Israel/Palestine Thread

Latest news in from Haaretz.

• Netanyahu is delaying the response to the hostage release proposal (spoiler alert - he has never cared about the hostages).
• Opinion piece warns of Israeli society falling apart
• Britain accuse Israel of breaches of International law (the E1 plan) and Germany "strongly opposes" the plan. Words only - no meaningful action
• US Democrats accuse Israel of publicly admitting to targeting and murdering journalists.

Two days after Hamas said it accepted mediators' proposal for a partial hostage release/cease-fire deal, PM Netanyahu is still delaying Israel's official response and has yet to formally schedule a meeting of the security cabinet to discuss the matter. Sources told Haaretz that Israel's response is being formulated under deliberate secrecy, and that Netanyahu's close circle could not say when he intends to finalize a decision. On Wednesday, Channel 12 News reported that Netanyahu confidant Ron Dermer, the head of Israel's negotiating team, met in Paris with senior Qatari officials on the issue.

Hostages' family members called on the Netanyahu government to accept the deal, with Bar Godard, daughter of Manny Godard, who was killed and taken to Gaza by Hamas on October 7, saying that "those who have, for three days, refused to respond to a government-approved proposal, failed to convene a cabinet, and refused to meet have, in practice, chosen to sacrifice the hostages. This is a deliberate, planned, and organized move."

"Even if we turn a blind eye to the painful ethical issues stemming from the ongoing disregard for the lives of others – and this includes the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas – we cannot ignore the futility of treating force as the be-all and end-all. It is not only impractical, as it cannot be sustained over time, but it also undermines our ability to convert operational gains into meaningful, lasting achievements. This clouds our long-term future. Maintaining a state of perpetual war is exacting a terrible and steadily mounting price – not only from others but also from our own society" – Ariel E. Levite

Britain summoned Israel's ambassador following the government's approval of the settlement construction plan in the E1 area which would sever the northern West Bank from the south, calling it a "flagrant" violation of international law. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin "strongly opposes" the plan, saying "such steps would be contrary to international law and would make a two-state solution impossible. That is why we strongly advise against moving further down this path." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel to reverse the decision, calling it "illegal."

Seventeen Democratic senators, led by Jewish Senator Brian Schatz, wrote to President Trump that "Israel has not provided convincing evidence for its claim" that Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza earlier this month, was a Hamas militant, and that "it appears Israel is publicly admitting to targeting and killing journalists who have shown the world the scale of suffering in Gaza… a violation of international law."

How do you come to that conclusion?

Israeli economy in tatters and will be for the foreseeable, civil unrest is building, International community is condemning them daily, Settlers and Govt. Ministers are sanctioned, ICJ will rule on the Gaza Genocide and they continue to murder civilians.

I'd imagine the outcome suggested is a distinct possibility. And Israeli citizens both in Israel and abroad know it.

But if you'd like to posit your own interpretation, that would be appreciated.

Squirrel!

I'd be fairly sure it's just noise from him to dampen the criticism a bit. But notable he's still going ahead with the final solution.

Remember all the posts stating "release the hostages" and Israel will stop the war? Pure bunkum. And everyone knew it.

I don't believe the "majority of superpowers" ignore the ICJ - none totally ignore it. Some do limit its jurisdiction in internal affairs (US and China). But the issue is that the ICJ cannot issue sanctions - they can only provide rulings/determinations. So, like a dog with a bark, but no teeth.

The Israel lobby in the US is strong. But in recent weeks, some are seeing the world's public turning against Israel. Some lobbyists are therefore modifying their language - but that's probably just a fig leaf of cover, for now. Perhaps the majority of US politicians are supportive of Israel, but many are not. And Trump has been carful to condemn the starvation and berate Netanyahu - again, probably just words to appease those unsupportive of Israel.

Israel controls 86% of Gaza. What they will finally take is anyone's guess. Whatever they do take, the next question will be what they do to the Palestinians. Ship them off to Sudan? There'd be a massive outcry. And I'd say Egypt and Lebanon, possibly Jordan will be looking over their shoulders. Other Arab nations will be apoplectic. Turkey too. I've no idea what would happen, but it won't be pleasant. Even if Israel takes half of Gaza - squeezing a population of over 2 million into 40 sq km is just not going to be sustainable. It would sure be a hellhole anyhow.

Israelis will suck up the economic issues until it really hit their pockets. Likud and the far right coalition parties will then likely be run out of the Knesset. Unless the US bankrolls the State of course. Perhaps then moderates will try and recover whatever they can and beg for forgiveness.

The key thing to watch will be the ICJ decision. If that goes against Israel, which it should, nothing will ever remove that stain. In time, some may warm to Israel but you can guarantee others will make their lives a misery for ever. And that is regardless of all the above speculation. Israelis and particularly Jews around the world will get a hard time. Some deservedly, others not.

As for the photos:

The pictures are those you can swipe across - I can't embed but the site below is not paywalled.

This Khan Younis as of July:

This is Gaza City outskirts according to BBC verify (I prefer to link as you then get the full context rather than just an image)

ha, lose american support and they are nothing, and will be nothing again