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Israeli activists gather for pro-peace rally against a military solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, 16 August 2014. AP/Press Association Images

Palestinians flee homes with bags of clothes and mattresses as Israel raids start over

Truce designed to buy time for peace talks in Cairo was extended by a day within minutes of last night’s deadline.

Updated 6pm

THE ISRAELI MILITARY said it carried out a series of airstrikes today across the Gaza Strip in response to renewed rocket fire, a burst of violence that broke a temporary cease-fire and endangered negotiations in Egypt over ending the month-long war between Israel and Hamas.

The fighting occurred some eight hours before a temporary truce was set to expire. Egypt had persuaded Israel and Egypt to extend the truce by 24 hours to give more times for the negotiations.

While there were no injuries reported in Israel or Gaza, AFP reported seeing families fleeing their homes, carrying bags of clothes, pillows and mattresses.

In the latest reports, the chief Palestinian negotiator conducting indirect talks with Israel for a long-term truce said there had been “no progress,” with less than five hours to go before a temporary ceasefire expires.

“This rocket attack on Beersheba is a grave and direction violation of the cease-fire,” Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.

The Israeli military said Gaza militants fired three rockets into Israel that landed in open areas near the southern city of Beersheba. Hamas police officials said seven Israeli airstrikes targeted open areas.

Within minutes, it said it carried out a series of airstrikes. It accused militants of violating the cease-fire and said it maintains “both defence and striking capabilities in order to address the renewed aggression”.

The rocket fire broke a nearly weeklong lull that has held during the Egyptian-mediated negotiations.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. But shortly before the launch, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum hinted of more rocket fire, saying: “If Netanyahu doesn’t understand … the language of politics in Cairo, we know how to make him understand.”

Earlier today, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators had resumed their indirect talks after agreeing to the 24-hour extension.

The negotiations are aimed at working out a long-term arrangement between Israel and Hamas following weeks of fighting that has killed some 2,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and left tens of thousands more homeless. Sixty-seven Israelis have died, all but three of them soldiers.

Hamas is seeking an end to a seven-year Israeli-Egypt blockade that has ravaged Gaza’s economy. Israel wants Hamas to disarm. An Egyptian compromise proposal calls for easing the blockade, but not lifting it. And while Hamas would not be required to give up its arsenal, the Egyptian plan would give Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces were ousted by Hamas in 2007, a foothold back in Gaza, running border crossings and overseeing internationally-backed reconstruction.

Deal

In an apparent attempt to pressure Hamas, Egypt said early Monday it would co-host an international fundraising conference for Gaza - but only if a deal is reached first.

That appears to play into the hands of the Abbas’ Palestinian Authority, which is eager to regain control of Gaza.

Hamas finds itself pressured by both Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to accept a less than perfect deal with Israel, but needs to show the people of Gaza that the enormous sacrifices they endured in the fighting were not in vain.

There were few signs of any major breakthroughs.

Mideast Israel Palestinians Palestinians stand on the remnants of the house of Hussam Kawasma, one of three Palestinians identified by Israel as suspects in the killing of three Israeli teenagers, after it was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron, Monday, Aug. 18 , 2014. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

A member of the Palestinian delegation said that Israel was offering to ease the Gaza blockade by opening border crossings to some goods and people, but was insisting that it retain the right to limit the imports of material like cement, and chemical and metal products, which Israel says can be used for weapons manufacturing.

Hamas fears the arrangement would allow Israel to retain the right to close the crossings whenever it wished and is pushing for more Palestinian input into such decisions.

The Palestinian official also told the AP that Israel wants to put off for an unspecified date any discussion on the opening of a Gaza seaport and airport and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The Palestinians, however, say they will only agree to postpone discussing the seaport and airport for “a month after a cease-fire agreement, with other issues like…. the prisoners,” the official said. He spoke condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss negotiations with journalists.

He also said that Israel agrees to extend the maritime territory in which Gaza fisherman can venture out from two to 4km and eventually to 19km from the shore, but that it was standing firm against Hamas’ demand for unsupervised exports from the strip.

The Gaza blockade, imposed after Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, has greatly limited the movement of Palestinians in and out of the territory of 1.8 million people, restricted the flow of goods into Gaza and blocked virtually all exports.

Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent arms smuggling, but critics say the measures have amounted to collective punishment.

Jamal Shobaky, the Palestinian ambassador in Cairo voiced disappointment with the Israeli stance, particularly on the question of the blockade. “What the Israelis have offered so far in the talks is not removing the blockade but rather easing it,” he said.

The latest round of Gaza fighting was precipitated by massive Israeli arrests of Hamas members in the West Bank in the aftermath of the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in June. Their deaths were followed by the slaying of a Palestinian youth in Jerusalem in what was a likely revenge attack.

“Following renewed rocket attacks… the IDF is currently targeting terror sites across the Gaza Strip,” an army statement said.

An foreign ministry statement described the volley as a violation of the ceasefire agreement which is due to expire at 9pm GMT today with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Cairo working against the clock to reach a deal to secure a longer-term truce in Gaza.

An Israeli government official official said that truce negotiators have been ordered back from Cairo.

With reporting by AFP

Gaza truce extended by one day within minutes of deadline >

Israel destroys West Bank homes of three Palestinians suspected of murdering teenagers >

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210 Comments
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    Mute OU812
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:50 AM

    Damn, accidentally poked myself in both eyes & now they’re watering.

    Not Crying. Watering.

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    Mute Caroline Mangan-Reid
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:03 AM

    Wanted to give the old man a big hug

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:09 PM

    It’s Fr. Smith… lol.

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    Mute Claire McLaughlin
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:55 AM

    I wonder is “half a world away” how a lot of our elderly feel all year round, not just at Christmas.

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    Mute Markonline
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:01 AM

    Unfortunately so I’d say, families split up all over the country and around the world.

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    Mute ian110664
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:56 AM

    So six and a half weeks until men start their Christmas shopping?

    167
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    Mute Will Phillips
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:58 AM

    As it should be.

    70
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    Mute Free comment ratings
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:39 AM

    ☆☆☆☆☆

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    Mute RTibe
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:47 AM

    The man in the moon looks like Michael D Higgins

    101
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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:02 PM

    Noooo he’s at least 5 2

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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:56 AM

    One of my favourite oasis songs and what a great cover of it too.

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:39 AM

    Classic Oasis track

    27
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    Mute Elizabeth Hartney
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:49 AM

    Just beautiful………….

    65
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    Mute Caroline Mangan-Reid
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:48 AM

    I like it and it has a lovely meaning behind it but I think I like the ad about the pig better.

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    Mute Martin Moloney
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:59 AM

    Pig??

    16
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    Mute Will Phillips
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:14 AM

    Yeah a few sausages and rashers is always nice.

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    Mute Justin Gillespie
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:46 PM

    The Barry’s radio ad about the man buying the train set is my favourite.

    28
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    Mute Caroline Mangan-Reid
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    Nov 6th 2015, 6:35 PM

    @Martin the vodaphone ad with the missing pig

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    Mute B-Egan
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:56 AM

    Id like to see it around Christmas so i wont be sick of it before around Christmas.

    53
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    Mute B-Egan
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:55 AM

    Its a good ad though fair play .

    41
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:43 AM

    Unfortunately the encounter with the little girl (well intentioned as it was) only served to heighten the old man’s sense of isolation and loneliness further.
    He jumped head first into a crater the next day.
    RIP.

    50
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    Mute Colin McNamara
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:13 AM

    And floated off into space.

    13
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:11 PM

    He farted and shot off into the sun like a bullet…

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:12 PM

    Because in Space No One Can Hear You Scream…

    7
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    Mute @Aoifs2707
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:58 AM

    That’s just gorgeous and now to redo my make up. Beautiful ad. ❤❤❤

    45
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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:33 AM

    Have visions of Jim Royle picking his backside on his armchair though…
    ” I paid a quid for these pants and 50p’s worth is stuck up me arse”

    34
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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:53 AM

    People help the people

    34
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    Mute KevinMunster
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:01 AM

    Still too early for Christmas ads..

    31
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    Mute Mark L
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:03 AM

    Its never too early

    37
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    Mute Will Phillips
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:43 AM

    When it’s not actually Christmas, it IS too early.

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:48 AM

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

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    Mute Just2Comment
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:47 PM

    Toys in every store…

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    Mute John Judd
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:50 AM

    I F***ing hate XMAS !

    30
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    Mute Myk_Oval_Balls_nRyt
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:58 AM

    Bottle that up and keep that shxt to yourself John, nothing worse than the “oh god,i hate Christmas” band

    85
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:59 PM

    Xmas or Xmas adverts or Xmas consumerism???

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    Mute Patrick King
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:35 PM

    It’s Christmas not Xmas….always a bad idea to substitute Christ with an X!

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    Mute Will Phillips
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:58 PM

    Always a bad idea to substitute Pagan rituals with Christ.

    15
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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Nov 6th 2015, 2:04 PM

    I read recently that some countries have been using X as the abbreviation for Christ for a considerable time. Can’t recall which at present, but that doesn’t change the facts.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 6th 2015, 5:30 PM

    The x as a symbol for Christ is almost as old as the legend

    4
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    Mute Sinead Kelly
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    Nov 6th 2015, 6:44 PM

    X has been used for many thousands of years as an alternative for Christ. It’s more correct to use Xmas than christmas

    4
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:32 PM

    Patrick X in Greek culture has been used to represent Christ from the start of Christianity…

    1
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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:31 AM

    Noel ” I will never sell out to advertisers” Gallagher…

    22
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    Mute Evan Wakefield
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:27 AM

    I’ve never even heard of John Lewis or their ads until now. Are they trying to sell people telescopes or balloons?

    17
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:35 AM

    Emotions.

    26
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    Mute Evan Wakefield
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:05 AM

    Do these type of ads get people to actually buy stuff though or just talk about the ad? People seem to like it and fair enough, but I genuinely had never heard of John Lewis and after watching that and reading the comments all I know about them is they make Christmas ads to get people emotional.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:19 AM

    It’s a Department Store in London like Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Jenners.

    20
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    Mute Will Phillips
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:18 AM

    I’m sick of it already.

    16
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    Mute Ryan Hardy
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:31 AM

    A man looking in children’s windows, no thanks.

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    Mute Swagman_10
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:00 PM

    Even in TV commercials there can be beautiful art.

    14
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    Mute Chief
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:22 AM

    She should have got him an oxygen mask.

    13
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    Mute orla
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:58 PM

    OK…I don’t like it.I prefer the old one that Lily Allen sang, bring that ad back.

    12
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    Mute Ann Mc Donnell
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    Nov 6th 2015, 4:06 PM

    Beautiful. Just sent it to my Son in Australia. His first Christmas away from home the house won’t vibe the same without him.

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    Mute catkins407
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:29 AM

    I’m sorry but that song is always going to be ” The Royle Family. Still their Christmas specials are usually hilarious so not a bad association mentally I suppose after all lol

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:00 PM

    At least he has some toilet paper now…

    10
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    Mute Sinead Kelly
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    Nov 6th 2015, 6:41 PM

    I’m not gonna lie, this made me weepy!

    8
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    Mute Alex Eustace
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:21 AM

    Should have a live version of Supersonic instead

    8
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    Mute Armin Tamzarian
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:13 PM

    or F*cking in the bushes!

    2
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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Nov 6th 2015, 11:21 AM

    Damn it , right in the feels

    7
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    Mute Maximus
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:46 PM

    Monty and Mabel should have had a Cameo..

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    Mute Lorraine Bartley
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    Nov 6th 2015, 9:05 PM

    Great, now he has a telescope to see more clearly what he is missing out on!

    3
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    Mute Aging Lothario
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    Nov 6th 2015, 10:41 PM

    Brilliant ad as ever, yet again the advertising gurus in John Lewis have come up trumps.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 6th 2015, 5:30 PM

    The moon shots lack atmosphere

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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:02 PM

    Brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    2
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 12:57 PM

    I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING ON HER KNEES TO SAY THE ROSARY FIRST LOL.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 6th 2015, 1:00 PM

    The old man on the moon does give two frigs, it should say in captions lol.

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    Mute Timmy O'Toole
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    Apr 4th 2016, 12:56 PM

    Test

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