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[ 43 ] comments

• when i see that blur i am expecting to see a yellow cab 😉
  

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  KBP @ August 3, 2014, 5:32 am

• Yes its a technique almost exclusively reserved by me for speeding yellow NYC cabs …….. but every now and again a dynamic artist inspires u to zap him in the same way hehehe……… :-))))Cheers Jez XXXXXXX
  

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  Jezblog London @ August 3, 2014, 7:43 am

• I’d be grateful to know if you actually got his hand written permission (in triplicate, only this will satisfy “the committee/board”) before viciously “abusing” him with your implement of abuse (God…I actually wanted to say… “camera” there..but it came out as “implement of abuse”..I must be some weird kind of dyslexic :-))
  

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  Bap King xx @ August 3, 2014, 1:33 pm

• Oh yes as u r fully aware we never make any kind of visual transgresion upon another (in out of date 20th century paralance we never take a photo of anyone) without first getting their parents and grandparents to sign to say they are all mentally incompetent and therefore in agreement with a family member allowing a visual transgression upon their person to occur. Its so important to have the paper work in order and filed with the relevent authorities, the local police station, Scotland Yard, The Law Lourdes, the office of the proculater fiscal. and of course the Witch finder General, not to mention as a courtesy the London office of the KGB and MI5 and of course the the president of the law society Moscow division, and the worldwide board of Mr Kipling and the nearest branch of the NUT must pass a resolution with 3 months of notice for written dissenters to begin the written blocking process and for lawyers to be instructed, the National NUJ should also have the paper work as should The EU and the FBI should be kept up to speed and of course InterPol Paris. The London Freelance Branch must give a consent visa and The Arch Bishop of Canterbury and the Pope should give their prior blessing, A letter of consent from The press Complaints Council and a personal note from Lord Levenson is important. The paper work is much more important than actually making the transgression itself I find.
  

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  Winston Smith 101 @ August 3, 2014, 7:12 pm

• Like it!
  

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  Kim Young`un xx @ August 4, 2014, 12:34 am

• Yes its the New Levenson System based on one set up by your illustrious Uncle that you had killed for leniency so we have had it bolstered a little to make sure no actual visual transgressions can occur as per your wishes oh great man of such shimmering beauty and intellect and harshness against any free thought or action or any kind of free expression of any kind, and defender of the peoples tea trolley and the free press.Cheers oh mighty one
  

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  Don’t even think of trin @ August 4, 2014, 7:32 am

• I let them eat cake….maybe a little too much, I don’t know, anyway, after defining a new group of vicious abusers (sorry… I meant to say photographers, don’t know what went wrong there) as “Stalkerazzi, they then went to Guido`s sandwich place, where they forever, and eternally would become known as the “Baparazzi” :))
  

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  Uncle Ho Ho Ho xx @ August 4, 2014, 10:22 am

• Maybe thats why my photos tend to be a bit pooh..I aint getting the correct paperwork, so they are being tampered with `in camera` by another source??
  

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  PaulS @ August 4, 2014, 7:56 am

• No No…… I think there may be some element of messing about in this conversation above …… hehehehe……. the paper work is the soon to be necessary permission slips from the powers that be……… and are totally irrelevant to making a decent photo :-)))))) In fact the very opposite ……. I always say if u think u want to be a press photographer and you then see a “No photography” Sign and u feel like obeying the rule …… u r unlikely to be a successfull press photographer :-))) ……. in my humble opinion ……. hehehehe……. I don’t think press photographys top exponents are worrying too much about form filling …… but some would tell u otherwise……. There are a lot of restrictions threatened against free photography in the street ……. I think us photographers should campaign against any restrictions ……. some photography organizations think we should develop ways of cooperating with stars so that paperrazzi types cannot photograph them…….. I am not a pap …… but I understand they are people in the street taking pictures …… I don’t want rules written against photography in the street……….. not against them or me…… some think we cab define the Paps or the stalkerazzi in such a way as it would only effect them…….. i doubt that ……. any restrictions on them will become restrictions on all……. even the use of the humble family vacation camera ……… :-////// :-)))))))))))) XXXXXXXCheers bro Jez XXXXXXXXXXXXX
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 4, 2014, 3:27 pm

• Was contemplating the hundredth anniversary of the start of World War 1, and your old friend the “Reverand” suddenly came to mind..the photographs, taken by abusers (sorry, I meant to say photographers…I really bloody did) actually tell at least a little bit of the horror of that war, they can still reach across the decades and touch us in a way that no other art form can..seem to recall that the Church spent the whole war telling young men that God wanted them to slaughter their fellow men because he was on “our side”..just who are the abusers again??
  

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  Field Marshall Kipling, Order @ August 5, 2014, 11:31 am

• Oh yeah…….. its fun to pretend to go along with the moral panic …… but in the real world photography is just a beautiful and informative art form and its practioners are often free thinking artists and non conformists………. and often people with weapons really are the hardcore abusers ………… photographs touch is to implant of a gentle memory ……. a feeling of light and shade and composition that captures time and emotion ……. People dropping shells on to refugee camps and killing children they are abusers …….. people strapping explosives to their own bodies in the attempt to kill themselves and families of different religious sects……. they are abusers …….. generals ordering their men to walk into fields of fire they are abusers …… even the worst pap or stalkerazzi guy only ever upset the odd starlet ……… they did not order the dropping of any atom bombs on any cities…….. yes I like to mess about but I don’t accept for a minute that photography made in the street is inherently abuse ……. and like you say with the anniversaries that have just passed ……. others in different professions from ours perhaps ought to consider the finger pointing a little before any leveling of the accusation of abuse at photography …………Cheers bro Jez XX gis another 2 pints over ear barman :-/ :-)))))))) XXXXXXXXXXX
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 5, 2014, 7:06 pm

• Talking of mad religious types, I see that ISIS is moving into Kurdish regions now..it’s getting grimmer :((
  

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  Stanley McCrystal xx @ August 7, 2014, 10:32 pm

• ISIS r basically terrifying to me ….. They r pushing their fascist religious beliefs with the vile convert or die threats …. People r running because clearly the only way is to run…. Can u imagine living under ISIS rule…. The thought that they r bearing down on the Kurdish areas is so depressing…. The Kurdish area has been the least sectarian the least dragged down by religious fundamentalists…the least violent of all the regions…. The most open and democratic of all the regions of Iraq…. The safest and the most friendly …. They have suffered so much … Now they are offering the last remaining place of safety for Christians and Zoroastrians …. Nobody deserves assistance more than the Kurds of Iraq…. The whole ISIS caliphate campaign …. Depressing…
  

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  The Peacock Angel @ August 9, 2014, 4:24 pm

• ISIS have a “made in the USA” stamp… the same criminals who financed ISIS are now advocating what I expect will be called “humanitarian” bombing.. is there no end to the blundering? The same politicians who set fire to the middle east are also making another disaster in the Ukraine by backing the far right there too… agh! I suppose Gaza is intended to show what is in store for anyone not seen as geopolitically useful. Happy days.
  

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  John Harris @ August 10, 2014, 7:11 am

• John maybe u could try considering with more respect the ideas and concepts that drive other people from different viewpoints to your own… I try not to be condescending to people with other views from my own…. Hamas really are Islamic fundamentalists they r not people with ‘an out of date charter’ they believe that from the river to the sea is Islamic land they are not interested in a two state solution … I think to be fair to them it should be recognised that they are not looking for an accommodation with Israel…. ISIS is not ‘made in the USA ‘ they are an Islamic fundamentalist group that has come to prominence in the fight for Syria theirs is a particular brand of modern modern fascist Islamism that has been invented in the last couple of decades…. It has all the hallmarks of the genocidal fascism of early Nazi fascism … It really is an interesting and terrifying modern phenomena growing out of The early Muslim Brothhood in Egypt and Warhabiism in Saudi Arabai … Yes taking a lead from other famed Islamic terror organisations first formed as a response to western airforces protecting the Kurds of Northern Iraq from Saddam Hussein’s genocicidal forces….. But these IS folks really are an army with its own genocidal ideology and motivation they have adapted a traditional religion to be a cult of death…. They are threatening genocide against others communities who do not follow their new cult….. This is a real situation driven by real ideology completely different to our own…. It is not engineered by the CIA…. Give them some respect they really are Islamofascists … To pretend their are no other enemies than American capitalists … Is quaintly untrue and if you were hoping to survive the arrival of the army with the black flags with your family on a mountainside without food or water…. You would no doubt wish you had the luxury of assuming the only real enemies in the world were the controllers of US capital…..
  

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  Margaret Thatcher @ August 10, 2014, 8:00 am

• No patronisation intended Margaret. Sorry I thought you enjoyed “the luxury” of debate. ISIS is largely made up of elements funded by US, Saudi etc to overthrow the government of Syria (creating the same mess as in Libya)… and that rightwing Islam was previously imported into Afghanistan to attack the Russians if you recall? Sectarianism was imposed by the “divide and rule” tactics of the US in Iraq. If you want to falsify the historical record and call it “respect for other viewpoints” be my guest – you will have plenty of company. I do think you should have more respect for the victims of the Nazis – “early” or otherwise – than to bandy their genocide about in such an ignorant fashion. Hey ho, once again we will see if peace can be brought about through more bombing.. more war…
  

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  John Harris @ August 10, 2014, 9:19 am

• Do you think the ISIS actions do not threaten genocide? They have already executed 1000’s ….. Are u only happy if the term is used after the the 150,000 people who have fled their homes are dead. Sorry to be so unlegalistic John. What are your suggestions to stop ISIS murdering all the people who have fled?. I know you are interested primarily in apportioning some distant blame, I expect you want to blame their deaths on the US. But I would tend to blame ISIS, the actual murderers. But as you know I would prefer it if they did not die….. if the genocide could be averted? Again I wonder how you would propose to stop this threatened mass killing?I think a comparison of ISIS to The Nazi Party of 1930/40’s Germany is exactly correct and I do it out of complete respect for the people that suffered and died. Whats more I expect any living relatives of those that died in that genocide would completely agree that the threat to the Kurds, the the threat to the Christians, the threat to the Yazidis, and the threat to the Zorastrians, and indeed the the threat to the Jews from ISIS style Islamofascist ideology and actions is very similar to the Nazi threat and actions in the past.
  

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  margaret @ August 10, 2014, 10:48 am

• “I try not to be condescending to people with other views from my own.”
  

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  Steve @ August 10, 2014, 8:10 pm

• Yes in this case I mean I do not impose my view on to the views of others as if that was their view all along …….. JH thinks Hamas has an ‘out of date constitution’ ……. as if they really hold the same views as him ……. as if their anti semitism…. as if their call for the destruction of Israel is not completely central to their belief system ……. as if really they support a two state solution and an accommodation with Israel ……. I am in my humble opinion, more respectful of their position ……. I say lets understand their position to be what they state it to be ……. their position is eloquently stated in their founding charter ……. it is not “out of date” for them….. it is their founding philosophy…… it drives their every action and policy. It is simply respectful to them to take them at their word not project on to them our own views as if that what they really think because that is what we assume they ought to think. I have actually mentioned this to you previously.
  

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  Margaret T @ August 11, 2014, 5:34 am

• Jez, you’re such a comedian. Very funny.
  

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  Steve @ August 10, 2014, 8:11 pm

• Its true I like a laugh …… but I don’t think their is too much to laugh about if you are running from the black flags of the ISIS fascists as they push into your homeland ……. lets hope the Kurdish soldiers can hold the line against all those disgusting religious extremists attempting to slaughter any who are not in their cult of death. So sad that the Kurds are facing this, the Kurdish region of Iraq was the least distorted by religious extremism. Now all ethnic and religious minorities are running to them for protection. When I was there it was the most relaxed and friendly least violent area of Iraq, so tragic that now religious belief in all its most vile aspects is knocking at their door of this was the most decent bit of Iraq precisely because they treated all sects and beliefs equally not raising one to be true and others to be sacrilege, their schools even teach all the religions, and religious cultures of the world on the syllabus. Lets hope they can hold the line against the barbarism they are threatened by.
  

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  Ghandi @ August 11, 2014, 6:01 am

• Sorry ISIS are not espousing the ideology of Mussolini or Hitler, they have their own mishmash of right wing Islam. Maybe worth looking at fascism again Marge? It is worth understanding the how and why. Of course the Nazi metaphor has been used over and over again to justify attacks – you are anyway missing the name of “the new Hitler”- if you are to pull the strings effectively…
  As for your second point: You may be overestimate the control Hamas has for your own reasons but anyway: 1) I haven’t projected anything on to Hamas – their leadership has been saying their constitution is outdated.. 2) I wonder how a 2 state solution ever going to materialise? Wouldn’t it be just another means of policing the population on the part of the racist state of Israel?
  In any event none of this has a military solution. We need ways to draw diverse people together not ways to justify endless war and slaughter…

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  J @ August 11, 2014, 7:05 am

• fascism
  ˈfaʃɪz(ə)m,-sɪz(ə)m/
  noun
  an authoritarian right-wing system of government and social organization.
  synonyms: authoritarianism, totalitarianism, dictatorship, despotism, autocracy, absolute rule, Nazism, rightism, militarism; More
  antonyms: democracy, liberalism
  (in general use) extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practices

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 8:58 am

• political movement that is authoritarian, opposed to free speech, in favour of a one party state or dictatorship, and seems to have racist tendencies, is open to the “fascist” label.
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 9:19 am

• Fascist symbols are also significant. The term derives from the “fasces” – the axe and bundle of rods used in ancient Rome – sported by Mussolini’s fascists. Franco’s Falangists, used arrows joined by a yoke, the symbol of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. The Nazis used a Swastika. Symbols that in some way echo these older motifs are common among some modern extremists.
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 9:23 am

• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=flag+of+isis+iraq&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WMPoU_2eOemn0QX6w4CQBw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1868&bih=1002
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 9:26 am

• Although they are not European like the Nazi party I have to say I find it odd you cannot equate the violence and pogroms the total intolerance and authoritarianism of these modern islamic fundamentalist groups with the label fascism …… an absolutist might say the label only fits the Italian Fascist organization of Mussolini for them not even the Nazi Party of Germany qualifies for the label …… but in ordinary parlance the Nazi Party ….. the NF the BNP …… are fascists……. certainly a group like ISIS organized around extreme right wing ideas and terrible violence even threatened genocide ….. against groups like Jews and Zoroastrians etc …… while attempting to establish a totalitarian state ……. they have to be in any ordinary use of the word fascist ?? Surely?Cheers mate Jez XXXXXXXXX
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 11:47 am

• Well I have to agree there is no military answer in Gaza, I have to disagree that a 2 state solution could never materialize …… because that has to be the only way surely? Unless the continued state of occupation and oppression extends extends endlessly for The palestinians or the extermination of the population of Israel occurs ……. neither of which is in any way an outcome a decent person should countenence or hope for ….. bringing them all together is of course the answer ….. but I have to say that really is a utupian solution ….. I would like to see that ….. but a 2 state solution is more likely and might even be a first step toward a unity government and state …… unity might be possible once the Palestinians have some power and dignity??? But I have to say any unity any two State solution is further away with this government of Israel and with the Hamas leaders of Gaza ………
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 11, 2014, 12:21 pm

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/11/isis-iraq-numbers_n_5659239.html
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 12, 2014, 6:10 am

• https://news.vice.com/video/the-islamic-state-part-2
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 13, 2014, 8:18 am

• “Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to unify their nation based on commitment to an organic national community where its individuals are united together as one people through national identity. The unity of the nation is to be based upon suprapersonal connections of ancestry and culture through a totalitarian state that seeks the mass mobilization of the national community through discipline, indoctrination, physical training, and eugenics. Fascism seeks to eradicate perceived foreign influences that are deemed to be causing degeneration of the nation or of not fitting into the national culture.”From the fascism portal on Wikipedia the opening definition of Facsism ….. I gotta be honest ….. I think this pretty well perfectly decribes the modern IS drive to create by violence a Caliphate lead by an all powerful “prince of believers’ or Caliph that drives out and kills all non-belivers…..
  

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  Maggie T @ August 18, 2014, 11:11 am

• I will try and explain my objection to your metaphor of “Islamofacism” is firstly that it is tendentious tabloid nonsense – even George Bush dropped as unhelpful as it seemed to equate Islam & Fascism which alienated ordinary Muslims. “Dog whistling” is the hack’s term for such lazy but insidious ideas, “XXXX is the New Hitler” fill in as required by current policy. 60 million people died fighting them in WW2 and millions were murdered in the gas chambers. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I think that memory should be respected. Secondly, whilst there are differences between fascist regimes and parties, I don’t want to end up in Alice in wonderland where any word can be used for anything (as long as it fits your purposes). I can’t equate the essentially racist nature of the Nazi formation for instance, with “religious fundamentalism” however oppressive- they are different ideologies. The former authoritarianism was based in the so called “science” of eugenics and instituted as an alternative to Bolshevism, whilst the latter requires belief in an absolute but imaginary friend, extreme misogyny and seems to be born of political failure, despair and violence in Muslim countries. The hideous ISIS – if what we hear is true- are against any Islam that Muslims almost anywhere else in the world would recognise, as I understand it. For example their book says you cannot force someone to convert to Islam. They must come to God by their own free will. I hope that isn’t too subtle a distinction!
  

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  John Harris @ August 13, 2014, 1:09 pm

• I have to say I find its knit picking to claim slaughter has to be specifically racially based to count as fascist slaughter ……. I think the persecution of the Jews in the second world war by the fascists of Europe is a horrific and specific genocide against a people and their religion that is special and totally disgusting ……. but the ISIS slaughter of Christians and Yazidiz is the same kind of thing exactly but not on such a giant scale yet but if they were to set up their caliphate as they want to then they would indeed comit exactly the same kind of slaughter as the Nazis……. they too want to kill all Jews ….. and all Christians all Yazidis all Zorastrians all the Drews bla bla……. in the middle East…….. They mostly do not allow people to become Muslims they mostly kill them …… but they do accept some conversions at the point of the sword …… I think you will find many religions have gone in for this and Islam has a great tradition of it…… the Prophet himself ‘Peace be upon him’ …… executed the odd person who refused to convert and accepted the conversion of captured cities………… I don’t think that particular tactic means its not part of an extreme modern Islamism invented in the recent past……… I think that perparedness to use violence and intimidation defines the new extreme Islamism as it defines European fascism of the past.”According to accounts written by Muhammad’s followers, after the Battle of Badr, some prisoners were executed for their earlier crimes in Mecca, but the rest were given options: They could convert to Islam and thus win their freedom” bla bla………

  I think it would be great if the majority in the Islamic Community were able to truely define their Islam very specifically as different from this modern Islamisism and stand up for their version ……. I think they often fail to do so……. because they are afraid …… afraid inside their communities more even than people outside of Islamic communities……… I do very much admire the Quilliam Foundation on this front in the UK ……. and I am always amazed by Ayaan Hirsi Ali ……. she really is brave.

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  JC :-)))))))) XXXXXXX @ August 13, 2014, 6:16 pm

• Why would Israel permit the Palestinians a state? Wouldn’t that allow them rights? In theory only I guess. Unless a state in name only, such an arrangement make the neat (if rather too obvious you’d think) trick of overcoming the huge inequalities inside Israel by virtue of an external enemy harder to turn. To think the extreme militaristic regime will at some point go all respectful of Palestinian rights after 67 years seems betray a greater utopianism to me, whilst avoiding the necessary conditions for real lasting peace… The only solution can be the secular unity of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians against authoritarian militarism leading to an inclusive single state and peace. If you don’t hope you never get! History can go on in the same old way for a long long time then change at a speed that astonishes… Hopelessly optimistic you will say!
  

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  John Harris @ August 13, 2014, 1:11 pm

• BTW CNN interviewed a Hamas leader – you don’t actually hear them very often do you?
  http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/03/world/meast/hamas-meshaal-interview/

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  John Harris @ August 13, 2014, 1:13 pm

• Yes interesting to hear him…… I agree with his final statement the occupation the building of settlements is the route cause of the issue……. the rest was answering specific questions with statements of Hamas belief not really specific to the realities of this specific crisis …… basically the rocket fire from Gaza brings a massive Israeli response …… thats a fact he does not want to state ….. you don’t have to support that massive action for that to be a fact…… you can be absolutely against Israel …… it does not affect that fact.
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 13, 2014, 5:37 pm

• I would just like to point out that your “fact” is incorrect, though the Israeli government would be please to hear your reiteration. Hamas had observed the cease fire since it was agreed in 2012. It was the shootings and arrests by Israel after they alleged Hamas had kidnapped 3 teenagers (without presenting any evidence & later admitting it was not Hamas as I understand it) that led to the resumption of rocket firing. Israel appear to have gone on the offensive against Gaza/West Bank unity & to paint Hamas as impossible to deal with – arguably so Israel can continuing to avoid a solution (2 state or otherwise) which Bibi has already ruled out completely of course!
  

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  John Harris @ August 14, 2014, 8:41 am

• IDF say Israel attacked with an air strike on the Sunday evening and first rockets launched the next morning according to the Times of Israel:
  http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-fired-rockets-for-first-time-since-2012-israeli-officials-say/

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  John Harris @ August 14, 2014, 10:43 am

• OK Israel arrested a pile of Hammas people attempting to find the murdered youths …… then Hamas started firing rockets…… the rockets then get a massive retaliation……. like I said ……. when the rockets are fired hoping to kill Israeli people Israel reacts massively……. it can be argued that the reaction is completely out of proportion but not that it just happens for no reason ……… clearly they could attack Gaza anytime …… they do it when Hamas fires rockets………. u can claim Hamas is right to fire rockets and it is like they say resistance ….. but lets face it there is a direct relationship between firing the rockets and Israeli attacks on Gaza……. its silly to pretend there isnt……..
  

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 14, 2014, 7:29 pm

• Er silly? No reason? You were reiterating the Israeli claim IDF just responding to Hamas I was pointing out the propaganda you say is “fact”. I also suggested a more complex explanation (far from “no reason”) for the timing and intentions… but hey stick to the dominant narrative… cheers
  

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  John Harris @ August 15, 2014, 5:31 am

• “The war began on 8 July after a surge of rockets launched by Hamas on Israel. Israel blamed Hamas for the kidnapping and murder in June of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank. Israel later sent in ground troops to destroy Hamas’ underground cross-border tunnels.”Here is a pretty straight forward run through of the non contentious facts from Wednesdays Guardian …… hardly a hotbed of Republican Zionists …… to pretend there is no relationship between Hamas activity and the activity of Israel is silly. You don’t have to be a supporter of Israel to follow what is happening in the way most non aligned news agencies do…… its just a question in this case of the order of events.

  Cheers bro Jez XXXXXXX

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  Jezblog London :-)))))))) XXXX @ August 16, 2014, 10:11 am

• Jez “silly” again? I have not said at any point that there is no relationship between Israel’s horrific attacks on Gaza & Hamas firing rockets, however ineffectual. We were debating what the conflict is about and how to resolve it, not whether it exists or not. The Guardian quote is wrong on the order of events. The most recent conflict can be traced back to the Israeli government’s aim of breaking up the new Fatah-Hamas endorsed Palestinian authority, the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teens and then one Palestinian teen, then Israel’s crackdown against Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The IDF maintained they launched air attacks first, in the Israeli press anyway. I see 10,000 Israelis just protested against the cease fire and in favour of immediate resumption of air attacks.BTW My 15 yr old son has just looked over my shoulder and said “Why do you bother with this guy? If we don’t accept ‘but he started it’ from children why do we accept it from a nuclear equipped right wing states committing war crimes?” Hmm he has a point! cheers J
  

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  John @ August 16, 2014, 12:42 pm

• Ok you have decided that the Hamas rocket attacks are not relevant or a provocation and the snatching and killing of the Israeli youth also is not part of the provocation or at least part of the precursor to the Israeli attacks….. OK …… but they did happen in immediately before the Israeli attack…… I think we can agree on that? For you those things are not relevant ….. but I think most observers would agree there is a direct relationship between the fact that they happened and the subsequent Israeli attack ….. you do not accept that…… fine ……. you have chosen a different interpretation of the reason for the events ….. but I think we are at least all agreed on the order that they happened …… I find myself in agreement with the interpretation of Canadian Broadcasting NPR BBC…… the Guardian…… etc…… that there is a relationship between the Hamas rocket fire and the Israeli attack ……. I would say a direct causal relationship …….. but I understand that you do not accept this.Just so you don’t accuse me of blindly taking the BBC line ….. I have been seriously angered by the BBC’s insistence that the million plus refugee’s fleeing to reach Kurdish protection in Iraq are “fleeing the fighting” as if they may be accidentally caught up in cross fire…… when of course they are actually fleeing because they are facing a threatened genocide against them by Islamic State fighters. I think the BBC might be having difficulty identifying the reality of the threat that these refugees face …… perhaps because they are limited by the terms open to them to describe IS …… they are looking for an acceptable term along the lines of Ultra right wing maniacal religious slaughtering bastards led by a self styled all powerful Caliph ………… hmmmm I wonder what that term might be……..

  I understand hundreds of men have been rounded up and executed today alone ……. As you know I think the term really is or at least should be Islamofascist. When I see what is happening there I totally fear for my Kurdish friends in Erbil …… they are themselves Sunni Muslims but they are very clear that the Jihadists are Islamofascists that will kill them if they overrun their land …… they are not debating this stuff as academic excercise they know and fear their enemies ….. Afterall they are facing threatened genocide.

  My regards to your son ……… I have to say my 16 year old daughter has been a tiny bit incredulous at your posts too …….. maybe we have more influence on our kids than we might think ……..

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  Jezblog @ August 16, 2014, 2:45 pm