I am new to this side of the world, and having seen this war going on since I was born, I simply wish to state that when these people on both sides have ended hatred in their hearts for each other, these wars will also end. This is the long term option. The short term option is to militarily decimate the other side, wheoever wins will have more wars to face later on, because seeds of hatred will grow again.

Sanjeev Punj, Sharjah,

David Rich, you wrote" Dheim lived is under full Israeli control. Arab residents have open access to Jewish parts of the city and the rest of Israel. As such, this has nothing to do with the security fence." Precisely. The measures in place to restrict Palestinian movement has clearly failed. In fact, I'm uncertain as to how effective any of Israel's deterrent measures are?Their offensive assult is justified on the premise that it'll reduce the rocket attacks - this hasn't happened.If anything, the Palestinians are probably simmering. Civilians getting caught in the crossfire will undoubtedly further justify Hamas' counter-attacks.There's no evidence that Olmert's/Sharon's policies of going on the offensive has worked, so why are they still doing it? Increasingly Palestine is becoming a fationed state which only makes them more labile and incredibly unpredictable. External nations/groups will also find it easier to influence the different factions - a disastrous consequence for all.

Yezenash, York, UK

<em>Alaa Abu Dheim, the seminary gunman, is a resident of Israeli-controlled East Jerusalem, showing that the controversial security fence meant to segregate Israelis from Palestinians on the West Bank is no protection against a determined enemy.</em>

In spite of what BBC and others have been telling you, security fence does not separate Jews from Arabs.
East Jerusalem is within the security fence!
Richard Beeston won't let that fact spoil his agenda, which is to prove that "Good fences, DON'T make for good neighbours".

Alan, Montreal, Canada

Bob,
"Schadenfreude" is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. Revenge is a retaliation for injuries. Is an Arab expression of Schadenfreude over the death of eight Jewish children murdered in a Jewish Theological Seminary, as expressed by their dancing in the streets of Gaza, the moral equivalent of expressing a desire for revenge? Some Jews were heard to be chanting Death to the Arabs at the site of the murders.

I don't think they are morally equivalent any more than inadvertently killing civilians while attacking rocket launching sites is equivalent to murdering children in a religious school.

By the way, what is the source of your numbers? The IDF says that 90% of those killed were combatants. Since the enemy combatants do not wear uniforms, how does one tell whether he or she is an enemy combatant or a civilian unless they are an infant?

Wallace, Alexandria, VA, US

After 4 years with no attacks in Jerusalem, an brutal attack hit. One would ask why? Israel think thats its because of security measures, but that proved to be incorrect with this attack.

When you attack people and behave as an ignorant superpower that wants everything to be its way or the high way. Thats what happens, security must be guaranteed for both sides.

Hypocrisy which became clear these days will not solve anything it will just make things worse, 120 Palestinians, 70 of them were civilians 19 women 23 children less than 16 years old, and the world turned a blind eye, 8 were killed and the whole world condemned. Where is the balance in blaming both sides?

Bob, San Jose, US

Tony, san jose.

'' When the people are finally made accountable, Hitlers can't exist! ''

That applies to Zionists as well!! Big Time.

sid, London,

A note to the author of thr Times article:

You wrote that "Alaa Abu Dheim, the seminary gunman, is a resident of Israeli-controlled East Jerusalem, showing that the controversial security fence meant to segregate Israelis from Palestinians on the West Bank is no protection against a determined enemy".

Howeever, where Dheim lived is under full Israeli control. Arab residents have open access to Jewish parts of the city and the rest of Israel. As such, this has nothing to do with the security fence.

David Rich, Esher, Surrey

I believe that most Palestinians in Gaza know that having Hamas in control is not good for them, firstly because they don't give regular Pelestinians a say in the running of the country and secondly because they know it's not good for peace in Israel which I believe many of them, and Israelis want. However, regular moderate Palestinians can't stand up for themselves in Gaza because they are branded as traitors under the Hamas leadership, and there's no way that Israel can negotiate with Hamas who call for their ultimate destruction.

All Israel needs is a sign from the Palestinians that they are willing to offer long standing peace with Israel and not throw back any chances that Israel give them, like they did by electing Hamas after Israel handed over the Gaza Strip

Stephen, London,

two wrongs do not make it right

thats for both sides

knight, Aberdeen, UK

It's unbelievable that after 120 Palestinian were killed in Gaza, Israel is still the victim. Israel is still occupying Palestinian land ignoring every UN resolution demanding return of land to the Palestinians.

The Arab league has repeatedly asked that Israel accept the Arab peace initiative, which it has ignored for the past 6 years. I think the Arab league should give Israel an ultimatum, either accept the peace initiative and begin negotiations to end the bloodshed and be recognized by all Arab countries, or withdraw the initiative and let the conflict continue for generations to come. Either way, Israel should decide what it wants, and they shouldn't have an open-ended invitation. No more lives need to be taken before Israel realizes that there's no such thing as "fighting for peace".

Ross, Toronto, Canada

Sadly, despite years and years of meetings, summits, agreements, u.n. resolutions and the like, this war goes on.
I pray that one day, Palestinians will march in their streets to end to the violence, and demand their leaders press for peace instead of Israel's destruction. As soon as that day occurs, the whole world will come to know true peace.

Jordan Glick, Toronto, Canada

The article says Olmert has two options. What about the options the Palestinian leadership have. The Palestinians can continue to allow fanatics hoping to see the complete destruction of Israel to live and hide in their midst. Or they can say "no more violence" and stop sheltering and supporting those who seek only more bloodshed and peace may just have a chance. Sadly the spectacle of Palestinians dancing in the streets celebrating the slaughter of Israeli students suggests that peace will remain only a distant dream.

R Edward, Boston, USA

I pray that one day all parties will think logically and realize that peace would make so much sense.

Ed, Metrowest, MA.

There is no hope that any peace agreement will ever be achieved by Israel and the Arabs. Simply because the Arabs have never accepted Israel's existence and never will. Those of us who know history should understand that it has always been this way and is not bound to ever change no matter what Israel concedes to give in territory.Sadly this has been Israel's fate since Roman times.If one believes in the old testament there will be a time when this will change. Those of us who have faith in the Jewish faith are still waiting and praying for that time when there will be peace and recognition of G-d's promise to the world and to all peoples of his creation.

Arthur Laifer, Far Rockaway, New York USA

10-1. Thats the ratio of Palestinians to Jews killed. Without peace, this world is not a nice place to live! Religion kills. Ignorance kills. Primitive people = primitive thoughts.

Paul, Montreal, Canada

George Bush doesn't know the first thing about achieving peace and prosperity. Why make such assertions:

"His hosts and the rest of the world will be looking to him to pull off a feat of truly biblical proportions. "

If peace ever comes to the middle east, using a warlord as a diplomat is not how it will be achieved. It's been tried since the esablishment of the modern Israeli state and has failed in every single iteration. There have been 2 (major) wars in that time with another one brewing.

Name me one time in human history where two rivals can occupy the same space for a prolonged period and there you will find your mediator.

Has it ever happened? I'm not aware that it ever has.

Until Palestine is united under one banner and one leadership, it cannot be negotiated with. One faction agrees to a cease fire and the next one breaks it. It damages their credibility and makes coexistence even more fleeting. Prayer won't solve this, actions of people will.

Shane, Saskatoon, Canada

History teaches us that wars end when one side defeats not only the leaders of a country, movement, etc., but the followers of these leaders, movements, etc. as well.

WW1, festering for many years, was semi-settled by the decision of Germany to make peace.
While peace lasted until the latter part of the 1930s, Germany, still not defeated enough, combined with misguided diplomatic efforts in the early 1930s, was able to go to war again.

Germany and Japan were finally defeated by the use of total war and absolute disregard of "innocent people", (remember Dresden being fire-bombed, remember Hiroshima).

The "innocent people" of Germany and Japan, the ones waving Swastikas, and rising suns whenever Hitler or the Emperor of Japan drove by in motorcades, were finally made to pay, and the war finally ended.

There can be no Hitlers, bin Ladens, Arafat's without the willing cooperation of their people. When the people are finally made accountable, Hitlers can't exist!

tony, San Jose, CA

It is just pififul, to kill students in a seminary, pitiful to kill on either side, but really sad to see that a person would even enter a seminary to kill.

John, laguna beach,

Really? I thought it highlights the futile nature of occupations? And how much the occupied dislike being occupied?
Or do you always see things from Israel's perspective first?
Regards?
Matt

Matt Woolery, San Diego, CA