Thank you Jasper from London. There is a lot to read and consider in your thoughts and in the reports and excerpts you have compiled. I will react at greater length soon, especially with reference to your concluding comments on Israel and those who continue to find any justification for the IDF & Netanyahu’s ‘offensive’, now becoming an even wider war - against Iran.
I haven't heard anyone recently defend Israel's conduct, but I am aware of people who really just don't care that much about it and/or still think it's a bit complicated. In short, they can't be bothered to inform themselves properly.
There are also the anti-immigrant racist people (I'm in Ireland, and all the US madness has arrived here) who think we should only focus on Ireland and not these foreign places. I also have German friends who have shocked and disappointed me with their pro-Israel stance.
It's amazing how susceptible to propaganda humans are and how unwilling people are to interrogate their beliefs. Sigh!
Oh, I was amazed at a recent bridge vigil (there are weekly ones in several Mayo, Ireland towns) to have someone ask me what flag it was. Double sigh!!
From the little I know and from what I've been reading these last few days - Iran is the last domino so Western imperial interests can clear the board b/c the bigger goal is to contain China and prevent multipolarity.
Neocons have been foaming at the mouth for a war with Iran & it looks like they're about to get what they've always wanted, and more people will die 😞
I don't think Trump came up with this ruse. He doesn't think long term. War hawks probably used his ego, ignorance and hunger for admiration to advance a decades-old plan.
People who still support Israel will not be swayed. Not at this point. I'm thinking people don't want their cognitive dissonance challenged 🤷
It's easier to cling to the fabricated existential threat to Israel. If your entire identity is built around 'they want to destroy us', then you don't have to reflect. If something is an existential threat, then anything goes.
Who in their right mind would think of joining the GHF "to help"? The Zeteo piece was upsetting for many reasons, the one sticking out for me being the absolute coldbloodedness of the author's "I don't have a side" statement... It was terrifying.
I am commenting again to give my reaction to the question you asked at the end of your summary. I realise that the IDF war machine has now expanded to an ‘existential’ campaign of destruction and multiple assassinations across Iran. It occurs to me that Netanyahu and his henchmen must have inexhaustible stockpiles of sophisticated weaponry. And, if one is an individual targeted by Israel/IDF/Mossad, there is no escape.
[If you know people still defending Israel’s conduct. What are they saying? How are they justifying it?] Your question.
A good friend, an intelligent and knowledgeable Indian man who has lived in London for fifty years, and I had a rather intense conversation at the end of a day of a Test Match cricket final at Lord’s [the HQ of the MCC and the holy of holies in this sport. Apologies to those who have no connection to this eccentric sport. Just setting the scene]. South Africa won against Australia, an unexpected victory.
C stated that Saudi Arabia and Egypt should open their borders to the Palestinian people, thereby creating a new Palestine, allowing the inhabitants of Gaza and the West Bank to escape the daily horrors and mass atrocities of the IDF, which they have had to endure, and survive, since October 2023.
He went on to say that Hamas and the people of Gaza/Palestine are so closely intertwined as to be inseparable, his argument being that the IDF has the right, and presents the moral justification, to eradicate indiscriminately anyone they choose to target within those zones.
C’s position, which I do not wish to traduce, is that there exists an ‘equivalence’ in terms of events that have happened historically, and are happening, in other parts of the world. The colonialists and empire builders such as England, France, Belgium, Germany etc. are the nations responsible for wars, famine and inequality everywhere.
C may have a good case for making this statement. I resisted his analysis and asked him to just focus upon the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the massive assault upon Iran. C holds the belief that it is impossible to extricate or in any way separate the current situation from the chaotic and uncontrolled ‘river’ of history.
We ended in silence. We both were vocal, and stood our ground. I think I am trying to say that there are still many intelligent individuals out there who are convinced that Netanyahu and the IDF have the right to wage war without constraint.
This should cause us universally the deepest concern and sadness.
People are still attempting to defend the indefensible, at least in online discourse. Hasbara chatbots are still on duty.
On the other hand, 'Free Palestine' is now routinely chanted at 50501 events - as opposed to the first one I attended in Feb, where this generated shouting down by some groups in the crowd. The people who aren't trapped in basic bitch boomer neocon right-wing brain rot know and have grown much bolder about showing it. Not that it will matter much, too little too late.
Truly a thoroughly informative breakdown, thank you.
This is an excellent breakdown, thank you.
Thank you Jasper from London. There is a lot to read and consider in your thoughts and in the reports and excerpts you have compiled. I will react at greater length soon, especially with reference to your concluding comments on Israel and those who continue to find any justification for the IDF & Netanyahu’s ‘offensive’, now becoming an even wider war - against Iran.
I haven't heard anyone recently defend Israel's conduct, but I am aware of people who really just don't care that much about it and/or still think it's a bit complicated. In short, they can't be bothered to inform themselves properly.
There are also the anti-immigrant racist people (I'm in Ireland, and all the US madness has arrived here) who think we should only focus on Ireland and not these foreign places. I also have German friends who have shocked and disappointed me with their pro-Israel stance.
It's amazing how susceptible to propaganda humans are and how unwilling people are to interrogate their beliefs. Sigh!
Oh, I was amazed at a recent bridge vigil (there are weekly ones in several Mayo, Ireland towns) to have someone ask me what flag it was. Double sigh!!
Thank you Jasper - it is sickening to read the extent of the betrayal of the Palestinian people
From the little I know and from what I've been reading these last few days - Iran is the last domino so Western imperial interests can clear the board b/c the bigger goal is to contain China and prevent multipolarity.
Neocons have been foaming at the mouth for a war with Iran & it looks like they're about to get what they've always wanted, and more people will die 😞
I don't think Trump came up with this ruse. He doesn't think long term. War hawks probably used his ego, ignorance and hunger for admiration to advance a decades-old plan.
People who still support Israel will not be swayed. Not at this point. I'm thinking people don't want their cognitive dissonance challenged 🤷
It's easier to cling to the fabricated existential threat to Israel. If your entire identity is built around 'they want to destroy us', then you don't have to reflect. If something is an existential threat, then anything goes.
I'm thinking people don't want their cognitive dissonance challenged 🤷
100%
It takes courage!
Who in their right mind would think of joining the GHF "to help"? The Zeteo piece was upsetting for many reasons, the one sticking out for me being the absolute coldbloodedness of the author's "I don't have a side" statement... It was terrifying.
That is such a thorough and thoroughly depressing read. Thank you
you the man, Jasper
No one with a conscience could ever defend this cabal of criminal tyrants
Good Morning Jasper.
I am commenting again to give my reaction to the question you asked at the end of your summary. I realise that the IDF war machine has now expanded to an ‘existential’ campaign of destruction and multiple assassinations across Iran. It occurs to me that Netanyahu and his henchmen must have inexhaustible stockpiles of sophisticated weaponry. And, if one is an individual targeted by Israel/IDF/Mossad, there is no escape.
[If you know people still defending Israel’s conduct. What are they saying? How are they justifying it?] Your question.
A good friend, an intelligent and knowledgeable Indian man who has lived in London for fifty years, and I had a rather intense conversation at the end of a day of a Test Match cricket final at Lord’s [the HQ of the MCC and the holy of holies in this sport. Apologies to those who have no connection to this eccentric sport. Just setting the scene]. South Africa won against Australia, an unexpected victory.
C stated that Saudi Arabia and Egypt should open their borders to the Palestinian people, thereby creating a new Palestine, allowing the inhabitants of Gaza and the West Bank to escape the daily horrors and mass atrocities of the IDF, which they have had to endure, and survive, since October 2023.
He went on to say that Hamas and the people of Gaza/Palestine are so closely intertwined as to be inseparable, his argument being that the IDF has the right, and presents the moral justification, to eradicate indiscriminately anyone they choose to target within those zones.
C’s position, which I do not wish to traduce, is that there exists an ‘equivalence’ in terms of events that have happened historically, and are happening, in other parts of the world. The colonialists and empire builders such as England, France, Belgium, Germany etc. are the nations responsible for wars, famine and inequality everywhere.
C may have a good case for making this statement. I resisted his analysis and asked him to just focus upon the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the massive assault upon Iran. C holds the belief that it is impossible to extricate or in any way separate the current situation from the chaotic and uncontrolled ‘river’ of history.
We ended in silence. We both were vocal, and stood our ground. I think I am trying to say that there are still many intelligent individuals out there who are convinced that Netanyahu and the IDF have the right to wage war without constraint.
This should cause us universally the deepest concern and sadness.
Robert
People are still attempting to defend the indefensible, at least in online discourse. Hasbara chatbots are still on duty.
On the other hand, 'Free Palestine' is now routinely chanted at 50501 events - as opposed to the first one I attended in Feb, where this generated shouting down by some groups in the crowd. The people who aren't trapped in basic bitch boomer neocon right-wing brain rot know and have grown much bolder about showing it. Not that it will matter much, too little too late.