This is going to be a long, brutal conflict. Certainly looks to have Iranian fingerprints all over it. Could be the start of a massive war in the middle east.
I'm not sure it will escalate outside of the usual parameters - Gaza West Bank South Lebanon The Saudis have invested heavy political capital with the Israelis and Biden will be trying to persuade the Israelis not to over react and flatten Gaza with countless civilian casualties although Netanyahu will be under huge domestic pressure to invade Gaza and recover the hostages. Iran / Hamas have taken this action as they are concerned by the warming regional ties and are trying to drag other states in and escalate. Any moves to invade Gaza will certainly polarise the West / GCC players. Qatar was admonished yesterday by the USA for blaming Israel for creating these recent events.
I'll be amazed if Israel don't completely flatten Gaza. There have been reports that some hostages have already been rescued.
Israel will always be better than that no matter what propaganda says otherwise. There’ll inevitably be civilian casualties on the Palestinian side but they’ll do everything possible to ensure they’re targeting the right people and locations and give notice to civilians to avoid those areas. But we lost 4-0, I lost my bet and I have a rotten cold so I’m open to the idea of just burning the place to the ground more than I normally would be.
I wasn't suggesting they'd be indiscriminate. They will definitely try to limit innocent casualties, which isn't easy when their targets hide among civilians. I meant that Israel will retaliate on a huge scale which is understandable imo.
Israel is getting the payback for 70 years of illegal occupation, forced resettlement of Palestinians, and the establishment of an Apartheid system which treats Palestinians (Hamas or otherwise) as subhumans. I can't justify the killing of civilians but I can't defend Israel. Had any other country practiced the type of Apartheid which they have (both in occupied areas as well as in israel itself) there would have been a World boycott of them (as in South Africa). The only reason why the outcry against Israel isn't greater is through fear of being labelled as anti semitic, and the Israeli government has been using this for decades as a type of shield.
Yeah I’m not disagreeing. Go in there, clean it out. Worry about any repercussions later. It’s a vicious cycle but better than lying down and taking it.
A poor comparison with South Africa. Israel took land it won militarily after being attacked by its Arab neighbours. It was/is surrounded by nations that were determined to make it their business to wipe Israel from the face of the Earth. Iran still is. Expansion was one of Israel's answers to its own defence - greater size is greater power. Of course, the settlements enraged terrorist organisations like Hamas. They'd get more sympathy internationally if, for once, they didn't behave like subhumans. A two state solution is the only way there is any hope of resolving this long running war.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/ From Amnesty international
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter I have worked alongside many Palestinians over the years, all are effectively stateless and repressed as a people.
Was posted to this region for 2 years. Lived and worked with Israelis and Muslims for the period.You can’t treat people the way Israel has and not expect repercussions. What’s been happening for decades is literally scandalous
election here on saturday opposition doing there best to throw away a guaranteed (up to two weeks ago) win both main parties seem to have found money trees
Suella Braverman says multiculturalism has failed. How would you respond?Suella Braverman is doubling down on a tried and tested strategy of divide and conquer. The nakedness of her racism is something that she wears with pride. I try not to talk about politicians too much, but she is vile, disingenuous, opportunistic, and has very little respect for the intelligence and the integrity of the British people. Those of us who live in multicultural communities get along. No one who comes into regular contact with people from different walks of life is on the streets, rallying about how they feel disturbed, bothered, oppressed, whatever, by other cultures. These Tories will get what’s coming to them. They are not the British people.
We too gave a Referendum here on Saturday . The government want us to vote Yes to an open cheque for of Indigenous and refuse point blank to tell us anything about what they want to do, including paying rent to our Indigenous. Of course, any Aussie with half a brain will vote No and not present an open cheque. Our indigenous, about 500,000, represent 3% of our population…… currently receive approximately 50 billion dollars every year. No one can tell us where this is going but it ain’t going to the needy way out west. Truth is, it’s a total scam. Even some of our Indigenous politicians insist on voting No. We currently have about 7 Indigenous advisory boards but apparently that isn’t enough. l ain’t paying rent. I’ll retire, go on a full disability pension and tell them all to get stuffed in the meantime. As you were.
