I truly wonder why so many approve of Netanyahu's tactics.

[mysteryowl]

He is a RW extremist. He has been prosecuted for corruption and dismissed from office, only to come back again.
He changed the courts eroding democracy so he could have more power.

Why are his beliefs about the decimation of Gaza the right ones?

[RainWalker]

1. I wonder that as well

[Chuuku Davis]

119. When there is a fox getting in your coop killing chickens,

You kill it.

[Think. Again.]

130. or remove it.

[LexVegas]

2. I wonder the same about those that tacitly approve of Hamas' tactics.

[RAB910]

6. I don't think that people who firmly believe two wrongs don't make a right, are "tacitly approving"

[Lonestarblue]

9. Few people approve of Hamas' tactics, but many people disapprove of Netanyahu and his tactics.

Netanyahu has fought a two-state solution for decades and has bragged about blowing up the Oslo accords. To stay in power, he aligned himself with the most hard right-wing Israeli who describe Palestinians as animals who have no right to live in their own homeland. And the reason Hamas was able to do the damage they did was because Bibi had pulled troops to the West Bank to portect settlers who were killing Palestinians and taking their land, which they are still doing while the world’s attention is on Gaza.

World news media are now writing about Israel’s ethnic cleansing and their apparent next next of erasing the entire Gaza population, which is genocide.

[stopdiggin]

29. +1. To say that Netanyahu is without his critics

is a total fabrication of the realities and facts on the ground. It is only slightly less of a distortion to pretend that the tactics and agenda in the Gaza haven't been harshly debated and scrutinized. Likewise the settlements, and settler violence, have been strong condemned from all quarters (including the WH).
The pretense that some sort of 'free pass' has been handed out - and 'none shall speak ill ..' - is a complete misrepresentation, and pure drivel.

[Think. Again.]

52. To imply that the OP claimed....

...netanyahu is 'without (his) critics', is a total fabrication of the realities and facts of the OP and pure drivel.

[stopdiggin]

68. the OP is headed

I truly wonder why so many approve of Netanyahu's tactics.

If there isn't a strong inference there to a 'free pass', or something on that order, that needs attention and strong condemnation - then perhaps I should be brushing up on my English skills.

(My reading - the entire thrust was a scold on non-critical support of Netanyahu. And I believe I'll stick with that.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[Think. Again.]

80. Questioning why 'so many' approve ....

...of netanyahu's tactics is a far cry from stating he has a 'free pass'.

There is obviously 'very many' who disapprove, which means he is definitely not getting a free pass.

[stopdiggin]

93. sounded an awful lot like that to me.

And I believe I'm going to ride with my take on the OP here. But thanks.

[FoxNewsSucks]

18. Do you have any examples?

[Bucky]

27. If you live in a sheltered world and only talk to reasonable people...e

then you won't have met people who support Hamas's mass murders/war crimes as a "tactical success", but indeed there are such fools

[Think. Again.]

53. Do you have any examples?

[Bucky]

58. Yes, but it's heartbreaking

https://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-palestinians-celebrate-hamas-attack-as-israel-supporters-rally-in-new-york/

https://themedialine.org/by-region/pro-palestinian-crowd-in-new-york-celebrates-hamas-attack-on-israel/

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/three-pro-palestinian-protesters-deny-committing-terrorism-offences-london-rally-2023-11-10/

https://abcnews.go.com/International/hamas-day-rage-protests-break-middle-east/story?id=103955873

[Think. Again.]

60. I see, thank you...

...I am firmly against hamas.

That being clearly and sincerely stated, I'd like to point out that in each of those articles, the protests are labelled as "Pro-Palestinian" not "Pro-hamas".

And yes, I see in those articles instances of support for Hama's terrorist attack, but I believe those are isolated and individual instances by protesters within the larger group and might not rightfully be used as representative of the overall Pro-Palestinian event.

I know I will be called out for trying to excuse pro--hamas demonstrations, but I do NOT support pro-hamas anything.

I do however support Pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

There is a difference, just as there is a difference between Pro-American and Pro-maga.

[Bucky]

61. Pro Palestinian demonstrations are pro peace demonstrations

The people who have been cheering on Hamas's actions in Israel are pro-slaughter. I don't think they have ground to stand on for denouncing the indiscriminate mass killing of Palestinians. They encourage exactly that when they support the slaughter of Israelis.

[Think. Again.]

62. I agree...

...again, I see the demonstrations covered in those articles are referred to as Pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and yes I see there were Pro-hamas supporters among them.

[Voltaire2]

59. Nobody here has done that.

[yardwork]

3. Other than the Israeli voters who keep re-electing him, who else approves?

Netanyahu seems to one global figure with almost universal disapproval. I don't know a single person who approves of him or his policies. None of the Jewish people I know support him at all - they blame him and his policies for making everything worse.

The Biden administration seems to loathe him.

Could you point me toward a single reputable commentator who supports him? (His cabinet of mini-mes doesn't count.)

[True Blue American]

20. Netanyahu was on all the stations this morning

The IDF SPOKESMA was on Acosta last night. His arrogance was awful.

[yardwork]

40. That doesn't answer my question.

[LeftInTX]

97. There are Jews here in the US who support him. (You're just not friends with them..LOL)

Of course they're mostly right wingers.

He keeps getting re-elected because he builds coalitions with members of Parliament who are the further to the right of him.
There is also the huge AIPAC here in the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Israel_Public_Affairs_Committee

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/aipac-gaza/

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/11/aipac-israel-gaza-netanyahu-mark-pocan.html

His brother was also a big hero and I think that is why he got a boost. I remember right after Netanyahu became PM I met someone who said, "My kids go to Netanyahu Academy"...I'm thinking, "The guy just became PM and already has a school named after him?"

I didn't know he had a brother, who was considered a hero. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonatan_Netanyahu

The school since been renamed.

[yardwork]

115. So, right wingers support a right winger.

Doesn't seem to be a mystery to me.

[dalton99a]

4. Netanyahu belongs in prison. But Hamas needs to be dead.

[Cha]

43. Concisely done.

[Think. Again.]

55. I think you just solved it all.

[patphil]

5. Netanyahu is a stain on the garment of Israeli government that won't wash out.

Like Trump, he fans the flames of fear, anger, and hatred in his base.
I'm not sure he could have maintained his government much longer if it wasn't for the convenient attack by Hamas.
I'm not saying he in in collusion with them, but he certainly knew the attack was coming, and did nothing to protect the Israeli people.
Now he's engaged in brutal, ruthless attacks on Gaza, with no concern for the toll in pain, suffering, death, and destruction of it's people.
You get the feeling he would like a wider war. After all, who's going to remove their leader during wartime?
Netanyahu is an evil man, and, I see him as just a different kind of terrorist. Essentially he's not much different from Hamas.
Both are reprehensible.

[mysteryowl]

7. I appreciate your post.

It is indeed not missed on me that the incoming Hamas missiles were not shot down by the US-funded air defense system. I believe it is called the iron dome. How is it this is the first time the Israeli air defense system did not work? Not at all!
I did not see any news report that even some of the missiles were shot down. How is this not a huge question and very suspect?

[brooklynite]

10. What missles weren't shot down?

The Hamas attack was people-based.

[Chautauquas]

13. I saw a report that said rockets got through

I don't recall where I read it but the report stated that the number of rockets fired simultaneously overwhelmed iron dome and some of them got through.

[ripcord]

76. They fired them on a lower trajectory so they stayed under what the radar would consider a target

[Igel]

14. It's not a tough thing to explain.

I've explained it. Other have explained it.

This explains it with more authority than common sense can: https://fortune.com/2023/10/13/why-did-israel-iron-dome-air-defense-fail-hamas-attack/

A lot of missiles were shot down. There were reports of damaged buildings from intercepted missiles coming down. (Even if they go boom in the air, the mass that didn't get converted to gasses still has to land somewhere.)

[mjvpi]

21. There were too many missiles fired at once, was my understanding.

[EX500rider]

46. Iron Dome like every other missile defense is capable of being overwhelmed if vast amounts of missiles are fired.

[Think. Again.]

56. It confuses me ...

...how hamas was able to collect, assemble, set up, and use so many large pieces of artillary in such a small and well-watched area, enough to overwhelm a strong, U.S. backed defense shield, without anyone having any clue about it beforehand.

[Mosby]

69. WTF?

It's a conspiracy? Are the Americans also involved, or just Netanyahu and Likud?

[Think. Again.]

84. Now I'm even more confused...

[ripcord]

78. You seem to be selective in your reading

Hamas has a huge tunnel network that for years have been used to smuggle in arms. Iran has been supporting Hamas and makes sure they the ability to target Israel, in other words state sponsored terrorism.

[Think. Again.]

85. I see...

...perhaps someone should start keeping an eye on their activities then.

[inthewind21]

109. Kind of like

all those WMD's that were smuggled out of Iraq into Syria via tunnels? Anyone ever find those?

[EX500rider]

88. Who said no one had a clue?

It was well known that Iran was suppling parts and tech to built 1,000's of rockets in Gaza, what did you expect Israel to do about it?
Bomb Gaza like they are doing now was about the only choice.

[inthewind21]

110. I don't know

Maybe stop allowing all those suitcases of cash from flowing in from Qatar to Hamas

https://www.france24.com/en/20181111-netanyahu-defends-qatari-cash-infusion-gaza-0

https://www.timesofisrael.com/en-route-to-paris-netanyahu-defends-qatari-cash-shipments-into-gaza/

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2018-11-11/ty-article/.premium/qatari-cash-flowing-into-gaza-may-embarrass-netanyahu-but-alternative-is-war/0000017f-e0dd-d38f-a57f-e6df89b50000

[Give Peace A Chance]

11. You are so right.

[maxrandb]

8. If you wanted to destroy all the good will, empathy and support

that Israel truly deserves in this time, you couldn't pick a better person than Netanyahu to do it.

[Sneederbunk]

12. Israel needs a 9/11 type commission.

But we all know how hard it is to get one of those.

[mysteryowl]

16. That might be helpful, but Net does not want the truth to get out. IMO

[haele]

15. Grief and Vengeance.

Strong emotional response isn't complicated. Just get rid of the problem, and they feel that since it all worked out before, it will work out again.
And sure, Hamas and their ilk are nihilistic barbarians whose organization should be wiped out (not being sarcastic, their leadership is corrupt, their members are broken and I don't know how to fix that level of greedy and fanatical hate), and since they're in charge of Gaza, all Gazans are culpable for their actions.

However, the world is much more complicated now than it was in the 1960's/1970's. Especially since everyone is carrying a camera with instant world-wide dissemination and there's some serious outside forces with an interest in the destruction of Western democracy rather than keeping Arab states in an exploited, subservient state for easy access to oil. Israel is being used as a pawn between the autocrats and the West. And I'm pretty sure Netanyahu is setting himself up to do a Yasser Arafat, with an escape plan should everything turn south. He's going to be perfectly safe with his wealth intact, no matter what happens in Israel proper. He can set himself up as a figurehead government in exile in his foreverwar if his plans don't work out, but at least he's going to take all those nasty, uppity Palestinians, Liberals, and Israeli Arabs out before he goes.

I don't think pure Isreali belligerence can succeed this time.

Haele

[gratuitous]

17. Because as soon as Netanyahu is criticized for his policies or tactics

A horde of defenders materializes to equate any criticism as anti-semitism and support for Hamas. At best, critics are dismissed as naive or ignorant of the realpolitik dimensions who can be safely excluded from the discussion.

[mysteryowl]

19. I can appreciate your comments.

I can't help but think of how exploited the Native Americans were and the propaganda that supported their genocide.
Feels similar to me.

[Beastly Boy]

25. Like myself, there are many Netanyahu foes who can tell antisemitism from criticism.

I can't say the same for the antisemites who cannot tell this difference while defending antisemitism.

[Nixie]

71. Bingo. And the lack of urgency about releasing the hostages

also is complete hypocrisy while pushing a ceasefire. It seems that people don't like Netanyahu so it doesn't matter about the hostages.

[Mossfern]

48. I haven't seen anyone here defending Netanyahu

[Think. Again.]

54. I haven't seen anyone here defending anti-semitism.

[Mosby]

70. Really? I see antisemitism right in this thread.

Accusations of MIHOP or LIHOP.

[Think. Again.]

81. My apologies...

...could you explain "MIHOP" and "LIHOP" please?

Also, are you seeing anti-semitism in this thread or anti-Israeli policy/actions?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

82. Sea lions, man...

[Think. Again.]

86. Oh now stop.....

...my flat statement was replied to in a code I don't know, my asking for an explanation of that code is not sealioning.

Or maybe you're referring to the second part of my response which is also a legitimate question unless you believe anti-semitism includes critique of Israeli government activities which I don't believe it does.

[treestar]

123. Used of 911, LIHOP Let it happen on purpose

and MIHOP made it happen on purpose.
Though no one suggested any such thing, but noticed some anomalies, but that was enough for some to conclude for sure they were suggesting LIHOP or MIHOP and that such a suggestion is anti-semitism.

[Think. Again.]

124. Thanks!...

...that's the first I've heard of those anagrams.

And it's the first I've heard of anyone suggesting Israel might have done that, or is that actually being discussed? Kind of like a reverse false flag conspiracy thing?

I've read a lot about Israel being distracted with the settlers, and accusations of incompetence that they didn't see it coming, but not that they actually knew it was coming and allowed it.

But I also don't understand how that would be considered anti-semitic, anyway.

[treestar]

128. Post 5 was enough of a trigger

to bring about a claim of accusations of LIHOP or MIHOP.

Anti-semitism accusation will come with any questioning eventually, and LIHOP or MIHOP would surely qualify. The accusation, whether it is justifiable or not.

[Greybnk48]

22. It could be that the Netanyahu supporters are more vocal

than those of us who are horrified by BOTH the brutal, inhuman actions of Hamas AND Netanyahu's brutal, inhuman actions.

I am having trouble watching the news at night, watching Palestinian children and innocent civilians be massacred. I also cannot get the vision of the young Isreali girl being yanked out of the back of a car, hands bound, and her pants soiled with either what i hope was poop and not blood. Or the young kids running across the sand from a concert that was attacked.
Horrific.

[mysteryowl]

23. I too can only take in a little of the live news images and I turn it off.

It is so distressing and I weep with the collective anguish.

[Mossfern]

89. Where on DU?

There are no Netanyahu supporters that I've seen here.
I thought this is what it was about.

BTW in my neighborhood I've seen a Palestinian flag, but no Israeli flags ... if we're talking about
the non- social media universe.

How about babies being wired to their parents and burned alive.
If Hamas wants a cease fire so badly, they can show a good faith measure by returning all the hostages.

[Think. Again.]

94. You can honestly say...

...that you haven't seen any netanyahu supporters here on DU when you yourself have been one of the biggest supporters of netanyahu's decisions to fire on Gaza????

[EX500rider]

96. What was choice B for Israel after a massacre of Israeli's from Hamas out of Gaza?

Send them a sternly worded letter? Complain at the UN?

Any country in the world would be at war with their neighbor after what Hamas did.

[Think. Again.]

100. You're starting a completely different discussion...

...than my question to a different poster warrants.

[EX500rider]

101. You said: "supporters of netanyahu's decisions to fire on Gaza?"

And I said what other choice would any other country have made?

[Mossfern]

102. Huh?

Please point out where.
Yes I believe there should have been a response form Israel for Hamas atrocities, murder and taking hostages. Please document any post of mine that supports Netanyahu.

[Think. Again.]

103. Are you saying there is a separation between...

netanyahu and Israeli action?

You say you support Israel's military response but that does not mean you support netanyahu?

And this is an honest question because I do not know;

Has Israel made military decisions and conducted military operations that netanyahu was not involved in?

[Mossfern]

104. Oh

Now you're just acting like a troll.
I'll remember your screen name.

[Think. Again.]

105. I'M acting like a troll???...

You tell me you support the military response of Israel but then question why I assume you support netanyahu.

Where is the difference???

[Mossfern]

106. I said "response from Israel" - exactly my words

and somehow you take that to mean that I support Netanyahu...

done

[Think. Again.]

108. The "response from Israel" is netanyahu's response...

...you support it.

[Mossfern]

113. I wrote

A response.

Let's have a conversation about empathy.
OK?
Pretend you are Israeli and your daughter was raped and your wife was mutilated by having her breasts cut off before she was raped and then murdered, and then your infant was put in the oven set on high.
The people who did this were acting in the name of the government of a neighboring area.
Your family was not the only one effected - hundreds of families, thousands of people.
Hundreds of hostages - corpses brought back to their villages to be spit on and beat - cheering mobs giving out celebratory candies to their children.

What do you think your government should do?
Please answer without a "but"

[Think. Again.]

114. I would expect, no, DEMAND....

...that my government does everything within it's power and international law to make sure THE PEOPLE THAT DID THAT and the government they were acting in the name of never do that again to anyone, ever.

I would also demand that my government DOES NOT DO THE SAME to anyone else, especially not in the name of my loved ones.

[Mossfern]

116. Reasonable answer

but since when has Israel been able to demand anything?
So far no one is talking about returning the hostages.

Let's say that Israel takes it to the UN. What do you think the response would be based on the history of that body?

Who enforces international law?
https://unwatch.org/un-officials-and-bodies-react-to-october-2023-hamas-massacre-and-its-aftermath/

(lets keep Netanyahu out of this as if you search my posts you'll see that I've denounced him many times)

Try this: https://www.seedsofpeace.org/
I've posted this link a few times so far - I will continue to do so in order for people to know where I stand and have stood for many many years. I used to post on Ummah - back in the 1990's comparing recipes with women there, trying to explain misconceptions about Jewish people., learning about Islam.I am not a right wing person.

You chose the wrong person to accuse.
Did you make assumptions about me because of my avatar?

[Think. Again.]

117. I remember rec'ing one of your Seeds of Peace posts...

And no, I didn't think of your avatar.

You are very supportive of the military response by Israel, that directly relates to support of netanyahu's decision to make that military response.

That's all there is to it.

I personally disagree with Israel's military response, and although I don't have an answer for what the response should have been to stop hamas forever, I firmly believe it can be (could have been) done without the horrific amount of non-hamas Palestinian bloodshed.

[Mossfern]

118. So then no response whatsoever?

No one has come up with an effective non military response to the atrocities and the promise of further atrocities. Understand calling for a cease fire means nothing. Hamas attacked Israel during a cease fire.

Calling for another one will change nothing.
Hamas does not care about Palestinians.

[Think. Again.]

120. I firmly believe...

...that in this day and age, with all the modern tech we have at our fingertips and all we have learned about psychological, financial, and informational warfare, there are probably multiple ways hamas can be destroyed forever without ever harming an innocent civilian in Gaza.

In fact, I know that the majority of Gazans would benefit and be grateful if that was done immediately.

[Greybnk48]

121. I also assumed that Netanyahu and Israeli action are connected. N/t

[Think. Again.]

122. Is that not a correct assumption?

[Greybnk48]

125. I sure thought so. He is the Prime Minister. But now you're being confronted

also for the same assumption I originally made. I agree with you, and I'm confused by the pushback by others.

[Think. Again.]

129. There are people here...

...who seem to be very determined to push the argument that the rightwing Israeli government headed by netanyahu is unquestionably correct in all they do.

A lot of times they will try to silence discussion by playing the anti-semitism card, or claiming Israel's right to revenge, regardless of who, other than hamas, gets killed, maimed, and or traumatized by netanyahu's violent aggression.

I've learned not to assume that DU is only populated by Democrats.

[Beastly Boy]

24. At this moment, the war is directed by the national unity government. It is not Netanyahu's government

[inthewind21]

65. Right

[Mosby]

72. Gantz is in charge.

It's well documented.

[inthewind21]

111. And

So were WMD's in Iraq. What's your point? By the way, anyone find those yet?

[Mosby]

112. The point is that Netanyahu isn't in charge

Even Al Jazeera admits that. That good enough for you?

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/israeli-pm-netanyahu-opposition-leader-gantz-to-form-emergency-unity-govt

[gulliver]

26. Aren't Palestinians also mostly "right wing extremists?"

Netanyahu is an immoral idiot, and his career is over. Netanyahu isn't anti-Semitic though. He's not homophobic, as far as I know. He believes in equal rights for women, as far as I know.

Netanyahu, bad as he is, didn't order rapes, kidnappings, grisly torture-murders, murders, and other atrocities as Hamas/ISIS did. None of Netanyahu's soldiers deliberately killed innocents at all as far as I know. There have been no reports of that. Those innocents who have been killed wouldn't have died at all if not for Hamas/ISIS and anyone who supports them in any way whatsoever.

Netanyahu, to me, is the Israeli Trump. He might have fancied himself a sort of "smart" version of Trump. Sucks to be him.

[mysteryowl]

28. Your belief about Palestinians is incorrect and part of the propaganda.

I learn from friends that are Palestinian Americans.
I learn from Lebanese Americans that are like family to me.
I also learn from Rick Steves and other sources.

This video is from (8) eight years ago.

[gulliver]

32. Is it against the law to be LGBTQ+ in Palestine?

https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/palestine/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_the_State_of_Palestine

What would Hamas do to non-straights living openly in Gaza? What does Iran (major Hamas backer) do to women who want to show their face in public?

People have good and bad sides. Adults make good and bad decisions. Most people want to see peace-loving Gazans freed from Hamas and given a state. It's good real estate as best I can tell. But Hamas/ISIS ruins everything for the Gazans. You can't allow a Dahmer-like psycho organization to live in your country. It seems unfair that people who are basically sane and just want to live their lives are burdened and cursed by the psychos in their midst, but that's life.

[mysteryowl]

36. I can ask my friends from that region.

[gulliver]

49. That would be good

[Cha]

45. Palestine criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men. Sentences include a maximum penalty of ten years'..

imprisonment. There is little evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, however LGBT people are regularly subjected to discrimination and violence.

https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/palestine/

And This..

Link to tweet

TY

[Think. Again.]

57. You are again...

...equating 'Palestinians' with hamas.

You ask if Palestinians are rightwing then support that claim by showing that hamas is rightwing.

I've been reposting this a lot lately, but here it is again:

From foreignaffairs.com:

"The argument that the entire population of Gaza can be held responsible for Hamas’s actions is quickly discredited when one looks at the facts. Arab Barometer, a research network where we serve as co-principal investigators, conducted a survey in Gaza and the West Bank days before the Israel-Hamas war broke out. The findings, published here for the first time, reveal that rather than supporting Hamas, the vast majority of Gazans have been frustrated with the armed group’s ineffective governance as they endure extreme economic hardship. Most Gazans do not align themselves with Hamas’s ideology, either. Unlike Hamas, whose goal is to destroy the Israeli state, the majority of survey respondents favored a two-state solution with an independent Palestine and Israel existing side by side.

(Full article: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/what-palestinians-really-think-hamas )

[Mosby]

74. According to Pew

Almost 50% of Palestinians support suicide bombers.

Almost 100% of Palestinians are antisemitic.

About 4% of Palestinians accept LGBTQ+ folks.

Is this your idea of Liberalism?

This is hard core conservatism.

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/06/04/global-acceptance-of-homosexuality/

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2011/05/17/chapter-4-views-of-extremist-groups-and-suicide-bombing/

https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2010/02/04/chapter-3-views-of-religious-groups/

[Think. Again.]

83. Good correction...

...those 10-13 year old polls are a much better indication of what Palestinians were like back then, than using hamas as an example of what Palestinians are like now.

[Big Blue Marble]

38. There are right-wing extremists in the Israeli Government

because Netanyahu put them there.

And at least some of them are anti- LGBTQ+ rights.

"Smotrich: My voters don’t care if I’m a homophobe or fascist; my word is my bond"

https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-my-voters-dont-care-im-a-homophobic-fascist-but-my-word-is-my-word/

Your broad brush statement about Palestinians certainly could be seen as racist and
dehumanizing. Please read more about the history of these brave people who have lived
under brutal occupation for over fifty years.

[EX500rider]

98. Let us know when Gaza has a Gay Pride Parade

Tel Aviv Pride is a week-long series of events in Tel Aviv which takes place on the second week of June, as part of the international observance of Gay Pride Month. The key event, taking place on the Friday, is the Pride Parade itself which attracts over 250,000 attendees

[edisdead]

30. I wonder...

I don’t think many or any people approve of either tactics.

But unfortunately I think many people understand that when Hamas did what they did, they did something so incredibly stupid that it is completely unsurprising that IDF responded the way they did. Albeit, it doesn’t sit well but, if I kick a hornets nest I don’t like that the hornets are going to sting me and everyone else around me but I am not surprised that it is going to happen.

Somebody fucked around and unfortunately far too many people are paying for that. Israel is a country that has been existing with the threat of people using words like annihilation, genocide, wipe off the face of the planet for their entire existence. They have live with threats from their neighbors forever. So when a group who declares that it is their intent to destroy them, invades them and commits horrible acts. Well did anyone expect a tit for tat response?

Israel is unfortunately making a bigger statement that to just Hamas. They are telling all of those around them that if you fuck with them they will respond harshly and without any mercy. I don’t like it. But I am not surprised by it one bit.

[inthewind21]

66. Israel

responded exactly how Hamas wanted them to. They "understood" completely. Just like the colossal blunder the US made after 9-11. If you think the Israeli response is a surprise to Hamas, I've got some beachfront property in Arizona for sale!

[edisdead]

91. I don't think I said Hamas was surprised

So no I am not interested in your beachfront property.

[snowybirdie]

31. A Putin Success!

He's managed to divide the good DUrs here who are against rtump and his deplorable ideas. Dividing Americans are his mission. Wrongs on both sides. Our nation can help them work toward peace without taking sides, and we should!

[Cheezoholic]

33. This x1000 n/t

[mysteryowl]

35. I too feel America needs to be neutral here.

[EX500rider]

99. No, thanks, I am not really interested in being "neutral" when one side is a terrorist group.

Were you "neutral" towards ISIS or the Taliban?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. I despise TFG but if he was president on 12/7/1941 I would have reluctantly supported him.

[johnp3907]

37. He would have already taken Hitler's side by '41.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

39. He would have been torn between Hitler and Stalin and supported the one who was more flattering.

[Abolishinist]

41. I'd have to go with Mussolini on this one.

[RainWalker]

42. I didn't support W after 9/11

And I attended many matches and demonstrations over the illegal Iraq war.

[Polybius]

44. I know why, it's pretty obvious

But hopefully Israel's brutality will change a few minds. Doubtful though.

[RockRaven]

51. It's a bit like asking why TFG was/is so popular despite being bigoted & incompetent.

He popular because the bloodthirstiness, the violent rhetoric, the bigotry -- it is the point which causes the support, not an "in spite of" situation.

Bibi faced MANY elections recently in which he could have been ousted and sidelined for good. He was not. Because what he spouts is what a (disturbingly) large portion of his nation's electorate want in a leader. Just like TFG.

Don't ask why people support him now, after this specific attack. Ask why people supported him prior to this attack, over and over and over again declining to take an offramp from what he was obviously doing.

[marble falls]

63. Israel's own MAGA voters.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

64. Islamophobia.

It’s glaringly obvious.

[JustAnotherGen]

67. I can address

When Hamas releases the American Israeli toddler they kidnapped in their pogrom.

That's a simple ask. How hard would it be for Hamas to do that?

Also - I think Netanyahu is an asshole. I'm not worshipping at his altar.

I just want that 3 year old American child back. The parents were killed - lets bring the kid home.

[Kennah]

75. War is War

[getagrip_already]

77. Very few do.....

Most support Israel, not Netanyahu.

He is a fascist pig, not unlike trump.

[ripcord]

79. Many say they support Palestinians but not Hamas

But they can't seem to understand when someone else says they support Israel but not Netanyahu.

[Takealeft]

87. He's a national hero

He's a national hero for starters. He's bled for Israel more than once. We've elected two "leaders" in a row that both actively avoided military service while their peers were fighting and dying in Vietnam. I know it's hard to understand why he's respected if you're American.

[obamanut2012]

90. Oh, Americans understand why some folks love far right, authoritative leaders with no empathy

[manicdem]

92. He's doing what needs to be done

Ceasefires don't work as there have been many in the past broken by Hamas. There was a ceasefire in effect when Oct 7th happened. Israel tried negotiations giving lands to Palestine which have all failed. Israel pulled out of Gaza almost 20 years ago which seems to have made things worse. Israel constructed the Iron Dome so that they could defend themselves and not have to attack Gaza but that only partially worked. No other country wants to deal with the Palestinians.

The only option Israel has is to eliminate Hamas even with the high cost in both sides.

[Joinfortmill]

95. Israel was attacked. It isn't about Netanyahu

It's about the attack and hostage taking. Once that's settled, we can talk about him. By the way, I think he's a goddamn crook.

[WarGamer]

107. Some people have no problem with authoritarians as long as they "authoritate" in a way you like.

[marble falls]

126. Good question.

[KPN]

127. Fear? The same thing Trump uses to gain power

with others. Only in Israel, the fear is legitimate and rational — at least to the extent it stems from terrorist acts against Israel.

Given the circumstances and past history, I can understand the Israeli people being afraid. Here in the US on the other hand, the fear derives principally from prejudice and hate, from personal insecurities, from a deep and personal sense of inadequacy; the stuff from which bullies are created. Stuff that for me is much harder to appreciate and fully understand.