4.Using the words "settlements" and "West Bank" are psychologically persuading the public to think that the "settlements" are temporary communities where people probably live in tents and can move on at any time. The "West Bank" is Judea and Samaria, places that historically Jewish.

Alixandra, Newton, U.S.A.

This article was well written. The point is that we need to see what is happening. As others have said, I wish the powers that be would read it.

C Reese, Sacramento, USA

Fantastic article !!!! Congratulations.

Luiz Gustavo Cherman, Sao Paulo, Brazil

An easy read, gently inviting us to identify with, and thereby absolve, the "human errors" of Israel based on shared fears of a nuclear Iran and the past oppression of Jews by Europeans (not Arabs). What mention of the dead men, women and children in Gaza, the ones who don't read the Times?

Alexis Croucher, Dubai, UAE

This article brought tears to my eyes - to read the truth is refreshing, and I only wish that the powers that be read it !
The world should read it.

Terri Gardner, Sydney, Australia

An excellent article, beautifully written. Thank you.

Barbara , London, UK

Thank you for this article. My grandfather was a holocaust survivor and its so sad that people in this world still have blind folds on. This quote by Golda Meir sums it up for me: "Peace will come when the Arabs start to love their children more than they hate us."

Maayan, Chicago,

Thankyou! Brilliant writing and the truth for once!

Danielle, London, UK

How would a Palestine state look ? Gaza and the West Bank separated by the State of Israel ? A state consisting of two fragments linked by a corridor and speckled with Israeli settlements will not be acceptable by its citizens.

Dr.Christian Grote, Berlin, Germany

Pixie from London, spot on. I am astonished at all the people that write that this is a balanced article. The holocaust was awful - agreed. But that should not be the basis for a country to act without accountibility. Innocent people are dying, including civillians and children.

Kris, London, UK

thanks for seeing that Israel must survive at all costs and that the world should wake up and see what this one small country is doing to benefit that world and our society.

Dr. P.C.Hirsch, LOS ANGELES, USA

Thank you Daniel, a heartening article for us to read.

Irene Rose, London, UK

Yes Mark of London, their grievance might stand, but they have not moved on since 1948. If you are a parent, you might understand the analogy to a temper tantrum, a never ending one in this case, based on the certainty that the land is all theirs, and they cannot share it with the Jews.

Jeremy Smith, Berkeley, USA

Daniel, thank you. Brilliant article!

Elena, Stony Brook, USA

A much needed article. Thank you

Jill, Holt,

DF writes: "The Palestinians need only say that they will allow Israel to exist in peace. They need only say this tiny thing, and mean it, and there is pretty much nothing they cannot have."

No. They cannot have what they lost in 1948. I support Israel's right to exist, but their grievance stands.

Mark, London,

no.many facts ignored.

MAISHAQUE, LANCASTER, UK

Two premises puzzle me about this article. First, that today's events are somehow related to the Holocaust, two, that violence is the fault of the victim. Like you throwing a stone at your friend and him getting a gun out and shooting you in the head. Self defence? Not really. God Bless humanity.

Pixie, London, UK

A beaufifully written and cogent article. It's hard to see where hope lies in this tragic situation. It's past time all concerned peoples and nations should assertively support UN troops deployed to safeguard a ceasefire with the aim of facilitating peace negotiations for these beleagured peoples.

Monique Burchell, Toronto, Canada

Yes. But is it right what israel is doing now? Is it collectively punishing all palestinians with its embargo and bombing? Is its response porportional? And is this attack the best form of defense for Israel in the long run? These are the real questions we should be looking to answer.

Bilal Anwar, London,

Great article!

My two cents:
How would any other nation react under similar circumstances?

Tim, Eagle Pass, TX, United States

If amazes me that as a Jew ( I am) I can move to Israel and be given land and a government loan that I don't have to pay back if I stay there for 10 years. I can even carry and M16/a around in public for...uh...protection.

Something is wrong with this picture.

Peace.

Stephen, Yung-he, Taiwan

Excellent article. Thank you.

Lesley Williams, Wellington, New Zealand

Well said. I am going to be showing my support for Israel at the rally on Trafalgar Sq this Sunday.

Michelle, London,

It is refreshing to see something sensible published in the media.

David, Houston,

An absolutely brilliant article.

Daniel, Israel,

If you can read this and not be moved, you should get your head checked.

john, NYC, USA

Well written. Well said. Enough said.

Richard, Columbus, USA

Excellent Article.

Tony, Waterford, Ireland

Finally, a rational voice. Well done.

JLL, New York,

Well said. It's about time we get this perspective. There are many cases throughout history where UN would have gladly thrown Israel to the wolves if Israel had let it. For example, when UN withdrew its troops from Sinai in 67. Israel can only rely on itself.

david , toronto, canada

Exactly.

Nan, Houston,

Superb..Keep up the good work.

Chris, Horsham, West Sussex

For once an article, that bluntly states what is going on.

Michael, London,

Dear Daniel,

Thank you for one of the most balanced, beautifully written pieces of journalism I have read in a long time.

Kind Regards

JB, Bristol, UK

Excellent, balanced article.
Thank you!

Judy Bodansky, Leeds, England

I agree with every word Daniel

Martin, Vienna, USA

Superb - at last someone spells it out, and so eloquently.

Tom, London, UK

Good article, i am married to an Israeli, and have lived there for a year. I have sympathy for both sides. What i would say is that although Arafat was offered a two state solution, you fail to mention the refugees. Without a promise of return for the refugees, Arafat could never agree to anything.

mathew, hove, UK

excellent article.

Jill, Georgia, USA

Daniel, this piece should be broadcast in all the world's papers and on all the news blogs. You have written from the heart and with passion but it is also pretty balanced and non judgemental on either side. A brilliant article if ever there was one. Thank you.

Dean, London,

Too little or too much can be said about the significance of establishing the state of Israel, or the barbarity at the heart of the holocaust.
Surely an arrangement to protect traditions / so the offended beliefs is not beyond the wit of Blair the technocrat? - removing the need for "crusades".

Terence Park, Burnley, UK

Other accounts of the 2000 negotiations say Jerusalem was the stumbling block for Arafat (as it would have been for Israel).

A weak Palestinian leadership can't successfully negotiate - but Israel (and many others) won't tolerate a stronger one. There will be no progress without change here.

James White, Glasgow, UK

Thank you Daniel for this profoundly moving piece. The fierce desperation of Israel to survive amidst a world that is essentially - albeit subliminally - anti-semitic.
It's powerful to see your usual astute humor give way to this piece from the heart.

Diane, Chiacgo,

Brilliant piece. Of all the issues and debates that surround this current conflict, the points that you have raised are the ones that should be remembered and reminded over all others.

Well done.

Rafi Mendelsohn, London, England

The irony is that demographics favor the Palestinians. Their suffering is needless and entirely self-inflicted. The world is eager to pour resources into a Palestinian state to insure its success. All they have to do is say Yes and, in time, the larger prize will fall effortlessly into their laps..

peter, miami, FL

Thank you DF. I have always been a fervent supporter of Israel and over the last few days I have found it hard to justify this support to myself; you're article has reminded me why I must take a stand against the media bias towards the Palestinians in the UK and Australia.

Carolyn, Melbourne, Australia

Very well put. Thank you.

Daniel Darius, San Diego, USA