NPR: Israel will invade Gaza's Rafah 'with or without' a hostage deal, Netanyahu says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Israel's goal now is to completely destroy Hamas. Anything else is secondary.

Which, if you set aside these student protests, is objectively a reasonable thing for them to plan to do, as a country protecting her citizens from decades of guerilla terrorism.

"Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands[1][2][3][4] of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The attacks, widely condemned for targeting civilians, have been described as terrorism by the United Nations, the European Union, and Israeli officials, and are defined as war crimes by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets to be illegal under international law.[5][6] Palestinian militants say rocket attacks are a response to Israel's blockade of Gaza,[7][8][9] but the Palestinian Authority has condemned them and says rocket attacks undermine peace.[10]

"From 2004 to 2014, these attacks have killed 27 Israeli civilians, 5 foreign nationals, 5 IDF soldiers, and at least 11 Palestinians[11] and injured more than 1900 people.[12] Medical studies in Sderot, the Israeli city closest to the Gaza Strip, have documented a post-traumatic stress disorder incidence among young children of almost 50%, as well as high rates of depression and miscarriage.[13][14][15] A public opinion poll conducted in March 2013 found that a majority of Palestinians do not support firing rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, with only 38% favoring their use.[16] Another poll conducted in September 2014 found that 80% of Palestinians support firing rockets against Israel, if it does not allow unfettered access to Gaza.[17]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel

What do you think is reasonable for the West Bankers to do to defend themselves against Israeli terror?

The West Bankers are doing okay. The Gazans should emulate them by dethroning Hamas and installing Fatah.

Done. Middle East problem solved.

Relative to Gaza they are doing okay. That’s an extremely low bar.

Since Oct 7 there have been thousands arrested in the West Bank and 500 people killed. Many villages have been attacked by settlers with homes and cars destroyed and livestock stolen and slaughtered while the Israeli forces look on and do nothing. Many people have been forced to abandon their homes due to rampaging settlers.

Its gotten very little attention compared to Gaza, because what is going on there is so extremely dire, but what has been happening in the West Bank the past 7 months is a tragedy.

Its the West Bank that gives away the game. If they largely left the Palestinians alone there, then the argument against Hamas is credible. Expanding the settlements and excusing the violence just shows that Israel plans to ethnically cleanse the Palestinians regardless of what they do. It doesn't matter how they behave or who they put in power, Israel is coming for them.

The settlements are hugely controversial inside Israel and were a part of the protests last summer. Change may have been coming. However, the 10/7 attack put all those issues aside, and these college protests are not going to change Israel's position either. Maybe they are making the college students feel good but they are actively harming their cause, if their cause is peace or a cease-fire or an independent two-state solution.

There is no controversy about the settlements in Israel. There never has been. Israel would kill any PM who agreed to a one or two state solution. They have done it before and will do it again.

Any politician not supporting the settlements is unelectable. Hell the US has settlements organizations raising funds for more settlements. They operate openly with political support from Dems and Republicans.

Oct7 is nothing special and has changed nothing.

Netanyahu is very unpopular within Israel. I am pro Israel, anti Netanyahu, anti settlement and pro two state solution. But let me tell you, the vitriol and misinformation spewed against Israel isn’t making me more liberal. Israel could be the most liberal country in the world and the world would still point fingers.

Can he be impeached?

[Anonymous]

The Israeli government warned the Biden administration that if the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, it will take retaliatory steps against the Palestinian Authority that could lead to its collapse, two Israeli and U.S. officials said.

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/01/us-israel-palestinian-authority-icc-arrest-warrant

Well Biden better get his priorities straight! Stop talking about hostages and ceasefires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hamas has had plenty of months (since last October) to release the hostages. AT this point it's meaningless expecting any deal.

Funny how the protesters keep ignoring they're supporting a *terrorist* regime that brutally genocided innocent people and took others hostage.

Glad you think it’s funny but it’s really not, those protesters are not supporting terrorists no matter how much you want that to be true. They are asking for the end to the one sided slaughter of Palestinians. Going back and saying what about 10/7 does not justify what has happened since.

But we didn't see them protesting what happened on 10/07, did we?

Yes you did. I have a kid at WM. There was enormous support and activism, mostly in support of Israel. The kids were harassed by counter protesters and campus police were very visible until things calmed down after winter break.

Mt other kid is at a SLAC and she says that there were protests and a group of symbionts interrupting prospective student tour groups to give their manafesto.


Lot of good will towards Israel on 10/8. But they certainly did a good job blowing through it.

But no— the college kids didn’t care after 3/7 narrative is just wrong.in fact, a lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hamas has had plenty of months (since last October) to release the hostages. AT this point it's meaningless expecting any deal.

Funny how the protesters keep ignoring they're supporting a *terrorist* regime that brutally genocided innocent people and took others hostage.

Glad you think it’s funny but it’s really not, those protesters are not supporting terrorists no matter how much you want that to be true. They are asking for the end to the one sided slaughter of Palestinians. Going back and saying what about 10/7 does not justify what has happened since.

But we didn't see them protesting what happened on 10/07, did we?

Yes you did. I have a kid at WM. There was enormous support and activism, mostly in support of Israel. The kids were harassed by counter protesters and campus police were very visible until things calmed down after winter break.

Mt other kid is at a SLAC and she says that there were protests and a group of symbionts interrupting prospective student tour groups to give their manafesto.


Lot of good will towards Israel on 10/8. But they certainly did a good job blowing through it.

But no— the college kids didn’t care after 3/7 narrative is just wrong.in fact, a lie.

I don’t know. As soon as Israel was attacked, the counter protests started. You had the squad who wouldn’t even condemn Hamas through gritted teeth. You had the head of the student bar association at NYU blasting the entire list serve praising the attack on Israel. Israel didnt really blow their good will- they were in a damned if you, damned if you don’t position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Israel's goal now is to completely destroy Hamas. Anything else is secondary.

Which, if you set aside these student protests, is objectively a reasonable thing for them to plan to do, as a country protecting her citizens from decades of guerilla terrorism.

"Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands[1][2][3][4] of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The attacks, widely condemned for targeting civilians, have been described as terrorism by the United Nations, the European Union, and Israeli officials, and are defined as war crimes by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets to be illegal under international law.[5][6] Palestinian militants say rocket attacks are a response to Israel's blockade of Gaza,[7][8][9] but the Palestinian Authority has condemned them and says rocket attacks undermine peace.[10]

"From 2004 to 2014, these attacks have killed 27 Israeli civilians, 5 foreign nationals, 5 IDF soldiers, and at least 11 Palestinians[11] and injured more than 1900 people.[12] Medical studies in Sderot, the Israeli city closest to the Gaza Strip, have documented a post-traumatic stress disorder incidence among young children of almost 50%, as well as high rates of depression and miscarriage.[13][14][15] A public opinion poll conducted in March 2013 found that a majority of Palestinians do not support firing rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, with only 38% favoring their use.[16] Another poll conducted in September 2014 found that 80% of Palestinians support firing rockets against Israel, if it does not allow unfettered access to Gaza.[17]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel

What do you think is reasonable for the West Bankers to do to defend themselves against Israeli terror?

The West Bankers are doing okay. The Gazans should emulate them by dethroning Hamas and installing Fatah.

Done. Middle East problem solved.

Relative to Gaza they are doing okay. That’s an extremely low bar.

Since Oct 7 there have been thousands arrested in the West Bank and 500 people killed. Many villages have been attacked by settlers with homes and cars destroyed and livestock stolen and slaughtered while the Israeli forces look on and do nothing. Many people have been forced to abandon their homes due to rampaging settlers.

Its gotten very little attention compared to Gaza, because what is going on there is so extremely dire, but what has been happening in the West Bank the past 7 months is a tragedy.

Its the West Bank that gives away the game. If they largely left the Palestinians alone there, then the argument against Hamas is credible. Expanding the settlements and excusing the violence just shows that Israel plans to ethnically cleanse the Palestinians regardless of what they do. It doesn't matter how they behave or who they put in power, Israel is coming for them.

The settlements are hugely controversial inside Israel and were a part of the protests last summer. Change may have been coming. However, the 10/7 attack put all those issues aside, and these college protests are not going to change Israel's position either. Maybe they are making the college students feel good but they are actively harming their cause, if their cause is peace or a cease-fire or an independent two-state solution.

There is no controversy about the settlements in Israel. There never has been. Israel would kill any PM who agreed to a one or two state solution. They have done it before and will do it again.

Any politician not supporting the settlements is unelectable. Hell the US has settlements organizations raising funds for more settlements. They operate openly with political support from Dems and Republicans.

Oct7 is nothing special and has changed nothing.

Netanyahu is very unpopular within Israel. I am pro Israel, anti Netanyahu, anti settlement and pro two state solution. But let me tell you, the vitriol and misinformation spewed against Israel isn’t making me more liberal. Israel could be the most liberal country in the world and the world would still point fingers.

Can he be impeached?

Impeached for being unpopular? His approval ratings in Israel are as awful as Trump and Biden's approval ratings. Should we impeach Trump and Biden just because they suck and are very unpopular? I wish we could but that isn't how it works.