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Conflict in the Middle East

Two short videos showing Israelis protesting against Israel's war against Iran and Israelis protesting against Israel state police

161 replies

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 13:50

Two short videos showing Israelis protesting against the actions of the Israeli state, and Israelis protesting against Israel state police.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6dJFfliqKQs

Before you continue to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6dJFfliqKQs

OP posts:
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9
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:51

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:45

Methodology

As described in the report, the Democracy Index produces a weighted average based on the answers to 60 questions, or indicators, each one with either two or three permitted answers. Most answers are experts' assessments. Some answers are provided by public-opinion surveys from the respective countries. In the case of countries for which survey results are missing, survey results for similar countries and expert assessments are used in order to fill in gaps.

The questions are grouped into five categories:

That isn't what I asked about as I said above. It depends on what you mean by democracy.

Edited: But I am interested in what lies behind the Democracy Index and the funding.

OP posts:
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:50

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:40

According to the ranking done in 2024, Iran scored 154th out of 167 countries in total and was, not surprisingly classified as an Authoritarian regime.

The US scored 28th out of 167 countries (flawed democracy).

Israel scored 31st (also flawed democracy).

The UK scored 17th (full democracy, yay!)

Yes, but read my reply to your post above.
It is hilarious (not) that you think that we actually have a functioning democracy in the uk, with freedom of speech and the views of the majority taken into consideration in relation to domestic and foreign policy

You would be hard pressed to find a politician who would genuinely agree with you there.

Bottom line - if the US and Israel win against Iran it will be disastrous for all of us.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:45

Methodology

As described in the report, the Democracy Index produces a weighted average based on the answers to 60 questions, or indicators, each one with either two or three permitted answers. Most answers are experts' assessments. Some answers are provided by public-opinion surveys from the respective countries. In the case of countries for which survey results are missing, survey results for similar countries and expert assessments are used in order to fill in gaps.

The questions are grouped into five categories:

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:40

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:33

According to the ranking done in 2024, Iran scored 154th out of 167 countries in total and was, not surprisingly classified as an Authoritarian regime.

The US scored 28th out of 167 countries (flawed democracy).

Israel scored 31st (also flawed democracy).

The UK scored 17th (full democracy, yay!)

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:38

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:33

That isn't what I asked - I asked them if in fact these countries are governed in accordance with democratic values, de facto.
The countries you refer to, do you think that the views of the majority are taken into consideration most of the time? I really don't think so. Most people care about housing, welfare, education, transparency, fair taxing of businesses, accountability, etc etc etc.

OP posts:
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:35

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:23

What I am saying is that we have been told that Iran is bad and there has been a lot of spin for 40 years... coming from the same countries now invading, and Netanyahu has recently told us that what is happening now is 40 years in the making (according to Jeffrey Sachs). There have been a lot of commentators from inside Iran saying that what the west is saying is a crock. They are there for all who have eyes to see, they seem to me to be calm, principled, educated people. And they are saying that what we have been told is a crock.

We know that our domestic policy is very influenced by big business.

So if you don't agree with Iran being attacked, take that thought to its logical conclusion and work out why it is being attacked, and whether it is possible that some of what we have been told for the last 40 years is in fact spin to justify the attacks. Watch the people I have referred to above and hear what they say, they are easy to find.

Either way, I agree with you that we shouldn't be attacking.

Edited

Sorry, I meant many people think our domestic and foreign policy is heavily influenced by big business. I was too late to edit.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 19:33

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:29

Could you list off which countries in the world you think are de facto democracies and why?

Just Google it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist_Democracy_Index

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:32

SharonEllis · 25/03/2026 18:08

Bullsgit & propaganda. 10s of 1000s of ordinary Iranians have been slaughtered by the murderous regime of the Islamic Republic. No changes have been effected.

You have very strong opinions. Are you talking about Jan 2026 when you refer to 10s of 1000s? Because the UK government wasn't making these black and white claims last time I looked. Anything over 3-4K came from a rights organisation in the US who won't tell anyone where its information came from or who funds it. So if you are quoting them it would be more correct and clearer to say "x organisation tells us that 10s of 1000s of ordinary Iranians have been ..."

OP posts:
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:29

SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 25/03/2026 19:10

So you’re suggesting Iran is a democracy now? 🤨

Could you list off which countries in the world you think are de facto democracies and why?

OP posts:
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:24

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:14

Apology accepted.
Your OP was one sided so I stuck to the parameters of that. It’s fine to praise the good in a country even when it is going through dark times imho.

I will dig out some links tomorrow and post.

OP posts:
timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:23

Terfedout · 25/03/2026 18:26

I don't agree with Iran being attacked by Israel and the US. But your comment is a complete crock of shit. Everyone knows what the Iranian leadership stands for, and peaceful protest is not something they will tolerate. Ffs what world do you live in where you can stand up for people like that.

Edited

What I am saying is that we have been told that Iran is bad and there has been a lot of spin for 40 years... coming from the same countries now invading, and Netanyahu has recently told us that what is happening now is 40 years in the making (according to Jeffrey Sachs). There have been a lot of commentators from inside Iran saying that what the west is saying is a crock. They are there for all who have eyes to see, they seem to me to be calm, principled, educated people. And they are saying that what we have been told is a crock.

We know that our domestic policy is very influenced by big business.

So if you don't agree with Iran being attacked, take that thought to its logical conclusion and work out why it is being attacked, and whether it is possible that some of what we have been told for the last 40 years is in fact spin to justify the attacks. Watch the people I have referred to above and hear what they say, they are easy to find.

Either way, I agree with you that we shouldn't be attacking.

OP posts:
IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:17

What is the relevance of the Iranian state being bad to the OP’s post and to Israelis protesting against Israel’s actions?

Because the protesters are specifically protesting the war Israel and US started with Iran. They are not defending Iran or protesting because Iran is wonderful. It’s important to note why they are protesting despite Iran being a horrible country for human rights.

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:14

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:12

I apologise if I misunderstood, it was because what you had said was very one sided and so I did assume that your comment was loaded. I will find some links and post as you request.

Apology accepted.
Your OP was one sided so I stuck to the parameters of that. It’s fine to praise the good in a country even when it is going through dark times imho.

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:13

Yes, I know. Lots of other threads on that topic. Although I would think a fair number of the Israel peace protesters also protested against the Gaza war and the overall ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian Territories.

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:12

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:05

Sorry, but where did I mention invading Iran was ok?
Your thread is about freedom to protest.
I said am happy to see that Israelis are protesting for peace.
If I were pro-illegal invasions and pro-war wouldn’t I be unhappy to see peace protesters?

I’d like a source for these people in Iran saying no peaceful protesters have been arrested? Especially since I’ve seen CCTV footage of women being beaten up by IRGC for protesting and there are news reports of women being tortured/beaten to death while in police custody.

I apologise if I misunderstood, it was because what you had said was very one sided and so I did assume that your comment was loaded. I will find some links and post as you request.

OP posts:
SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 25/03/2026 19:10

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 16:09

Wow loaded comment. There is no reason or excuse to invade Iran illegally -not your implied reasons or any others.

Also, just to educate a little, people in Iran have said that the peaceful protesters did not get arrested, tortured, and that changes were effected to meet their concerns. It was rioters who were killing who were arrested and shot at.

So you’re suggesting Iran is a democracy now? 🤨

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:08

CanAnybodyFindMe · 25/03/2026 19:08

I’m not confused as to why people would say the Iranian regime is bad. of course it is. I am questioning why it is many people’s response to the OP.

What is the relevance of the Iranian state being bad to the OP’s post and to Israelis protesting against Israel’s actions?

Edited

I really don’t know, OP decided to introduce that to the thread.

IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:08

Terfedout · 25/03/2026 18:26

I don't agree with Iran being attacked by Israel and the US. But your comment is a complete crock of shit. Everyone knows what the Iranian leadership stands for, and peaceful protest is not something they will tolerate. Ffs what world do you live in where you can stand up for people like that.

Edited

Thank you! That was a crock of shit response. Iran is under a terrible regime where millions are suffering, that doesn’t make an illegal unprovoked war on them acceptable, which is why I would guess Israeli peace protesters have taken to the streets. You can desperately want better for the Iranian people and be completely against starting a war with Iran,

CanAnybodyFindMe · 25/03/2026 19:08

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 18:49

"Iranian state bad" because the Iranian regime IS bad.

It's not a competition.

It's hardly confusing why people would say the Iranian regime is bad.

I’m not confused as to why people would say the Iranian regime is bad. of course it is. I am questioning why it is many people’s response to the OP.

What is the relevance of the Iranian state being bad to the OP’s post and to Israelis protesting against Israel’s actions?

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 19:05

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 17:20

Iran said.... bunch of liars.

Revealing names and faces of the victims of Iran's protest crackdown

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62v248xkl5o

Interesting that you didn't read what I said.

I didn't say "iran said..."

I said "people in Iran have said.."

Normal people. Giving a different POV from the ones stated here as fact. In fact, in recent protests in London you will find Iranians supporting Iran and saying that what has been said about Iran is not true. Normal people.

There has been spin and propaganda for decades. The anti Iran people now support Pahlavi, yet his father as the Shah said that there had been lies spread about Iran and that there was covert control. What we are seeing now is perhaps geopolitics and covert control in action and not Israel and the US trying to save the world from Iran?

What Iran has said, interestingly, is that they are saving the rest of the world.

OP posts:
IrishSelkie · 25/03/2026 19:05

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 16:09

Wow loaded comment. There is no reason or excuse to invade Iran illegally -not your implied reasons or any others.

Also, just to educate a little, people in Iran have said that the peaceful protesters did not get arrested, tortured, and that changes were effected to meet their concerns. It was rioters who were killing who were arrested and shot at.

Sorry, but where did I mention invading Iran was ok?
Your thread is about freedom to protest.
I said am happy to see that Israelis are protesting for peace.
If I were pro-illegal invasions and pro-war wouldn’t I be unhappy to see peace protesters?

I’d like a source for these people in Iran saying no peaceful protesters have been arrested? Especially since I’ve seen CCTV footage of women being beaten up by IRGC for protesting and there are news reports of women being tortured/beaten to death while in police custody.

Twiglets1 · 25/03/2026 18:49

CanAnybodyFindMe · 25/03/2026 18:20

Thanks for posting these OP. It’s heartening to see Israelis standing up against the terrible actions of their state.

I’m a bit confused why so many replies are basically “Iranian state bad”. Do people honestly believe that the Iranian state being “bad” makes Israel’s actions justifiable?

"Iranian state bad" because the Iranian regime IS bad.

It's not a competition.

It's hardly confusing why people would say the Iranian regime is bad.

Terfedout · 25/03/2026 18:26

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 16:09

Wow loaded comment. There is no reason or excuse to invade Iran illegally -not your implied reasons or any others.

Also, just to educate a little, people in Iran have said that the peaceful protesters did not get arrested, tortured, and that changes were effected to meet their concerns. It was rioters who were killing who were arrested and shot at.

I don't agree with Iran being attacked by Israel and the US. But your comment is a complete crock of shit. Everyone knows what the Iranian leadership stands for, and peaceful protest is not something they will tolerate. Ffs what world do you live in where you can stand up for people like that.

CanAnybodyFindMe · 25/03/2026 18:20

Thanks for posting these OP. It’s heartening to see Israelis standing up against the terrible actions of their state.

I’m a bit confused why so many replies are basically “Iranian state bad”. Do people honestly believe that the Iranian state being “bad” makes Israel’s actions justifiable?

SharonEllis · 25/03/2026 18:08

timeforreflection · 25/03/2026 16:09

Wow loaded comment. There is no reason or excuse to invade Iran illegally -not your implied reasons or any others.

Also, just to educate a little, people in Iran have said that the peaceful protesters did not get arrested, tortured, and that changes were effected to meet their concerns. It was rioters who were killing who were arrested and shot at.

Bullsgit & propaganda. 10s of 1000s of ordinary Iranians have been slaughtered by the murderous regime of the Islamic Republic. No changes have been effected.

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