Standing up for Israel

In Ireland they weren't hiding in 3 miles of tunnels underground and the leaders weren't sunning themselves in the Middle East.

You are aware that these terrorists organisations have been around for decades and have yet to coordinate an attack on Israel but, with what is happening to the Palestinians now, the likelihood of one has increased.
Anyway, I thought the goal in destroying Hamas was to secure Israel's security. I am afraid to say that it will have the opposite effect. Violence begets violence.
If you and others can't see this, well what can I say?

@kirinm I think that has and will still happen. Specific people being targeted.

@Scirocco I don't really understand that post either.

@quantumbutterfly no worries, I understand. I've sent you a PM. 👍

I'm not looking for an argument, I am curious though... What makes you say this is a Judeo-Christian website? And what's obvious about supporting or otherwise a particular power in this conflict?

Special ops? Using some actual intelligence to target specific individuals rather than mass murder?

Like we did in Ireland.

And then you have to two countries names Israel: the one which is today's Israel and the one who is the Biblical nation called the Chosen of God. I am sure some people cannot make even the difference between the two, nor have the intricacies detailed to start a solid discussion about it

You don't need to wonder who supports Israel on a Western European Judeo-Christian ( in cultural sense ) website. This answer is pretty obvious unless one wants arguments which I am not engaging in

It would be good to see more cross community initiatives, trust takes so long to build but so little to destroy it. As you said before, we mustn't do the extremists work for them.

My apologies for earlier offence, my heart is with all the innocents suffering in this situation, it is an emotive time.

@LaDernièreChanson what alternatives Would you have liked them to try?

@LaDernièreChanson it's a frightening time to be Muslim or Jewish, I think. I've encountered a lot of hate in real life too. Some of what I've seen and experienced has been in the context of angry, grieving and scared people acting or reacting because of trauma or fear, but a bigger proportion is just unpleasant people using this as an excuse to openly express their bigotry.

This is a great post, thank you. For a long time I've tried to hold on to the belief that Israel were solely focused on eliminating Hamas and getting the hostages back home, but it's gone way beyond resembling anything close to that now. As you say, there are alternatives but I don't think Netanyahu is interested in the slightest and Hamas are just playing ball with him now with some of their outlandish stipulations for ceasefire. Praying for an about-turn on the planned Rafah offensive but it's not looking good. Just feel heartbroken for Palestinian and Israeli civilians (and possibly more selfishly, horrified and fearful at the increase in antisemitic rhetoric closer to home).

@TinyYellow disgusting apologist statement. And Naive at best.

last ones were nov 2022

The last elections were only last year so probably not due for a while

However Netanyahu's coalition is shaky and he's losing US support so likely much sooner

Google says: Expected by October 2026
But there has been calls and protests for early elections.
If I remember correctly from Israeli lefties thread then Benny Gantz is seen as most favourable

When are the next Israeli elections?

Israelis will rightly want a strongly defensive leader, who is there in the running?

anyone know?

@MooseBreath There is absolutely a difference between seeking justice and seeking revenge. You are entirely right that there are alternatives that should have been sought months ago.

Fully agree with this, well said

@quantumbutterfly

Destroying trust and fostering division is how terrorists win.

I agree, and that's just one of the reasons why the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians is so heartbreaking. That's exactly what the Israeli response (that of the government and IDF, not individual Israelis) will contribute to.

This is an excellent post. There is absolutely a difference between seeking justice and seeking revenge. You are entirely right that there are alternatives that should have been sought months ago.

I am sorry for your loss and hope your family are safe.

That is exactly the way I read it as, too.

@Scirocco I am so sorry for your loss and I agree with @Humdingerydoo you absolutely became a mother when you had your little one.

Agreed. It is terrorism. One could argue Hamas have right on their side but I'm no supporter of such a barbaric regime that committed the October 7th massacres. Hamas need to be destroyed.

So you're saying that 7th October was "justified resistance" ?

And no-one's labelling it 'terrorism' - it IS terrorism,

Your last sentence is so true. But we can't let fear destroy our compassion and empathy. Otherwise we just do their work for them.

It may come as a surprise but I totally understood, as the atrocities of 7/10 unfolded, that there would need to be a response and that it wouldn't be without casualties. A proscribed terrorist organisation which took control of a territory, with international and not exactly pro-peace backers... which decided to go on one of the worst terrorist attacks the world has seen? They can't be left in power. They can't be left without facing justice.

It's what happened next that's where I believe some people may have gone from seeking justice against Hamas to seeking vengeance against Palestinians. There were alternatives to how this unfolded. There still are alternatives.