US/Israel conduct airstrikes on Iran again

Iranians are not Arabs though

it'll only take one mine and one tanker…

I've lived in Israel. Have you?

From the comfort of an armchair in Ireland, it's easy to think you know what Israel is and think sure, it's a grand place and you'd love to live there. Go ahead.

Wild horses wouldn't drag me back. Violence, aggression, murder, religious nutters, political nutters, military nutters and a world pariah.

I feel for all Israelis who want no part of it. Many have had the opportunity to leave and many may never return. Many cannot leave and will suffer the consequences not of their doing. Just like the Iranians.

seems there are some social media accounts stating this. Seems unlikely and I'd discount it until/unless reputable news outlets report it.

For sure, Smotrich's son was injured during military action in south Lebanon. Not sure how seriously.

The Iranians I know will tell you the ayatollahs are Arabs not Persians and are Invaders of their country who imposed a foreign religion.

Ah Jaysus...go on yeah

Luckily, I was there when it was very calm - just over 20 years ago. Beautiful country, incredible history, stunning religious sites. Many intelligent, articulate and spot on Israelis. Very taken with everything "European" - food, clothes, music, cars. I made many very good friends. Knew a few in the IDF too but they had no action in those days, just exercises.

Jerusalem was incredible. Living history. And the four quarters gave some kind of hope that different peoples could co-exist.

I used to give a lift to a 60 year old Palestinian carpenter each day to a taxi rank just outside Gaza. Lovely bloke. Just wanted to earn a living for his family.

I spent time with the mother and father of two work colleagues (brothers). Father didn't have a word of English but listened intently as I explained America to his wife who desperately wanted to go there.

I learned Hebrew and the two brothers taught me all the swear words.

I lived in Ashkelon. Even though there was zero trouble at the time, I'd see the Israeli Navy firing tracer across Gaza for the craic. On the odd occasion, the F15s would fly over Gaza and hit Mach 1 - just to smash all the windows below. For the craic.

I loved my time there but there was a berth dark underbelly. Americans there did not like the Israelis at all - very aggressive. I got used to it and they weren't all like that. Or perhaps I just gravitated to the nicer ones.

It angers me to know that those people I knew are certainly horrified at what is happening there. And the carpenter and his family (wife and three girls) are probably dead.

It angers me more that I know I probably won't get to return to an incredible country with such a deep history. But an ultimately flawed one that does not look like being sorted any time soon. And that is a loss to everyone - not just the Israelis.

Reading posts here about those who travelled Iran and met Iranians, seems they have similar experiences - great country, lovely people but a few nutters really **** it up for everyone.

I sincerely hope this a gets sorted out some time soon and people younger than me will get the chance to experience Israel as it should be and as the Israelis that I knew would want it to be. And I genuinely hope that includes you. In better times, wild horses would not have kept me away from Israel.