Israel are going to start WWIII

Iran started that on Oct 7th and 8th when it's proxies attacked Israel after years of peace, it then had proxies from Iraq and Yemen join in.

Iran is much more of a global threat than Putin, their close ally is.

The economic consequences for Israel of it's current actions are beginning to mount

https://www.firstpost.com/world/downgrade-and-debt-israels-economy-isnt-as-resilient-in-war-as-it-once-was-13820494.html

A downgrade with deep implications

Moody’s downgrade of Israel’s credit rating marks one of the sharpest financial setbacks in nearly three decades. Unlike past military conflicts, where the country’s economic resilience was evident, this time the signals are more concerning. According to The Jerusalem Post emphasised that this two-notch downgrade is not a routine financial fluctuation but a severe indication of deeper systemic issues. The agency’s analysis makes it clear that there is growing concern over Israel’s ability to recover swiftly, especially given the prolonged nature of the current military conflict and the lack of a clear exit strategy.

While Israel’s credit rating remained stable even during the Second Intifada, the current downgrade reflects a more significant problem: a perception of ineffective governance. Moody’s analysis points out that beyond the immediate costs of the war, Israel is suffering from institutional weakness, with an inability to address political instability and the growing tensions related to military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox population. This failure to implement meaningful reforms has diminished international confidence in the government’s capacity to manage not only military challenges but also its fiscal responsibilities.

Rising cost of borrowing

The immediate consequence of Moody’s downgrade is a rise in borrowing costs, which threatens to strain an already overburdened national budget.

Even if Israel "wins" it will be a broken country afterward.

Ironically for all the Palestinian supporters of a socialist bent it might be capitalism that is more likely to take down Israel than any terror group.

The world's largest ratings agency not only cut Israel's credit worthiness by two notches but has kept it on negative watch and warned that it will cut the country to junk if this continues. Then they are in to possible IMF assistance territory.

The rating agencies and IMF will then be accused of 'anti-semitism' by Israel and the cult

Doesn't it prove the conspiracy theorists wrong though (i.e the Jews controlling everything)?. Clearly it doesn't apply to Moody's. That's far more ruthless than Moody's handled us in the financial crisis.

Moody's is not only citing the wars btw - it's basic financial credibility as well. They believe Israel is in serious trouble regardless.

And they are acting on that. And Israeli politicians are crying about it (much like ours did), they can't do anything about it except get their affairs in order.

They've also been undergoing their own financial crises. Before the protests against Bibis judicial "reforms" started, there were huge protests about the cost of living.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-cost-of-living-the-highest-among-oecd-countries-in-2022-data-shows/

The finance minister is so right wing that he refused to even meet with Bibi to discuss the cost of living, unless it was tied to action in Gaza.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/smotrich-said-refusing-to-meet-pm-on-cost-of-living-crisis-in-bid-to-pressure-him-on-major-rafah-op/

I honestly believe a large part of this crises is Bibi trying to stay in power. He's doing whatever he can to shore up support from right wingers so he doesn't have to lose power and face trial.

Response to shoog random posting about white phosphorus.

What relevance has that to this photo or where Israel are now going in to in southern Lebanon.

Using it in such locations is acceptable and normal practice. In such a place it would have likely been used to provide smoke cover for troops. It really won't top artillery shells for taking out enemy soldiers, and it isnt at the races at all compared to an air strike.

Using it in South Beirut would be wrong, morally and militarily, it's just not that effective anymore

In this context it is not, there is no benefit to using white phosphorus on built up areas.

Hezbollah's friends and partners in war in the Russian army only use it sporadically in built up areas. Because it doesn't make much sense using it given everything else and they aren't concerned at all about civilians or rules of war.

Bar smoke screens or burning scrub on a mountain, it isn't really much use for anything.

No one who was trying to kill civilians or intimidate them would reach for it.

When I watch Youtube videos on my TV I often like to read the comments on whatever video I am watching, regardless of the topic. Something that I have noticed is the blatant spamming of the comments sections of international media Youtube videos on any stories related to Israel.

You can see this for yourself. Pick any Channel 4, BBC or CNN piece and you will see literally hundreds (in some cases thousands) of vociferously pro-Israel comments. Often the tone is one of mockery of the media association whose video they are commenting under. For example when the Hezbollah leader was killed the other day I saw variations of "Commiserations on the loss of your colleague BBC/CNN/C4" type messages. If the video is showing the suffering of any civilians as a result of IDF attacks then the comments will blame them for being associated with HAMAS/Hezbollah/Houthis etc.

Right now here are the top comments under a BBC story about israel's ground invasion of Lebanon

I will agree, that comments on YouTube are a dumpster fire. I'm not sure if it's the worst place online. TheJournal.ie might be worse ;)

But I've noticed it myself over the last two months. Comments under C4 video's used to be a mixture. Now the second a video goes up it's flooded with pro israeli comments.

Sure even here the number of uncompromisingly pro Israel posters is way out of kilter with real life in Ireland. In real life I don't think I know anyone who wouldn't condemn the actions of Israel and hamas. Here, while most posters are the same, there are a few who just echo what the Israeli spokespersons say.

Israeli paid and unpaid cultists

Iran about to attack