Current Affairs 2024

[Onelife]

The only way this conflict is going to be resolved will be when Israel feel they have eliminated any future threat from Hamas

I would not disagree - but do you seriously believe that Hamas will ever be eliminated. Look at other groups around the world (https://www.dni.gov/nctc/groups.html.) they all still exist and are a potential threat.

I think Israel are doing a pretty good job at it, but as Foxy says…there is always another manmade created ideology waiting in the wings.
All supposed Gods have a lot to answer for.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Israel are doing a much more effective job of eliminating innocent women and children. But that's okay because the US says so.

[Slapstick]

Israel are doing a much more effective job of eliminating innocent women and children. But that's okay because the US says so.

Israel are only doing what we've done in the past and present, protecting citizens from extremists and terrorists.

We've done it against Germany, Argentina, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless others, do you suggest Israel simply ignore it?

As I said earlier, unfortunately innocent people always get killed in war, and as I've yet to see any evidence to suggest Israel are breaching humanitarian laws or war crimes, I'm inclined to continue to agree with their actions.

Governments around the world are backing their actions, not just the US !!

[Onelife]

Israel are doing a much more effective job of eliminating innocent women and children. But that's okay because the US says so.

Hi Sir Merv, if someone slaps your face do you turn the other cheek or do you kick them where it hurts? Israel didn’t start this war Hamas started this war when they slaughtered, raped, beheaded and burnt babies alive. The people of Gaza are suffering because of the actions of their government.

[Ray Scully]

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[Stephen]

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[Mervyn and Trish]

Israel are doing a much more effective job of eliminating innocent women and children. But that's okay because the US says so.

Israel are only doing what we've done in the past and present, protecting citizens from extremists and terrorists.

We've done it against Germany, Argentina, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless others, do you suggest Israel simply ignore it?

As I said earlier, unfortunately innocent people always get killed in war, and as I've yet to see any evidence to suggest Israel are breaching humanitarian laws or war crimes, I'm inclined to continue to agree with their actions.

Governments around the world are backing their actions, not just the US !!

Some of the things that happened in those past wars would now be war crimes under international law. And what we did was not disproportionate. In WW2 for example did we will 10 times as many Germans as they did Brits?

What is happening is Gaza is not really comparable to the World Wars. It's more like Ireland. Did we flatten Dublin to get rid of the IRA?

And it's not true that governments around the world are backing them. The majority at the UN backed a call for a ceasefire. The US vetoed it.

Hi Sir Merv, if someone slaps your face do you turn the other cheek or do you kick them where it hurts? Israel didn’t start this war Hamas started this war when they slaughtered, raped, beheaded and burnt babies alive. The people of Gaza are suffering because of the actions of their government.

Did they? Or did Israel provoke it by occupying territory that is not theirs? It's a very complicated situation. Hamas are no doubt terrorists. But the majority of Palestinians are not and Israel are far from squeaky clean.

[Onelife]

Israel are doing a much more effective job of eliminating innocent women and children. But that's okay because the US says so.

Israel are only doing what we've done in the past and present, protecting citizens from extremists and terrorists.

We've done it against Germany, Argentina, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless others, do you suggest Israel simply ignore it?

As I said earlier, unfortunately innocent people always get killed in war, and as I've yet to see any evidence to suggest Israel are breaching humanitarian laws or war crimes, I'm inclined to continue to agree with their actions.

Governments around the world are backing their actions, not just the US !!

Some of the things that happened in those past wars would now be war crimes under international law. And what we did was not disproportionate. In WW2 for example did we will 10 times as many Germans as they did Brits?

What is happening is Gaza is not really comparable to the World Wars. It's more like Ireland. Did we flatten Dublin to get rid of the IRA?

And it's not true that governments around the world are backing them. The majority at the UN backed a call for a ceasefire. The US vetoed it.

Hi Sir Merv, if someone slaps your face do you turn the other cheek or do you kick them where it hurts? Israel didn’t start this war Hamas started this war when they slaughtered, raped, beheaded and burnt babies alive. The people of Gaza are suffering because of the actions of their government.

Did they? Or did Israel provoke it by occupying territory that is not theirs? It's a very complicated situation. Hamas are no doubt terrorists. But the majority of Palestinians are not and Israel are far from squeaky clean.

I would say yes to both questions…there is no doubt Hamas provoked the response that has now befallen Gaza but it is questionable as to whether Israel has legitimate rights over Israel’s occupied territories.
You have posted several times that you think a ceasefire is in order, so my question to you is…What will a ceasefire achieve while Hamas is still in power?

[towny44]

Israel are only doing what we've done in the past and present, protecting citizens from extremists and terrorists.

We've done it against Germany, Argentina, Afghanistan, Iraq and countless others, do you suggest Israel simply ignore it?

As I said earlier, unfortunately innocent people always get killed in war, and as I've yet to see any evidence to suggest Israel are breaching humanitarian laws or war crimes, I'm inclined to continue to agree with their actions.

Governments around the world are backing their actions, not just the US !!

Some of the things that happened in those past wars would now be war crimes under international law. And what we did was not disproportionate. In WW2 for example did we will 10 times as many Germans as they did Brits?

What is happening is Gaza is not really comparable to the World Wars. It's more like Ireland. Did we flatten Dublin to get rid of the IRA?

And it's not true that governments around the world are backing them. The majority at the UN backed a call for a ceasefire. The US vetoed it.

Hi Sir Merv, if someone slaps your face do you turn the other cheek or do you kick them where it hurts? Israel didn’t start this war Hamas started this war when they slaughtered, raped, beheaded and burnt babies alive. The people of Gaza are suffering because of the actions of their government.

Did they? Or did Israel provoke it by occupying territory that is not theirs? It's a very complicated situation. Hamas are no doubt terrorists. But the majority of Palestinians are not and Israel are far from squeaky clean.

I would say yes to both questions…there is no doubt Hamas provoked the response that has now befallen Gaza but it is questionable as to whether Israel has legitimate rights over Israel’s occupied territories.
You have posted several times that you think a ceasefire is in order, so my question to you is…What will a ceasefire achieve while Hamas is still in power?

It would stop the unnecessary bloodshed, and maybe enable humanitarian aid to be safely delivered, and at least ensure that famine and disease don't make the situation far worse.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Exactly. It might also stop this escalating into a wider conflict as is currently happening.

[Onelife]

Some of the things that happened in those past wars would now be war crimes under international law. And what we did was not disproportionate. In WW2 for example did we will 10 times as many Germans as they did Brits?

What is happening is Gaza is not really comparable to the World Wars. It's more like Ireland. Did we flatten Dublin to get rid of the IRA?

And it's not true that governments around the world are backing them. The majority at the UN backed a call for a ceasefire. The US vetoed it.


Did they? Or did Israel provoke it by occupying territory that is not theirs? It's a very complicated situation. Hamas are no doubt terrorists. But the majority of Palestinians are not and Israel are far from squeaky clean.

I would say yes to both questions…there is no doubt Hamas provoked the response that has now befallen Gaza but it is questionable as to whether Israel has legitimate rights over Israel’s occupied territories.
You have posted several times that you think a ceasefire is in order, so my question to you is…What will a ceasefire achieve while Hamas is still in power?

It would stop the unnecessary bloodshed, and maybe enable humanitarian aid to be safely delivered, and at least ensure that famine and disease don't make the situation far worse.

Whilst I share your view about innocent people being caught up in this conflict one should not forget that Hamas holds power by terrorising its own people and as such it is unlikely that the Palestinian people will have first shout on any humanitarian aid that gets through…. that being said I agree attempts to ease the suffering should be sought.
Wars end by surrender or negotiation and from what I have read Hamas like Israel are not prepared to do either, so it will continue until Gaza finds itself in a position to form a new elected government, one which one hopes paves the way for a negotiated settlement/compromise.

[towny44]

So Harry Spare has dropped his law suit against the Mail for questioning his methods of spinning his claim to continue with UK taxpayer funded security. He now faces costs of £750,000, which would probably have pave paid for several years of security cover.
Who thinks he may have learned an expensive lesson and will now slink off with his tail between his legs?

[david63]

Who thinks he may have learned an expensive lesson and will now slink off with his tail between his legs?

Not many - although from this report it is only £250k

[Stephen]

I see Harry has sent be well message for Royals.

Possibly hoping for a hand out towards his legal costs. Dream on.

Newspaper headlines: HS2 'back on track' and Harry's 'get well message' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-68045207

[paultheagle]

Who's Harry???????

[Onelife]

I see Harry has sent be well message for Royals.

Possibly hoping for a hand out towards his legal costs. Dream on.

Newspaper headlines: HS2 'back on track' and Harry's 'get well message' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-68045207

Just goes to show what a lovely couple Harry and Meghan are, especially when you consider all the crap Charlie, and to a certain degree (couldn’t keep it in his trousers) Willie have allowed to be leaked to the press… not!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Shows they know the evidence doesn't support their claims and reinforces the suggestion they are liars so they're crawling to the family they crapped on. £250k is the Mail's costs. The other £500k is theirs.

[paultheagle]

Who's Meghan???????

[david63]

Who's Meghan???????

The Wicked Witch from the west

[Onelife]

Who's Meghan???????

The Wicked Witch from the west

I’ve forwarded your comment to Harry…you’ll be hearing from his legal team shortly

[towny44]

Who thinks he may have learned an expensive lesson and will now slink off with his tail between his legs?

Not many - although from this report it is only £250k

The £250k is the Mails costs, his own legal fees are said to be £500k.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Back to Gaza. So the only way to end war after war in the middle east is the so called two state solution. Providing a secure home for Israelis and Palestinians. Most of the world believe it's the way ahead. But who is vetoing it? Netanyahu. Prefers to continue slaughtering innocents. Which may eventually end this war. Or may start World War 3. But definitely will not prevent another conflict in 5 or 10 years. How can that be defensible?

[Onelife]

Back to Gaza. So the only way to end war after war in the middle east is the so called two state solution. Providing a secure home for Israelis and Palestinians. Most of the world believe it's the way ahead. But who is vetoing it? Netanyahu. Prefers to continue slaughtering innocents. Which may eventually end this war. Or may start World War 3. But definitely will not prevent another conflict in 5 or 10 years. How can that be defensible?

I don’t see Netanyahu as being part of a two-state solution but he is certainly the instrument that could make it happen. As I have posted before, it is my belief that if there is to be any chance of a two-state system then Hamas has to be demilitarised to a point where they are no longer a threat to Israelis or Palestinians alike, only then will new leaders emerge from both sides who could under negotiation forge a path forward. Believing that both sides should down tools and rebuild their lives isn’t a solution, it just prolongs the inevitable.
You are of course entitled to your view but the term ‘slaughtering’ which you cast in the direction of Israel is misplaced in my opinion. Yes, many thousands have died in Israel’s attempts to root out the Hamas terrorists and while it may come across as flippant, this sadly is the consequences of war.
What Hamas did on October 7th would be my definition of ‘slaughtering’…. lest we forget.

[Onelife]

Hi Sir Merv, I think you will find this a very interesting read...I did.

https://israelpolicyforum.org/2023/11/0 ... -ideology/

[oldbluefox]

Hi Sir Merv, I think you will find this a very interesting read...I did.

https://israelpolicyforum.org/2023/11/0 ... -ideology/

The last sentence sums it up for me....
" Israel can only beat Hamas by doing everything it can to ensure that an alternative path appears viable to Palestinians". Beating the hell out of Palestinian civilians only serves hatred and serves to foster Hamas or its reincarnation in the future. You can only play a hard line for so long but eventually an alternative acceptable to both sides has to be found.