Originally posted by intrepid
Originally posted by vox2442
Why do you assume there's no thought behind it?
My bad. Wrong words. I meant no real information(research) behind it.
I was slightly pressed for time. I've got a tea break, so I'll elaborate.
First, I'll point out the following: Nearly all Israelis - with the exception of a few orthodox religious groups - do mandatory military service.
After their time served, they will remain on inactive duty - on call, should the need arise - until they reach a certain age. Similar to the USA in
that regard. Even after discharge, and after the terms of service is completed, they are still soldiers, should the need arise.
Second, all Israelis have the vote.
The Israeli government (elected by the above) and the Israeli military (staffed by the above) have been engaged in collective punishment of all
Palestinians for decades, on the grounds that the leadership and citizenship of Palestine are one and the same. The latter is responsible for the
former, the former for the latter. This policy goes back decades.
This policy has been carried out despite the continuing opposition of every world body with an opinion on the matter. Most recently, the UNSC - which
was dismissed by the duly elected and popular government as being irrelevant. The UNHRC had a similar stance - and here I will admit that some of my
current feelings stems from the reaction of your government (can barely bring myself to admit that it's mine as well) - the ONLY nation to outright
vote against the statement of opposition to the Gaza operations. Did not even have the decency to abstain. Utterly, utterly shameful.
So what's a Canadian boy to do, eh?
A cafe owner refuses to serve a couple of Israelis. Shows them the smallest part of the smallest part of the incredible discourtesy that Israelis have
shown the population of Palestine for decades, and the smallest part of the scorn that Israel has shown the rest of the world as well, and it's
headline news.
Oh, noes! The poor Israelis couldn't have a sammich. Why should I care? Why should anyone?
I, for one, applaud this cafe owner. Maybe if more people did that, they'd start voting in governments that are less hell-bent on genocide and more
in tune with the rest of the world. Perhaps they'll take a bit less time to shake down pregnant women when they man the checkpoints. Perhaps they'll
question orders next time they're told to bulldoze an Palestinian olive grove. Perhaps they'll decide that opening fire on a handful of kids
throwing rocks at them is not the right thing to do.
Perhaps not. Probably not.
Either way, I certainly wouldn't serve them breakfast.
Very incisive and honest. 
