KPG said:
tequila4kapp said:
KPG said:
tequila4kapp said:
Less a shift to the right and more a human reaction to having your citizens burned alive, women raped, children beheaded, citizens kidnapped, etc. The 2nd Intifada wasn't a basket of roses but this invasion and the killing spree is next level stuff.
Oh well in that case let's just greenlight killing them all I guess? Or did you have a specific number in mind for the appropriate human reaction? Clearly it's something higher than 8,000.
We could ask Hamas to answer that question - since they innately endanger Palestinian lives by refusing to allow them to move, store their weapons near civilian sites, keep humanitarian aid for themselves, and put their HQ underneath hospitals - but I suspect that would not be satisfying to some since it doesn't blame Israel.
I'm just going to put you down for the Lindsay Graham answer then I guess of "No, there shouldn't be a limit to civilian casualties".
Listen, if I thought for one minute that completely eradicating Hamas by killing tens of thousands of innocent civilians would then lead to safety for Israel and self-determination and prosperity for the Palestinian people, then I'd at least consider the price. But you are absolutely delusional of you think this is the path towards regional safety and stability. This isn't a strategy, this is ugly revenge. If you think that killing tens of thousands of refugees and civilians won't sow the seeds to create the next Hamas, you have the thoughtspan of a goldfish, the political instincts of a US Senator, and the stock portfolio of a Raytheon Board Member.
Bolivia is now eliminating diplomatic ties with Israel. Chile is recalling their embassador. International legitimacy is waning. The Houthi's are ramping up their war. The Iron Dome is depleted, Hamas still has 2/3rds of their rockets, and Hezbollah has tens of thousands and has been systematically targeting security and monitoring technology on the northern front, leaving Israel largely blind. Indiscriminately murdering Palestinians with no regard for proportionality is moving Israel closer to a pariah state than a secure democracy.
You guys think I come on here to bash Israel and score woke points, but there is no path that will lead more quickly to Israel's actual existential threat then continuing to support a far right religious extremist government in their quest to murder a colonized people.
KPG raises an important point. Israel being able to eradicate Hamas has to come at cost to Israel and international community of taking care of what remains when they finish. The human cost of Israel's attempt to eradicate Hamas, given that Palestinians are currently unable to leave Gaza is of grave concern, and even just once the war stops, the is an immediate health crises, no working infrastructure, no water, etc. And by
eliminating what little Gaza had for government, even if a bad government, results in complete anarchy.
Following days of ferocious violence in Israel and Gaza, there is only talk of winners and losers - that discussion has to stop.
If Israel wants peace and International support, it and the international community have to help arrive at effective solution. Strangely, the US, China, Russia, and several of the big players in the area envisage an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel to bring about peace and stability. And even Israel's current leader has supported a two state solution, though what that means to him seems to change daily. But he really doesn't want those in Gaza to become Israeli citizens or he will be voted out of power,
But if Netanyahu's government successfully eliminates Hamas, Netanyahu needs to suck-up that he will have a strong neighbor that has the ability to thrive and have an independent government that Israel can work with, like Egypt. And they have to be strong enough to fend off Hamas type groups. Biden and his advisors better have a good idea what that looks like, and Biden had to be prepared to force the joint Israel cabinet to require the removal of Israel's responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel, by the development of a strong state to be a partner such as Egypt. (Egypt clearly wants nothing to do with the Palestinians). That means allowing those in Gaza to have working infrastructure, commerce, etc.
Into the political vacuum now steps the PLO - no one else is left. Fatah leaders who are running the PLO are facing a moment that would define their future. They need to lose their corruptive past and lead. If they don't change the previous approach, I think Fatah will disappear. Fatah's position on the war as "neutral", and I suppose they in fact collaborated with Israel on finding Hamas, can't be popular with those who live in Gaza. Fatah needs to gain the confidence of the Gaza people despite this, and that means getting concessions from Israel and financial aid from the world. Netanyahu may have won this battle, but it comes at a cost of concessions to and cooperation with the PLO. It was said only Nixon could come to China, well only Netanyahu can lead his country to peace by working with the PLO for a stable and cooperative neighbor.