Bobad is a two-faced, lying troll, Andy, with a history here of dishonesty, multiple identity, abusive comments from behind a wall of anonymity and attempted deception. Anyway, enough of that. I agree with almost all you say. Actually, though, although there are stupid and misguided factions surrounding Israel who STATE that they want to wipe Israel from the map/Jews from the planet, etc., none have ever got anywhere near to trying to do it, let alone actually doing it. That isn't to say that they haven't been provoked into seriously inappropriate responses to successive Israeli regimes' disproportionate, bellicose provocation and cross-border abuses, not to speak of those land thefts you refer to. It's a bloody rotten mess all right and it's fuelled almost entirely by the unconditional support of Israel from the US, including three billion per annum in military aid. It is, however, perfectly possible to see where Fatah, Hamas and Hezbollah are coming from whilst at the same time defending the inalienable right of ordinary Israelis to have peace, prosperity and security. What a shame that the current Israeli regime thinks that that only applies to three-quarters of the Israeli people, but therein lies another tale. As for applying standards to Israel, well I for one should like to see countries such as the US, China and Saudi Arabia isolated and sanctioned for their atrocious human rights records. They all put people to death in their droves and they all hassle and undermine their neighbours in their own self-interest. Jihadi John with his public beheadings was a monster. A country which supplies much of our oil and with whom we have a massive arms trade does exactly the same thing to people, in public, hundreds of times a year. Isn't expediency a wonderful thing. But I'm not for letting Israel off for its transgressions just because other countries are "just as bad." Anyone who feels offended by that can start a thread to discuss the nastiness of any country they like. You don't let little Jimmy off for hitting the little boy at the next desk just because little Billy has been looking up girls' skirts.