The Middle East Thread

I did speculate earlier that the total death toll among the Palestinians would be somewhere in the region of 200k if Israel continues what it’s doing.

Remains to be seen how many of those would be Hamas fighters.

You’re in Australia aren’t you? I was watching some documentaries on ABC catch-up to get up to speed with what’s happening in the West Bank, and they were showing sites of ‘Gas the Muslims’ graffiti (in Hebrew) I believe in Hebron, the continuous killing of Muslims from settler gangs, and they even interviewed a settler with an absolutely appalling attitude.

The situation is dire, even in the West Bank.

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October 7 was a horrible day and not just for Israel. I don’t know how many, but have been a few terrorist attacks in Europe in the last few years. What I’m trying to say is that Europe faces terrorist threats too but they don’t have the siege mentality.

Also, West Bank settlers are the ones carrying out violent attacks on the Palestine population there. Was there any significant attack on the settlers in last 10-20 years.

Siege mentality is more common when Hamas fires around 500 - 600 missiles a year.

Problem is most western countries there is a separation of church and state for good reason. Israel (and for that matter many Arab nations) have laws that are not based upon equality rather upon separation and inequality.

From preventing inter-religious marriage, rules based upon “social-cultural compatibility” or even laws of self determination limited to those of the correct religion.

The fundamental basis for the mistreatment of Jews historically (in many country’s) has been such laws. That certain people are better or worse depending on their faith, nationality or cultural background. That you need to prevent mixing.

While many countries have long moved on from such backward thinking. Israel still very much thinks in this mentality. Imposing prejudice laws. Ultimately if a two state solution is not viable this needs to change. That everyone is equal irrespective of colour, religion or sex.

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That’s not down to laws. It’s human nature.

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I can’t see the Orthodox Jewish community wanting to go with that as it dramatically waters down their influence. As a state, it could still work. You could still enshrine the right of the Jewish diaspora to Israeli nationality into a constitution. You could even have a written constitution but I suspect the same forces would resist that; you only have to look at the UK.

‘Gas the Arabs’ is a common popular refrain among settlers , heard regularly at their annual ‘flag march’ through Jerusalem.

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Almost all being Al-Qaida / ISIS inspired , and having nothing to do with Palestine. ( As I’ve gone blue in the face trying to tell my wife who insists ‘they’re all the same’ )

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Have you detected any growing signs of resentment , or a backlash even ?

The biggest (perhaps the only) problem regarding Palestinian statehood (or any other fair solution) is the occupation and colonization of the West Bank. Israel will not stop colonizing the West Bank, let alone returning the already colonized lands to Palestine. So, how can there be any solution and peace? I feel that Israel plans to reduce the West Bank into several Gaza, corralling the three million Palestine into some ghetto-like enclaves.

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Certainly looks so in Russia where some seem keen to repeat the pogroms.

I would like to think that Israel would find it easier to have the Palestinians in one contiguous stretch of land. Not multiple Gaza type enclaves

Agreed. But Hamas rockets can only reach the southern fringes of West Bank. But more importantly, you can’t stop the rockets with handguns or semiautomatics. Deployment of air-defence systems (Irondome) makes sense, but the promotion of gun-culture doesn’t. Finally, it’s not siege mentality when you are using those guns to intimidate and kill unarmed Palestine.

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That was the Nazis in Ukraine who fomented that … Putin said so.

You don’t just feel it mate , that’s the policy. And it’s a carbon copy of what the white minority in South Africa tried with their Bantustans.

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That’s common sense and humanity what you say. Israel govt safe to say doesn’t have that.

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But the siege mentality of the govt / population happens when you are being continuously targetted.

So both Israelis and Palestinians now have that mentality. It’s just that the response by Israel is way way over the top.

One probable endgame would be Israel taking over Gaza and then relinquishing an equivalent amount of settlements on the west bank to rehabilitate the Gaza population.

Will work for the Israelis perhaps , not sure it will be acceptable to the Palestinians.

Agreed. My feeling is that Israel feels two prisons, each with 1.5m, are more manageable than one with three million. Besides, then they can play the two warlords against each other, much like Abbas vs Hamas.

Can’t believe I’m having such dark thoughts :man_facepalming:

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