The Islaeli/Palestinian conflict has many roots. Both cultures are suspicious of each other, at the best of times. Intermarriage is frowned upon, and can be dangerous for the people involved.

Based on this kind of suspicion, any hostile acts are considered as "them" vs "us", rather than the act of individuals or groups within the main populations.

To separate the ultimate deadly acts from the context of the societies involved, is an artificial concept. Since I come from forebears that were persecuted, I can understand the mindset of both Palestinians and Jews, when they claim the high ground in this conflict. Both feel they are the victims.

Guest accuses me of not seeing the Hamas terrorists as totally evil- and of condoning the death of children in Oklahoma City.

Oh, please-- spare me the histrionics. Its so much easier, isn't it,Guest--to call for revenge and retribution? Do you think that the situation in Israel is to be solved by pronouncing one side totally guilty, and the other totally blameless?
It's not until both sides can reject victim-hood--and have the emotional strength to rise above current conflict-to actively CHOOSE dialogue- can there be any chance of resolution before it inevitably runs its dreary course of blood, sorrow, and time.