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Delegation of Israeli doctors to Gaza denied entry

haaretz.com — A task force of Israeli doctors was banned on Wednesday from entering the Gaza Strip, although their entry had been approved by Israel Defense Forces a few days ago. The members of the organization Physicians for Human Rights were supposed to offer, over a three-day sojourn, medical services that are unavailable in the besieged territory.

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  • caferrell, on 10/10/2008, -5/+37There is increasingly less news about the plight of the Palestinians on digg.

    For some reason, all the digg users that believe it important to post honest articles about Israeli policies and actions are being banned.
    • NeoBanned, on 10/11/2008, -0/+1"...all the digg users that believe it important to post honest articles about Israeli policies and actions are being banned."

      I've noticed that too. ;-)
    • sohailstyle, on 10/16/2008, -0/+1Same..
  • reland1, on 10/10/2008, -5/+19unh huh...I agree with your synopsis of the Digg anti-Israel bias.
  • roosevans, on 10/10/2008, -3/+24From The Article:
    "The sixth and largest Physicians for Human Rights delegation to enter Gaza since Israel imposed a blockade on the Strip last year consisted of nine Israeli doctors, including orthopedists, a surgeon, an oncologist, a psychologist and a social worker.

    All nine are Israeli Arabs, after the requests of Jewish doctors were immediately rejected by the IDF "on security grounds."
    (Is there any doubt now that the current Zionist Israeli regime is an apartheid?)
    • caferrell, on 10/10/2008, -4/+16What is extraordinary is the power that Israel has over the public discussion in America. There is a planned and well funded campaign to silence opposition in all of the media and that includes the electronic media like digg.
      They will be here on this posting if it gets popular enough.
      • Jimmyb207, on 10/10/2008, -4/+15It is amazing how we Americans hear nothing about Israel on any of the major news outlets. The media is completely Zionist controlled. Israel, the country that we send billions of dollars to every year, the country that is supposedly so close an ali, that American government will die for it in order to protect it. Israel is the biggest reason our men and women are dying in the middle east, the war on terrorism is *****. Yet we hear nothing of Israel. AIPAC and the Israeli lobby is so strong it has Washington by the balls...THEY are the ones who are deciding who gets to run for president of the USA!
        And as far as diggs Zionist shills, we know who they are, they show up at the 9-11 threads spewing hatred and leaving psychotic comments. Why? Because Israel played a huge role in orchestrating 9-11. They are there to ridicule anyone who dares mention Israel and 9-11 in the same sentence.Look where we ended up, the middle east fighting Israels enemies. They show up at the Ron Paul threads. Why? Because Ron Paul does not kiss AIPAC ass. So to the Zionist shills, RP is scum. They show up at any thread that has the audacity to suspect that a Jew or Jews were involved in anything illegal or evil. To even "suspect" a Jew of a crime is anti-Semitic and bigotry to these people! How convenient!
    • urik88, on 10/10/2008, -6/+5I think that they simply don't want to release tons of prisoners after the doctors get abducted, so they send Arab doctors that relate more to the Palestinians and are less likely to get injured. After all, Palestinians are teach in school that Jews are apes and should be killed. So sending Jewish doctors would be a bit stupid.
  • 4Christ, on 10/10/2008, -12/+6It is you who are being psychotic my dear. VERY psychotic if you think in your wildest imaginings Israel has anything to do with American soldiers death. That would be Islam. I said a lot more but it edited me.--How "convenient" for you. I am not afraid to stand up for what and Who is right. Nobody asks me to--nobody needs me to. But I will tell you what I fell for enough lies of the devil himself when I walked "in the world" not to know another when I hear it.
    • yellowcakewalk, on 10/10/2008, -2/+20Let's pull in Douglas Feith, David Wurmser, and Richard Perl, and maybe half a dozen AIPAC lobbyists, subject them to some aggressive interrogation, just to check the veracity of what you say. Did American soldiers die to advance the Likudnik agenda? You know what the answer is.
      • bernk1, on 10/10/2008, -2/+13That's a good idea yellocakewalk. Get some warrants, do some searches, get some indictments, interrogate them, try them, and punish them if found guilty. I'm for that.
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/10/2008, -1/+12Agreed. Good post bernk1.
      • bernk1, on 10/11/2008, -2/+3Thanks 911. I'm sure that we would agree on a lot of things.
      • quesi, on 10/11/2008, -0/+4i have reported to digg that someone has hijacked bernk1's account
    • NPodhoretz14, on 10/10/2008, -5/+11 This War is for Us
      http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article ...

      Of course this war against Iraq and Saddam Hussein is for us. Even the anti-Semites, like Patrick J. Buchanan and Congressman Jim Moran know it. Pat Buchanan has been accusing the neo-conservatives, what he calls the War Party - i.e., the Jews and their followers in America - of pushing the United States into this war. He's also blamed Prime Minister Sharon and Israel for wanting the war. That's what he said in a recent article, "Whose War?" Rep. Moran recently came out of the closet saying, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this." Other anti-Semites have also been saying it.

      Simply put another way, if all the world is a stage, then the Jews - and especially those in the Land of Israel - are the lead actors on the stage of history, and the goyim - the nations, i.e. the gentiles - have supporting roles, while the evil-doers are props and background scenery. As our tradition states, G-D - the great playwright - created the world for the sake of the Jewish People, and it is our responsibility to implement the Torah - absolute morality and the blueprint of creation - in it.

      As I said earlier, of course this war is for the Jews and Israel, and instead of hiding from the accusation, or crying, "anti-Semitic slur", we should gratefully acknowledge what the Master of the Universe is doing to our enemies for us. Saddam Hussein, Yasser Arafat, Bashar Assad, Osama Bin-Laden, and the other dictators, terrorists and mullahs of the region, are the modern day Hamans and Hitlers.
      http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article ...
      • Beveridge89, on 10/11/2008, -3/+1Shocking that you decided to cut out the sections of the article that explain how this war ISN'T orchestrated solely for Israel and the Jews. Convenient that you managed to post just enough to make that look like the entire article to anyone too busy to click your link, and didn't bother to signify that this was you abridging the article to suit your interests. Predictable, perhaps, that you don't mind an article based primarily on argument from the Torah, so long as you believe it suits your objectives.

        But for anyone interested, here's the reason NPod is hoping you don't read the full article and see that it doesn't agree with him in the slightest:

        "They're both right, and dead wrong. True, most Jews in America and Israel want the US to capture Saddam Hussein and his gang, disarm Iraq of Weapons of Mass Destruction, institute some form of regime change, and introduce freedom and democracy. But so do most Americans, many Iraqis, and many other freedom-loving people in the region and around the world. Although it might be in Israel's interest to see the 'neighborhood bully' - Iraq - have its non-conventional weapons confiscated, it is also in America's interest, it is also in Europe's interest, it is even in Russia's and China's interest - they have both been plagued by Islamic terror in recent years. And, though they might not like to admit it publicly, it is even in the interest of Arab states in the region."

        "Nobody who thinks about it for a couple of seconds should want a dictator like Saddam Hussein - who has already used chemical weapons on his own citizens, the Kurds, and his neighbors, the Iranians - to have Weapons of Mass Destruction. Whether he uses them himself or passes them off to terror groups like al-Qaida, Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, the Chechens, or Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who wants some nut cases releasing Small Pox, Anthrax, or VX Nerve Gas onto innocent civilian populations?"

        "Yes, the war is for the Jews. But it is also for all decent, peace-loving and freedom-loving people. Just as when the Jews were saved from Egyptian slavery, liberated, given the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and brought into the Holy Land, the world now has a great opportunity to rid itself of the Hamans, Hitlers, and Pharaohs who want to kill or enslave them today."

        "Pat Buchanan really is Anti-American, though he hides it well. Who could imagine an isolationist America, disengaged from the world, as he advocates? Terrorists and terrorist states would multiply. It would end up bringing more tragedies like September 11th to America. Rather than blame America's support for Israel for September 11th, as he and Jihadist Muslims have done, Israel, America, and their allies will lessen the threat of mass murder, through war on Iraq, on other terror-regimes, and on terrorist groups.

        Great things are coming, for the Jewish People, for the State of Israel, for America, for the Western democratic world, and for all those who aspire to be like them. And why should we apologize for that?"
    • lazerus9, on 10/10/2008, -3/+4You may find this helpful....If you are not too blind to see!
      http://realjewnews.com/
  • sheeplescareme, on 10/10/2008, -4/+21(about the bias) it's everywhere. i have a yt account. had a bunch of vids and a few weeks ago i uploaded the sibel edmonds doc as well as some footage taken in gaza and palestine. all of my earlier vids had been political (mostly ron paul and the c4l stuff). within two days of posting the other, all my vids that weren't 100% original material were removed for "copyright infringement" and my account was put on notice. some of the vids removed had been there for months. there was an account called " theantizionist" that was suspended that didn't even have vids, just faved them, and it was suspended because the handle was "anti-semitic." however, put anything that is anti-islam up or have a handle called "ipissonislam" or "beheadislam" (yes, they exist) and your account lasts for months.
    (about the article) how can one defend that and argue that they care about human rights?
    • 4Christ, on 10/11/2008, -6/+6How can you take an isolated--or is it isolated incidences and condemn ALL of them? Are you Arab? The yt footage you Islam or working for them? Is that your cup of tea? I didn't know why you wanted to "be my buddy? ( humorous)-- after I saw how you were right behind me ? Then I knew why-- like I said. I have no hatred for ANYONE!! BUT attitudes of putting everyone into the same basket as a few--? that I do HATE--I HATE HATRED!! I ABHOR the author of it! Make any sense?
      I know what's coming--I've heard it with my own ears. From very reliable NON---JEWISH--BUT TOTALLY ISLAMIC Sources. Though of course they have seen the error of their ways. Hence they are speaking out.
      • kazz67, on 10/11/2008, -1/+2"I do HATE--I HATE HATRED!! I ABHOR the author of it!"

        If you indulge hatred, nurture it within yourself, 4C, you ARE the author of it.
    • sheeplescareme, on 10/11/2008, -2/+6make sense? no, not really. read my comment again. hatred and bias are two-streets, but many westerns (yourself included judging from your comments) feel that it is ok to have hatred and anger against some arabs for their crimes against israelis and condemn an entire group for it while ignoring the crimes of israelis against arabs. further, it is "popular" to bash muslims and their faith, yet if one says anything about israel or their actions that is not favorable to them, you are instantly deemed an anti-semite. my comment that you cannot say that this group does not care about human rights is directed at the individuals in the article who obviously did not. you do have hatred, and quite a lot of it, against muslims which i find ironic since you claim to be quite religious and i thought jesus was a loving kind of guy. lastly, you fanned me and though i knew we were not on the same page, i accepted so i could send a shout to you stating that, which is what i did. oh, btw. that's my pic. not an arab though i wouldn't be ashamed if i were.
  • writie, on 10/10/2008, -1/+15Two things: Israeli doctors have again and again volunteered for work like this, and also volunteered in Iraq. It really is worth pointing this out. We have to salute the men and women of the medical profession that also regularly deal with the victims of violence from every side when they manage to get to Israeli hospitals.

    Concerning the Gaza blockade, we have to remember that the Quartet (Israel, the EU, Russia and US) implicitly support this blockade, and Egypt actively upholds it. It's mind-boggling that doctors are not allowed to enter the area, and I can only recommend that people continue to support initiatives such as the Little Boats and continue to raise the consequences of this illegal blockade - despite the fact that a ceasefire has been in place for some time now.

    Missiles are no longer raining down on Sderot (thank God). Yet there seems to be zero flexibility on the side of the IDF. What are they waiting for? The blockade has proven to be a strategic failure, as Shalit has not yet been returned and Hamas are still in place. Yet the policy is maintained.
    • yellowcakewalk, on 10/10/2008, -2/+12Props out to our Israeli brothers and sisters that work for peace and justice.
      • caferrell, on 10/10/2008, -2/+7There are more Israelis working for peace and honesty than there are Americans. Unfortunately the only Israelis that are heard in America are the Likudniks and the AIPAC aparatchiks. There are wonderful Israeli peace organizations, but the US media acts as though they don't exist.
    • foopirata, on 10/10/2008, -6/+8writie: the purpose of the blockade is neither the return of Shalit or the toppling of Hamas. It is the keeping out of more dangerous weaponry that Hamas is continuously seeking, and that if they achieve, will immediately be put in use against the Israeli side - with dire consequences to both sides.

      The return of Shalit is to be obtained thru diplomacy and a fair exchange of prisoners. The toppling of Hamas is a Palestinian internal issue that they should examine on their own.

      • writie, on 10/12/2008, -0/+3That sounds reasonable, but I don't think it is the case. And even if it was, it is also a failed strategy. Palestinians are not allowed "internal issues" by the Quartet, as was shown by the refusal to accept the results of the election and the ongoing control of everything in Palestine right down to the movement of people and taxes.
  • ratcatcher2, on 10/10/2008, -4/+6No rats? Well except the crossover 'Christian' Zionist, who doesn't count at all.

    I'm starting to wonder if .....

    Let's see...
    • bernk1, on 10/10/2008, -7/+7Perhaps you caught all the rats Rob. Perhaps we are busy making super-secret plans. I will get back to you.
    • bernk1, on 10/10/2008, -6/+6ratcatcher2 - Oh, since when do "crossover 'Christian' Zionists" not have a right to speak? Are you the arbiter of what a good Christian is?
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/10/2008, -2/+7She has a right to speak. But we have a right to determine whether or not what she believes adheres to the tenets and values Jesus preached. Who are you to say otherwise?
      • bernk1, on 10/10/2008, -4/+7911 - I never said she (or anyone else) was a "good" or a "bad" Christian. I just asked why someone who called himself a non-believer many times (RightHand = ratcatcher2 in case you don't know) can judge. He judges what "good" Jews are. Who is he to determine that? Have a good weekend, 911.
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/10/2008, -3/+7Thanks bernk1. My point was that as long as one knows what Jesus taught, one can judge whether or not others are following it, even if they are not practicing Christians themselves.
      • bernk1, on 10/11/2008, -2/+6911ArtStudent - Your welcome. Good point about about what you said about "as long as one knows what Jesus taught, one can judge whether or not others are following it, even if they are not practicing Christians themselves." The next time Sister Maria eats dinner at our house (and I am serious about this), I shall ask her about it.
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/11/2008, -2/+2While you are at it ask her to clarify what "thou shalt not judge" means. It does not mean "thou shalt not form an opinion. It had more to do with what judges do (sentencing).
      • bernk1, on 10/11/2008, -0/+59 - I am unaware of "Do not judge" in the Hebrew Bible, in fact, we are to judge our neighbors with kindness, and with introspection about how we have transgressed. And in the Christian Bible, I believe it is something like "Do not judge, lest you be judged," which I understand to mean don't be judgmental unless you are prepared to be judged in turn.

        Anyway, don't you judge anything? Of course you do. It's human nature to be judgmental.

        PS - wasn't being flippant about Sister Maria.
      • bernk1, on 10/12/2008, -0/+4911 - Sister Maria stopped by this evening for a cup of tea. (I didn't know that she would be coming by when I mentioned her to you earlier.) I took the opportunity to ask her about "Do not judge, lest you be judged," and she said that I was correct in my understanding that it basically means that people shouldn't be judgmental unless they are prepared to be judged in turn. (It has nothing to do with what judges should do when sentencing.

        Come join us in a discussion about ethics/morality here:

        http://digg.com/arts_culture/The_Return_of_Goodnes ...

    • monsieurginger, on 10/10/2008, -6/+6I don't get it. You already said that you don't believe in God or in any religion. So how can a former or unenvolved Christian determine what a good Christian is?
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/10/2008, -3/+8Easy. If you know what Jesus preached you can determine whether or not one's beliefs adhere to his teachings. One need not necessarily believe in God to make such a determination.
      • bernk1, on 10/10/2008, -5/+8I think that is presumptuous for someone who had left any faith to determine what a good member of the faith is.
      • monsieurginger, on 10/10/2008, -6/+6He doesn't say anything to back up his interpretations to what a good christian is. And I thought he didn't believe in Jesus, that's what he said when he was a caterpillar/RightHand.
      • 911ArtStudent, on 10/10/2008, -3/+10To be able to recognize a hypocrite one need not necessarily espouse the same beliefs the hypocrite professes to have.

        Have a good weekend bernk1 & mssr. Btw, say hi to foo. He wasn't feeling well the last time we (cyber)spoke to one another. I hope he's doing okay.
      • caferrell, on 10/10/2008, -5/+6bernk1, monsieurginger, foopirata - do you people ever do anything alone?
        Are you required to always travel in a group so as to avoid the possibility of being contaminated with ideas that are not approved by your controllers?
      • bernk1, on 10/11/2008, -1/+9caferrell - yes we do things alone. We are not required to travel in a group. Funny I could ask you, 911ArtStudent and ratcatcher2 the same questions, since you guys often show up together. It's nothing as sinister as avoidance of the possibility of being contaminated with ideas that are not approved by your controllers. It's just something that's called "community of interests."
      • bernk1, on 10/11/2008, -1/+8911ArtStudent - Thank you very much for the wishes for a good weekend. That was kind of you. I extend the same wishes to you. I will say hi to foo when we speak. It is also kind of you to show concern for the ill. I am sure that he will be touched by your thoughts. Visiting the sick is an important commandment in Judaism. Good for you for performing a mitzvah. I think he's doing okay now.
      • urik88, on 10/11/2008, -1/+7He's doing even better now that 911 asked about him.
      • foopirata, on 10/11/2008, -1/+4911ArtStudent, my many thanks for your hearthfelt concern. I was going thru a 2 day flu, thank G'd nothing worse than that. Probably the weather change, who knows. Very nice of you to remember.

        Caferrell: I try to keep good company when I can. I am certain you do, as well.
  • ratcatcher2, on 10/10/2008, -4/+8I was right. Rat-catcher does work. Look what I flushed out ...
    For the one from the settlement.

    Christian values have a meaning that are far superior to those of the crossover 'Christian' Zionists, who have lost sight of the superior teachings of Jesus Christ. As I have no god, this is not a case of mine is better or longer than yours. One was much later and has much bigger numbers. That alone is a winning point never mind that a god of LOVE must always be superior to one of HATE and retribution. Clearly too in the West at least nothing better has come along since. So purely on an intellectually basis, there is no contest. Remember, I have no belief in any god so my evidence is not biased. Each religion is of its time. Killing had its day way back when. If you must believe in a god, then surely a god of love makes sense. No intent to offend but the elephant needed the fresh air of modern day.

    Many Jews are deeply conflicted between Zionism, their religion and being a secular Jew. I cannot help there. I just want world peace and know that Israel is its greatest obstacle. Well after Bush is gone.
  • 4Christ, on 10/11/2008, -7/+5No I am not blind-- I am very zealous like the rest of you about what I believe and know from my own facts. I trust the Author of my Book not yours.I know no one--not Jews not Arabs --not Americans or French, etc. Who are PERFECT--no human being is-- Our boys are not getting killed BECAUSE OF JEWS-- that's wrong. I don't have a clue if you are Arab or whatever-- I know what I know and that is just this. The blessed descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are NOT to blame for every problem that comes down the pike. Every tummy ache the world has is NOT Israel's fault. Yes--Jesus Christ IS a God of love-- Shame you don't know Him. He loves you.
  • JeffersonTrust, on 10/11/2008, -4/+10I am sick to death of hearing the words "Christian" and "Zionist" combined. They are totally incompatible. One might as well say they are a born again Christian with an allegiance to Satan. The two are equally absurd.
    • omegaant, on 10/12/2008, -4/+5The born-againers DO have allegiance to Satan - they believe "he" has as much power as God, they talk about Satan all day, and by their excessive devotion to that subject are, in fact, creating a very powerful fear-based energy. They "see" Satan everywhere! Do they "see" God everywhere? No! Loved what Bill Mahr said in "Religulous" - if there is a God, why doesn't he just destroy Satan? The whole thing is so convoluted it is absurd. In the meantime, hell-on-earth is becoming a reality.
      • bernk1, on 10/13/2008, -3/+5I'm not a Born-Again Christian (I'm not even a Christian), but this comment is just wrong.
      • thepalineffect, on 10/13/2008, -3/+3Wow . . . it's always fun when somebody who has no grasp of the religion they're talking about tries to criticize it.

        First of all, Evangelicals do NOT believe Satan has as much power as God, Satan was an angel that God cast out of heaven, that doesn't sound to you like a guy that's as powerful as God does it?

        Second, just because Evangelicals talk a lot about Satan doesn't mean they give him more diligence then they do God. If you believe there's a power out there trying to keep you from having a close personal relationship with God, you must address that power in order to negate that power.

        Third, anybody who quotes Bill Mahr is intellectually bankrupt and will have some major issues in logical consistency. God doesn't destroy ANY of His creation, no matter what direction it may choose to go. Ever, no matter what. He may reshape or reform it, but He doesn't destroy it. In addition, Satan is at war with God, God is not at war with Satan. Anything the devil does is because God allowed Him to do it, the devil doesn't have the ability to do something God doesn't want him to do. God uses Satan for many complex reasons, such as trying His people, and the Bible says that God will have the ultimate victory in HIS time.

        Now, if we really believed that God doesn't control Satan, how would it make sense that God tells us exactly how and in what order He's going to defeat him? If God had no control over this, He wouldn't be able to tell us exactly how the battle ends.

        That should settle all that ignorant junk you just spewed. Find out about something before you begin thinking so highly of yourself that you believe you have the ability to criticize it.
      • bernk1, on 10/13/2008, -3/+3When God cast Satan out of heaven, just where did He send him, Ireland?
      • thepalineffect, on 10/13/2008, -3/+2Slainte (that's an Irish saying that means "Satan stole me pot o' gold!")
    • thepalineffect, on 10/13/2008, -3/+3Uh....you do realize that most of the Christian Bible is the Hebrew Bible, and that a large part of that teaches about how God promised His people (the Jews) the land they currently occupy, and by Divine Right it belongs to them (and in current day, by legal right)? Are you so ignorant as to think that Christians will throw away what they believe just because Jews believe it too?

      Where do these people come from anyway, it's like they've been living in a black hole completely devoid of outside interaction.
  • ratcatcher2, on 10/12/2008, -3/+5Agreed. The oxymoron of 'Christian' Zionists is about the most difficult thing for Europeans to deal with in understanding America. What happened there?

    The present president speaking the truth is now accepted as a more recent oxymoron. We'd wish now he was even right half the time on the economy.

    Christian parents having they male offspring's genitalia mutilated is another oxymoron that we still have no understanding of. It somehow makes the butchery of females partly defensible.

    Circumcision HIV impact doubted
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7656229.stm
    • JagPop, on 10/12/2008, -3/+6People are sheep. Is that so hard to understand?

      Also, it is improper to capitalize 'christian' when speaking of Fundamentalists (though I did note you put it in quotes). I lean towards
      the use of Xhristian Zionists, myself (pass it on).

      By the way, the origin of Xhristian Zionists is traced solidly to England.
    • omegaant, on 10/12/2008, -1/+6Whoa! re: butchery of females, FGM cuts out the whole arapatus! I don't like the term "female circumcision" because in male circumcision (not that it's a great thing) but the penis is still there, still functions. They cut the little girl's clitoris completely out - she can never enjoy sex or have an orgasm, ever! Not in the same category, no, no, no.
    • COINTELPROAgent, on 10/13/2008, -3/+5This strange fear of male circumcision seems to be common with racists.
      • monsieurginger, on 10/13/2008, -4/+6Hitler: "The Jews are responsible for two things. Circumcision of the body and conscience on the mind."
      • bernk1, on 10/13/2008, -4/+5Hitler: "Agreed. The oxymoron of 'Christian' Zionists ..." Sorry, wrong cut-and-paste. Here is the real one: "Christianity is the bastard child of Judaism."
    • ratcatcher2, on 10/13/2008, -3/+2Agreed Omegaant. The progress from male 'inferference' to female butchery is but a mental step. How any religion/god could favour interference with the human body is beyond by simple intellect. ALL interference should be illegal until the child is old enough to agree.

      The death of even one child is reason enough to stop this archaic madness never mind the diseases spread by the practice of kissing of the child's penis!! Maybe an main article on this is needed to highlight this brainwashing.


      Male circumcision is a weapon in the sperm wars
      http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14069
      Circumcision and other forms of male genital mutilation have always been a puzzle. The ritual mutilations can leave the man vulnerable to infection and even death. So why do some societies insist on such a risky ritual for their men?

      There may be an evolutionary explanation, according to Christopher Wilson, of Cornell University in New York, US. It could function to reduce a young man's potential to father a child with an older man's wife, he says.

      Sperm competition theory predicts that males will evolve ways to ensure that their sperm, and not another male's, fertilises a female's eggs. Genital mutilation, in this view, is just another way to win the sperm war.

      In some forms of mutilation, the handicap to sperm competition is obvious. There is subincision, for example, where cuts are made to the base of the penis. This causes sperm to be ejaculated from the base rather than the end, and is performed in several Aboriginal Australian societies, says Wilson.
      ... New Scientist
    • bernk1, on 10/13/2008, -0/+4ratcatcher2 - There is no connection or logical progression from circumcision as practiced by Jews and Muslims (the main difference is the age when it takes place) and female genital excision, which is NOT a Muslim practice. It is more of a tribal/social practice, but it is not sanctioned by the Quran. In fact, many Muslim clergy have issued fatwas against female genital excision.

      If circumcision isn't your cup of tea, don't do it. But this is a religious practice that was practiced universally throughout the Middle East (except for the Philistines) for thousands and thousands of years.

      Your statement, "The progress from male 'inferference' to female butchery is but a mental step." is foolish. It may be a mental step in your mind, but I doubt that many Jews or Muslims think that way.

  • writie, on 10/12/2008, -1/+5Excuse me people, this is a border issue - not another case of baby Jesus vs. the Old Testament. Doctors (in this case Arab Israelis) are being refused permission to enter Gaza on a humanitarian mission. All the rest is pretty irrelevant, and won't help anybody that could have done with the medical attention.
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