Netanyahu is no better than Hamas. Both are savage in their tactics. What Israel is doing is genocidal, and if International Law does not apply to Israel's actions now, we are all harmed. What will be tolerated, excused in future conflicts.
Israel's use of artificial intelligence to create targets in Gaza is one sickening example that avoiding mass civilian deaths is of no importance to them (see Democracy Now's December 1 report "Mass Assassination Factory": Israel Using AI to Generate Targets in Gaza, Increasing Civilian Toll).
Another thing we should remember is that Netanyahu cynically allowed Hamas to remain strong in Gaza as a strategy to keep Palestinian leadership destabilized.
Netanyahu's actions and strategies to "protect" Israel did not protect his people then, and is not protecting them now. Getting hostages back safely has not been the priority. Revenge is the priority. And it is convenient in keeping Netanyahu in power.
Israel has the means to conduct different strategies that do not pulverize hospitals with sick people and infants and doctors inside, while targeting journalists in a most precise and deadly way ("Israel should face war crimes probe over journalist death in Lebanon" Aljazeerah, December 7: "Since the Gaza war broke out, at least 63 journalists have been killed, including 56 Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese nationals....").
No war is clean. But this one is resulting in atrocity that is intentional: "The Norwegian Refugee Council said the Gaza war 'now ranks amongst the worst assaults of any civilian population in our time and age.'" from "Israel and Hamas fight house-to-house battles across Gaza, Guardian US, December 6, 2023).
It is not bombastic to be fiercely calling for ceasefire given this situation. It is not bombastic to fiercely defend human rights.
There is the only thing left to do which is the very thing that causes divorces when not done. It is the thing that makes men run from the room. These four little words, as women know, can begin the healing, “We need to talk.”
This Israeli encroachment and wall around Gaza has lead to desperation and created the problem of Hamas. You keep poking a bear it eventually snaps back. Now Hamas has grown far beyond desperate and is more of a mafia within its own community. Help the Palestinians separate from the violence and live in peace and that cannot be a ghetto inside of a wall. They are humans!
I imagine if Hamas wishes for oeace they could release the noncombatants they savagely took from ISREAL. That. Would at least begin the peace process. Hamas should make sure their lies are not easily proved so the world might begin to consider they might finally be telling the truth.
It is difficult to see anything but tragedy in the unholy struggles in the Holy Land. This Ugly American mourns the devastation. We are all human animal, nothing more, nothing less. That is a biological fact. It is not licence to declare open season on ones neighbors.
Perceptive, very. Many thanks. I cant get past the imbalance of casualties right now and what that says..........but I spose in the end, there is no beauty in war is there........or owning of being 'right'. I struggle to live with the seeming okayness of that, and being silent.
In my entire life I’ve not been so sad as now. It feels and looks as if we are choking each other to death. The conflicts each look a bit different, but killing seems rapidly escalating with a politico-pseudo-religious zealotry and nihilistic ideology that defies valuing of human life.
Just as attempts to reason with an intoxicated person are a fool’s errand, trying to broaden a fixed mind appears useless. I am reminded of a third-grade child of white supremacist-leaning parents in my class years ago: his conflict with an African American peer went far beyond the reach of a teacher/student conference and by extension with parents. His eight-year-old mind seemed ironclad by hate. Yes, all these years past tell me we have gone backwards, and my heart has a profound ache.
Such simple but extremely and vitally important truths. Without some level of knowledge of the past - going back centuries - especially in this region no simple or straightforward or justifiable solution can exist.
Politicians and pundits - especially the loudest ones - are among the least qualified of anyone to be given responsibility or power.
I disagree with Mr. Rather's last paragraph in this "Only Tragedy" analysis. The leaders that Mr. Rather describes are not the best options for hope. Compromise is not hard at all. Middle grounds and cooperation is not difficult. It only becomes difficult when feelings, beliefs and the preposterous assumptions of religions are threatened. Wisdom does not require reevaluating and readjustments. It is actually a measure of reality and progress. The answers to his question are knowable and predictable. The costs are in thousands of lives and billions of dollars in the loss of the quality of life for millions of people. What will follow will be more of the same as long as these so-called leaders are political, religious, business-like, and controlled by lawyers. What will remain after every conflict is broken hearts, shattered lives and resentments of others only because these leaders cannot surrender their insane values of righteousness and "beliefs". In the real world nothing is forever changed and remains permanent. The Middle East war is a war of religion and intolerance on both sides of the fence. Ignorance is in control and insanity is the guide. There are answers to every conflict, but they are not to be found in politics, religion or by lawyers.
It’s sad that the United Nations is not respected despite warnings of war crimes. The Lemkin Genocide Institute has a red flag on Armenia and Gaza. To cut power and deny food and water access is inhumane. Targeting civilians is a war crime. The Lemkin Institute have already issued warnings . Sadly the world has to catch up. The atrocities of Hamas were shocking and heinous. I pray the hostages are released as soon as possible. My grandparents were victims of genocide and I will keep fighting against those who normalize this crime against humanity.
One has to barely scratch the surface and the histories of the North American Tribes portray typical human behavior, including warfare against other Tribes. If we read only one source and stumble across a sympathizer who has projected a false persona, we will be reading a bias. We see it all the time; it's called misinformation and disinformation. People are people, all subjected to weaknesses. Were this untrue, I dare say we would be looking at perfection. Pride, envy, greed, lust, wrath...when we can root out these human traits from ourselves, we will be on a better path towards peace. But it must begin with each individual, no matter what the circumstance.
the U.S. needs to stop thinking it has permission to do anything it wants. Nuclear bombs are a bad threat to all of society everywhere. Leave Mexico alone
This is not a question of absolutes for me. Greater minds than mine have been trying to repair the damage done by eons of strife and war for centuries. The cost on both sides in the continuation of suffering is astronomical. The answer certainly doesn't lie in more polarization and flag waving.
well said Rena. Polarisation has a lot to answer for. How and why has it become the norm and almost okay amidst all the other noble virtues of freedom and compassion?
All minds greater or not are driven by and attached to agendas and worldviews. Don't discount the greatness of yours.......just no one asked or got us involved.
The problem with thinking our leaders are being thoughtful is that a lot of decisions about the Middle East have to do with power, greed, and oil. And that's how I know they're not making the best decisions for humanity, no matter how informed they are.
Well. It would appear that the Europeans , ISREAELthe United States,the thoughtful countries in Africa and modern east, and the pacific rim countries ALL NEED TO SET DOWN NOW AND START TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH ISREAL AND PALESTINIANS
After reading this article I am reminded of the CS Lewis quote that we read so we know we are not alone. I feel better knowing others are willing seek opinions and discuss these issues.
The news and pictures coming through the media regarding the horrors once again occurring in the Middle East has both alarmed and confused me. What is the right way to protect both Israeli and Palestinians and resolve this issue? What will become of Gaza when one group prevails? What and how much involvement should the United States provide?
Good quesions Joyce. One aspect that I have thought about, and this goes back to many wars, Kuwait, Iraq, and more lately Ukraine and now Gaza...........what about the total destruction of infrastructure? Loss of life is bad enough (that sounds trite but I dont mean it to be)............the disregard of life is evil enough.....the disregard of resources be it oil wells, buildings , pipes and peoples things and where there is community and shelter..............the destruction of these things, with the life and homes lost is tragic and evidence of total disregard fopr the attachments of life as well.....and evil in my book. I struggle with what I have to make in my own life without looking at the images of destroyed buildings and city spaces..........and no one seems to talk about the cost and effort remaking all that. May be, and this is a BIG maybe, maybe its like the forest rejuvenated by the forest fire..........maybe its just the way of things. I would be crushed in more ways than one being there and facing that. But some like the Palestinians have lived this for a few generations. Such resilience.
Netanyahu is no better than Hamas. Both are savage in their tactics. What Israel is doing is genocidal, and if International Law does not apply to Israel's actions now, we are all harmed. What will be tolerated, excused in future conflicts.
Israel's use of artificial intelligence to create targets in Gaza is one sickening example that avoiding mass civilian deaths is of no importance to them (see Democracy Now's December 1 report "Mass Assassination Factory": Israel Using AI to Generate Targets in Gaza, Increasing Civilian Toll).
Another thing we should remember is that Netanyahu cynically allowed Hamas to remain strong in Gaza as a strategy to keep Palestinian leadership destabilized.
Netanyahu's actions and strategies to "protect" Israel did not protect his people then, and is not protecting them now. Getting hostages back safely has not been the priority. Revenge is the priority. And it is convenient in keeping Netanyahu in power.
Israel has the means to conduct different strategies that do not pulverize hospitals with sick people and infants and doctors inside, while targeting journalists in a most precise and deadly way ("Israel should face war crimes probe over journalist death in Lebanon" Aljazeerah, December 7: "Since the Gaza war broke out, at least 63 journalists have been killed, including 56 Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese nationals....").
No war is clean. But this one is resulting in atrocity that is intentional: "The Norwegian Refugee Council said the Gaza war 'now ranks amongst the worst assaults of any civilian population in our time and age.'" from "Israel and Hamas fight house-to-house battles across Gaza, Guardian US, December 6, 2023).
It is not bombastic to be fiercely calling for ceasefire given this situation. It is not bombastic to fiercely defend human rights.
There is the only thing left to do which is the very thing that causes divorces when not done. It is the thing that makes men run from the room. These four little words, as women know, can begin the healing, “We need to talk.”
This Israeli encroachment and wall around Gaza has lead to desperation and created the problem of Hamas. You keep poking a bear it eventually snaps back. Now Hamas has grown far beyond desperate and is more of a mafia within its own community. Help the Palestinians separate from the violence and live in peace and that cannot be a ghetto inside of a wall. They are humans!
I imagine if Hamas wishes for oeace they could release the noncombatants they savagely took from ISREAL. That. Would at least begin the peace process. Hamas should make sure their lies are not easily proved so the world might begin to consider they might finally be telling the truth.
It is difficult to see anything but tragedy in the unholy struggles in the Holy Land. This Ugly American mourns the devastation. We are all human animal, nothing more, nothing less. That is a biological fact. It is not licence to declare open season on ones neighbors.
Perceptive, very. Many thanks. I cant get past the imbalance of casualties right now and what that says..........but I spose in the end, there is no beauty in war is there........or owning of being 'right'. I struggle to live with the seeming okayness of that, and being silent.
Heaven help us.
In my entire life I’ve not been so sad as now. It feels and looks as if we are choking each other to death. The conflicts each look a bit different, but killing seems rapidly escalating with a politico-pseudo-religious zealotry and nihilistic ideology that defies valuing of human life.
Just as attempts to reason with an intoxicated person are a fool’s errand, trying to broaden a fixed mind appears useless. I am reminded of a third-grade child of white supremacist-leaning parents in my class years ago: his conflict with an African American peer went far beyond the reach of a teacher/student conference and by extension with parents. His eight-year-old mind seemed ironclad by hate. Yes, all these years past tell me we have gone backwards, and my heart has a profound ache.
Such simple but extremely and vitally important truths. Without some level of knowledge of the past - going back centuries - especially in this region no simple or straightforward or justifiable solution can exist.
Politicians and pundits - especially the loudest ones - are among the least qualified of anyone to be given responsibility or power.
I disagree with Mr. Rather's last paragraph in this "Only Tragedy" analysis. The leaders that Mr. Rather describes are not the best options for hope. Compromise is not hard at all. Middle grounds and cooperation is not difficult. It only becomes difficult when feelings, beliefs and the preposterous assumptions of religions are threatened. Wisdom does not require reevaluating and readjustments. It is actually a measure of reality and progress. The answers to his question are knowable and predictable. The costs are in thousands of lives and billions of dollars in the loss of the quality of life for millions of people. What will follow will be more of the same as long as these so-called leaders are political, religious, business-like, and controlled by lawyers. What will remain after every conflict is broken hearts, shattered lives and resentments of others only because these leaders cannot surrender their insane values of righteousness and "beliefs". In the real world nothing is forever changed and remains permanent. The Middle East war is a war of religion and intolerance on both sides of the fence. Ignorance is in control and insanity is the guide. There are answers to every conflict, but they are not to be found in politics, religion or by lawyers.
well said
It’s sad that the United Nations is not respected despite warnings of war crimes. The Lemkin Genocide Institute has a red flag on Armenia and Gaza. To cut power and deny food and water access is inhumane. Targeting civilians is a war crime. The Lemkin Institute have already issued warnings . Sadly the world has to catch up. The atrocities of Hamas were shocking and heinous. I pray the hostages are released as soon as possible. My grandparents were victims of genocide and I will keep fighting against those who normalize this crime against humanity.
One has to barely scratch the surface and the histories of the North American Tribes portray typical human behavior, including warfare against other Tribes. If we read only one source and stumble across a sympathizer who has projected a false persona, we will be reading a bias. We see it all the time; it's called misinformation and disinformation. People are people, all subjected to weaknesses. Were this untrue, I dare say we would be looking at perfection. Pride, envy, greed, lust, wrath...when we can root out these human traits from ourselves, we will be on a better path towards peace. But it must begin with each individual, no matter what the circumstance.
the U.S. needs to stop thinking it has permission to do anything it wants. Nuclear bombs are a bad threat to all of society everywhere. Leave Mexico alone
This is not a question of absolutes for me. Greater minds than mine have been trying to repair the damage done by eons of strife and war for centuries. The cost on both sides in the continuation of suffering is astronomical. The answer certainly doesn't lie in more polarization and flag waving.
well said Rena. Polarisation has a lot to answer for. How and why has it become the norm and almost okay amidst all the other noble virtues of freedom and compassion?
All minds greater or not are driven by and attached to agendas and worldviews. Don't discount the greatness of yours.......just no one asked or got us involved.
The problem with thinking our leaders are being thoughtful is that a lot of decisions about the Middle East have to do with power, greed, and oil. And that's how I know they're not making the best decisions for humanity, no matter how informed they are.
After the war solutions are too late. What solution must be planned now.
Well. It would appear that the Europeans , ISREAELthe United States,the thoughtful countries in Africa and modern east, and the pacific rim countries ALL NEED TO SET DOWN NOW AND START TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH ISREAL AND PALESTINIANS
After reading this article I am reminded of the CS Lewis quote that we read so we know we are not alone. I feel better knowing others are willing seek opinions and discuss these issues.
The news and pictures coming through the media regarding the horrors once again occurring in the Middle East has both alarmed and confused me. What is the right way to protect both Israeli and Palestinians and resolve this issue? What will become of Gaza when one group prevails? What and how much involvement should the United States provide?
Good quesions Joyce. One aspect that I have thought about, and this goes back to many wars, Kuwait, Iraq, and more lately Ukraine and now Gaza...........what about the total destruction of infrastructure? Loss of life is bad enough (that sounds trite but I dont mean it to be)............the disregard of life is evil enough.....the disregard of resources be it oil wells, buildings , pipes and peoples things and where there is community and shelter..............the destruction of these things, with the life and homes lost is tragic and evidence of total disregard fopr the attachments of life as well.....and evil in my book. I struggle with what I have to make in my own life without looking at the images of destroyed buildings and city spaces..........and no one seems to talk about the cost and effort remaking all that. May be, and this is a BIG maybe, maybe its like the forest rejuvenated by the forest fire..........maybe its just the way of things. I would be crushed in more ways than one being there and facing that. But some like the Palestinians have lived this for a few generations. Such resilience.