Burning Issues: How to deal with Gaza

As an American citizen living in Israel, I am very pleased to see a candidate who is not afraid to speak the truth. While all agree about Hamas, there is only who is realistic about Abbas.

John McCain for president!

Interesting comments but none of the 5 apparently realize that Abu Mazen is not a moderate.

He wants exactly the same as Hamas and only his methods separate him from them.

To arm and train Fatah which will probably kiss and make up with Hamas would be the height of stupidity.

The only way in and out of Gaza should now be through Egypt.

Egypt was smart enough to refuse the 'gift' of Gaza at camp David but played right they may now end up with it anyway.

Hillary and Bill Clinton are bad for Israel. Bill forced so many concessions on Barak that Israel would have been undefensible if Arafat had accepted the deal Bill tilted in the Palestinian favor. Hillary is not a friend of the Jewish People don't be fooled by her either.

It looks like Sen Brownback, and Sen McCain are the only ones who got it right. I stongly support their thinking; they haven't been fooled like the rest of this group. Supporting Abbas is like putting a band-aid on a shootgun wound. He is inept and willing to do what it takes to secure a peaceful order for his people. Anyone who says that the road to peace is through him is misguided.

Obama said that Abbas has "... demonstrated their commitment to non-violence and achieving peace with Israel" When did he do that? By tolerating over a year of rockets at Israel when he was still allowed in Gaza? Abbas is not a Palestinian leader! Wake up Obama et al!

Once again, Biden shows he is still in the last decade. The time for trying to overcome Hamas with support for Abbas is over. At least McCain and Clinton understand the imminent threat posed by Hamas.

Joe Biden doesn't get it - still. Their is no peace pill that comes along with the word "democracy." Hamas has to choose between the bullet and the ballot? How does Biden think Hamas gained power? Democracy and Islam are two ideologies that oppose one another. As Hamas has shown, the Islamic idea of democracy is one One man, one vote, one time. Shortly afterwards comes Islamic rule.

Regardless of their style of rule, the main point that must be put across to the Arab world is that Israel has the right to exist and prosper without violence propagated against her and that the civilized world will not tolerate such behavior. After that, who cares who rules Gaza?

Are these new American columnists in the Jpost? It seems to me that the American presidential candidates are responsible before the Israeli citizens more than before their own citizens.

What absurdity!!

There should not be any monitary help for Mahmoud Abbas or Fayads government until the new government will prove itself by not making any attacks against Israel in any way. Given a time table of at least 6 mo. to 1 year.

We should assign him to find the 'moderates'.

He has also said "nobody is suffering more" than the "Palestinian" people.

When will they learn that Abbas and Fatah are also terrorists and are just saying what they need to say to get what they want. They are terrorists and want to destroy Israel. Abbas is a Holocaust denier how can you trust him.

Predictably, Hillary's statement was "politically correct", revealed nothing about her position on the issue, and had little substance. Obama was maybe a notch above, but he clearly does not understand the issues. McCain understands the weakness of Abbas, Brownback makes some good points about the dangers of providing indiscriminate financial support to Palestinian authorities, and Biden makes a good suggestion about the deployment of an international force. I think Clinton and Obama would be really bad news for Israel.

All 3 Democrats advocate supporting the fictionally 'moderate' Abbas and PA. They still have their blinders on and would be disastrous for Israel and the US if elected.

I second that proposal "John McCain for president!"

Ms. Clinton's comments are the most devoid of content, seeking to please all and offend none by not taking a position. But in all fairness, none of these folks has a real way out.

i will read more on john mccain everyone else seems to be dreaming about abbas, who is weak.i hope he reads these post and if he was smart he should address all the olim that live here in israel and still will vote in the coming election that statement alone will get him our votes!!

I would like to point out that John McCain is the only to mentions not just Hamas but also mentions Hizballah as well. I am happy to see that someone esle recgonizes Israel has more threats then just Hamas

For Hamas to take over the West Bank would be a great disaster for not only Israel but for the US and the moderate Arab states. Now is perhaps the last opportunity to shore up Abbas, provide the Palestinians with their own state within the 1967 borders, and demonstrate to them that supporting Hamas will get them nowhere. In fact, I am convinced that the reason they voted Hamas in was because the PLO had gotten them nowhere toward establishing their own state in the first place. That was mostly due to failure on the part of the US, UN, and EU. I don't think any of the candidates realize how critical the situation is in the Middle East or what they must do to prevent the spread of the Islamic revitalization movement. That being the case, the moderate Arab states will fall one by one until Israel is surrounded by a ring of deadly enemies from which it has no hope of defending itself.

McCain is the #1 for president. The rest are all talk. They keep on saying that abu mazen is a moderate but did not say how weak or intentionally let all the armored vehicles & M16 rifles/ammo that the U.S. gave to this so-called moderate fall into the hands of hamas. The only one to mention the weakness of abu mazen was John McCain. abu mazen is a terrorist & always will be a terrorist & cannot be called a moderate. McCain for President of the U.S.(I pray that his words are true).

How about a full invasion of Gaza comprised of U.S. and Israeli forces, resulting in the defeat of the terrorists, and the repatriation of the 1.4 million displaced Egyptians to their homeland? Could be done in about 2 weeks.

The Dems will continue bumbling along the 'road-map' issue. Yes, McCain for President.

McCain has always been a friend. He never needed Jewish votes in Arizona to pander to.

Hillary has a long history of supporting the PLO> She suddenly became pro-Israel when she ran for senate in NY. She doesn't fool true supporters of Israel.

McCain Got it Right! Why does Obama keep mentioning Egypt...this Obama is scary folks!

Only McCain and Brownback seem to fully understand that the root of this rotten tree in Gaza comes directly from Iran. If you want to destroy Hamas and Hezbollah, you have to hit at Iran and make them pay dearly for supporting these terrorist groups. So far, the world has let Iran get away with its support of terrorism and they are stronger and exert more bold influence today than ever before. Wake up!

Judging by the responses, all candidates are a tremendous disappointment for the hopes of a Middle East peace.

With the possible exception of Biden - who spoke of the endemic corruption of Fatah - it looks like each of these responses could have been crafted by an AIPAC lobbyist.

Craven toadying to right-wing Israelis does NOT favor U.S. interests, but only leads to more of the same - violence, terror, and more loss of innocent lives.

Its clear, there is no courage among U.S. politial candidants (flash: breaking news), just as there has been no courage from Israelis since Rabin.

Hamas has just freed a captured Journalist - and the response they get is an incursion into Gaza by IDF forces seeking a bodycount in order to boost poll numbers.

The Mideast is in a mess - so expect more of the same - due to perennial Israeli instransigence, and continued wilful blindness by the U.S. In the end, it turns out democracies get the leaders they deserve afterall (unless they are assasinated).

Since all presidential candidates say more or less the same to get the Jewish vote, we should read between the lines at which we find that only John McCain in a sly way wants Israel to return to the impractical UN resolution of 1948, and only Joe Bidden mentions the foul and corrupt way alFatah treated its Palastinian people, causing Hamas to achieve its venomous power, but choosing from two bad alternatives is tough. So hail to Joe Bidden.

None of these senators addresses the actions cipaconline.org advises:

(1) pass a Senate bill like House=passed H Con Res 21 charging Pres. Ahmadinejad of Iran with genocide incitement against Israel;

(2) stop US aid to all meeting Pres. Bush's definition of terrorists, including e.g., Fatah/PLO; and

(3) trash the mindless, immoral and failed Land for Peace paradigm.

Come on, just do it, senators, make some new policy now!

Judging by the responses, all candidates are a tremendous disappointment for the hopes of a Middle East peace.

With the possible exception of Biden - who spoke of the endemic corruption of Fatah - it looks like each of these responses could have been crafted by an AIPAC lobbyist.

Craven toadying to right-wing Israelis does NOT favor U.S. interests, but only leads to more of the same - violence, terror, and more loss of innocent lives.

Its clear, there is no courage among U.S. politial candidants (flash: breaking news), just as there has been no courage from Israelis since Rabin.

Hamas has just freed a captured Journalist - and the response they get is an incursion into Gaza by IDF forces seeking a bodycount in order to boost poll numbers.

The Mideast is in a mess - so expect more of the same - due to perennial Israeli instransigence, and continued wilful blindness by the U.S. In the end, it turns out democracies get the leaders they deserve afterall (unless they are assasinated).

I'm extremely pro-Israel. But that doesn't mean I can't understand the suffering of the Palestinians due to extreme parties such as Hamas. Bill Clinton did more for create a peace that would benefit all then Bush and that why I'm delighted by Hillarys response and hope she will get elected and engage to create a secure state of Israel without fear of Terrorism.

Right: McCain for president! Then, if, for any reason, e.g. the "Immigration BIll", the reps. decide to nominate somebody else, please get out of this stupid "quartet" (with EU, Russia and the UN? who are you kidding?) and appoint McCain as US special envoy to the Near East - and I dont care whether Condi Rice gets mad. Biden,Obama are disingenous. They know well that Abbas also wants Israel destroyed. Helping him solves NO problem. He has received enormous money and even weapons and training. And look at the results. All help to both FATAH and Hamas should stop, until they show a change of direction. They must renounce the cult of death. Or go down with it. As for the "people" - if they voted for Hamas, thats democracy. We all must learn from our mistakes.

They all say the same thing about Hamas....it's bad...but don't say what they'll do about it. Then they say that Abbas and Fayad must be propped up and strengthened for peace. I ask why? Have these politicians even listened to or read the statements made by the "moderate" Abbas? If any of these politicians were worthy, and were concerned about Israeli security, they would not support Abbas and Fatah and would refuse to send Fatah any more money, weapons and training for their own camp of terrorists. Abbas was Arafats #2 man, don't forget that.

at least Israel has one friend in the world, who she can trust

I was wondering where Giuliani and Thompson, major Republican candidates, are. I only see Republican candidate McCain responding to these questions (and frankly think he has top rate asnwers)

McCain comes closest to seeing the reality that Israel is living with. All the condidates are making empty word gestures that mean nothing and do nothing. Israel needs specific antiterrorism measures that stop the bombardment of Sderot and Ashkelon. If that involves the IDF going into to Gaza and killing Hamas, then so be it the USA should support Israel 100%. As for Abbas, he's as much a terrorist as and Hamas member. The Palestinians people need to suffer a lot more than they already do so that they stop supporting terrorism and start supporting peace. Cutting off all aid, electricity,cell phone service, gas, and water from Israel and the west until Schalit is returned would be a good start.

Johm McCain comes closest to reality and even he does not go far enough.Unfortunately there is very litle diference between hamas and fatah. I srael knows this but does not act with courage or determination. It is a real mess.

I like Sen. Brownback's response best because he called a spade a spade-telling the truth about UNWRA. One could say the same about UNIFIL in S. Lebanon.

82% of American Jews finally realize there can be no negotiated peace with Islamists. This is why they shouldn't vote for Democrats. Democrats still want the same destructive Clinton 'peace process'. Republicans show more knowledge and aptitude in dealing with Islamists: cut money, confront them, and not prop up so-called moderates such as Abbas. Rudy G., Tancredo, and Hunter are very clear and constructive on Islamists. Democrats and poser Republicans like McCain use a lot of general words, no action, and they will keep sending the US taxpayer money to Islamists. You can forget about the US embassy in Jerusalem if a Democrat is elected.

Brownback and McCain at least recognize that Abbas is pretty much a useless front for Hamas. It would be better if the plight of the PALs was recognized as their fault as well as the fault of Iran. Also, recognize that a form of de-Nazification is needed in all Muslim countries- performed much better than we did in Germany after WWII. Instead of helping the PALs with my tax dollars, we should help those who deserve our help. We are giving money to these monsters only to massage the Saudis. We need to get off foreign oil NOW - or yesterday would have been better.

IN BRIEF:

CLINTON

1. The US must continue to support Israel.

2. Hamas must not be recognized until it renounces terrorism and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

3. Security in Israel and the Middle East is best served by a PA that can provide a better life for its people.

BROWNBACK

1. Hamas control of Gaza may embolden Islamic extremists in the Palestinian community and beyond.

2. The discussion on Gaza should be broadened to expose Iranian sponsorship of Hamas and terror in the Middle East.

3. US humanitarian aid should not be managed by UNRWA.

OBAMA

1. Hamas in Gaza is dangerous for Israel, Egypt and US interests, and may destabilize the entire region.

2. The US should strengthen Palestinian moderates and isolate Hamas. Abbas and Fayyad are committed to non-violence and achieving peace with Israel.

3. The US president should press the Europeans to isolate Hamas, press the Egyptians to to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and press the Arab states to provide political support to Abbas and Fayyad.

McCAIN

1. There can be no engagement with Hamas which is committed to the destruction of Israel.

2. The US must support Israel to defend itself from Hamas.

3. The US must ensure Hamas is isolated for its terrorism and make Iran pay a price for support of Hamas, Hizbullah and other terrorist groups.

4. We should attempt to support Abbas, but he is not a strong leader and we should not have illusions about his abilities.

BIDEN

1. Support Abbas and Fayad and tie US aid to genuine transparency and accountability.

2. Isolate Hamas until they recognize Israel, renounce terrorism and accept past agreements.

3. Talk to the US' European allies, Israel, Egypt, and Abbas about the possibility of an international force deployed along the Egypt-Gaza border.

4. Urge Palestinian leaders to reform Fatah, combat corruption and build efficiency.

5. Use a $20 million fund (that Biden created last year) to promote democracy in the Palestinian areas and press Arab states to do the same.

McCain got it right on this issue. However, he has been wrong on Iraq and the illegals. His numbers are falling badly. Sen Clinton is no friend of Israel and never has been. She will pander and tell you what you want to hear. The remaining canidates are just want to be's. The Democrats are too far left and are showing less and less support for Israel The Republicans are split between big business interests and the religious right neither are Israel's friends.Israel in 2008 will not have a friend in the White House no matter who wins. All these near sighted politicos can say is aid Fatah. Abbas is no peace maker. The corrupt little man would dance with the devil if that what it takes to destroy Israel

Western policy is making the Palestinian situation worse, and none of these politicians admits it. How can it be in Israel's interest to pressurize the Palestinians to hold elections, then refuse to recognize the result, giving a sort of macabre legitimacy in the eyes of Palestinians to the Hamas coup?

I was a solid democrate until making aliyah 2 years ago. Not any more. I've seen the truth with my own eyes.

McCain is right about the borders issue. Its 1948 that the Arabs are so upset about. Fatah, Hamas, Hizbollah-all the same. Somebody still needs to show ALL these candidates pictures of all the victims of Fatah's terrorism. Its horrific history of violence must not be whitewashed because the west wants so badly to form a Palestinian state.

Brownbacks is the best candidate and his statement exposing UNRWA is crutial-the UN has long supported terrorism by allowing terrorists networks to form and build weapons right inside of UN camps. Rocket launchers go right past UNIFIL and they see and do nothing. Why would they with 21 Arab counties vs. one Israel in the UN.

There is no excuse for the ignorance displayed by every one of the Democratic candidates above.

There is no realistic possibility for negotiated settlement with either Hamas or Fatah. There is no two-state solution that is not a 'final solution' for the Jews of Eretz Yisrael. It is now time to enlarge the state of Israel, and expel every Arab or other element who does not agree to live in peace with a Jewish majority. And if the rest of the world, including the US government, whether headed by democrats or republicans, doesn't like it—Tough.

Hamas does not want peace. The Palestinians want Israel to disappear. Israel's 3 kilometer incursion into Gaza (re#28) has everything to do with never ending Kassams into Israel. As the Jpost said, it's funny that Hamas can control the release of Johnson in 3 weeks, but somehow cannot return Shalit after a year. The quartet can do little or nothing to bring peace into the very hearts of those whose lives and dreams hinge on the destruction of Israel. How about a plan to resettle the refugees into Muslim Arab countries? Why can't any arab country take in the palestinian refugees and stop the overcrowding in Gaza? The arabs' display cruelty and irresponsibility of the worst magnitude. Their lack of social justice in this case is appaling and should have everyone, christian, jew, humanist, screaming in protest against such blatant disregard of the muslims/arab/human lives. That's the pressure, if any, the quartet needs to squarely place on the shoulders of the arab world.

We as people have to make a choice between playing democracy and survival of the State of Israel. I as a Jew vote for Israel. One can't use democratic methods to deal with Islamic destruction of the other faiths. We have to be peaceful but merciless when dealing with somebody who's only goal is the destruction of the State Of Israel. None of the candidates will be able to excises the necessary power to really support Israel. Unfortunately we as Jews have too many "democrats" who is sacrificing security of Israel by trying to show our "democratic face" to the rest of the world. Rabbi Kahane said that it's better to be alive then to be felt sorry for, and he is still right.

McCain is the only one talking sense, but he has already made it clear that he would rather be right than president.

I agree with Solomon. I have growing doubts that the institutional infrastructure of democracy enables a country to deal decisively with a ruthless and tenacious enemy. As Winston Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, but the best that have already been tried." Still, I would rather be alive than felt sorry for, and I could hope that societies were more intelligent in they understood the parameters of reality.

It is astounding that the Democrats would even consider engaging with Hamas under any condition. It is also nonsense that Abbas and Fayad are committed to non-violence. Though Fatach they practice violence against Jews and other Arabs each and every day. The Democrats are delusional - and thus dangerous.

All of the US candidates and politicians are to put it mildly, completely ignorant and deluded. There is no "Palestine" let alone "peace partners". Terrorists must be neutralized and or eliminated. Period. No exceptions. Abbas and Fatah have blood on their hands up to their noses. Wipe them out Israel before the Arab invaders and terrorists try the same. The "international" community is made up of morons, anti-semites, and do gooders who don't understand that when the "Filastines", Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Iran say and DO want to wipe out Israel, they MEAN it. Kick them back to Jordan and Egypt. Israel, do not listen to the morons who are not in your shoes.

All Democratic Candidates are delusional from all the money they are getting from AIPAC. The only threat to peace is the Israeli occupation and terror practiced against the Palestinians everyday. Hamas is the democratically and legitimate elected government, live with it! Now that Abbas is another US/Israeli puppet, he's got to go too.

Western CIVILIZATION was ABANDONED via Oslo Covenant with DEATH: The HORROR of introducing Barbaric PLO Terrorists "Peace" Partners for Israel's Jewish innocents.

The PLO were REWARDED for committing atrocities and mass murders of Lebanon's Christians - provided with Jewish land, heavily financed, armed and trained via Oslo - international elites knew they could depend on the PLO/Palestinian Authority to do their job of continuing their barbaric jihad against Israel's Jews & Christians. American leaders' favorites, Palestinian Authority/PLO Abbas' security forces have murdered more Israeli civilians than Hamas. Terrorists who murder the most Jews are praised as moderates. The peace process is based on rabid Jew-hate - the demand for vicious religious Jew-cleansing from sacred, Jewish Holy Land. The ruthless, forcible removal of Jews from Gaza enabled intensified daily rocket attacks on Sderot's Jews - "peace" process victims who live every moment in fear. PA Muslims are taught from birth via mosques, media and public education systems to hate, mass murder Jews and destroy Israel. The US/EU/UN actively seek a second Holocaust via a global Islamic TERROR state in Biblical Judea/Samaria/Jerusalem. A state committed to Jewish annihilation and global Islamic conquest. We are losing the war against global jihad. The US/EU/UN DECEPTIVELY call the War Against the Jews, the "Peace" Process. Muslims already have a Palestinian Arab state. In 1922, the British illegally gave 80% of Jewish Palestine to Muslims-the area became Jordan giving Muslims an Arab Palestinian state on JEWISH land-it was religiously cleansed of Jews. Where is the presidential candidate with the decency to stop the planned second Holocaust - who will declare: Not one more inch of Jewish Holy Land to Arabs.

Ron,

Are you stupid? the elections in Gaza were anything but 'democratic' people were forced to vote for Hamas at gunpoint, votes cast for fatah in hamas regions were either 'lost' or the voters were killed, which invalidated the votes. Hamas then agreed to a unity government with Fatah, and then proceeded to undergo an illegal coup of Gaza killing more civilians in 2 weeks than Israel ever killed in any 2 week time span.

"Abu Mazen" is Abbas's war name (nom de guerre). The U.S. and Europe and Israel are deluding themselves badly by supporting a blatant terrorist, no different from Hamas in its goals. Abbas has always been and remains a terrorist and not a partner for peace, but a partner for war and mass murder. Abu Mazan was Arafat's advisor for 30 years - Abu Mazen was the father of suicide bombings. Just recently Abu Mazen was caught harboring in his personal compound terrorists who murder Jews. The charter of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah still call for the destruction of Israel. The Paltestinian authority textbooks, preschool shows newspapers and TV spew blood-curdling hate and incitement to murder Westerners in general and Jews in particular. See: MEMRI website. The Bush Doctrine makes good sense and should be followed without exception by Bush and all countries who want a future as free nations. Wipe out terrorists, period. No other option works with suicidal maniacs. Making an exception for terrorist Abbas, a terrorists who now wears a Western suit for camouflage, is the height of stupidity and demonstrates an inability to accept reality. Abbas is not the man for peace. He should be no more supported than Hamas. Seems that none of these candidates have yet to understand what needs to be done. Negotiations will not work because the Palestinian leaders do not want the to work; throwing money at Palestinian terrorist Abbas will again increase terrorism in Gaza and the West Bank,every the moreso training grounds for international terrorism. We've seen this movie too many times to have any expectation that the same cast of characters will create a miraculous and different outcome than terrorism. That's all they are taught from birth to death. The West must insist that the hate and incitement to kill stop completely in their schools, books, TV, radio, magazines, mosques and math books for one full year; then we can talk. Not a penny under then.

John McCain gets it right every single time

Like so many have said, "Don't be fooled by Hilary". I was there in Jerusalem when she and Bill went around with their 10 + limosuines filled with aides, journalists and the ever present interns. It was a party trip on our tax payer dollar. I watched Hilary's face at meetings and press opps in Israel and the West Bank with Arafat and Suha. I heard her condemnation and contempt for Israel and listened to her misguided criticisms.

I watched the sudden "transformation" when she wanted/needed to become a NY senator and had to cater the Jewish vote. Don't believe that she is loyal. She is ambitious and needs to swing certain votes. I think she even thinks she is doing good and is the best one for the job, and even thinks of it as service!!There have been many people crushed on the road of the Clinton's aspirations. We as a nation have a history of resisting family dynasties/political and sovereign control, especially if trust has been broken. Let's not forget this. We do not need the Clintons in the White House again.

Mc Cain seems the clearest on things. I am sure when elected, during these times of uncertainty, he will learn much, much more. He seems to have an aptitude for it. I think he shows an emotional/mental resiliance to deal with the present world as it is..clearly.

What saddens me the most about the Middle East situation is that the hostilities should never have happened if not for the Arab block in their fanatical, ongoing opposition to coexistence with Israel Had they accepted the UN partition plan, there would be today two very prosperous states with an internationalized Jerusalem living side by side in peace in what was formally an administered territory and never a Palestinian nation as such Should anyone believe otherwise, they should be able to answer a few pertinent questions:

When was it founded and by whom? What were its borders? What was its capital? What were its major cities? What constituted the basis of its economy? What was its form of government? Can anyone name a Palestinian leader before Arfat? What was the language of the alleged country of Palestine? What was the name of its currency? What caused its demise and when did it happen? If the people who claim now Statehood have a foundation of anything but generic, migrant residents or nomads collected from all over and thrown out of the Arab world, the world needs to be enlightened. If not for their failed religious and political leadership and hate for the West over the years, their current miserable conditions and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East need never have occurred and many lives on both sides would not have been lost.

The "moderate" Muslims adhear to the same charter, the distruction of Israel. Abbas is not moderate. All the weapons that the US has sent to him will wind up with Hammas when the join hands. they have a common interest, the destruction of Israel.

A Simple Two Questions That Did Not Recieve an Answer:

1. Will you recognize the full city of Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel - with ABSOLUTELY no invocation of the LYING waiver that the State Depeartment always insists upon, nor any conditions on this recognition?

2. Will you grant Jonathan Pollard a pardon - no ifs ands or buts?

NO two YESs, no votes from my family.

How absurded, a foreign nation asking the presidential canidates of a foreign country what they will for their nation. And within that foreign nation are 100's of thousands of dual loyality citizens, ready to finance the canidate they find does their little pet country the most good. I know of no other nation that is so obsessed with one country as Israel is with the USA. Israel and it's supporting cast in the USA have ruined our republic with their financial bribery of the canidates. World wide polls show that the US government is now amoung the most disliked and/or distrusted, thanks in part to excessive jewish money being dumped on worthless contenters. The USA is in trouble with its whole foreign policy being dictated to it being aipac and isreal, its defense policy dictated by jinsa, and its justice dictated by the adl.

All the candidates are missing the point. Abbas should be a no no. He has proven himself incompetent in his dealings with his own people. His ineptness toward controling Fatah, organizing a state, or improving things for the Arabs in the territories is clear and his efforts have been futile and probably nonexistent on their behalf.. They have therefore thrown their support for Hamas. The only reason Hamas did not succeed on the West Bank is that Israeli troops were there and prevented them from massing enough force to cause Fatah to surrender. In any event giving more money to Abbas without a real mechanism to make sure most of it will filter down to the people is guaranteed to increase frustration with the Arab population in the West Bank and ensure an increase of support for Hamas even above the present level. Remember 80% of those Arabs not voting for Fatah in the election did in fact vote for Hamas, while those voting for Fatah for the most part did so because their families were part of the Fatah organization. We can expect more of the same with Abbas and that any arms given to him will end up with Hammas. Finally, it should be pointed out that if Abbas was a CEO of a business he would certainly have been fired long ago,

It all boils down to should the U.S. and Israel support a 'moderate' terrorist group because a more radical terrorist group is seizing control? I don't know that supporting Fatah is a 'good' thing however it seems to be clear Hamastan would be a bad thing.

McCain is clearly the most outspoken of this group of candidates against Hamas, but Gingrich has been even more outspoken on the issue - if Newt runs he can count on my vote, if not McCain's got it!

All of the comments are identical and profoundly warped by the Israeli lobby. All of the candidates do not offer a single critical word about Israel while it deserves many. I am deeply discouraged by the lack of a true voice for peace among these candidates

Thank You Mr. Brownback and Mr. McCain! Thankyou for speaking the truth instead of just spouting High-Minded Ideas and rhetoric!

John McCain understands you can't do business with terroists, period. nor with those too weak (Abbas) to fight them. Nor can you dangle carrots and goodies as John Edwards suggested to win Iran into being reasonable. He just don't get it at all!

Hamas and its arch-supporters, Iran are a very strong bone in the throats of those who want to live in peaceful coexistence with others in the Middle-east, particularly Israel. They (Hamas and Iran) want nothing, but total annihilation and extirpation of the entire Jewish nation. Like Mr. MaCain said, Hamas as a terrorist group must be contained, and a support to Israel in its legitimate efforts to ensure Hamas control of Gaza does not further threaten Israeli security. This MaCain's view must be given an utmost priority by those who want peace in the middle-east (especially USA). No one should expect Israel to negotiate with Hamas, a very powerful terrorist group in the region.

I will simply echo the words of Mr. Kevin Baker: "65. Thank You Mr. Brownback and Mr. McCain! Thank you for speaking the truth instead of just spouting High-Minded Ideas and rhetoric!" On the other hand, # 64, Daniel Ortner, is merely an anti-Semitic idiot - but he does get to vote. Democracy does have problems.

I think US polticians should act in the interest of the US. The US interest is peace in the Middle East...

Do the American papers send questions to the Israeli candidates and ask them what they are going to do about the problems in the US?....seems strange

Peace, peace, peace and saftey! Lies lies, lies and more lies. Wake up Isreal, take care of yourself! Nothing has changed, desolations are determined to the end. Leadership in my country does not understand your history. Trust in God your savior, take what is yours, keep what your have. Your ememy is a devouring lion and will not rest til you are no more.

Do not PIECE yourself into non-existance!