What is most bizarre ... surreal ... shocking - we're running out of choice words now to describe the ludicrous situation that exists for Israel after the October 7 atrocities and now the attack by Iran - is the world response. European leaders huddle together and speak of their fear of a dangerous escalation of the war making the 'region' unstable; the Australian government Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, interviewed while on his visit to Washington early this morning by the ABC, declared his fears for the instability of the Middle East and the world, the possible terrible impact on the economy [the economy, for G-d's sake!] if Israel were to retaliate. The US, while decrying the Iranian attack, does not want Israel to retaliate. Nobody, but nobody, is thinking of the actuality, the reality, of the tiny nation of Israel being targeted by 350 huge missiles by a nation 75 times bigger than it. All those missiles aimed at what amounts to a pocket handkerchief sized piece of land that houses half the world's population of Jews. It's nothing short of flabbergasting. It wouldn't happen as a response to any other country or any other people. I know this, but don't know what to do with this obscene knowledge.
I’m very concerned that there are no hostages left to be returned. The longer they are “held” the less likely they are to be alive. All the ceasefire refusals seem to me to be to be based on the fact that 1. Hamas doesn’t want to stop the fighting because it gives them a great PR advantage and it’s a war of attrition against Israel & 2. They don’t want Israel and the world to know they killed all the hostages bc they will lose a bit of PR.
This newest action by Israel is going to cause Haters to Hate but if, as you said Eve, Israel did nothing, I fear Israel would appear to be weak and in for even more direct hits. They cannot appear weak.
If it is tragically true that no hostages remain alive, hamas will just lie and claim they were killed in IDF strikes. And the world will eagerly eat it up.
Horrible as it is to contemplate, I strongly suspect that all--or almost all--of the hostages were killed long ago. Dead people tell no tales, after all.
Van Jones hit a hole in one. That was such a clean, efficient explanation that sidelined neither the global threat nor the need to protect the world’s smallest minority. Incredible.
Israel is doing the world’s dirty work. I as a Jew will be waiting for that “thank you” to the IDF that won’t come. Now how do we get the a-holes screaming “F-America” “USA is next” deported to Venezuela or better yet Iran.
In a word, Israel's response today was perfect. It was on one hand loud but on the other calculated to not cause much damage. BUT.......the areas hit were THISCLOSE to very sensitive Iranian locations. The message: "Do NOT f-ck with us. We can cause MUCH more damage if you test us again."
Yes to all of the above- BUT- wasn’t there a theory going around that Israel would use the Iran attacks as a way to broker for the hostage release? Like- we won’t retaliate and continue this IF you broker the deal to get all hostages back now?
Whether explicit or not I think the likely quid pro quo may be Israel agreeing to a subdued response, and the US not seriously opposing a Rafah ground operation. Unfortunately, it sounds like US and Israeli intelligence suspect there are few hostages left alive (or whom Hamas is willing to have tell their stories), but haven’t publicized it in part not to dash all hope (the intelligence could always be flawed), and in part because the image of Hamas holding so many hostages is helpful, even if much of the world is appallingly apathetic or dismissive
What is most bizarre ... surreal ... shocking - we're running out of choice words now to describe the ludicrous situation that exists for Israel after the October 7 atrocities and now the attack by Iran - is the world response. European leaders huddle together and speak of their fear of a dangerous escalation of the war making the 'region' unstable; the Australian government Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, interviewed while on his visit to Washington early this morning by the ABC, declared his fears for the instability of the Middle East and the world, the possible terrible impact on the economy [the economy, for G-d's sake!] if Israel were to retaliate. The US, while decrying the Iranian attack, does not want Israel to retaliate. Nobody, but nobody, is thinking of the actuality, the reality, of the tiny nation of Israel being targeted by 350 huge missiles by a nation 75 times bigger than it. All those missiles aimed at what amounts to a pocket handkerchief sized piece of land that houses half the world's population of Jews. It's nothing short of flabbergasting. It wouldn't happen as a response to any other country or any other people. I know this, but don't know what to do with this obscene knowledge.
I’m very concerned that there are no hostages left to be returned. The longer they are “held” the less likely they are to be alive. All the ceasefire refusals seem to me to be to be based on the fact that 1. Hamas doesn’t want to stop the fighting because it gives them a great PR advantage and it’s a war of attrition against Israel & 2. They don’t want Israel and the world to know they killed all the hostages bc they will lose a bit of PR.
This newest action by Israel is going to cause Haters to Hate but if, as you said Eve, Israel did nothing, I fear Israel would appear to be weak and in for even more direct hits. They cannot appear weak.
Haters will hate not because of actions taken or not taken by Israel, but because Israel exists.
If it is tragically true that no hostages remain alive, hamas will just lie and claim they were killed in IDF strikes. And the world will eagerly eat it up.
All too true!
Horrible as it is to contemplate, I strongly suspect that all--or almost all--of the hostages were killed long ago. Dead people tell no tales, after all.
Van Jones hit a hole in one. That was such a clean, efficient explanation that sidelined neither the global threat nor the need to protect the world’s smallest minority. Incredible.
Haters gonna hate so Israel needs to act. The haters are beyond any type of rational thinking.
Israel is doing the world’s dirty work. I as a Jew will be waiting for that “thank you” to the IDF that won’t come. Now how do we get the a-holes screaming “F-America” “USA is next” deported to Venezuela or better yet Iran.
In a word, Israel's response today was perfect. It was on one hand loud but on the other calculated to not cause much damage. BUT.......the areas hit were THISCLOSE to very sensitive Iranian locations. The message: "Do NOT f-ck with us. We can cause MUCH more damage if you test us again."
Keep up the good work, Eve.
Thanks for the clip of Van Jones. it's reassuring to hear a voice of reason and wider/proper perspective.
Let us not be led like lambs to the slaughter.
There are few hostages alive right now and the ones that are are probably pregnant. My heart breaks everyday.
Yes to all of the above- BUT- wasn’t there a theory going around that Israel would use the Iran attacks as a way to broker for the hostage release? Like- we won’t retaliate and continue this IF you broker the deal to get all hostages back now?
There was but perhaps they didn’t think they could negotiate with terrorists. Given the number of ceasefire deals Hamas have rejected…
Sadly- Understandable…
Whether explicit or not I think the likely quid pro quo may be Israel agreeing to a subdued response, and the US not seriously opposing a Rafah ground operation. Unfortunately, it sounds like US and Israeli intelligence suspect there are few hostages left alive (or whom Hamas is willing to have tell their stories), but haven’t publicized it in part not to dash all hope (the intelligence could always be flawed), and in part because the image of Hamas holding so many hostages is helpful, even if much of the world is appallingly apathetic or dismissive