[Closed] World War III

But Hamas aren’t a nation. They are a terrorist group born of war and oppression, led by fundamentalist fanatics whose ideology is fuelled by generational trauma. They aren’t armed anywhere near what most nations are. They have relatively crude, largely ineffective at long range, weapons, even if their tactics are brutal and vicious. And whilst nobody can disagree with your statement they their stated aims are to kill Jews, there are many in the current Israeli government who want to wipe all Arabs/Muslims off the face of the earth. I doubt very much that you will find anyone on this forum who actually supports Hamas,  but many like myself who absolutely condemn their abhorrent and inhumane actions. Just as we condemn the actions of the Israeli government in response to the October 7th attacks, and also the actions of many regimes worldwide, including our own government. This thread is about the perpetuation of war by those who seek to gain from it. It’s not about justifying any such actions. <br /><br />

In response, you me could just as easily ask how any nation which is being pounded into dust by a belligerent neighbour, should do? Should Palestine gain nuclear weapons too?

You don’t think Hamas are a problem?

They are a problem for Israel but they are not "the" problem.

https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-funded-hamas-claims-eu-top-diplomat-josep-borrell/

And if you prefer an Israeli source rather than an EU source:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/

You don’t think Hamas are a problem?

ALL those who seek to murder and oppress others are a problem. You don’t think the current Israeli regime are a problem?

- You don’t think the current Israeli regime are a problem?

I certainly do think they are a problem - as does almost every Israeli I talk to - and I've never alluded to a different opinion. I asked a semi-rhetorical question about what Israel should actually do given their neighbour wants to eradicate them, regardless of how capable that neighbour is of achieving their aim. Are regular terrorist massacres and and kidnappings/rape/child murder just the price Israel has to pay because they have bigger and better weapons than Hamas?

- In response, you me could just as easily ask how any nation which is being pounded into dust by a belligerent neighbour, should do? Should Palestine gain nuclear weapons too?

Do you think Hamas would exercise as much "restraint" as Israel does with it's presumed nuclear arsenal?

@TheFlyingOx, don't argue with them, it just goes downhill even faster 😂

I know but the "Israel bad, Palestine beyond reproach, Houthis = heros" waffle does get on my tits a little bit. I just think the thread might benefit from a little balance.

What’s it called when you label anyone that doesn’t hold a 100% negative view of Israel an “apologist” whilst always presenting your opinions with a 100% bias against Israel?<br />

I don’t hold a 100% negative view of Israel. As I’ve said elsewhere on this forum; my wife has family in Israel, her nephew is currently in Gaza as a reservist. We have several Israeli friends, and my wife has lifelong friends in Israel too. It’s a country I’ve long wanted to visit, yet feel unable and unwilling to do so, not just because of the current conflict, but because of Israel’s abhorrent regime and racist social policies. I’d love to have a conversation about more positive aspects of that nation, but here we are. I’d also love to visit Iran, as it’s a beautiful country steeped in incredible history. But while such a regime exists there, I feel I cannot. So I’m not some rabid antisemitic nutjob. Just someone who wants to see an end to genocide and hatred. 

I know but the “Israel bad, Palestine beyond reproach, Houthis = heros” waffle does get on my tits a little bit. I just think the thread might benefit from a little balance.<br />

That hasn’t happened. Personally, I’m sick and tired of the constant demonisation of Islam that has been going on in the West for the last 30 odd years, particularly since 2001. Because that has affected my life, at times quite negatively. So please take that on board. 

You think the problem is Hamas????

Really?!?!?

Thats not at all what they've been saying, but you keep looking for an excuse to have an argument.

Disagreeing with you on an aspect of a very complicated geopolitical disaster does not automatically make someone an Israeli apologist.

The Israelis are currently holding over 5 thousand Palestinian hostage in their jails, which was the primary reason why Hamas took hostages on Oct 7.

And the IDF is killing over one hundred children every day in Gaza, over 10 thousand children have been killed since October by the IDF.

Btw Hamas are not in control of the West Bank, why are the IDF and "settlers" killing Palestinian civilians every single day in the West Bank?

You think the problem is Hamas and once they are defeated every will be just fine? You are as deluded as Netanyahu

Personally, I’m sick and tired of the constant demonisation of Islam that has been going on in the West for the last 30 odd years, particularly since 2001

So am I, but I'm not seeing that on this thread.

I didn’t say it was on this thread. But it’s insidious and pervasive, and there’s a constant Islamophobic narrative being churned out by Western politicians and media. Some of us might have different perspectives. It’s not hard to work out why.