Videos Show Streets on Fire in Israel, Netanyahu Declares 'We Are at War'
By: Brendan Cole (Newsweek)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Gunmen from the Palestinian Hamas group appeared to have infiltrated Israel in an attack which also included intense rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
Video shows the aftermath of the strikes and warning sirens across the south and center of the country, including in Jerusalem.
Social-media footage appeared to show clashes in the streets and gunmen in Jeeps roaming the countryside. Palestinian media reported that fighters had taken some Israelis captive, and Hamas media circulated video footage apparently showing a destroyed Israeli tank.
One Israeli woman was killed, according to Israeli emergency services, as ambulance crews were deployed around the Gaza Strip where Israel's military said it was operating, without giving further details, Reuters reported.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency meeting of security officials, and Israel's military said it was on a war footing. Newsweek has contacted the IDF for comment.
A rocket fired from Gaza has struck a residential area in Israel. pic.twitter.com/mHODxDVCHu
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 7, 2023
Ashkelon in southern Israel just now, after direct hit by a Hamas rocket from Gaza! pic.twitter.com/R0dGvypZQC
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) October 7, 2023
Hamas claims to have fired 5,000 rockets towards Israel over the course of two hours
Multiple points of impact reported across the country pic.twitter.com/4Q435F0ono
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 7, 2023
Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif has called on Palestinians everywhere to fight and there were reports of gunbattles between Palestinian fighters and security forces in the the most serious escalation since Israel and Hamas fought a 10-day war in 2021. He said that 5,000 rockets had been launched in what he described as "the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth."
The Israeli military said its forces were operating inside Gaza and that residents in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip had been told to stay in their homes.
There were reports of armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel, near the southern town of Khan Yunis, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said its fighters were joining Hamas.
Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas had launched a war against Israel and "has made a grave mistake." He added that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops were "fighting against the enemy at every location" and "the State of Israel will win," the BBC reported. The IDF said it was striking Hamas targets in Gaza.
"Israel is under attack," wrote the country's ambassador to the United States and retired IDF Brigadier General Michael Herzog on X (formerly Twitter).
"This offensive was launched while Israelis were celebrating a religious Jewish holiday," Herzog wrote, adding that it "cannot and will not go unanswered, and we expect the free world to unequivocally condemn it and support Israel's right to self defense."
Cars on fire following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023. Barrages of rockets were fired at Israel from the blockaded Gaza Strip at dawn as militants from the Palestinian enclave infiltrated Israel.AHMAD GHARABLI/Getty Images
Update 07/10/23, 4 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.
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I thought Jared Kushner brought peace to the region.
Tough to stop an aggressive Biden funded Iran from killing civilians. When you give billions to a country that openly funds Hamas terror, it makes this sort of thing very likely.
Maybe next time obama/Biden shouldn’t appoint a literal Iranian spy to “ negotiate”with Iran/Hamas.
Yeah I mean like, where are supporters of Palestinian terrorists like AOC and Omar right now?
Darlings of the Democrat party ….
Amazing how he can find a way to connect this to Trump with Biden being president for almost 3 years. When did Kushner meet with the animals in Hamas again?
This is another Biden failure that the left will try to blame on Trump or Israel instead of the animals that committed this terrible attack.
I thought Kushner brought peace to that region, thats what we were told. I guess it depends on what you call "peace".
I thought Kushner brought peace to that region
John we all no how uninformed your comments are, no need to double down on stupid comments, as long as animals like the taliban and Hamas exist there won’t be peace, only appeasement by cowards like Biden and his fellow Democrats.
Even THEY don't compare with "Democrat rep" Rashida Tlaib, who celebrated her election win not by wrapping herself in the flag she was to represent, The Stars and Stripes, but instead, the Palestinian flag.
There was relative peace in the region, and then came joe.
“There was relative peace in the region, and then came joe.”
Please.
A regional conflict that has been fought for millennia.
Not for millennia, since 1949....
“…since 1949....”
With entirely arbitrary borders established by those who had absolutely no understanding of the ethnic ramifications of their political decisions. And here we are.
Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war with Hamas so I expect this is more than an occasional flareup.
Hundreds of civilians likely dead, citizens taken hostage, soldiers being lynched, naked women being paraded through the streets to cries of allah akbar…
hamas giving a quick return on Biden’s six billion investment from a couple weeks ago.
The terrorist group “Hamas” needs to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Whack em and stack em
Yeah, Netanyahu has to stop the kid glove treatment and pandering limited responses” to terror attacks. It’s just going to keep getting worse the longer they are allowed to exist.
What Israel "has to do" is negotiate an actual two state solution with the Palestinians. Other wise this will keep happening every few years. That is painfully obvious. In recent years the perception has been that Israel had decided to permanently occupy and takeover previously Palestinian areas. Because they could. "Might makes right" attitudes will always lead sooner or later to revolution.
Good point, giving Hamas control over Gaza brought peace, as todays actions demonstrate. Given their good faith, Hamas should be rewarded with more land to be peaceful in.
Bullshit, you can’t negotiate with a people who have stated they want to wipe your country off the face of earth. One must respond in kind.
Hamas must be wiped off the face of the earth.
Spot on
There is a population of people (the Palestinians) within Israel's borders that claims a right to part of that land. Israel claims all of that land. You think this is an eternally tenable situation? Please.
This has been going on, more or less uninterrupted , for 75 years. The idea that all will be well if just Hamas is gone is wishful thinking at best.
The Palestinians were given the Gaza strip as part of a "peace deal." That has been the scene of nothing but attacks on the Israeli people.
The Palestinians have walked away from two state solutions. They are nothing more than terrorists.
The situation in Israel is tremendously complicated by the fact that many Palestinians live entirely within the country of Israel, and by the fact that the city of Jerusalem is claimed as a sacred place by both Jews and Muslims (and Christians for that matter). And Jerusalem is of course inside Israel's borders.
This is a religion driven conflict, as can be seen in the statement today by Hamas political director, who invoked Islamic rhetoric when he talked about the attack.
I'm sure that Israel's current far right government isnt helping any either.
But keep blaming Biden for something that has been going on for over 100 years. LOL.
Yes, I'll continue to blame Biden for putting money in Iran's hands.
As we see, there’s no act of barbarism, no amount of civilians slaughtered by iran/Hamas , that will stop some from calling for more concessions by Israel.
if it were 1866, they’d be responding to kkk violence by advocating giving them the south.
Excellent analogy.
At this time the US is deeply involved in a proxy war against Russia, supposedly to slowly bleed Russia dry. Think of how important a proxy war against a small religious dictatorship on the verge of getting nuclear weapons would be? If Netanyahu is the great leader, I believe he is, he just may use this opportunity to take down Iran before they join the nuclear club.
you are cracking up
They are the same group of people, the KKK and Hamas are both supported by the same political party.
That solution has been rejected by the Palestinians (Hamas) by Arafat and numerous others over the years
Who represents the Palestinians?
You think they haven't tried? The Palestinians walked away from the table not even willing to negotiate after they were offered 95% and then 97% of their demands.
There's nothing to negotiate. Israel has self rule-- they have their own state. . But: so do the so-called "Palestinians".
WTF?
If you think the "Plaestinians" don't have self rule, riddle me this: who are the police in Gaza? Jews-- or Palestinians? Who fights other countries that attack it-- (AKA "the military") in Gaza? Is the military in Gaza "Palestians"-- or Jews (Israelis)?
Fact; there are currently two totally independent states-- one ruled by Jews (Israel) one ruled by "Palestinian" Arabs (Gaza).
Yes-- at one point Gaza was occupied by Israel. But they withdrew completely-- there's no longer a single Jew in the entire place!
So enuf already with this horse shit that the Palestinians don't have self rule-- the occupation ended years ago-- the Israeli occupiers (and before the Egyptian occupiers) of Gaza left long ago!
P.S: One could also argue that the Palestinians actually have two states-- Gaza, which they control 100%-- and the independent county of Jordan (because the majority of the population of Jordan are Palestinian)
Israel …. The only real Democracy in the Middle East.
Not a bad idea but easier said than done.
Do you suggest nuking the whole Gaza Strip?
Pretty sure extreme retaliation goes global.
Nope, but it’s time to hunt. Allow no safe space, no refuge.
Whack em and stack em all. Including the people that support them.
Israel should end this problem now, if not Hamas will never stop bothering them.
At this point only a complete dumbass would suggest negotiations with these animals.
They do need to end them and all who support them.
Lol …. She’ll giggle them to peace ….
Can you imagine the screaming of yiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiy from Omar and Tlaib if that were to happen?
Maybe they should they should stand up for their true loyalties and resign from Congress. Let's not forget that Tlaib wrapped herself in a Palestinian flag to celebrate her election to the House.
Although I remember (with disgust) how much they were coddled by their fellow party members, I don't think their fellow party members would go so far as to consider or allow them to be their spokespersons.
When it comes to anti semetism, the left has long been known for it, but only a few would put their feelings i the open. The squad is a large part of those few....therefore the spokespersons for the vast majority of democratic party.
The Democratic Socialists of America will hold a demonstration today in New York supporting yesterday's atrocities. There are 5 members of that Party (AOC, Tlaib, fire alarm boy, bush and Cesar) in the House.
And somehow that's not a big deal to the media......
But how does the Democratic Party let these extremists caucus with them?
The majority of the democratic party agrees with these idiots' extremists views, but let them do the talking so the rest does not have to put themselves out there in the open as the anti semites they are.
Well I guess I've always been some what of a non-conformist, but caring how Omar, Tlaib...or how any other politician feels about other countries is not very high up on my list of priorities.
Except that when Jewish lawmakers are accused of double loyalty or loyalty other than to the USA, it isn't unfair to point out that Rashida Tlaib wrapped herself in a Palestinian flag to celebrate her election to Congress.
Well, bugsy, it may be that many on both sides of the aisle hide their true feelings, but while there are extremist left-wingers there are also extremist right-wingers, such as the ones who parade with Nazi flags.
they were displaying the Nazi flag at the Democratic Socialists demonstration yesterday. Six Democrats in Congress belong to that party.
We’re they wearing the traditional pointy hats?
Yeah, well as I said, there are extremists on both sides. But there are also really good people on both sides, but it's got to be hard for them to prevail which is unfortunate for the American people.
That was conservatives not liberals.
The parties morphed names back in the day.
Democrats are now liberals.
Republicans are now the conservative racists.
Screw the DSA! They aren't my people.
I could be wrong but I'm almost certain that it was planned by Iran. (In fact I think there's a good possibility that Iranians were running the entire operation-- giving orders as it was being executed).
Very likely.
Team Biden made a Day 1 decision to pour millions of dollars into Hamas areas. Internal emails show them saying it would boost Hamas terrorism, but they did it anyway. Then Hamas launched an invasion of Israel. Team Biden's immediate response was to tell Israel to roll with it.
Has anyone woken Biden up and told him yet? Or are they waiting for the stimulants to kick in before wheeling him out for an equivocating statement?
the admins first response telling Israel to refrain from violence has already been deleted. Whoever is in charge ( and not an Iranian agent like rob malley) should take control publicly.
A huge intelligence failure on the part of Israel on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War which was considered the worst intelligence failure in Israel's history.
Are we going to see an all-out war between Israel and Hamas? Will Israel finally destroy Hamas? Will the war expand to other countries, IE. Syria, Lebanon? What will Egypt do?
You mean with Iran. That may be the start of a good thing.
An all-out war with Iran could likely spread through the ME. A very dangerous situation for all involved.
The complete defeat of Iran would be a blessing not only for that region, but for the world.
Yes, it would but Iran would not go quietly into the night, the casualties on all sides would be huge.
It is called WINNING a war. Something we seldom do in the post modern world.
I'm sure that if Israel goes to war with Iran, that Iran will not only be defeated but occupied and I fully expect the kind of trials that were held at Nuremberg.
If Iran and Israel went to war it would be very bloody. There is no guarantee that Israel would win and if they did trying to occupy Iran would not be feasible. Israel is nine million people and Iran is 90 million and Iran is over 600,000 square miles. Not going to happen.
Why would you think that they need to occupy Iran?
I don't think they need to or could. That is Vic's comment.
My bad..
Occupied by Israel?..
Netanyahu said "We are at war" as have Israeli military leaders. The Israelis are mobilizing thousands of reservists.
Yes, Israel is going to destroy Hamas.
Only if Hezbollah gets involved.
Egypt with probably try to broker a cease-fire, but the Egyptians hate Hamas and won't be in any hurry to save them.
A senior Hamas commander said they are ready for a "worst-case scenario". That's exactly what they are going to experience.
Clarification: Lebanon will be involved if Hezbollah attacks Israel. The Syrians are never going to fight Israel to support Hamas, although there have been some confrontations over the Golan Heights.
I can't help but think that Hezbollah will try to take advantage of the situation.
Hezbollah usually fires a few rockets into Israel when there is a fight between Israel and Hamas. This time they might decide to stay out of it. Israel will respond very harshly to any attack by Hezbollah. I wouldn't be surprised if Israel has already warned Hezbollah, through intermediaries, to stay out of it or they will pay a heavy price.
Yes, I have read that, and they are hitting Hamas with continued air strikes.
I would hope so but remember that terrorist organization are like an octopus, kill one arm and another grows.
Therein lies a huge danger, if Hezbollah does get involved you know that Iran will be backing them and probably the Syrians as well.
I'm sure you are correct on that, Egypt will not want to join in against either Hamas or Hezbollah both would be a complete loser for them.
This is where it gets a bit strange. This attack is unlike anything before by Hamas, what is their goal? There has to be some underlying things that are not visible to us at the moment.
And then there is the political situation inside Israel, they are deeply divided over Bibi and his move to the extreme right.
I think that Hamas has helped Benjamin Netanyahu stay in power several times.
Netanyahu is being pillared by the citizens currently because of how Israel was taken by complete surprise with this attack and at this point anything and everything is possible.
Agreed. Change in Iran will need to come from within imo. That and the world community (like the USA) needs to quit cutting them slack.
Yes, No, Yes, ?.
You can quote me on that.
I wonder if the date October 6, 1981 had anything to do with the timing of the attack?
More likely related to the anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur war.
Another surprise terrorist attack led by Egypt and Syria.
Or maybe it's a message to a Saudi prince.....
Probably both ….out of convenience
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, that is how ME works. There are numerous factions and of course religions and divisions within each religion. Iranians, Jews, Syrians, Lebanese, Egyptians, on and on even within Israel you have Palestinians, a large Kurdish population and Bedouins in the south.
All parts of a cocktail that can explode at any minute for almost any reason.
Also, there are both Russian and American troops in Syria.
Major wars have started over less.
A country had 5000 rockets launched at them and some feel the response should be ask for negotiations? Thank God they have no power in the US. Fuck negotiations, they need to be put down like the dogs they are. And fuck measured response. To paraphrase EnderWiggen the first put down was to win the attack, the rest were to win all the future attacks.
From the latest reports Hamas has taken a number of prisoners, both civilian and military personal.
It may change the way that Israel responds to Hamas.
Yes, but... I'm not sure it's been confirmed, I have heard they are doing some pretty terrible things to those prisoners/hostages/victims. Someone floated that they intend to do worse in hopes of provoking an even bigger response, forcing a situation where all Palestinians have to fight, or something like that.
That would not surprise me at all. IMO this attack was planned for months and with the support of Iran, nothing happens like this in the ME without Iran's hand being in it.
From the comments made by Israel a few moments ago they have every intention of destroying Hamas and any group that is supporting them.
I saw some videos on CNN released by Hamas (?) that shows the terrorists capturing and taking Israeli civilians. I also saw a video showing several cars on a highway in Israel where the civilian occupants can be seen shot dead in the cars or lying dead in the road.
You can be sure of it.
Sadly I saw those videos as well, G. Also Israeli civilians being dragged into Gaza, woman, kids and the elderly.
It's terrible. I'm afraid that their chances of survival with what's coming is not too good. Hamas will want to use them as bargaining chips, and Israel will try to save them, but that may not work out. Meanwhile, their existence will be hell. I feel really bad for them.
Bargaining chips or human shields, G. None of it is good. I watched a father/husband whose two kids and wife were captured and taken into Gaza, it was heartbreaking, to say the least.
More than anything it echoes the Nazis capturing Jews and marching them off to the concentration camps. The videos look almost identical to that. Disgusting.
If "any group that's supporting them" means other terror groups (for example, Islamic Jihad") then that may be doable. But here's the problem-- what if the main group that's supporting them is an actual county and not some terror group?
Israel cannot destroy Iran.
Not sure I'd go as far as all the ME but, yeah. I get what you're saying. What's sad is, even though the whole world knows the Iranian government is one huge throbbing hemorrhoid in need of a lethal dose of Preparation H, they are a useful chip in the game of thrones to some.
Imagine. If the world signed on to a UN that dumped all the useless resolutions they ever passed and just went with "We resolve to create a world where every person, every family, is entitled to a weekend bbq and a beer or two without getting blown to dust bunnies" and actually made that their priority?
Well all I can say is Palestine has a death wish...
And I am sure one that will be granted...
Well all I can say is Palestine has a death wish...
Many Muslims have a death wish. And strange as it may seem, they actually believe if they die in defense of Islam they are guaranteed entry into and incredibly marvilous heaven. Yes-- many actually believe that!
Incidentally some believe that there's an exception to that-- if they are killed by a women then that does not apply!
One interesting way this has played out-- some Kurdish groups have large numbers of female fighters. I've heard that Muslim terrorists feat them more than male adversaries-- because if they are killed in combat by a man they will enter heaven. But if killed by a women its not worth it as they will be denied Heaven!
Apparently, 72 virgins in paradise is a strong draw. My dated experience was that virgins are over rated and I could never remember 72 names.
Its the YPJ ,
You know, I've always wondered what the draw for females was in Islam. I mean, supposedly you're going to remain married to your husband from this life, yet somehow be happy with him having not only a bunch of virgins at his beck and call, but also who knows how many non-human female shaped thingies called Hoors or something. Apparently, allah is going to just make them okay with it.
Indoctrination.
I suppose. I think about it sometimes. To me, that would be a case of believing out of blind faith and without reason, although I think there's more than simply unreasoned faith involved, considering it's Islam. Self preservation comes to mind.
Trump's lies are not going to help.
The lying piece of shit is saying that the 6 billion dollars Iran is getting in return for the release of the Americans was " American taxpayer dollars".
No, you are grossly misinformed, again. Not even one dollar, of Iran's money, has been released to Iran yet because the US has not yet received the sufficient assurance that 100% of the funds will be used for humanitarian purposes as required by the agreement!
Oil money works here too unfortunately.
If you dont want to denounce Trumps lies when so many people are dying over there we have nothing further to discuss. This war is not Joe Bidens fault any more than it is Ronald Reagan or Richard Nixons fault, or Trumps.
No, you did attack Biden on this issue.
As did Trump. You are birds of a feather so I made the comment I did.
Take a fucking hike.
13.1.10 was replied to so it will stand, charger
I'll take that as you admitting you dont know what you are talking about.
CNN thinks that you are wrong.
Yet no zero nada zip dollars of the Iranian funds to be unfrozen under the agreement have been disbursed yet because the US has not received the proof that 100% will go to humanitarian aid as required under the terms of the agreement yet. Neither Trump nor his MAGA Hats care. They blame Biden first and exclusively then they blanch like scalded cats when called out for their rank and blatant un-Americanism!
Its such a stupid argument on so many levels. Money is fungible. "Restricting its use" is an accounting fantasy that any 5 year old can see through. When someone receives money, even with "restrictions", it frees them to spend money they already had on the restricted item. The Sec of State admitted that's what Iran does today.
Money given to Iran supports Hamas and other terrorist actions, including those that killed American troops. Everyone knows it but the useful idiots who pretend to not understand how money works.
Dou you have a source?
100% will go to humanitarian aid? That is just a shell game. Qatar will only release the money for transactions for agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices. This imply allows Iran to divert funds that it would have used for these purchases to other priorities.
Hahahahahahahahahaha, it’s cute how you give them the benefit of the doubt, “Pretend” I see no indication that they have any clue in the first place, let alone enough knowledge to Pretend!
It's not surprising that you didn't realize that S Korea transferred the money last month as the media didn't give it much coverage.
If the 6 billion has not been released to Iran it is 6 billion they dont have today. And the 6 billion is restricted to humanitarian purposes. Is your belief that Iran took 6 billion from their "humanitarian" programs and used it to fund Hamas?
Prove that the six billion that Iran used instead of waiting for the return of their money from America was going to be used for humanitarian purposes. If you cant then your "fungible" argument is irrelevant..
prove that iran took 6 billion from their own humanitarian programs and used it to fund hamas.
I don't see where anyone suggested that they
Do you not agree that freed up funding they had earmarked for those expenses?
So when is Biden freezing the disbursement of Iranian funds and adding new sanctions?
That’s because TDS rots the brain.
Score another win for Texan
What you "hear" is rarely factual.
Just couldn't help not bringing Trump into this. I am only surprised it took so long.
You voted for a man who routinely raped his daughter in the shower and said African American women weren’t smart enough to raise their own children.
In order to insult me I must first value your opinions. It was a nice try though.
How many people participating in this seed know what "administrative detention" is in Israel in regard to Palestinians?
Fareed Zakaria on CNN just interviewed some kind of Palestinian spokesman (I didnt catch his title or position), and the man said that Netanyahu has recently declared that all of the territory inside Israel's borders, including the West Bank and Gaza, will be under the control of Israel. What future do Palestinians have? They see their future as being subjugation by far right governments in Israel. Israel builds settlements in what was Palestinian territory. Why? Netanyahu wants no "two state solution", he wants the Palestinians firmly under Israel's thumb.
The man also asked the question, why do Americans help Ukraine end an occupation but help Israel maintain an occupation.
The Hamas terrorists have targeted civilians, then what did Israel do ? Blew up a large apartment building in Gaza. Does anyone seriously think there were no civilians in that building?
Israel officially declared war on Hamas this morning.
Maybe they need to get smart, rise up against Hamas, take them out of power, elect a democratically elected official. Then they will be recognized and given land they request.
As long as they allow Hamas to stay in power and almost continuously attack Israel, then they are going to just live with what Israel is doing.
Anthony Blinken just said, understandably, that these terrorist attacks will make "...Palestinians plight worse". He said that of course in a context that the attacks are insanely counterproductive.
But there is something else in his comment - saying that a situation will become worse is a tacit acknowledgement that it was bad .
That would involve nuking the whole Gaza Strip.
There are no simplistic answers over there.
That was a Hamas headquarters....did you miss all the antennas on the roof. There was also a warning shot to warn any civilians to leave. Hamas routinely plants itself in civilian areas, then starts parading videos of dead civilians to gain the sympathy of the media and world opinion
All of Gaza is a civilian area.
Which means Hamas "leaders" are unconcerned about their civilian deaths.
Yet Hamas was able to train, arm and stage a major military operation from there.
Neither you nor I are in a position to unequivocally state such a position considering Mossad's epic failure to do so.
Of course I can. Yes, a colossal failure by Mossad, perhaps worse than our 9-11 failure. There is no doubt that the attackers, their arms, rockets fired, paragliders and drones launched as well as boats were are staged in Gaza. I assume the training and planning was assisted by Iran through Hezbollah.
Or not …… who knows …..
No they want as many as they can get so as to make the Israelis the bad guys.(I BTW don't buy that). It wouldn't surprise me to find out that Hamas was killing its own civilians to do that.
Probably not much future at all. They should have thought of that before this unprovoked attack. If you were even halfway informed on this, you would admit that Hamas has rejected a two-state solution going way back, especially Arafat.
Now they will be subjected to another occupation, many more settlements, and the total elimination of Hamas.
They had no future before this unprovoked attack. That is kind of their point.
That's their choice. They voted for Hamas.
If Hamas had their way, every Jew in the world the world be exterminated. It's in their charter. Vote to exterminate people and don't be surprised if those you want to exterminate don't help accomplish their own extermination.
After what Hamas pulled.. Israel can do their thing IMO. I try to be sympathetic to the Palestinians, but this type of thing makes it very hard.
Israel is there to stay, whether anyone likes it or not, simple fucking fact. They take their national defense EXTREMELY seriously (and rightfully so), and so if you pull some shit like this, a heavy response is being asked for.
I really have little sympathy for the palestinians right now.
Bullshit!
They built settlements in Gaza and The West Bank. But Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. which totally ended that occupation. (Although there's not a single Jew in Gaza, the UN and various Arab apologists still claim Gaza is occupied by Israel.).
So in any event, Israel is not building settlements at all in Gaza (simply because because israelis aren't in Gaza).
There are no settlements in Gaza (unless you include things built by Arabs since the end of the Israeli occupation)
.
(Later Transjordan actually annexed the West Bank and made it part of Jordan. And then Israel ended the occupation by Jordan and then Israel occupied The West Bank).
But this claim:
Israel builds settlements in what was Palestinian territory.
is false and misleading. In fact if Israel were to leave the West Bank like they did with Gaza-- and return it to its previous rulers-- it would once again become Jordan-- not any mythical country called "Palestine".
It was never "Palestine". Before Israel took control of The West Bank it was part of the country of Jordan. Before Jordanian annexation it was Occupied -- by Jordan. Before that is was ruled by Great Britain . Before that it was part of the Ottoman Empire!
Maybe if the entire ME just grew the fuck up and faced the reality that there is no god they’d stop having a reason to kill each other.
I dont know about "no god" but the world needs religious tolerance.
The problem is that you can’t have different competing religious doctrines that all include violent back stories as the basis for a message of tolerance. The more the adherent adheres to the doctrine, the less tolerant they are compelled to be.
Especially since Jews, Muslims and Christians justify killing each other based on the same Old Testament verses were the same God tells them that they must to do so. The Children of Abraham have been killing each other for the same God for well over two thousand years...
In the New Testament (Christianity) there isn't a clear cut statement about killing the unbeliever. There is Matthew 1:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" and Luke 22:36, "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one" but no direct commandment to otherwise kill the unbeliever.
In the Koran, I found three passages that directly state the killing of unbelievers (translation by Mohammad Habib Shakir):
2.191 And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
4.98 They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
4.91 You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given you a clear authority.
And one passage about killing those that wage war against Islam:
5.33 The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,
I only looked for passages that directly stated it was okay to kill unbelievers; I did not look for mor subtle passages that implied such. If you think I'm being unfair here, please point out any other passages from The Old Testament or New Testament that I may have missed.
That being said, more terrorists are probably motivated by meddling or foreign troops on their soil than what is written in the Koran, so I'm guessing it's more like adding fuel to the root causes"
...
CNN has been interviewing Americans, Israelis and Palestinians all mourning, none have offered that as a justification.
Perhaps it was killing each other for the same land. Land, power and resources are the typical causes of war.
IMO, one reason there's such a lack of tolerance among some people is there tendency to over-generalize and stereotype other groups. IMO its similar in many ways to conventional racism
I have known people who practice Wicca ("Witchcraft"). And not once ever have they been attacked by Christians, Jews, Muslims etc in attempts to kill them.
I have known, and currently know, many Christians and Jews, and a few Muslims. The last few years I have kept meeting Indian-Americans (Desi Indians, not Navaho etc). Recently I've become close friends with a Sikh. Not a single ones have met your stereotypes of their religions!
I have Jewish friends-- and this may come as a shock to you-- but not a single one practices of dancing around and worshipping Golden Calves on holidays. (Well once I did know a guy who had a foot fetish-- but those were human calves he worshipped!!!)
Lived with a Jewish princess once.
We broke up over her love of disco.
Worked for the commies. They never killed anyone.
Stalin, Mao, Lenin, Pol Pot, Castro were real humanitarians..
I wonder if that comment went over some peoples heads (to coin a phrase)
Do what you gotta do Israel. No genocide though, that is not okay.
How do you define genocide?
Breaking dozens of eggs to make a two egg omelet?