Cain slew Abel Seth knew not why
For if the children of Israel were to multiply
Why must any of the children die?
So he asked the Lord
And the Lord said:

"Man means nothing he means less to me
Than the lowliest cactus flower
Or the humblest yucca tree
He chases round this desert
'Cause he thinks that's where I'll be
That's why I love mankind"

Randy Newman's "God's Song"

If only they could take God out of the equation...

How ironic that two faiths whose greeting is "Peace be with you" seem incapable of co-existence. The Muslims managed to live peacefully alongside Jews and Christians in Spain during their rule there, and someone will have to find a way to achieve it in Palestine, and sooner rather than later.

There is stupidity and cruelty on both sides of this conflict, but the parallels between the recent conduct and consequent excuses of the Israelis and those of Hitler's Germany are stark.

A British Jewish MP, Gerald Kaufman, has something to say that is worth listening to - see BBC Parliament broadcast

I despair of either side ever coming to their senses.

Alan