The IDF knows where Hamas fighters live; they know where the tunnels are; they know local commanders. And their commandos have been eliminating them already. A ground assault might be minor. Israel is threatening, and partially using, their big sticks to avoid extensive bloodshed. Because Iran cannot do anything about it.
If Iran goes nuclear - then they provide an umbrella against Israel responding in the future = WW3.
Diane is right - only a peaceful solution.
Also, killing a kid should result in a convictable war crime.
This from a British orthodox Jew: "We don’t feel safe at home in our house. We have a mezuzah scroll above our door, we look Orthodox and I worry that people could be following us, watching our house and planning an attack...(but also he says)...I feel for the civilians in Gaza too. I wish they weren’t caught in the crossfire. They don’t have war shelters or safe rooms. They are losing families too... I’m praying for the civilians on both sides – and also praying that it doesn’t reach my family’s door." This guy is reacting pretty much the way I think most normal people are reacting; he's not dividing the world into us and them.
Russia (aka Putin) has had the ability to use 'terror' to control & win wars. That's old news, of course. But this Hamas' attack shows that UKR is not the only prize Putin seeks - I truly believe that WW 3 is now upon us and in the meantime USA looks weak & their democracy is in crisis. And as a Canadian, I feel our country is part of the problem with leadership void of any courage or brains.
Interesting to read the editorial in Haaretz on October 8th: “The disaster that befell Israel on the holiday of Simchat Torah is the clear responsibility of one person: Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister, who has prided himself on his vast political experience and irreplaceable wisdom in security matters, completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into when establishing a government of annexation and dispossession, when appointing Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to key positions, while embracing a foreign policy that openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians.” This at least shows that Israel is a democracy with a free press, which cannot be said of Russia or Iran. Then Haaretz writes: “Israel’s new team must win Gaza war and then dump Bibi.” But how can they call it a war, considering Gaza is not a state? Gaza is in effect part of Israel, because Israel controls its food supply, energy supply, water supply, and borders. Israel has asked a million Gazans to move out of the way, which is a gigantic ask, considering they have nowhere to move to. Everyone is horrified by what Hamas just did in Israel, with the terrible footage of innocent adult, children and babies massacred by Hamas, but very soon we’re going to be asked to be horrified by deaths of adults, children and babies in Gaza, and we will be. Israel says the ‘siege’ will continue until the hostages are returned, but surely that threat depends on Hamas giving a damn about the deaths of Gazans, of which there’s no evidence; Hamas seized power in Gaza and holds it by force, indeed it must have foreseen the Israeli response and planned for it. If there are aliens out in space there with a JamesWebb telescope to the millionth power, looking at us in a disbelieving pitying way, they must be saying: “Actually, given their DNA tendency to ferocity and madness, it’s pretty remarkable they’ve lasted as long as they have.”
Oct 12, 2023·edited Oct 12, 2023Liked by Diane Francis
My thoughts the minute this came on the news. But how could Israel not have paid attention to such a red letter anniversary??? Makes me wonder about Netanyahu...
Ahead of the pack as usual, Diane! However, the ideas for resolution that you express, are far from what is likely to happen. Human stupidity in all its repetitive aspects and destructive consequences can be counted on to continue. And whenever one group which sees more clearly via honest reckoning and intelligence raises its head and makes its bid for leadership, it gets dragged back down into the mud or bypassed. The lowest common denominator is more attractive and persuasive in the end.
What an excellent summary of the Middle East problems which unfortunately includes religious factions who agree to disagree. So many lives have been lost over the past 75 years when Israel was founded and the memories of lost family members cannot be easily erased or forgiven. Are we looking at World War III? As stated by Diane, Russia and Iran simply hate the West and Europe. So many lives at risk.
Hamas are terrorists of the vilest kind. Yet, Diane, Piers Morgan in his recent interview with a Jew who is a journalist pointed out the esteemed BBC calls Hamas 'militants'. Sad. Trudeau has condemned Hamas strongly so Canada is making the right noises. Be proud! I suggest as a Canadian Palestinian supporters should be expelled from Canada. Worth remembering on another note that all the Irish political parties support Palestine especially SF/IRA. No surprise.
MAy I suggest a 2 state 'solution' is out of the question now. It was tried and wrecked by Hamas which does not want one.
The IDF knows where Hamas fighters live; they know where the tunnels are; they know local commanders. And their commandos have been eliminating them already. A ground assault might be minor. Israel is threatening, and partially using, their big sticks to avoid extensive bloodshed. Because Iran cannot do anything about it.
If Iran goes nuclear - then they provide an umbrella against Israel responding in the future = WW3.
Diane is right - only a peaceful solution.
Also, killing a kid should result in a convictable war crime.
I wish we had leadership up to the challenge. Great piece!
This from a British orthodox Jew: "We don’t feel safe at home in our house. We have a mezuzah scroll above our door, we look Orthodox and I worry that people could be following us, watching our house and planning an attack...(but also he says)...I feel for the civilians in Gaza too. I wish they weren’t caught in the crossfire. They don’t have war shelters or safe rooms. They are losing families too... I’m praying for the civilians on both sides – and also praying that it doesn’t reach my family’s door." This guy is reacting pretty much the way I think most normal people are reacting; he's not dividing the world into us and them.
Russia (aka Putin) has had the ability to use 'terror' to control & win wars. That's old news, of course. But this Hamas' attack shows that UKR is not the only prize Putin seeks - I truly believe that WW 3 is now upon us and in the meantime USA looks weak & their democracy is in crisis. And as a Canadian, I feel our country is part of the problem with leadership void of any courage or brains.
Russia maybe backing the attack but it is the Mullah's that are driving this terror. It is not about Israel only but all the Jews.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-hamas-calls-themselves-a-genocidal-organization-vowing-to-annihilate-all-jews/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Biden+Defends+Israel’s+Right+to+Destroy%3B+Israelis+Line+Up+for+Guns%3B+Hamas+Calls+Themselves+Genocidal+Group%2C+Vows+to+‘Annihilate+All+Jews’%3B+Israelis+Line+Up+for+Guns&utm_campaign=20231010_m176405702_Biden+Defends+Israel’s+Right+to+Destroy%3B+Israelis+Line+Up+for+Guns%3B+Hamas+Calls+Themselves+Genocidal+Group%2C+Vows+to+‘Annihilate+All+Jews’%3B+Israelis+Line+Up+for+Guns&utm_term=WATCH_3A+Hamas+Calls+Themselves+Genocidal+Group_2C+Vows+to+_E2_80_98Annihilate+All+Jews_E2_80_99
Interesting to read the editorial in Haaretz on October 8th: “The disaster that befell Israel on the holiday of Simchat Torah is the clear responsibility of one person: Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister, who has prided himself on his vast political experience and irreplaceable wisdom in security matters, completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into when establishing a government of annexation and dispossession, when appointing Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to key positions, while embracing a foreign policy that openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians.” This at least shows that Israel is a democracy with a free press, which cannot be said of Russia or Iran. Then Haaretz writes: “Israel’s new team must win Gaza war and then dump Bibi.” But how can they call it a war, considering Gaza is not a state? Gaza is in effect part of Israel, because Israel controls its food supply, energy supply, water supply, and borders. Israel has asked a million Gazans to move out of the way, which is a gigantic ask, considering they have nowhere to move to. Everyone is horrified by what Hamas just did in Israel, with the terrible footage of innocent adult, children and babies massacred by Hamas, but very soon we’re going to be asked to be horrified by deaths of adults, children and babies in Gaza, and we will be. Israel says the ‘siege’ will continue until the hostages are returned, but surely that threat depends on Hamas giving a damn about the deaths of Gazans, of which there’s no evidence; Hamas seized power in Gaza and holds it by force, indeed it must have foreseen the Israeli response and planned for it. If there are aliens out in space there with a JamesWebb telescope to the millionth power, looking at us in a disbelieving pitying way, they must be saying: “Actually, given their DNA tendency to ferocity and madness, it’s pretty remarkable they’ve lasted as long as they have.”
My thoughts the minute this came on the news. But how could Israel not have paid attention to such a red letter anniversary??? Makes me wonder about Netanyahu...
Ahead of the pack as usual, Diane! However, the ideas for resolution that you express, are far from what is likely to happen. Human stupidity in all its repetitive aspects and destructive consequences can be counted on to continue. And whenever one group which sees more clearly via honest reckoning and intelligence raises its head and makes its bid for leadership, it gets dragged back down into the mud or bypassed. The lowest common denominator is more attractive and persuasive in the end.
What an excellent summary of the Middle East problems which unfortunately includes religious factions who agree to disagree. So many lives have been lost over the past 75 years when Israel was founded and the memories of lost family members cannot be easily erased or forgiven. Are we looking at World War III? As stated by Diane, Russia and Iran simply hate the West and Europe. So many lives at risk.
There is nothing here that $40 oil cant cure.
terrifying possibilities and some small hope. We are not known for getting war right.
Hamas are terrorists of the vilest kind. Yet, Diane, Piers Morgan in his recent interview with a Jew who is a journalist pointed out the esteemed BBC calls Hamas 'militants'. Sad. Trudeau has condemned Hamas strongly so Canada is making the right noises. Be proud! I suggest as a Canadian Palestinian supporters should be expelled from Canada. Worth remembering on another note that all the Irish political parties support Palestine especially SF/IRA. No surprise.
MAy I suggest a 2 state 'solution' is out of the question now. It was tried and wrecked by Hamas which does not want one.
Thanking you again, Diane for such a factual and precise assessment of what's happening. Putin always stirring the pot.
During your esteemed career,
has the Mid East ever been
peaceful? I'm a couple of years younger than you and
I can't remember any time
since my age of awareness
and interest of world
happenings, around
12 yrs old, it's ever been a
safe environment.
Diane, from your lips to...
Your assessments and solutions are spot on. Again.