Lankan-born student wins HR award defending Israel

16 September 2013 11:44 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 86 Bookmark

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Sri Lankan-born Timon Dias stood head-and-shoulders above the rest to receive Honest Reporting prize for defending Israel, Israel National News reported.

Media watchdog group Honest Reporting, which monitors biased reporting on Israel, has announced the winner of this year’s $2000 Blank feld Award for Media Critique: Sri Lankan-born Timon Dias, who grew up in the Netherlands and is a Clinical Psychology Masters degree student at Leiden University.

His winning articles were all published in the Jerusalem Post and impressed the staff of Honest Reporting above all of the other candidates.

In “The lack of Western disgust for Hamas,” Timon sought to explain why many Western college students and mainstream opinion makers tend not to loathe or despise Hamas in the way it deserves.

“The EU shows it doesn’t understand the conflict” explains how the anti-Israel bias within the EU can be traced back to its founding principle of undoing the concept of nation states, of which Israel is a demonstrably successful one.

In “Whose tax payers fund UNRWA?” Timon asks why Western nations pay 71% of the annual UNRWA budget while Muslim countries pay next to nothing while addressing the role of UNRWA in keeping Palestinians dependent and incapable of making peace.

HR asked Timon what drives a non-Jewish student with no familial ties to Israel to defend what is an increasingly difficult cause on campuses worldwide.

“Of all places,” he said, “my interest for Israel started in Sri Lanka. In 2008 I was on a 5 month internship as an English teacher at a Muslim college. I taught children aged from 6 to 21. It was an amazing and even heartwarming experience, but among a not insignificant number of boys from age 14 and up, I started to notice a rather explicit antipathy or even hatred towards Israel and Jewish people in general. This came as quite a shock, for I thought racism, especially against Jews, was a thing of the past.

“When I enrolled in college, I started taking classes in Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Politics. A field in which the state of Israel could not, and was not ignored. In my spare time, next to work, studying psychology and being the drummer in the band Audio daycare (we’d love to perform in Israel!), I started writing about politics for the largest Dutch liberal conservative weblog: De Dagelijkse Standaard.

“I started defending Israel in my writing when it became clear to me that it had always been – contrary to what our academia and media always suggest – the Palestinian authorities in all their forms that rejected peace when peace could be established. I also came to realize that this conflict was no longer about territory but about ideology. A Jewish national presence in the Middle East was a thorn in the side of Pan-Arab Nationalism first, and of (Political) Islam later. I found that the following is true: ‘If the Arabs would lay down their weapons, there would be peace tomorrow. If Israel would lay down their weapons, there would be no more Israel’.

“How can I not defend an allied nation where the rule of law prevails and that has done everything in its power to be at peace with its neighbors? How can I not defend a country which is an undeniable part of Western civilization, a civilization I hold dear?

“Many people have turned their backs on the Jews when they most needed a helping hand. Many people have turned their backs on Israel when her days seemed all but numbered. I will not be one of those people, and I can assure that albeit a slow process; more people feel this way every day.”

Responding to the award, Honest Reporting’s CEO Joe Hyams said:

"Timon’s is a truly remarkable story and it’s a real privilege to be able to give the Blankfeld Award to someone who has proven that Israel’s story is compelling enough to bring people over to its side. We were extremely impressed with the quality of his writing and sophisticated and well-thought analyses of contemporary issues.

"Timon has shown his commitment to making Israel’s case and we believe that he will be a great asset in the future." (Israel national news)

Comments - 86

Saman Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:43 AM

#Jason , you are truly ignorant ! Middle east is not Just Saudi !

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Universal citizen Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:25 AM

1. Srilankan-born
2. Born to Srilankan parents
3. with Srilankan ancestry.
4. GONE - BRAIN DRAIN...

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Rata Haraka Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:17 AM

Sadly, you don't ("have the brains to know the difference between the good guys and bad").

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:14 AM

Now most of the people in this world say "Hitler Was Right", me too.

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:11 AM

Who is a terrorist? First learn that and then justify your case.

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:07 AM

Hey in what world are you living. Just b'cos Islam is spreading far and wide does not mean Islam is eating into other lands. Accept that the truth will always Prevail. That is why we cannot keep our religion spreading far and wide. SHAME!!!

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mack Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

Palestine was also mostly Jew during this time of Jesus.don't read books if atheist Nazis and Jew hating Arabs via DM Android App

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Rata Haraka Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:04 AM

Who is the 'terrorist' then, Jason old boy? How do you define 'terrorism'? Innocent, unarmed civilians (including women and children) being attacked in their own homes or while walking the streets, young boys / men fighting with sticks and stones being attacked by trained soldiers with sophisticated, advanced weapons. Who is the real terrorist?

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:03 AM

Very Very True....

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 06:01 AM

For Unbelievers whatever the Jews do will be correct and good. God Bless...

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Tridax Tuesday, 17 September 2013 07:29 AM

Palestine existed long before the state of israel when the infants and women were massacred as part Joshua's campaign of ethnic cleansing at that time . Ofcourse he said he did it because god of the Bible said so ...

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Peace Lover Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:55 AM

Yes Shamil !!! It is the Jews who betrayed Jesus. I wonder whether the Sri Lankan-born Timon Dias believes in Jesus. I hope he has read the Bible. Very Pathetic.

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:47 AM

Crimes against humanity? go and see your Islamic history.
you are right but Arabs are not from Palestine. they are from Arabia. they occupied Jewish homeland.

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:43 AM

Both Israel and Sri Lanka are victims of terrorism. when they try to defend themselves against terrorism , international terror propaganda machine tattoos them as murderers.
Arab propaganda machine is so powerful. A lot of Oil money. Israel is a surrounded up dozen of enemy countries.
Every country has a right to defend their citizens their soil. When dozen of Arab nations come to destroy a tine country with few million people what else they should do? except fighting for lives.

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idroos2002 Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:36 AM

O mankind we have created you from one pair and have distributed you in to nations ,colour , below middle class , middle class , above middle class , etc etc so that u understand each other and not despise " AL Quran Also . all semitic faiths are supreme in this objective of oneness . Jews of palestinian origin have the inalienable right to live in palestain all jews of european origin should be expelled from Al Quds they have no right to live in palestine Any way Lord has created the devil and his cohorts too are a test for the true servants. All true and peace loving would eventually understand islam .The devil would work behind the scenes and throw the bad to the good

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priyan Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:30 AM

I think it will be really helpful for you if you read up Chomsky and Petras to shed light on the matters which you seem to be keen on understanding but right now marred by your own convoluted perceptions

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Duminda N Jayatileke Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:28 AM

Amen brother. You bless Isreal, the Lord will bless you. That is how it is and I don't know why

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Mohamed Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:13 AM

This is well understandable, when someone writes good about Israel, they are considered heros, Otherway round is considered a act of terror. Yes little brother, you are not exactly correct when you said about ‘If the Arabs would lay down their weapons, there would be peace tomorrow. If Israel would lay down their weapons, there would be no more Israel’.

What if your house is forcefully occupied by a Muslim, Sinhalese or tamil and you will say the same? you will defend your rightful right of your house, won't you? you call that a act of terror? I wonder house they can give honest awards when there is no such true honesty prevailing in this world.

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sam netthasinghe Tuesday, 17 September 2013 04:58 AM

you got to be kidding me. know your history

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sam netthasinghe Tuesday, 17 September 2013 04:56 AM

well said mate. So true.

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Eranga Jayawardene Thursday, 19 September 2013 01:20 PM

What ever said, Israel is the greatest country. God bless Israel.

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desraeli Tuesday, 17 September 2013 01:25 PM

Sri Lanka has woken up to lies and propaganda published in their news papers about the Jewish people.visit Israel and see for your selves what nice people we are. good article need more like this to support Israel

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Shantha Tuesday, 17 September 2013 01:11 PM

I would like the writer to explain why Israel has kept the Palestinian people under siege for 60 years. They cannot move about in their own territories, they have been blockaded without basic necessities for years, including little goods like jam, biscuits, cooking oil and even spices. Their homes are blasted by Israeli precision bombs, causing the deaths of hundreds of civilians including little children, the fishermen are shot at, nets ripped up, and punished, if they go over their the restricted areas, the Palestinian trees are stolen or destroyed, the Palestinians still live in refugee camps and ghettos. Young Dias should explain to all of us, why he thinks these atrocities are okay. Hamas is bad, but the IDF is WORSE. Who is sponsoring this young student? If we find that out, we will know why he is a shrill for Israel.

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Shantha Tuesday, 17 September 2013 11:48 AM

Obviously the naive student has not taken into account the atrocities by Israel against defenseless Palestinian civilians.
The occupation, the theft of lands, illegal settlements, even Palestinian water is controlled and hogged by Israel.
He has to grow up mentally to realize this is not one sided, and that he justifies what the bully is doing. The UN, EU and even the US has condemned illegal settlements in disputed land.
Dias is simply being a mouthpiece for a rogue state.

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kamal Tuesday, 17 September 2013 11:34 AM

The Boy is still not matured why we all global humanity suffer by Zionist by thier arms.
American senet is lobbied to control the world by jews.

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NM of Colombo Tuesday, 17 September 2013 10:25 AM

You praise USA or Israel, you are sure to get some benefit. this kid is smart and has put the foundation. Unfortunately you will be target of some extremists who do not tolerate what you have done. Though Jews don't like Christians in general and wise versa, I have many Christians do blindly support Israel. I have seen my of my Christian friends who cheered when Iraq and Afghanistan were attacked and were showing happiness when Palestinians were killed by Israel. You cannot change this no matter how much logics you bring infront of them. Its a blind belief about Israel.

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 10:22 AM

Abraham Came from Babylonia to the land of Israel. his son was Isaac and his son was Jacob later became Israel. he had 12 sons. those 12 sons become 12 tribes of Israelite. Jesus was born into tribe of Judah. Muhammad is not related to Abraham. He was not a Hebrew. That's why Arabic became state languge of invaded countries. I Islam is about 1400 years old. but Jewish tradition goes back to 4000 years. many of those concepts are included by later religions. For an example this pork ban or foreskin thing.

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LK Tuesday, 17 September 2013 10:11 AM

Funnyest political statement I ever read "If the Arabs would lay down their weapons, there would be peace tomorrow. If Israel would lay down their weapons, there would be no more Israel".

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 09:54 AM

Only Muslims. no civilize man would ever say that. Fact is you are even more anti Semitic than Hitler.
You cant compare killing few terrorist with massacre of 8 million people with women and children. Israel attack Arabs because they try to destroy their country.
In Syria there are over 20000 deaths but no sri lankan Muslim talk about that. in Africa Muslim terrorists killed about 3 million Christian tribal people. nobody even knows about it. Do you even know that muslims have killed many Crhistians and jews in past 1000 years time? That is halal? so that is a good thing? Am I right? It only matters when other people try to survive from your hostility?

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 09:40 AM

Modern white Nazi culture don't hate Jews that much. Tut they do hate Arabs. They call them "sand n...s" ( N word) or camel jockeys.

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Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 17 September 2013 04:53 AM

Young as he is, he has won international fame for TRUTHFUL reporting.

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Rata Haraka Tuesday, 17 September 2013 09:31 AM

'Honest Reporting's definition of 'honest' / impartial reporting is a blatant and clear Jewish bias. Ironic, innit. This poor kid has so got the wrong end of the stick and he has NO CLUE, proudly displaying an 'honour' bestowed on him by murderous scoundrels for defending them. How Sad.
As many here have said, by this same justification (Israel being the 'traditional home ground' of the Jews), then so is the case of the LTTE, for establishing a traditional tamil homeland (Eelam) in the North & East of Sri Lanka. Bloody rubbish.

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BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 17 September 2013 08:01 AM

Exactly bingo. That is why even the learned such as GL, Mahinda Samarsinghe, Mohan Pieris have become ardent lap dogs defending the criminals.

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Kandasamy Tuesday, 17 September 2013 07:52 AM

Fayad, Nobody can and nobody ever will be able to justify Israel´s atrocities. What we could do is, ignore the ignorant.

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Kandasamy Tuesday, 17 September 2013 07:47 AM

What kind of a God would curse anybody? I thought God always does good only.

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Sharia Boy Tuesday, 17 September 2013 07:45 AM

Jews were hated first by the Christians. Naturally when their God was killed by Jews.
Good Jews and good Muslims don't have any problem living together. It is the extremes that have the problem.
Moses, Jesus, David, Muhammed all are from the same family tree - from Abraham.

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Tridax Tuesday, 17 September 2013 07:33 AM

Jason this is like asking doesn't your neighbour who usurped your land has no right to defend himself against the attacks of the original owner who is labelled as a terrorist .

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whatswrong Monday, 16 September 2013 01:10 PM

i do agree with wijesinghe.

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Shamil Monday, 16 September 2013 03:50 PM

So the crucifixion of son of mary was done by the israelite (Jews) so I guess that too had the blessing of the God ur talking about?? Please kumar.. lets talk sense here

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Jeremy Pereira Monday, 16 September 2013 03:33 PM

For how long are you going to live in ignorance and make fanatical statements involving God. There is no such exclusive God for Israel. Those who truly believe, God is one entity that exists across all nations, race, and creed. Those who do not believe in the existence of a supreme entity, then it all comes down to how they perceive humanity beyond any religious barrier.

1 7

IBNUABOO Monday, 16 September 2013 02:23 PM

Prize for justifying injustice. Next you defend USA against Srilanka for which you will get more dollers than isreal amount

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Yowsan Monday, 16 September 2013 02:03 PM

" where the rule of law prevails and that has done everything in its power to be at peace with its neighbors?" Do you really think so? The Jews kill anyone who gets in their way and nothing is done about it. John Kerry's peace talks were wasted because the Jews started building another settlement and you think the law prevails and the Jews want peace with its neighbors??

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Suhail Monday, 16 September 2013 02:01 PM

Well said wijesinghe & nalaka... Most of truth is hidden by the western media

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ruwam Monday, 16 September 2013 01:59 PM

Palestine! was not mentioned in bible or quran ! its was not there :/ but history talks about Israel :) it was there - Islam is eating up lands - now demanding - it started from Afganistan (was a Buddhist country) , somalia (was a christian state) , ruwanda , ethiyopia (all converted to Islam and got destroyed economically) / maldives / malaysia / indonesiya once a Hindu country / now as we speak - Islam populating Kashmir taking it over from Sikh Kingdom / Kerala will be soon dominated by Islam - Colombo almost reached 50% - we cant blame the Jewes for fighting back ... if Islam is a religion of peace then we can tolerate but truly speaking Islam is not .. no religion is peace today only educated people are trying to ignore few violent practice and ignoring out dated instructions of their own religion.

4 3

Ranger Monday, 16 September 2013 01:44 PM

I guess according to this guy, If someone creates a state within an existing state, the orginal residents should accept that without protesting?

1 5

Jeff Monday, 16 September 2013 01:41 PM

You are selling sri lanka in world market.You are one of them who do anything for money, you must start to do politics in Sri Lanka.

1 2

baila Monday, 16 September 2013 01:23 PM

well said Timon, we knew long time ago that this was the REAL story.

5 1

Maru siraa Monday, 16 September 2013 01:20 PM

When you defend the truth you get white van!

1 10

Shihab Monday, 16 September 2013 03:54 PM

Timon you should also research and write an article for your own country under the title of " How to win the hearts and mind of the minorities"
Because winning a war is now history, the country and the people should move forward without lving in the past glory. Now what is important and challenging is reconciliation, respect, and tolerence of the rights and freedom of the minorities.

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Shamil Monday, 16 September 2013 01:09 PM

No matter how much we are 'EDUCATED', when we come to assumptions, our start and end is a particular time frame... not from the beginning of a matter.. why is that?? anyone know are how, when and why ISRAEL came in to being?

0 2

nalaka Monday, 16 September 2013 01:08 PM

US is already their to defend Israel (their proxy) poor Palestinians donet even have their own home this is nothing for us

2 6

Labby Monday, 16 September 2013 01:03 PM

Wijesinghe, what crap are you talking ?? What's wrong in defending the state of Israel? And as for your so-called devil; well everyone knows who is behind all acts of terror all over the world today. Now they are fighting and killing themselves, and that's where the devil is, my friend. Need we mention more?

3 1

ANTON Monday, 16 September 2013 01:02 PM

.
YEP , JESUS CHRIST IS ALSO A ISRAAELIST, A JEW. ...... WELL DONE KID.

1 1

muzammil Monday, 16 September 2013 12:59 PM

well said

2 9

Rohan1 Monday, 16 September 2013 12:55 PM

WOW.... someone would have had put him in a white van had he lived in Sri Lanka!

0 0

Wijesinghe Monday, 16 September 2013 12:44 PM

when you defend the devil you get more money but when you defend the innocent poor people you get nothing

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Tridax Monday, 16 September 2013 12:27 PM

Well. The whole thesis is based on the wrong premise. It's not that this is merely conflict in ideology without the territory. It's everything to do with Territory which is based on an Ideology which legitimise illegal occupation simply because the bible says so...and anti Zionism is falsely linked to anti semitism.

1 10

Nazz Monday, 16 September 2013 12:17 PM

respect!

1 2

FAZAL Monday, 16 September 2013 12:14 PM

THIS IS A TRUE PSYCOLOGY GREAT TIMON YOU MAKE US PROUD AS SRILANKANS....YES TO HAVE PEACE AND STOP KILLING ARABS SHOULD STOP BUYING ARMS FROM USA, UK OR RUSSIA......THESE COUNTRIES ARE MAKING MONEY OUT OF PETRO MONEY....ATLEAST NOW KEEP ARM DOWN AND STAND FOR PEACE.....

0 6

Rose Tuesday, 17 September 2013 02:25 AM

Timon it is understood Holland is a hive of anti Islam and Islamophobes. It is such an easy topic to select for any idiot currently living in Holland.

Your internship in Sri Lanka would have just confirmed your latent hate to full blown when you see the solidarity Muslims show for Palestinians which is exact opposite of what is popular in Holland.

Kid you need a Psychiatrist or get some professional help in understanding the conflict.

If you want to be even more popular and make more dollars, then bad mouth your own motherland and praise the great Satan the USA who actually give 24 x 7 protection to Israel.

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Nishanth Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

Timon...you made us proud We all should be with Israel and support Israel. Chosen people.....

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Fayad Tuesday, 17 September 2013 04:23 AM

How can any one justify Israel's massacre of women & children
& Occupying Palestine land

1 5

mack Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

we'll said young man. Jew and Israel hate Is part of life in the Arab world even most parts of Asia and Europe coz of Muslim migration. via DM Android App

1 0

Chow Chow Tuesday, 17 September 2013 03:57 AM

The ignorant, such as ruwan, make the loudest noise! Go back and read up about all the things you have uttered rubbish about ... And once you ave learnt the reality, come back and comment.

1 1

Chow Chow Tuesday, 17 September 2013 03:54 AM

Wrong! You need to get out of your well and visit more of the Middle East, Jason.

Editor - publish this if you want the truth to be seen!

0 3

Andrew 69 Tuesday, 17 September 2013 03:40 AM

hey little kid!!! May be you are in pursuit of a residence permit in USA bu that does not mean you pen some nonsense about religion, one thing for sure I can say You will Never be welcomed in the Middle East!!! You claim that you studied in Islamic schools the Americans would love to brush their ego but ignorant people like you who speak rubbish as for me you are not even fit for a kindergarten starter so before you get wiped out from the face of this earth just pray that your days will be numbered

0 1

LonwaboTsotsobe Tuesday, 17 September 2013 03:24 AM

oh for god's sake Kumar... stop insulting god

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Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 02:59 AM

That devil is the only country in Middle east that doesn't punish , torture you for practicing your religion. If you are a Buddhist just know Israel is the only country in that region where a Buddhist temple is.

4 1

Jason Tuesday, 17 September 2013 02:45 AM

So Israel has no right to defend themselves from terrorists?

2 0

Adahan Tuesday, 17 September 2013 02:44 AM

This is an emotional output emerging from an extremely ill-informed product of whose intention is to attract the so-called western interest. It is clearly apparent from the remark from Honest Reporting's CEO Joe Hyams. He has a huge future to establish his empire.

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Kumar Soysa Monday, 16 September 2013 11:57 AM

You are a man greatly blessed by the Lord God of Israel. God said, in many places "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you". And I know you will also be blessed.

9 3

Hitler Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs... Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home? via DM Android App

0 1

Hitler Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

money talks via DM Android App

0 1

Hitler Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

Hmmm. ..I think Hitler was right! via DM Android App

0 1

mohammed Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs... Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home?...Mahatma Gandhi via DM Android App

0 2

Ben Hurling Tuesday, 17 September 2013 12:00 AM

One sided, uncritical, idiotic writing. Now being used by Zionist propagandists. Timon Dias smells like a Christian fundamentalist. via DM Android App

0 1

Kumar Soysa Monday, 16 September 2013 06:36 PM

Jeremy and Shamil, Look at the Holy Bible and then look at the History of the world. There is no fanaticism. I agree that many find it impossible to believe that Israel is the ONLY nation that came to be by the spoken word of God. But the Books of Genesis, Joshua and Deut. speaks clearly of the progress of the Jewish Nation during that time and the history of the world shows the rise, downfall and the re-emergence of Israel. As for Shamil's comment, no, my friend. We ALL as mankind played a part in the crucifixion. Jesus said, "I lay down My life, so that all who believe in Me may have everlasting life". Divine nature is difficult to understand, but it is true.

2 0

Robert Weinstein Monday, 16 September 2013 06:28 PM

This kid has unfortunately been fed propaganda, and has been given an award by backers of the State of Israel - you have to feel sorry for such ignorant people. The State of Israel was founded in 1948, and it was the British (the White man) who chose to hand that land to a group of European settlers (Jews from Europe after WW II) - Bible, God or any propaganda spewed by Israel to garner support from Christians does not change the fact that Europeans invaded the Middle-East and created a state for Jews only.

Imagine this: if when the British left Sri Lanka they handed half the country to White people from Europe to create a separate state and told us Jesus wanted this to happen and it's mentioned in the Bible? We would not accept any of it.

This poor lad will have to live with this shameful achievement haunting him for the rest of his life.

0 4

Jude Monday, 16 September 2013 06:13 PM

Well done Timon. at least you have the brains to know the difference between the good guys and bad guys.

2 0

lima Monday, 16 September 2013 05:29 PM

THIS POOR BOY BECAME IDIOT , WHAT IS THE USE HE STUDYING TO PACIFY SOMEBODY TO EAR MONEY , U SHUD CALL A SPADE A SPADE , CALL A MURDERER A MURDERER , ISRAEL IS ZIONIST AND KILLING OTHERS , THIS IDIOT BOY WHAT IS HE STUDYING , FOOL

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