I think Keith was being ironic. I'd argue that some Zionists (but not all Israelis, and certainly not all Jews) DO value Palestinians' lives below the lives of Jewish people, and that this occasionally shows in government and army policies. And, of course, vice- versa. It's a sad fact that racism is not confined to any one culture.

The use of compulsion to create a human shield is a crime against humanity. Where the shield is voluntary, it is not. It will be argued by some that the participants thereby become combatants and legitimate targets, but even if the use of arms against them is legal, it would be a public relations disaster for those who did so. Israel is both wise and humane in respecting the human shield, and I hope that in the longer term this non- violent tactic can lead on to an active engagement between all parties over the issues at dispute.

I don't recall anyone criticising the lone protester who stood in front of the tanks in Tiananmen Square, but this is another example of a voluntary human shield. I'm sure you can think of many others.