Anyone watched the Louis Theroux documentary

[Ninerina]

I knew that things were bad for the Palestinians but after watching the documentary I'm so disgusted by the 'settlers' the government of Israel and especially Daniella Weiss.
Palestinians are referred to as savages and camel riders by a rabbi!
Will we get a chorus of how Louis Theroux is anti- semitic now? The usual battle cry of the Israel supporters

It's an utterly bizarre situation. I've been thinking about this and don't know of any parallel in history, an army feeding it's opponents civilians...

Has this happened before?

But it's not it's opponents civilians, Israel is an Occupying power therefore the rules are different .

Plus I would not expect them to feed them but not to block the aid that other countries have provided that is very different.

With all due respect @quantumbutterfly I think we can all say we are all more vociferous for one "side" and there is nothing wrong with that it depends on a lot of factors.

Fair points.

But I mean the actual reality on the ground. I mean IDF soldiers handing food parcels to a representative of each Palestinian family. I find it graphic. And I can't think of a similar situation in history.

I did Google it but obviously worded it badly as kept getting accounts of Japanese cannibalism 🤮.

Just wondered if anyone else knew.

Similar to my position also.

I think that may be why I find it easy debating with @Martymcfly24 because we aren't that far apart in beliefs, just I see things more from the Israel point of view and they empathise more with the Palestinians.

But others on here seem strangely reluctant to criticise Hamas despite appearing to care deeply about the welfare of Palestinians in Gaza. Strange.

Ok I see where you are coming from..

I suppose the IDF are already a presence in the area and it does break the cycle of Hamas taking charge.

On a bigger level a fed population will be happier and more content and more likely not to look to extremists

And I'll skip the Japanese cannibal googling 🫣

I'll take that as a compliment so @Twiglets1 !

Look as I said there are a multitude of factors to why we have all "picked a side" but I think we can all agree that the main aim is the return of the hostages and a safe healthy future for all civilians of the region.

Definitely 👍

This is true. My feelings are greatly swayed by what I've seen playing out on the streets of the UK and my own interactions with colleagues, and these experiences date back to the late 80's & early 90's before we saw those sectarian divides hardening on most of the mainland UK. Before the days of rampant social media & 24hr global news cycles I suppose.
People with the time and energy have always espoused causes, but we rarely have a complete understanding of complex issues so, as you say, the desired outcome for a lot of us is the return of hostages and a safe, healthy, peaceful future for all in the region.
What kind of person survives a conflict and then thinks, 'yep, I want more of that for me and my loved ones?' Most of us are fortunate to have no experience like that and I certainly wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Never. The double standards are incredible. I feel really sorry for Israel. They've been put in a ridiculous situation and Hamas and their supporters are milking it for all it's worth

❤️

This was the latest from UK lawyers who submitted their statement on behalf of our government to the ICJ in regards to aid. There was a five day trial that ended on Friday, I don't think the outcome has been declared yet.

From the guardian
Langrish said: “Israel must facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian provision to the population of Gaza, including food, water and electricity, and must ensure access to medical care in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
Her submission reflected a UK government determination to stand by international law even if it caused severe political difficulties with its close ally Israel.

I wish Israel would allow humanitarian aid back into Gaza but Netanyahu says they won’t until the hostages are released.

Hamas could just release the hostages? That would stop all the lawyer deliberations with different countries coming to different conclusions and be clear cut that there would be no excuse not to allow humanitarian aid back into Gaza.

Well I wish Hamas would release the hostages too. But I do think there needs to be a ceasefire for their safe release. There's also the issue of countless Palestinians being held without trial or charge that often gets glossed over which is a great injustice. Netanyahu absolutely will not accept a ceasefire despite there being a large push for it in Israel.

If Israel had not decided to turn back on the deal that they initially agreed, then all if not majority of the hostages would have been released by now.

Thousands of reservists have signed letters calling an end to the war with many saying Netanyahu is only continuing as it serves his own personal interests.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crldw5gklrro.amp

Why does there need to be a ceasefire for their safe release? They could just agree during negotiations that they will release them if Netanyahu would agree to reinstate humanitarian aid?

Ofcourse there needs to be a ceasefire. They can't exactly be released safely whilst there's a war waging on.

All the hostages that have been released by Hamas so far have all been done during a ceasefire. Why do you think Israelis who want the hostages released are calling for a ceasefire?

If they release the hostages with no guarantee of a ceasefire they have no leverage to request an end to hostilities at all?

If the hostages are released, is the plan then to continue attacking and blockading Gaza?

Why can Israel not agree to a ceasefire?

AIUI Israel have turned down many deals which could have secured their release? Happy to be corrected on this last point.

Yes they could - it could all be arranged through the negotiators & the hostages released in a safe place if both sides wanted it.

It's not happened before and it also absolutely ignores the Palestinians who are being held indefinitely without any charge or trial. They matter too.

We’re talking about humanitarian aid at the moment.

They have no leverage anyway as Netanyahu has made it clear now that destroying Hamas is a higher priority to him than the release of the hostages.

Israel won’t agree to a ceasefire because they are winning. In a war it is the losing side that capitulates and then both armies can stop fighting.

I find the argument that they can't be released because then Hamas will have no leverage particularly painful. I know you're just speaking from Hamas' pov and not stating this as your own, or at least I hope that is the case. But it's still an absolute non argument. The hostages should be released unconditionally. They should have never, ever been taken. There is no argument to be made for keeping them.

Well I guess that answers your question about the hostages then.

That’s not my personal wish, that’s just looking at logically why they won’t be released without the offer of something in return. That’s why hostages are taken. Israel likewise doesn’t seem to feel any particular duty to protect citizens, medics, in Gaza.