To ask why the only countries that didn't vote for a ceasefire were USA and UK?

[stillholly]

All other countries in the UN voted for a ceasefire.

USA put their hand up and voted against a ceasefire.

UK abstained from voting.

Can anyone explain to me their reasoning for not voting for a ceasefire?

Regarding rockets...

Yes I'm aware they are being fired still. I'd like them to stop. But let's keep some perspective here.

The BBC reported yesterday on an Israeli who was injured - a shrapnel wound to his leg by a rocket. Whilst I wish him well in his recovery, on the same day nearly 1000 Gazans will have been injured, and hundreds more killed. Few week ever be mentioned by name.

Why the double standards in reporting?

Is it because Palestinian lives seemingly matter less or is it because for all the thousands of rockets, them actually hitting anything and injuring or killing anyone is (thankfully) rare. And yes, the Iron Dome has a lot to do with that, but it's disingenuous to pretend that these rockets are an equal danger compared to IDF bombs.

It isn't the case that every war where one side is militarily stronger than the other, that the stronger side is by definition committing genocide.

Hamas initiated the war and could at any time end it by rescinding its power over Gaza and releasing the hostages.

How can you call it a war when one side has no army, no tanks and no way out.

The IDF is currently engaged in on-the-ground fighting with Hamas. I'd say that constitutes an army.

The war didn't start due to rockets, it started due to a surprise Hamas attack on Israel where they massacred, brutalised and raped

"The world loves it when brown people are dehumanised."
Israeli's are no less "brown" than the gazan's

No, the war has been going on for over 75 years.

Israel has been punishing the people of Gaza for a long time. Here's a few things that have been banned from Gaza by Israel, which shows the level of petty control/punishment they've exerted over the population. Chocolate, hearing aids. Macaroni, chicks (though boxes for storing chicks in were allowed). Fresh meat was banned but canned meat allowed 🙄.

Obviously the lack of macaroni cheese isn't a war crime but it's indicative of the attitude of collective punishment. Shooting kids, detaining children without trial, bombing their airport/port, the settlers, targeting of journalists, the apartheid system, deaths through airstrikes etc, those are a bit more serious.

But seriously, why weren't they even allowed macaroni? Why did Israel get to make that decision? It's pathetic and disgusting.

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

This is a useful link about the blockade. Please note that it is implemented by the Egyptians as well as the Israelis.

Indeed. Banning crayons!! It's great they can now have pasta, but seemingly not in a sauce. I had no idea that tomato pasta was so dangerous!

Goods go through Israel not Egypt, but in any event Israel in reality controls that border too (the negotiations to allow aid through rafah, to let foreigners out etc has primarily been with Israel). Why would the USA have been trying to persuade Israel to allow the above if it wasn't their choice. No one or no thing goes in or out of Gaza without Israel's approval unless it's smuggled. Can you imagine having to smuggle in crayons for your kids to play with? And yes they were used for these mundane purposes as well as weapons.

Why was chocolate barred!?

Thanks for this

Not to mention how Israel decides when the Palestinians can have water and electric....

@Babyboomtastic Netanyahu and the government have their priorities really messed up.
So menial things like crayons are barred to put pressure on Hamas yet Netanyahu for many years at the same time approved suitcases of cash from Qatar to pass through to Hamas.

Because it was a luxury not an essential. The same for crisps, shoes, glasses, musical instruments , A4 paper etc.

It was the USA that convinced Israel to allow macaroni.

Yes, they became less restrictive after 2010, but it still was ridiculous, petty and clearly designed to make life miserable. Cinnamon was allowed, sage was not for example.

As you see from that list, it's possible that even toilet paper was banned at one stage (some sources say it was, others say it wasn't).

Bear in mind that the banned items weren't always on a publicly available list - just some items were refused and it often depended on the whims of the inspection officer.

Most of the list had NOTHING to do with stopping terrorism (I'm yet to hear of a chocolate powered weapon) and everything to do with subjugation and control.

It's all over the news today

The payments, which Israel knew "helped prop up the Hamas government"
For years, "Israeli intelligence officers even escorted a Qatari official into Gaza, where he doled out money from suitcases filled with millions of dollars."

Once again further proof that Netanyahu propped up Hamas in every way to prevent a two state solution

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html

Pure conjecture and speculation.

Which part of the article is?

The times of Israel also mentions it

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/

It's an opinion piece!

Not facts!

Is Natanyahu on record saying "Hey let's give Hamas a load of resources so we don't have to have a 2 state solution?"

The telegraph also has an article on this, a newspaper not known to be pro Palestine at all. Netanyahu has screwed over civilians on both sides.

@nightcreature Don't know about BN but Israel's Finance Minister did state Hamas is an asset. He was elected in a democracy and is a Minister in Govt. And people complain about posters on here being pro Hamas.

You don’t have as many corruption allegations against you as Netenyahu does in a democratic country without being a corrupt, malignant arsehole, imvho.

Simply put - no

Yep...

Hamas was certainly useful if one wanted to use them as an excuse to seize land.