Israel has been imposing a two-month blockade of aid and food supplies. As we can imagine, Israel has been endlessly criticised as “cruel” and “harsh” etc.
There are 2 points to make:
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(1) Why is Hamas not being criticised (anywhere near Israel) to release all the tortured hostages, dead and alive; and surrender unconditionally?
This would end the terror of Hamas – against Israel and the Palestinians. This will ALL end once Hamas releases the hostages and lay down their weapons.
It’s shocking just how little news coverage is given to the thousands of Palestinians marching against Hamas in the streets of Gaza, as well as Hamas torturing and executing Palestinian civilians who attempt to access aid meant for them.
In the messiness of war, we must never lose sight of who the bad guys are: Hamas. They’re evil incarnate.
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(2) Who is responsible for the blockade?
The truth is that – while Israel is fighting to defeat Hamas, save lives and bring the hostages home – Hamas is the one blocking humanitarian aid. There have been endless reports now of Hamas seizing the aid, then SELLING it to Gazans at extortionate prices, and thus starving “their own” people to keep their stranglehold on power.
(See this recent article at the Times of Israel: “Cash-strapped Hamas can’t pay fighters as Israeli offensive hits funding sources” – “Sources tell Wall Street Journal terror group used seized goods from humanitarian aid supplies to raise money, but with deliveries cut off, it is running out of resources”).
The ICJ case should be easy for Israel. They should be able to prove sufficient calories and nutrition were allowed into Gaza to feed every single person. Much of it was then given to UNRWA and then diverted to Hamas who sold it in Gaza or smuggled it into Egypt to sell.
In effect, this means that the aid goes towards funding Hamas’ war efforts against Israel. That is why it’s reasonable and legal for Israel to stop the transfer of aid.
Israel isn’t blocking the aid. It's trying to stop Hamas weaponising it.
Israel’s responsibility is to allow & facilitate the transfer of aid. It’s the role of the UN, NGOs, and local civilian administrations to distribute it. If there was any credible organisation that could guarantee that aid would actually reach the Gazan civilians – and not Hamas’ pockets; Gaza would be flooded with supplies.
It is worth noting that the UN just rejected Israel’s aid plan proposal (which they’ve been working on with an international humanitarian aid group for weeks and with US backing) which would ensure that people are fed without the aid being pilfered by Hamas. As per the Times (“UN humanitarian agency rejects Israeli plan to majorly alter Gaza aid delivery mechanism”):
... the IDF would not be directly involved in the distribution of aid, but troops would be tasked with providing an outer layer of security for the private contractors and international organizations handing out the assistance. Israel believes this method will make it harder for Hamas to divert aid to its fighters, the officials said.
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It seems to me obvious that Israel is not engaging on blockades as a “weapon of war” (or “collective punishment” etc.) - it is seeking to weaken its enemy while trying to help the vulnerable and weak of Gaza.
You are as sick as the fascist Netanyahu and his bunch of extremists. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteCan you point to any specific thing in the post which is factually inaccurate? Or are you just throwing insults around?
DeleteI'm a Jew ⁹and I know what's going on there. Netanyahus government is commiting war crimes , Jews all over the world are horrified about what is happening in Gaza. Shame on you all.
DeleteSo, just throwing insults around. The post has plenty of links to back up its specific claims. You don't seem to have anything except rage that somebody disagrees with your hatred.
DeleteI've noticed that on my own blog, every person who has ever tried to leave an anti-Semitic comment there has claimed to be Jewish. Every single one.
Netanyahu creates antisemitism and critisising what happens in Gaza has nothing to do with antisemitism , by the way the Palestinians are semits too. Israel has no more a democratic government and Jews for Peace are working together with the Palestinians in the Westbank. The racist settlers are murders. You are blind on both eyes. Shalom
DeleteAnonymous - Oh no .... you called me a mean name. I guess that means you win?
DeleteIsrael’s blockade is not a weapon of war but a strategic effort to prevent Hamas from weaponising humanitarian aid, while simultaneously working with international partners to ensure that critical supplies reach civilians rather than terrorists.
ReplyDeletePrecisely. But it gets pilloried because of the optics in the press.
DeleteIt's not fair.
Hamas is a terrorist organisation and there will never be peace while it survives.
ReplyDeleteHamas was once supported by Israel. Read about it.
DeleteYes jabblog.
DeleteAnonymous -- Israel didn't support Hamas. Israel sought to reach an understanding with Hamas' predecessor (a Muslim brotherhood affiliate) in Gaza. At the time, radical Islam wasn't really heard off. Arab nationalism and communism were the dominant forces behind terrorism. Israel thought Islamists would be focused on religious affairs while avoiding violence against Israel. The Islamic revolution in Iran gradually changed a lot of things. Mosques Israel helped build in Gaza had transformed into breeding grounds for radical Islamist fundamentalism. Soon after Hamas' formation, they also began collaborating with Iran, initially through hezbollah… etc. So Israel didn't support Hamas in the sense that you're making out.
To prevent Hamas grabbing precious resources and taking more hostages, my family (and other families we know) send our support _directly_ to family in Israel - food, medicine, clothes and anything they need. Clearly we cannot make up for the terrible pain Israelis suffer, but every bit of help is valued. And no Australian travelling to Israel has refused to carry our boxes.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't be written more accurately and correctly than that. This is such an important post, especially here.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteI guess being an obsessive troll filled with hate and resentment is not an easy life, you've been stalking me here for several years now under the pretext that you have Jewish friends or roots, that doesn't give you justification to spew your hatred at every opportunity. I have a lot of pity for you, I guess you're suffering a lot. My heart truly aches for you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a response to "Anonymous".
DeleteI once had to deal with an obsessive troll like that on my own blog (on the trans issue, not Israel). The only thing that eventually made him stop was deleting all his comments and ignoring them. And even then it took years before he went away. It's a bizarre obsession and they never realize their own behavior turns people harder against whatever cause they claim to be embracing.
DeleteOh infidel you are soo smart. Lol
Deletewell said.
DeleteWhat's interesting is that they never say anything interesting or challenging or address any points. It's all vague accusations of being hitler and evil and all that nonsense.
Every troll and his specific obsession, this troll is obsessed with Israel and since I'm the only one around here he's been following me for years. I'm sorry to "pollute" such an important and good post that Liam wrote and focus on the troll, but I think the comments here are a good example of his illness and serious problems. All that's left to do is really feel sorry for the troll.
ReplyDeletewell said yael.
DeleteThis is an incredibly thought-provoking perspective on a complex and deeply troubling issue. You raise valid points about the actions of Hamas and the broader international response, highlighting the tension between humanitarian aid and the realities of war. It’s difficult to navigate such a crisis where both the need for aid and the presence of a terror group like Hamas complicate every solution.
ReplyDeleteThe tragic irony of aid being seized and sold by those who should be distributing it to the people of Gaza is hard to ignore. Your insight into how Hamas exploits the situation, while Israel attempts to prevent its weaponization of humanitarian supplies, adds a layer of understanding to a very difficult issue. It’s important to have these discussions to understand the various factors at play, from the well-being of civilians to the responsibility of international bodies.
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