"but they don't sink to the stupidity of belittling the demonstrable "
Never found anything stupid about not surrendering in a battle which is ongoing Mike
There was never any doubt who would win shooting war
There is no doubt that Israel has continued aggressive and predatory policies which have ghettoised the Palestinian people with a fair amount of success.   
As far as I'm concerned "whistling in the dark" is tantamount to surrender.
Those who don't do that have my admiration to say the least
It remains to be seen who has won the hearts and minds of the world in all this - I know who have mine.
Yes Britannia did rule the waves - some of us are not too happy about the consequences of their doing so
Won't ask which side you are on - in any of this
Jim Carroll