To be worried about the effects on British society of the conflict in Gaza

[mids2019]

Everyone is aware of the conflict in Gaza and we are delivered information on a daily basis through a range of online media.

I personally think there is an immense human tragedy here and the reporting on the whole is responsible. However I think we must realise in reality we fundamentally can't change the actions of foreign states but governments when appropriate can exert diplomatic pressure. Ultimately the US is the biggest geopolitical player when it comes to Israel.

I do think we have to be conscious of effects within or society in the UK about the prolonged deep feeling about this conflict including rising anti semitism and Islamaohibia. I feel it is very important to maintain community relations within a diverse country and I fear the polarisation brought in some parts of so sorry brought on by the Gaza conflict has a direct and maybe permanent impact on the community ties that bind us in the UK.

I think we have to remember we are all citizens of the UK and we live in a democratic state whose aim on an international level is to act on our interests forging alliances with friends and allies in the world. Israel is an ally of the UK and independent of the current crisis we will have trade and military ties with this partner state.

We have a record of welcoming historically welcoming both Jews and people from majority Muslim countries into the country and I would hate to think that the inflamed feeling about a foreign war leads to permanent division in the UK.

I feel we polarize society into 'Pro palestine' and 'pro Israel' at some level of our identities and these divisions may become permanent given the length and intracractibility of the conflict.

What can be done to make everyone feel safe in this country as far as possible and bond us in terms of being UK citizens in a global community?

@mids2019 ,

I agree, I am also torn.

The current definition of genocide is much expanded from the original one (which surprised me) and, if Israel is trying to displace the Palestinian population (which they are v quiet about), it might qualify.

Hamas is a tough one. Clearly, anyone connected with the atrocities committed deserves zero mercy, but I think Hamas is a broad umbrella and includes the civilian police force, for instance. Should Israel look to eliminate all of Hamas, including those not involved (and probably not even aware of) the planning of the massacre?

Ultimately, Israel has been waging this campaign for a long time now and needs to clearly explain their end goal to their allies and benefactors. Destroying Gaza and displacing it’s population is not an acceptable end goal if they want to keep their label as a civilised country.

@Newbutoldfather
Ultimately, Israel has been waging this campaign for a long time now and needs to clearly explain their end goal to their allies and benefactors. "

As to an end goal if there is a ceasefire now then no more innocent Gazan civilians would be killed but Hamas would remain in power and seek to continue to attack and kill innocent Israeli civilians as they have promised to do so.

If there is no ceasefire then there are no more innocent Israeli civilians being killed but there would be more innocent Gazan civilians being killed.

If Israel somehow succeeds in removing Hamas from power then they would quite likely be replaced by an even more extremist group such as PIJ.

If Israel fails to remove Hamas then the conflict continues.

The only solution i can see is if Hamas are somehow persuaded to step down from power. A third party country (Turkey? / Egypt? / somebody?) takes control of Gaza in the short term. The border is sealed and Gaza has nothing to do with Israel and vice versa.

The West Bank is somehow made to become economically successful to provide an alternative future to the continued violence and a two state solution implemented. All new Israeli settlements in the WB are stopped in the short term and existing ones dismantled in the medium term.

That said I can't see it happening because the polarisation and hatred is now too deeply entrenched on both sides.

"@stormy4319trevor
@SummerFeverVenice Yes, there is very little concern for Palestinian Christians, which I think is tragic. They are probably the oldest Christian community in the world,"

In reality there Christians make up less than 1% of Gaza's population or less than 2,000 people down from over 10% in 1945. The numbers have fallen sharply due to the Israeli economic embargo on Gaza plus persecution from Hamas itself so anyone who could get out got out.

In terms of persecuted Christians I am much more concerned about the hundred of thousands of Christians currently being slave traded and killed in Sudan.

Yes - the persecution of Christians ( the most persecuted religion in the world) is massively under reported. It’s as though no one cares.
It needs more media exposure- but that’s a topic for another thread.

So what do you think changed that means that Hamas no longer want to kill Jews? (Except from the fact that, y'know, they're still doing it.)