What, they don’t have ambassadors because Congress won’t ratify Biden's picks? They need to look at their system of government if so. Actually they need to look at it regardless increasingly not fit for purpose.
Mate, I explicitly said it wasn't aimed at anyone on here. You're very well informed and I always respect your opinions. I think we're all coming at this with a certain amount of confirmation bias, meaning that we sympathise with both sides whilst supporting one more.
Yes mate - At the time of the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the Middle East, the United States had no confirmed ambassadors to Israel, Egypt, Oman, or Kuwait. The State Department’s top counterterrorism envoy position has sat empty for more than two years, the top human rights envoy position—the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor—has been unfilled for the entirety of the Biden administration, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has not had a top Middle East official in nearly three years. Led by Donkeys
I see the FA have held firm in refusing to light up Wembley in Israeli colours, good for them. With respect to both sides in this awful situation politics and sport are like oil and water, they should never be mixed. Why MPs have to demand this or that we are trivialising something awful that has nothing to do with sport. The ludicrous taking the knee is a perfect example of empty gestures that do no good and antagonise those on one side or other, let's just enjoy the sport...
Trouble is, they set a precedence by lighting it for countless other things. I agree about empty gestures and virtue signalling, but the FA supported France after a terrorist attack among others. Why not Israel? Probably don't need to answer that.
Another sign of Biden's incompetence - Israel did not consult with the US before it issued an evacuation warning to more than a million Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza, the White House said. Spokesperson John Kirby said: "There was no prior consultation that I’m aware of before the IDF issued that evacuation warning." Biden increasing looking lost
According to the BBC, Israel have confirmed that the blockade will be lifted if the hostages are released.
Been a few years mate since the Play Off final when we all met up af that Irish Bar in Kilburn(?) to arrange tickets. I'm sure all our kids are taller than us now. Next time I can get back would be good to meet up for a pie pint and the inevitable loss to Rotherham
He sent me this earlier...another podcast well worth a listen if you've got the time... https://spotify.link/bw3YWG43RDb
There's one thing i have never really understood and that is why Iran has taken such an antagonistic stand against Israel - why do they apparently hate Israel so much. They have no border issues with the country, no issues of oil, water, economic competition, no security issues. Not so much as a sheep has been taken from Iran. Why have the Iranians developed such a solidarity with Palestinians, more so than many Arab states have done, when they don't really like the Arabs that much - and have actually had wars against them (Iraq) ? Are they ingrained with a higher level of Anti Semitism than other muslim nations ? I don't believe this last one becasue the largest Jewish population in the Middle East outside of Isreal is in Iran, and there are 8 Synagogues in Teheran and Jewish representation in the Parliament of Iran. Or is it that Israel were very chummy with the Shah, but then many other countries were as well. So what is the real issue ?
It does seem to be the Shah issue, and Israel's ties to the Great Satan (America). Tbh I don't look to the theocratic leadership of Iran for logic.
Only if it is a war crime to temporily move civilians from an area for their own safety while terrorists are hunted down. Highly doubtful, but of course if Israel's response is too harsh at any stage in the future, then at the least, outside nations will have a duty not to encourage it.
