Middle East Conflict

[Vic]

I've previously said that the existential threat to Israel is "a new pharaoh that knew not Joseph". And if that reference means nothing to most, that's because "what the Bible says" means less to people in the western world, and (slower than in the UK) fundamentalism in the USA is less prevalent and less influential than it was. And (more research needed) that may well be true of Jews in America, whose unwavering support for Israel is waning.

And by chance, Radio 4 covered this today

(From 6 mins) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001sljc

 

[Vic]

Every country needs an army.

Why Did Costa Rica Really Abolish Its Military?

Politics, not pacifism, led the country to eliminate its armed forces in a decision that still resonates today.

www.americasquarterly.org

 

[Ducado]

Every country needs an army.

I think it’s Costa Rico that doesn’t have one, why would they need an army?

 

[Vic]

I think it’s Costa Rico that doesn’t have one, why would they need an army?

In more civilised times, few countries needed a standing army.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

I think it’s Costa Rico that doesn’t have one, why would they need an army?

Iceland too I thought?

If I recall correctly, Costa Rica's is ensured by the US and Canada; Nicaragua got a bit menacing on the border, and announced that they would invade the day after on some pretext.
The day after they looked at the US and Canadian helicopter gunships that had materialised overnight and were lounging casually just in case they were needed, and decided better of it.

 

[Eebo]

Here's what I posted on page 913.

Middle East Conflict (merged)

On the same weekend of our largest protest March with 800,000+ was also yesterday the Arab League Summit of 57 countries including Palestine, on the Gaza situation. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-host-extraordinary-joint-islamic-arab-summit-riyadh-saturday-2023-11-10/...

forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk

I owe you apology as I had missed that post, and you do express your qualms there.

However much of that post is still couched in terms of your hatred for Hamas 'letting innocents be killed' which rather sidesteps the issue of who is actually doing the killing (the IDF), and your indignation that there is not enough consideration for the victims of the initial Hamas atrocity

For all their murderous intent, and bringing all their resources to bear, the worst Hamas could achieve was a one-off surprise terror attack killing 1,200 -1,400 innocent Israelis after a year or more of planning and preparation.

In 6-7 weeks the IDF has killed in excess of 10,000 Palestinians, terrorised hundred of thousands, possibly millions of others, with round the clock bombing one of the most densely populated areas in the World. In case that that is not enough they have also cut off electricity and water, and denied them access to medical care by destroying and closing hospitals.

You can't just keep saying 'Hamas are evil' as justification for doing something far worse and expect people to remain sympathetic to the original cause. That might work with politicians and World leaders but it doesn't cut it with most ordinary people.

They see the imbalance in power at play here and this why people originally sympathetic to the Israeli cause have shifted their concern to what the IDF are doing and how long they are going to carry on doing it.

 

[Ducado]

My vision or pipe dream is two state’s living side by side in peace, the Palestinian state should be a beacon of democracy and good governance, a liberal democracy with a highly educated population, instead of wasting money on tunnels and guns have schools and good governance

And both states passing laws banning racist political parties, I know the region it’s been a hot bed of war for centuries, but so was Europe a few hundred years ago could you ever imagine France and Great Britain as allies and friends, and let’s not forget all the other wars and now we all live together in peace (let’s not mention Brexit) if the will is there it can be done

 

[Ducado]

Iceland too I thought?

If I recall correctly, Costa Rica's is ensured by the US and Canada; Nicaragua got a bit menacing on the border, and announced that they would invade the day after on some pretext.
The day after they looked at the US and Canadian helicopter gunships that had materialised overnight and were lounging casually just in case they were needed, and decided better of it.

As an aside there are loads of countries that don’t need an army, it’s a ridiculously expensive luxury

 

[inchy14]

I don’t agree with any of it. But, do you really think of Israel did hold out an olive branch that Hamas would take it? Extremism doesn’t forgive or forget. Sadly, this will continue until one or the other is wiped out.

You can’t wipe out an ideology and every father or mother they kill they create the next lot of Hamas fighters, that’s if the kids survive in the first place, it’s that simple.

Israel has to stop the land grabs and the indiscriminate bombing in order for the likes of Hamas to not exist any longer.

 

[west didsblue]

Friendly fire?

That tweet is a total distortion of what was in the Israeli media.
This explains where that story came from.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1nngcpnp