Rorschach
Ricky Villa
You would think this would spell the end for Netanyahu but he has a knack for clinging on to power
You would think this would spell the end for Netanyahu but he has a knack for clinging on to power
I think it explains why the Israeli response is so savage. It's easy to forget that whilst Israel are the victims of a hideous and brutal terrorist attack, they are also ruled by a right wing government.You would think this would spell the end for Netanyahu but he has a knack for clinging on to power
I would recommend listening to the interviews Sangita Myska has undertaken on LBC since 1pm.
Especially the one with Israeli Gov spokesman, Mr Levy (I can't spell his first name).
Combined with an interview with a senior member of the IDF (bald guy, sounds Scottish), it is very clear that Israel isn't going to regard international law and will deflect at every opportunity.
I'm not passing judgement there - see all my previous posts re: this may actually be the only choice and/or the rules of war not being realistic here.
That said, it seems to me there are two options:
I. Give a wider window for people to flee
II. Don't target with bombs the areas where Hamas are using significant human shields. IE Hospitals. Use an on the ground, intelligence led approach. Think SAS type activity. This is the responsible way to minimise civilian casualties.
All that said, I'm not a military strategist, and ideology isn't always applicable in war.
Secondly, see above - Israel is a right wing government, so it's no surprise they are acting like one.
I think it explains why the Israeli response is so savage. It's easy to forget that whilst Israel are the victims of a hideous and brutal terrorist attack, they are also ruled by a right wing government.
That in large part is where trying to hold Israel to the Geneva convention is so hard - the GC wasn't really designed for the kind of Govt Israel has, or how politics has become globally in the past decade.
Slightly separate debate, but the GC is probably no longer fit for purpose in its current state - it isn't set up for geurilla warfare; as good as it is, it still relies on the western privilege position of "following the rules of war in a gentlemanly way", which in and of itself is a hangover from European colonialism.
Is that applicable to the Middle East? Probably not since the end of the Ottoman empire.
I still don't think he'll hold on - not stopping the attack will be enough. Although the "decisive" response will minimise his political loses.
I don't know if this has already been posted, but a very interesting view point from Daniel Levy (not our Levy) on BBC News...
Thought it was worth sharing and to try and understand that there are other ways than retaliation and war.
Unfortunately the Americans and European Governments are not putting pressure on Israel to consider other options, they are supporting Israel to take pursue any action it sees as appropriate, even if that action is unacceptable under international law.
It's like officialising a lawful "Purge" scenario in the real world. The rest of the world will watch it unfold on TV, grimacing and shaking our heads but accepting it as we watch Palestinian human beings are massacred in an "acceptable" genocide.
There had been some pressure from the US to turn the water back on and that seems to have happened. Behind the scenes, Blinken and Sullivan are very much attempting to shape the way this Israeli offensive will go and how it will affect the wider geopolitical picture. As bad as the situation is now this could escalate rapidly into something far worse.I don't know if this has already been posted, but a very interesting view point from Daniel Levy (not our Levy) on BBC News...
Thought it was worth sharing and to try and understand that there are other ways than retaliation and war.
Unfortunately the Americans and European Governments are not putting pressure on Israel to consider other options, they are supporting Israel to take pursue any action it sees as appropriate, even if that action is unacceptable under international law.
It's like officialising a lawful "Purge" scenario in the real world. The rest of the world will watch it unfold on TV, grimacing and shaking our heads but accepting it as we watch Palestinian human beings are massacred in an "acceptable" genocide.
Two points from me
1. If Israel didn't care about Palestinian civilians, gaza would have already been reduced to rubble. They have the power to have done that
2. Ground strikes are being used and understand that by doing this, they are significantly increasing the risks to their own soldiers just to save civilian life
Point 1. The only reason the Israeli Government hasn’t ordered that is because that would be a step too far even for them. There would be zero goodwill left from people in the middle and their biggest supporters would HAVE to condemn the action. Right now we live in an upside-down world where our own government isn’t batting an eyelid at the Israeli army bombing fleeing, innocent civilians.
Point 2. Yes, that’s called warfare. Israel aren’t being altruistic towards Palestinian civilians for using their soldiers as…soldiers.
1. Yes, saying the same thing as me. Israel are considering the lives of civilians... the reason for them considering these lives could be debated but they are considering civilians
2. The media narrative is that Israel is shelling gaza, but they're conducting grounds strikes to minimise civilian harm
1. Yes, saying the same thing as me. Israel are considering the lives of civilians... the reason for them considering these lives could be debated but they are considering civilians
2. The media narrative is that Israel is shelling gaza, but they're conducting grounds strikes to minimise civilian harm
724 kids have been killed in the bombardment so far. Israel does not 'care' about civilian casualties.We are not saying the same thing. You said the Israeli government ‘care’ about civilians, I’m saying their actions don’t represent this. I’m also calling out the terrorist, war-crime actions of the Israeli government for bombing innocent civilians they ordered to leave via ‘safe routes’.
Hamas certainly has no regard for civilian life either, zero, but a state should hold itself to higher standards than a terrorist organisation.The same way Hamas didn't care for Israeli civilians. Take away religion and the world would be a much better place IMO.
Israel just wants to wipe that place off the earth and rebuild there724 kids have been killed in the bombardment so far. Israel does not 'care' about civilian casualties.
People would just find another excuse. Race, class hell even football teams. It's what humans do.The same way Hamas didn't care for Israeli civilians. Take away religion and the world would be a much better place IMO.