Bob Geldof announced Gaza Aid 2025

Yes I would feel for them too, if they existed. But they don't, not on MN anyway. And No most of gaza has not been 'flattened'. Please look it up and learn the difference between 'damaged' and 'destroyed'.

If it’s callous to mention the number of lives lost then why are pro Palestinian people on here always mentioning that the IDF have killed many more Gaza militants and civilians now than were killed by Hamas on October 7th?

Thank you for answering.

So it seems we agree that most of Gaza has been flattened, that thousands of children have been killed and aid has been stopped. I appreciate you haven’t dismissed this as Hamas propaganda.

We also agree that what has happened in Gaza has caused moral outrage- not surprisingly.

What we disagree on is whether Israel had to do what it has done and what it continues to do in Gaza. There are serious concerns about crimes against humanity having been committed by Israel, as were committed by Hamas on 7/10.

Here are two seasoned political figures discussing it.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SMXiQJHjwJZ4HFzTmkVwo?si=0f1N81A8RsOwZIrIUuJISQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A1Ysx8g1Iw42gESAtegrFaH

I am feel for supporters of Israel who cannot countenance any criticism of the way that the IDF has conducted itself in Gaza. But you can’t blame that solely on Hamas.

Why education of course, time will tell what's been learned. In any subject courses are tailored to the expertise and funding of the lecturers, depends where the funding goes. I'm all for the advance of knowledge for the benefit of humanity.🙂

Give me strength.

I was just answering your question not making the original statement about Starmer being terrified of the UK pro Israel lobby. The US pro Israel lobby influences US foreign policy which then does have an effect on all of their strategic allies. I agree it doesn't work that way in the UK in terms of direct political lobbying.

Though I do think Starmer tries extra hard to not appear anti Semitic to distance himself from Corbyn's labour. And there has been a concerted effort by the Israeli government to sell the idea that criticism of Israeli government actions equates with being anti Israel, therefore anti semitic, and there are many willing to propagate this view in the UK. He does have to tread carefully though because eventually the facts of what is happening to people start speaking too loudly to ignore.

Although, how does another country, just decide to wade in and tell the Ethiopian government to change how they're doing things.

It struck me looking at the documentary that the government couldnt give a shit, didnt want outside observations or intervention?

That’s true. People don’t starve to death because there is no food available, it’s just in the wrong place.
If you can walk into a restaurant in Los Angeles and buy a bottle of French mineral water, there’s no supply chain issues moving water either.
It’s political will.

I don't know what AIPAC's got to do with the Israel lobby in the UK. Apart from obviously being a different country and therefore obviously irrelevant both the rules around lobbying and election funding are very very different here. Do tell us who in the UK is terrifyimg Starmer and by what mechanism.

What do you think the long game is and how is it proceeding?

Again, the presence of Islamic extremists is a large part of the equation.

Wrt influence in universities, indoctrination via 'education' is recognised as a powerful tool in autocracies. It's a long game but effective.

Ethiopia did not have Islamic extremists - big difference. I was less aware back then of the forced displacement from the refugee camp in Ethiopia.

I think that situation may be more comparable to Yemen or Sudan.

I would argue that it's not that arguable :) One may result in what you describe, as be as effective as cold war union infiltration (the long term impact of which is arguable at best.

The other has resulted in decades of the US arming Israel and refusing to support multiple UN resolutions, and is currently resulting in the continued deaths of tens of thousands of innocent human beings because it serves the interest of the Israeli government.

Apart from some minor African political window-dressing in order to keep the potential transfer of money alive, Robert ('Bob') Geldof's so-called 'fund raiser' Live Aid accomplished nothing but 1) lining the pockets of corrupt African politicians to the tune of millions of pounds; 2) wasting plastic and paper resources with the issue of a risible, perfunctory song as a 7" vinyl record.

The US and the UK could’ve solved the Ethiopian famine in 1984.

The US could alleviate the hunger in Gaza within the next week.

If Live Aid taught us anything, it’s that the solutions are about political will rather than money or logistics.

I don't disagree, it really depends who you consider malign Vs benign. I don't think China has our best interests at heart but I have some admiration for their history and culture, wouldn't survive well living there though. I feel the same about much of the middle east, it's a different world, which brings me back to the naivety of marching through Egypt as if it's central London.

But destabilising and distracting to American society. Similar strategy to cold war union infiltration. It's arguable which is more effective.

Whereas American universities receive several hundred million dollars from countries like Qatar, which could explain some of their reluctance to say that calling for the death of Jews on campus violates conduct codes. @quantumbutterfly

Exactly, powerful and influential lobby groups are everywhere. China and UK universities is another interesting one. We have to accept they exist and that they, to a greater or lesser extent, have influence.

Nice choice actually.

Those Kneecap boys can help out as well.

Yes probably true. But ultimately they are far less influential on the world stage than the US government and President.

Whereas American universities receive several hundred million dollars from countries like Qatar, which could explain some of their reluctance to say that calling for the death of Jews on campus violates conduct codes

Who? We could start with AIPAC. How? They funded pro-Israel Republican and Democrat candidates to the tune of over $100 million in the last election. The largest single source of funding. Any election candidate who doesn't take a pro Israel position is therefore at an immediate financial disadvantage.

So that's America not Britain, but clearly what the US do then influences the UK and others.

Bob Vylan is available for bookings.

Given there was so much criticism of him for either being the big old white saviour or having 'too many' white acts, why dont people of Palenstian heritage or ME heritage arrange a Gaza Aid? Why it would be for some old school, past it pop star to do?

And the pij frat house? And the pervasive sense of fear?

I don't think Israel is Gaza's only problem. Did you catch his travels in Libya too?