Israel/Palestine Thread

They won't even let the international press in…

in addition to the "Gaza voted to Hamas", you're now quoting another canard - "the population of Gaza increased".

The vote for Hamas has been discussed here at length (and thoroughly debunked) and any population increase, when discussed in terms of genocide, shows an ignorance of what genocide is. The UN definition is worth a read if anyone wishes to be properly informed.

I'm not sure if the details of the illegal detention of the flotilla have been report to the extent that Haaretz has reported it. I've not seen the video (nor need to).

But here's the thing - Israel's reaction, via its senior leaders, is true to form. They only express any kind of regret or remorse after they've been caught out on video or when nations (six so far) call in the Israeli ambassador.

It's not as if they didn't know Ben-Gvir was certain to do what he has done. He is a convicted terrorist and racist. He resigned the cabinet when Israel implemented the Gaza ceasefire. He was let back in, to pass a budget vote, only if the Genocide was restarted. Which it was. He wore the gold noose lapel badge when voting on the bill that allows the death penalty for terrorist - but only Palestinian terrorists.

It also looks fairly certain that there is currently a sealed ICC warrant for the arrest for War Crimes for Ben-Gvir

But once again, as we have seen so many times, Israel will only respond with any kind of regret if they are caught red handed.

Unless of course you're an IDF soldier who sodomised a prisoner and it was caught on CCTV - in that case you're a hero and Israel will only go after whoever leaked the evidence.

Harretz straplines (free if you subscribe by email)

A day after Israel's Foreign Ministry said that "all 430 activists" from a flotilla headed for Gaza "are making their way to Israel," far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing them being dragged through an Israeli port with the caption: "That's how we welcome the terror supporters. Welcome to Israel."

The video showed masked police officers pushing activists to the ground and forcing them to stand on all fours before being lined up face-down inside a warehouse with their hands zip-tied behind their backs. 

Ben-Gvir then walks in, waving an Israeli flag while yelling, "Welcome to Israel. We're the landlords."

In another shot, the activists are kneeling on a metal floor, surrounded by barbed wire, as armed Border Police officers keep watch and Israel's anthem plays in the background. 

The video concludes with Ben-Gvir telling the camera, "Don't be bothered by their screams," while a woman can be heard pleading and screaming in the background.

Shortly after the video was posted, both Italian PM Meloni and French FM Barrot called Ben-Gvir's conduct "unacceptable" and said they summoned their Israeli envoys for clarifications. They were joined by several other countries, including 

Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 

In a rare public rebuke, both Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned Ben-Gvir's actions. The premier said that while "Israel has every right" to prevent the flotillas from reaching Gaza, "the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt" with the activists "is not in line with Israel's values and norms."

Netanyahu said he had instructed Israeli authorities to deport the activists "as soon as possible."

Sa'ar, for his part, said Ben-Gvir "is not the face of Israel," adding that he "knowingly damaged the country with this horrendous charade, and not for the first time."

Edit - spelling.

25,000 children murdered, average age of 5. Do you believe that those kids voted for Hamas back in 2006 ? If you think they did then there's something wrong with your maths or mind.

This opinion piece from Jack Khoury of Haaretz sums up the political reality of Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran.

A two-state solution is the only realistic solution to end the violence.

Anyone who truly wants to disarm Hezbollah, Hamas, or the Iranian threat must understand that, without a political alternative, weakened organizations are often replaced by more radical ones. Every void will eventually be filled with anger and extremism.