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I kind of get where @SuraShine is coming from. I'm far from fully informed, so I'm sure I'm missing some things. I guess I don't really follow mainstream news sources, so my perspective on what is being covered doesn't really reflect that. In my feed, there is plenty of criticism of Israel's actions. To me this conflict seems like a cycle of violence with victims and perpetrators all around. Coverage seems to be primarily about how one side is more to blame than the other in either direction depending on the source.

Hamas gets a brief slap on the wrist and then all the focus is on Israel. Gaza has received lots of international aid over the years and instead of improving life for Gazans, Hamas has used it for violence. Instead of building schools or bomb shelters for its citizens it has created tunnels, it has torn up water pipes to use as bombs. Hamas uses its citizens as shields and wants them to die at the hands of Israeli over reaction for the propaganda win. Hamas doesn't want peace, if they had the ability they would commit real genocide against the Jews of Israel and burn them off the map.

A major reason Israel has such heavy handed controls over Palestinians in the area is due to the very real security threat. Imagine if where you live surrounding countries harbored groups of people who wanted you dead, if on Oct 7th masses of Canadians crossed into US territory and slaughtered 10s of thousands of US citizens and then threatened to do it again and again, I'd be pretty scared too and want to be protected.

Israel is held to a higher standard. Everything Hamas has done easily violates war crime laws, but it isn't being taken to international court. There is some justification for this in terms of the legitimacy and power of both Hamas and Israel. And speaking out against Israel might have some effect, speaking out against Hamas isn't going to change their behavior one bit. And right now the bigger issue is how Israel is going about waging this fight. From my uninformed perspective I haven't really heard much about what they should do instead other than "stop it", which doesn't seem like much of a solution to the threat. In the end it is still a double standard though and it'd be nice to hear some perspective on Hamas' sins too.

My hope is that when the dust settles cooler heads will be able to start doing some real work towards a peaceful solution.

@person said:
I kind of get where @SuraShine is coming from. I'm far from fully informed, so I'm sure I'm missing some things. I guess I don't really follow mainstream news sources, so my perspective on what is being covered doesn't really reflect that. In my feed, there is plenty of criticism of Israel's actions. To me this conflict seems like a cycle of violence with victims and perpetrators all around. Coverage seems to be primarily about how one side is more to blame than the other in either direction depending on the source.

Hamas gets a brief slap on the wrist and then all the focus is on Israel. Gaza has received lots of international aid over the years and instead of improving life for Gazans, Hamas has used it for violence. Instead of building schools or bomb shelters for its citizens it has created tunnels, it has torn up water pipes to use as bombs. Hamas uses its citizens as shields and wants them to die at the hands of Israeli over reaction for the propaganda win. Hamas doesn't want peace, if they had the ability they would commit real genocide against the Jews of Israel and burn them off the map.

A major reason Israel has such heavy handed controls over Palestinians in the area is due to the very real security threat. Imagine if where you live surrounding countries harbored groups of people who wanted you dead, if on Oct 7th masses of Canadians crossed into US territory and slaughtered 10s of thousands of US citizens and then threatened to do it again and again, I'd be pretty scared too and want to be protected.

Israel is held to a higher standard. Everything Hamas has done easily violates war crime laws, but it isn't being taken to international court. There is some justification for this in terms of the legitimacy and power of both Hamas and Israel. And speaking out against Israel might have some effect, speaking out against Hamas isn't going to change their behavior one bit. And right now the bigger issue is how Israel is going about waging this fight. From my uninformed perspective I haven't really heard much about what they should do instead other than "stop it", which doesn't seem like much of a solution to the threat. In the end it is still a double standard though and it'd be nice to hear some perspective on Hamas' sins too.

My hope is that when the dust settles cooler heads will be able to start doing some real work towards a peaceful solution.

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Hamas and many Palestinians sees all Israelis as land grabbing occupier terrorists and a potential threat and with good reason to...
Israel and many Israeli sees all Palestinians as suicide bombing terrorists and a potential threat and with good reason to...

"Hurt people hurt people...Hatred begets more hatred...Violence begets more violence..."...

Acknowledging double standards is important. While Israel faces scrutiny, it's also very important to address violations by all parties involved. International bodies should hold accountable those responsible for war crimes, irrespective of their affiliation.

Has I've mentioned before, criticism of the Israeli government's actions doesn't necessarily imply support for Hamas. It's possible to hold both parties accountable for actions that violate international law. Israel's ongoing military actions, especially in densely populated areas, have raised many concerns about innocent civilian casualties.

Gaza has received international aid, but the effectiveness of aid distribution is influenced by various factors, including instability and conflict. Some argue that Israel's blockade also hampers development in the region.

The blockade, imposed by Israel in coordination with Egypt, has been in place since 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza. While the blockade was initially implemented as a security measure to prevent the smuggling of weapons and materials that could be used for military purposes, it has had wide-ranging humanitarian and economic consequences. For example , the blockade imposes severe restrictions on the movement of goods and people, hindering the flow of essential materials for economic development. This has resulted in a struggling economy, high unemployment rates, and a reliance on international aid.

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One possible solution would be a one-state solution which would require the creation of a unified, democratic state encompassing Israel and the Palestinian territories. Key elements include equal rights and representation for all citizens, addressing security concerns, achieving demographic balance, respecting cultural and religious sensitivities, establishing a legal framework, promoting economic integration, and gaining international recognition and support. The feasibility and desirability of this solution vary, and any potential resolution would require extensive negotiation, compromise, and commitment from all parties involved.

Hope for a peaceful solution is shared by many and addressing the root causes of the conflict are essential steps toward lasting peace.

The root cause of the Israel-Palestine conflict lies in competing nationalisms and territorial claims. The conflict emerged from the clash of Jewish and Palestinian national aspirations over the same land. Both Jews and Palestinians have historical and cultural ties to the region, particularly to historic Palestine. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and subsequent conflicts over territory, refugees, and national identity have fueled the ongoing dispute. Key issues include borders, the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the broader challenge of coexistence between two national communities in a contested space. The conflict is deeply complex, with historical, religious, and political dimensions that continue to shape the region's dynamics

“The attack by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Wise words.
Israel’s relentless cruel domination over the Palestinians for 56 years could ONLY produce this type of conflict. And until the US and Israel change course it is perfectly predictable that the smoldering will continue to produce intermittent flashes, and generations will continue to suffer. If Israel eradicates Hamas, other freedom fighters will arise. Rebellion against repression is seen throughout history. Ignorance, arrogance, and a limitless supply of US weapons over the decades have earned Israel the learned hatred of the Palestinian people. Their current actions are earning them the learned horror of a much wider group, some of whom now are transitioning from audience to participants.

There was an interesting article on the Dutch mainstream news about how the political landscape in Gaza works. Apparently Hamas’ approval ratings are up slightly among Palestinians, but they haven’t held elections since 2006 when they gained power.

There is no democratic government in Gaza, for example all the government officials are paid from the Hamas bank accounts, so a lot of the population is directly dependent on Hamas. The unemployment rate is over 40 percent, and about half live below the poverty limits.

But there is criticism of Hamas in some quarters. People are saying this is the worst war yet, and this is what Hamas as brought upon them, although they don’t believe Israel will succeed in its attempt to wipe out Hamas. Largely because Hamas is not only fighters, it is a multilayered organisation which extends through much of the life in Gaza.

As long as you have government by a terrorist organisation in Gaza, there is not going to be peace. That much is becoming clear. We will have to wait and see what the Israelis intend to do.

This said, cruelty is a common manifestation from the vast repertoire of human activity. This is a very disruptive and damaging mechanism that alters the psyche and the environment in a tremendous way.

I have lived my fair share of exposition to the war in Ukraine, which ended up showing to me how little human life is valued when the minds and hearts bond towards such an objective, the declaration of destruction unless ones sides demands are completely obliged with.

So far from compassion, understanding...