

The following is copied directly from the petition at J Street:

“I support immediate and strong U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to urgently reinstate a meaningful ceasefire that ends all military operations, stops the rockets aimed at Israel and lifts the blockade of Gaza. This is in the best interests of Israel, the Palestinian people and the United States.”