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Irish#1

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His government has been a complete disaster for Israel as well as the region and they pointed out that the latest events are a culmination of his blunders which included actively supporting Hamas as a strategy to keep Palestinians divided between Hamas and Fatah (who is non secular and recognizes the State of Israel btw).


As to “threats” to Israel, it is the only country in the region with nukes (I would count Pakistan as Asian) and has far and away the most military power along with the backing of the US making it the de facto super power in the region. What country/group in your opinion presents an existential threat to Israel given those circumstances?
Politics make strange bedfellows.

To the second paragraph, "I'll take Hamas for $1000 Alex".

Obviously they don't think Israel is that big of a threat to do what they did. They may not be the threat that Israel can be, but that doesn't lessen the atrocities they have done this past week.
 

Irish#1

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Looks like Israel is getting ready to move through Gaza. They've dropped pamphlets in Northern Gaza telling folks to evacuate south.


$6B in money released to Iran for the prisoner swap has been refrozen. Did the hostages get released before they froze the funds again?
 
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FDNYIrish1

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Very courageous of those universities to condemn these acts of terror 3 days after the events. And after the blowback from the behavior on campuses immediately after.
 

ab2cmiller

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They did not call out Israel per se. They did spend a good amount of time being critical (rightfully so in my opinion) of Netanyahu. Those are two different things.

His government has been a complete disaster for Israel as well as the region and they pointed out that the latest events are a culmination of his blunders which included actively supporting Hamas as a strategy to keep Palestinians divided between Hamas and Fatah (who is non secular and recognizes the State of Israel btw).


As to “threats” to Israel, it is the only country in the region with nukes (I would count Pakistan as Asian) and has far and away the most military power along with the backing of the US making it the de facto super power in the region. What country/group in your opinion presents an existential threat to Israel given those circumstances?

Lastly, the two guests were advisors to Sanders which would imply they informed his opinions. Also, both are Jewish and have friends and family in the region on both sides. Waiving them off as simply parroting Sanders is lazy.
I had a bigger issue with them claiming that because there is no existential threat (debatable) from players in the region, that somehow should mean that shouldn't hinder Israel from making a deal with the Palestinians for "peace". In reality, that fact is irrelevant. You have terrorists in close proximity that are plotting to kill Israeli's. Just because they can't defeat/destroy Israel doesn't mean those threats cause significant harms to any potential deal that could be made. Yes, I understand that Hamas doesn't represent all Palestinians. But from everything I've read, If there was an election in Gaza in 2021 or later, Hamas leaders would've won. They've indoctrinated a majority of the population. The terrorists have the support of the people.

In regards to the Sanders thing, I wasn't waving them off as simply parroting Sanders. I even pointed out that they did provide significant insight in how we got here. For me it doesn't even matter if they were parroting Sanders or in contrast, that they helped inform his opinions. The end result is the same. Their contributions to the podcast and their viewpoints are basically the same thing that Sanders is saying. I was simply pointing out that you have three people on the podcast and they all basically were saying the same thing. Would've been more valuable to have someone on that could've at least provided a slightly different perspective.

Here was Sanders statement that he released. It basically mirrors the overall tone of that podcast.



Very little commenting and condemnation on the terrorist acts that Hamas perpetuated. Any comments towards that end feel almost obligatory. Most of the statement is focused on the justice for the Palestinian people. I get there is a lot of nuance here, but in the end it feels very similar to "I Stand with Palestine".

There is no two State solution. There is no one State solution. The prospects for peace feel non-existent. How are you going to make a deal when neither side trusts the other side in any way.
 

Blazers46

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There is no two State solution. There is no one State solution. The prospects for peace feel non-existent. How are you going to make a deal when neither side trusts the other side in any way.
That… and while tough to grasp or swallow, could be true.
 

Bluto

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Politics make strange bedfellows.

To the second paragraph, "I'll take Hamas for $1000 Alex".

Obviously they don't think Israel is that big of a threat to do what they did. They may not be the threat that Israel can be, but that doesn't lessen the atrocities they have done this past week.
I’m not saying Hamas isn’t a “threat”. The success of what they pulled off has as much to do with Netanyahu’s blunders as anything and what they did is terrible.

Hamas is not however, an existential threat in that it does not possesses the resources to cause Israel to cease to exist. It seems to me that it is more comparable to the IRA during the troubles. Well armed? Yes. Well organized? Yes. Extremely violent? Yes. Able to drive the Protestants out of the North? Nope.

Israel on the other hand, does posses such resources in relation to every other country in the region.

The early political leaders of Israel and many in the secular Military understood and understand the conundrum they were and are in, that is without a negotiated peace and a Palestinian homeland (whatever that means) there will never be peace.
 

Bluto

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I had a bigger issue with them claiming that because there is no existential threat (debatable) from players in the region, that somehow should mean that shouldn't hinder Israel from making a deal with the Palestinians for "peace". In reality, that fact is irrelevant. You have terrorists in close proximity that are plotting to kill Israeli's. Just because they can't defeat/destroy Israel doesn't mean those threats cause significant harms to any potential deal that could be made. Yes, I understand that Hamas doesn't represent all Palestinians. But from everything I've read, If there was an election in Gaza in 2021 or later, Hamas leaders would've won. They've indoctrinated a majority of the population. The terrorists have the support of the people.

In regards to the Sanders thing, I wasn't waving them off as simply parroting Sanders. I even pointed out that they did provide significant insight in how we got here. For me it doesn't even matter if they were parroting Sanders or in contrast, that they helped inform his opinions. The end result is the same. Their contributions to the podcast and their viewpoints are basically the same thing that Sanders is saying. I was simply pointing out that you have three people on the podcast and they all basically were saying the same thing. Would've been more valuable to have someone on that could've at least provided a slightly different perspective.

Here was Sanders statement that he released. It basically mirrors the overall tone of that podcast.



Very little commenting and condemnation on the terrorist acts that Hamas perpetuated. Any comments towards that end feel almost obligatory. Most of the statement is focused on the justice for the Palestinian people. I get there is a lot of nuance here, but in the end it feels very similar to "I Stand with Palestine".

There is no two State solution. There is no one State solution. The prospects for peace feel non-existent. How are you going to make a deal when neither side trusts the other side in any way.

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your response and the debate. I disagree with some of your statements but I understand why you have the positions you do. Take care.
 

Irish#1

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I’m not saying Hamas isn’t a “threat”. The success of what they pulled off has as much to do with Netanyahu’s blunders as anything and what they did is terrible.

Hamas is not however, an existential threat in that it does not possesses the resources to cause Israel to cease to exist. It seems to me that it is more comparable to the IRA during the troubles. Well armed? Yes. Well organized? Yes. Extremely violent? Yes. Able to drive the Protestants out of the North? Nope.

Israel on the other hand, does posses such resources in relation to every other country in the region.

The early political leaders of Israel and many in the secular Military understood and understand the conundrum they were and are in, that is without a negotiated peace and a Palestinian homeland (whatever that means) there will never be peace.
I guess it depends on how one views it. Hamas as a threat, isn't at the same level as Israel in that they couldn't wipe out Israel within a short period of time, but I don't see Israel as one that is determined to wipe out a country either. If Hamas was wiped out, I could see Israel providing more aide to Palestinians. I don't think there will ever be peace in the ME.
 

FDNYIrish1

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This unfortunately has always been the playbook. Commit heinous acts and elicit an overwhelming response and play the victim after Israel responds. Netanyahu was put in the exact position they were looking for. Either look weak by not responding immediately or go scorched earth so they can turn everyone against you. Incredibly difficult position with no good answers.
 

Blazers46

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This unfortunately has always been the playbook. Commit heinous acts and elicit an overwhelming response and play the victim after Israel responds. Netanyahu was put in the exact position they were looking for. Either look weak by not responding immediately or go scorched earth so they can turn everyone against you. Incredibly difficult position with no good answers.
Goes back to the phrase they keep repeating. They love death as much as Israel loves life. Dying is not only a tool but in their religion it’s an honor. Win/win for them.
 

ab2cmiller

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If you stop doing this you'll stop breeding terrorists.

Evidently Israeli Settlers tried to block the funeral procession. When they tried to go around the blockade, two individuals were shot and killed at some point. Absolutely Tragic.
 

ulukinatme

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If you stop doing this you'll stop breeding terrorists.

Rather short video with no context, it's unclear what's really going on in that confrontation. That whole account looks to push sketchy propaganda.

I don't have any context to this video, but I don't think any is necessary. This is the aftermath of Hamas attacks on innocent Israelis.
Warning, extremely graphic. Burnt bodies, dead children, it's brutal.
 

TorontoGold

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Evidently Israeli Settlers tried to block the funeral procession. When they tried to go around the blockade, two individuals were shot and killed at some point. Absolutely Tragic.
It's insane man. Taking a page out of the Obama book of killing people at funerals. The Israeli settler stuff is wild.

Rather short video with no context, it's unclear what's really going on in that confrontation. That whole account looks to push sketchy propaganda.

I don't have any context to this video, but I don't think any is necessary. This is the aftermath of Hamas attacks on innocent Israelis.
Warning, extremely graphic. Burnt bodies, dead children, it's brutal.

Unsure what motive you have for casting doubt on a persons death? The people in the video are clearly trying to get help. The video has been shared by multiple credible sources. I will say it's ironic to claim "account to push sketchy propaganda" and then a tweet from "Izlamic Terrorist".

To then compare a horrific disaster against what has happened to another human being is pretty shameful. Innocent Palestinians killed at a funeral shouldn't have their deaths treated as a "well this happened so". As a family man, I wouldn't want my families tragedy being tainted because radicals carried out atrocities.

Be better, human beings are dying and every death is tragic.
 

FDNYIrish1

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It's insane man. Taking a page out of the Obama book of killing people at funerals. The Israeli settler stuff is wild.


Unsure what motive you have for casting doubt on a persons death? The people in the video are clearly trying to get help. The video has been shared by multiple credible sources. I will say it's ironic to claim "account to push sketchy propaganda" and then a tweet from "Izlamic Terrorist".

To then compare a horrific disaster against what has happened to another human being is pretty shameful. Innocent Palestinians killed at a funeral shouldn't have their deaths treated as a "well this happened so". As a family man, I wouldn't want my families tragedy being tainted because radicals carried out atrocities.

Be better, human beings are dying and every death is tragic.
He’s not casting doubts on the persons death but the circumstances surrounding it. Multiple credible sources shared it but you shared the video from this particular account. Did you read her bio?
And you don’t get to question any other poster for treating anyone’s death as “well this happened so” after what you wrote along with the video you shared.
I see what you’re doing in here. I’m pretty sure everyone does. Be better, right?
 

ab2cmiller

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He’s not casting doubts on the persons death but the circumstances surrounding it. Multiple credible sources shared it but you shared the video from this particular account. Did you read her bio?
And you don’t get to question any other poster for treating anyone’s death as “well this happened so” after what you wrote along with the video you shared.
I see what you’re doing in here. I’m pretty sure everyone does. Be better, right?
I did find an account of the incident in an Al Jazeera write up. Seems legit. Who knows. Initially it seemed like all the gunfire that is visible is of a guy just firing into the ground. Presumably to try to scare/warn the individuals to stop.

There's probably good reason to show some initial skepticism of some reports (for both sides) that come out of the area right now.
 

ulukinatme

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It's insane man. Taking a page out of the Obama book of killing people at funerals. The Israeli settler stuff is wild.


Unsure what motive you have for casting doubt on a persons death? The people in the video are clearly trying to get help. The video has been shared by multiple credible sources. I will say it's ironic to claim "account to push sketchy propaganda" and then a tweet from "Izlamic Terrorist".

To then compare a horrific disaster against what has happened to another human being is pretty shameful. Innocent Palestinians killed at a funeral shouldn't have their deaths treated as a "well this happened so". As a family man, I wouldn't want my families tragedy being tainted because radicals carried out atrocities.

Be better, human beings are dying and every death is tragic.
I've had family that are service men. I've heard them recount men they've lost and stories from Afghanistan and Iraq where women and children have been used as suicide bombers to get close for attacks. Radical Islamists have used ambulances and other deceptive means to carry out terrorism attacks, and if the attack is thwarted it's used as propaganda "They even attack our innocent doctors!" Death is tragic, but preventing further death is necessary. How do we know the funeral isn't a front for Hamas? How do we know in the clip everything is as they say?

Don't lecture me on being better, you're always so ivory tower. I simply called into question the context of a short video clip because I've seen and heard scenarios twisted in the past. I see two men that have guns fired in the ground near them. It isn't clear anyone dies, but again...the video is shaky and doesn't show everything. If it happened as it says then that's awful and tragic, and I have nothing more to say.

But yeah, that account doesn't spew propganda. How about you be better? Don't always be so gullible and question things once in awhile:
F8VYDS3XsAAUJZQ
 
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Bluto

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I guess it depends on how one views it. Hamas as a threat, isn't at the same level as Israel in that they couldn't wipe out Israel within a short period of time, but I don't see Israel as one that is determined to wipe out a country either. If Hamas was wiped out, I could see Israel providing more aide to Palestinians. I don't think there will ever be peace in the ME.
Various Right Wing Israeli groups (many of whom now occupy positions in the the government) have been pretty clear in their desire in terms of eliminating Palestinians from what they consider greater Judea.

In fact the current minister of National security, Ben Gvir is a notorious right wing bigot. Apparently, he used to have a portrait of Baruch Kopel Goldstein a terrorist who murdered a bunch of people at a Masque in Hebron on his wall at home.

“The attack left 29 people dead, several as young as 12 years, and 125 wounded”.

He is also big fan of kahanism which is a political philosophy associated with the deceased right wing crackpot/terrorist Meir Kahane. Below is a link to an interview with Kahane and a link to Ben Gvirs Wikipedia page if you’re interested.


“Q: According to you, where are the exact borders of Eretz Yisrael?

A: The borders that are mentioned in the Bible.

Q: But there are different interpretations among the rabbis...

A: Let me tell you what the minimal borders are, and which the rabbis agree upon, according to the description given in the Bible. The southern boundary goes up to El Arish, which takes in all of northern Sinai, including Yamit. To the east, the frontier runs along the western part of the East Bank of the Jordan river, hence part of what is now Jordan. Eretz Yisrael also includes part of the Lebanon and certain parts of Syria, and part of Iraq, all the way to the Tigris river.”


Given some of these facts and the power dynamics it would seem to me that Israel presents much more of a threat to Palestinians than the other way around.
 
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FDNYIrish1

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I did find an account of the incident in an Al Jazeera write up. Seems legit. Who knows. Initially it seemed like all the gunfire that is visible is of a guy just firing into the ground. Presumably to try to scare/warn the individuals to stop.

There's probably good reason to show some initial skepticism of some reports (for both sides) that come out of the area right now.
Agreed. I really believe everyone in here has their heart in the right place. I’d just remind everyone that everything you see now is to get an emotional reaction.
 

TorontoGold

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He’s not casting doubts on the persons death but the circumstances surrounding it. Multiple credible sources shared it but you shared the video from this particular account. Did you read her bio?
And you don’t get to question any other poster for treating anyone’s death as “well this happened so” after what you wrote along with the video you shared.
I see what you’re doing in here. I’m pretty sure everyone does. Be better, right?

Instead of providing proof as to why it's questionable, he wanted to jump on me for pushing propaganda. Was she in the video? Did she shoot the guns? Did she work with Al-Jazeera? I posted the video, but here's the article - what parts of her bio make it into the supporting article?


What is incorrect of what I wrote, if you're going to dance around it, just step out and say it. I'm a big boy you can say what you want. I wrote that killing people at funerals is how you radicalize people? Is that something you disagree with? I can't believe in 2023 saying "killing innocent people at funerals creates terrorists" is something you're taking issue with.

Does virtue signaling only get applied to bleeding heart pussy hat wearers? Or what about those that want to preach how much they care about human life and then turn around and diminish the deaths of those that don't subscribe to the same set political/religious beliefs?

I've had family that are service men. I've heard them recount men they've lost and stories from Afghanistan and Iraq where women and children have been used as suicide bombers to get close for attacks. Radical Islamists have used ambulances and other deceptive means to carry out terrorism attacks, and if the attack is thwarted it's used as propaganda "They even attack our innocent doctors!" Death is tragic, but preventing further death is necessary. How do we know the funeral isn't a front for Hamas? How do we know in the clip everything is as they say?

Don't lecture me on being better, you're always so ivory tower. I simply called into question the context of a short video clip because I've seen and heard scenarios twisted in the past. I see two men that have guns fired in the ground near them. It isn't clear anyone dies, but again...the video is shaky and doesn't show everything. If it happened as it says then that's awful and tragic, and I have nothing more to say.

But yeah, that account doesn't spew propganda. How about you be better? Don't always be so gullible and question things once in awhile:
F8VYDS3XsAAUJZQ
Preventing further death is absolutely my wish. Take Hamas out into the streets and execute them for being radical islamist fundamentalists with regressive ideas. BUT you absolutely can not commit huge atrocities on civilian's, because you will absolutely lay the ground work for further terror cells to develop. This can't be a controversial take.

I'm ivory tower because I take humanist positions for civilian peoples. I don't pick and choose which religion or ethnicity gets preferential treatment. I never said they weren't a propagandist twitter account, just that the video has been shared by multiple sources and confirmed by Al-Jeezra.

You want to advocate for the jewish people as if you haven't shared Jack Posobiec tweets on these forums - a literal alt right guy who traffics in antisemitic circles. So yeah, might not be best to kick dirt up about "bad sources" especially with current events.
 

Irish#1

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Agreed. I really believe everyone in here has their heart in the right place. I’d just remind everyone that everything you see now is to get an emotional reaction.
It’s all tragic and there’s going to be a lot more innocent people killed before it’s over. Unfortunately one side is irrational and has a total disregard for life. That leaves very few options for dealing with this.
 

Bluto

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It’s all tragic and there’s going to be a lot more innocent people killed before it’s over. Unfortunately one side is irrational and has a total disregard for life. That leaves very few options for dealing with this.
Both sides are “irrational” at this point.
 

IrishLax

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These are the people the Democrat Socialist of America are supporting.

Spoiler Alert: this attack had next to nothing to do with Palestinians being oppressed by Israel. It was perpetrated to force a response from Israel and derail Israel from normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Iran and Russia cooked it up and didn’t care who died or how they died so long as Israel would respond by going into Gaza.
 

ulukinatme

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You want to advocate for the jewish people as if you haven't shared Jack Posobiec tweets on these forums - a literal alt right guy who traffics in antisemitic circles. So yeah, might not be best to kick dirt up about "bad sources" especially with current events.

:laugh: Holy fuck. We're doing this one again? I shared probably one or two tweets from the guy quite awhile ago, you're as bad as a wife! I had no idea who he was then, the tweet had to have come up in a trending topic or the algorithm because I don't follow him. Why a Jew would traffic with antisemites is questionable, got me there, makes no sense. I've seen stuff posted here from DailyKOS, the Intercept, Palmer Report, or worse by posters trying to pass them off as responsible journalists that aren't pushing propaganda. Lets not pretend anyone here is innocent.

Questioning video content must be done when dealing with Hamas, they have a history of this sort of thing. This one just came out:
 
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ab2cmiller

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Spoiler Alert: this attack had next to nothing to do with Palestinians being oppressed by Israel. It was perpetrated to force a response from Israel and derail Israel from normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Iran and Russia cooked it up and didn’t care who died or how they died so long as Israel would respond by going into Gaza.
From what I’ve been able to deduce, this is the most logical explanation. The lives of Jews and Palestinians were sacrificed for this cause.
 
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