Targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism is unacceptable and unjustified. Israeli practices violate international law. - Aboul Gheit, Egyptian Foreign Minister

I happen to agree.

We call on the powers in the region to seek to bring about a de-escalation of the situation. We cannot confuse cause and effect. The starting point is the capture of the Israeli soldiers.

It is important that the government in Lebanon, which is on a peaceful path, should be strengthened, but it must be made clear that the capture [of the soldiers] cannot be tolerated. The attacks did not start from the Israeli side, but from Hezbollah’s side. - Angela Merkel, German Chancellor

Also very true, although I’m sure from an Israeli or Palestinian standpoint, the attacks started long ago, but that is just a small nitpick.

So, neither side can claim innocence, and neither side wishes to give an inch, what must happen to cause the fighting to stop?

Talking doesn’t work; they immediately start in on the hostilities after they finish with the talks. Death doesn’t work; it just causes more death.

World War III will be held in the Middle East, and it isn’t going to be pretty.

In celebration of such a wonderful revelation, I present to you the first ever dual-flag burning to be held on BurntFlag.com:

israel.gif palestine.gif