Marches in support of a ceasefire in Gaza

i don't buy that. If a govt wants to give away your country's sovereignty that has to be specifically agreed by a referendum. It can't just be a policy among many others in a manifesto. Russia thinks that they had a promise not to extend NATO to the east and the EU have ignored that promise. It was a classic case of poor diplomacy on the part of the EU - Putin needs careful handling.

We never had a referendum on joining the EU - why should Ukraine be held to a different standard?

Compulsory purchase of land for construction projects within a nation, fully compensated, is not the same as theft of land by one people from another. That you apparently cannot tell the difference on something as obvious as that makes debate with you on this a potentially tiresome and unfruitful prospect.

The Israeli land thefts are an issue because they are stealing the land of other peoples today. It is both recent, prolonged and ongoing. China has occupied a few contested islands, illegally took Tibet 73 years ago and is posing a constant threat to Taiwan. Taiwan however remains only a  threat for now but if it becomes real it will be condemned. Tibet occupation has been condemned many times, but as an occupation rather than a land theft. The land theft took place a lifetime ago. The Jewish settler land thefts are current and ongoing and a constant factor militating against peace. 

To compare that with HS2 is risible, laughable, pathetic, and an argument borne out of either profound desperation or profound ignorance.

When it comes to stupid comparisons, thats the biggest one I have heard so far this month, and is likely to remain so unless see 2 rocks up to compare Tony Blair with Jesus, or Bill Bloggs appears to compare Hitler with the Archbishop of Canterbury, lol

Besides which, attempting to justify a wrong which is clearly contributing towards ill will in the area, by the pathetic argument that everybody else is doing it, is the defence of a ten year old caught doing something naughty, and most unconvincing. And for the most part untrue anyway. Where other land thefts are occurring we are condemning them or even supplying arms to those whose lands are being stolen, as in Ukraine.

And if you are wondering why so many of us are less vocal about Ukraine and such like it is because we dont have to be. Our own government is doing it for us whilst offering zero support to the land stealers. Which does not hold true for the settler land thefts, which is why those of us who feel strongly about injustice feel it incumbent upon ourselves to speak out

What is your opinion on the settler land thefts? Do you think they are wrong or unhelpful? Or do you not see them as thefts, in which case on what grounds? Are the settlers right to build their settlements in the west bank? If so, on what basis? If not, what do you think the best course of action to be in regards to them?

Once upon a time Israel conquered the whole of the Sinai peninsular. It gave it back to Egypt as part of a historic peace deal that has stood the test of time. Egypt has not threatened Israel at any time since then. If it were possible, and it is obvious that right now it probably isnt since feeling on both sides is running too high, but if it were at some future point possible, would you regard it as reasonable for Israel to give up the whole of the west bank including the occupied settlements in pursuit of peace?

These are the general areas I am asking for your opinion on.

The settler land thefts are wrong. I have made that point a number of times over the last two or three years.

Israel and Egypt have managed to live in peace since, but that peace is based upon Egypt dropping its threat to annihilate Israel. i.e. They could live in peace with each other.

I honestly believe that there is realistically nothing the Israelis can do that would allow them to be allowed to live in peace in an Israeli area of Jurisdiction (not in total control) in Palestine.

We did have a referendum on joining the Common Market, which changed into the EEC. Major didn't bother to have a referendum on Maastricht, which effectively gave away our sovereignty - but look what happened. Ukraine should learn from this. Any change of this magnitude should be put to a referendum and the various campaigns given a chance to put their point of view. And the countries in the EU should be allowed to veto it. Ukraine joining NATO is likely to lead to WWIII.