Trump's "Board of Peace" was doomed to fail when he invited Qatar and Turkey. It's like a sheep farmer deciding the best way to protect his flock of sheep isn't just with sheepdogs and fencing to keep away the wolves, fox, and coyotes, but instead invite the wolves and foxes to join the sheepdogs and work together towards protecting the sheep. Bring them inside the fence. After all, wouldn't it work so much better and mean less work for the sheepdogs and farmer if he could convince the predators not to be predators by openly welcoming them? Reminds me of the American president played by Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks, who as the Martians relentllessly attack the humans, says "Why can't we all just...get along!"
I've read a number of your pieces; I thought this was particularly interesting, especially about Gaza. Barbara Tuchman suggests that the incomprehensible, visceral Arab hatred of Israel stems from the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the tiny Jewish state. Israel's ongoing successes underline the "Arab failures" as she put it. They can't get over it. Now all these years later, Israel vanquished them all, further humiliating them. Tuchman wrote, "The Arabs were left, like a woman scorned, with a fury matching hell's..." Mayb now, this generational loathing can finally dissipate, although I wouldn't bet on it. By the way, your AI images are extraordinary, and greatly enhance your commentary.
Perhaps the BOP will finance an independent state prison where no one leaves or enters? Komrade Karney has declared the international rules based order obsolete after all.
I saw an interview with Jonathan Conricus where he says another war with Gaza is likely to happen shortly. We just keep going round and round. Dan Shueftan has predicted the same, but he did so earlier. Really sad that things can change so much and also stay the same.
There are so many things I liked about this essay that I hate to quibble over a small point, but what the hell, I have time while waiting for my wife to bring home take out herbed grill salmon from Olive Garden. You say Gazans haven't been softened but hardened by the past 2 years of war. Seems to me they were hardened by genocidal hatred by October 7th. If anything they see what their actions and hatred have brought them, and they know Israel won't idly wring their hands but instead respond forcefully. I don't think they are tougher than the Germans who weren't hardened by the bombing of Dresden, or the Japanese who weren't hardened by the firebombing of Tokyo and atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nakasaki. The devastation of war softened the tough Germans and tough Japanese to the point of them becoming allies instead of hated enemies. The same won't happen to Palestinians vis a vis Israel, not because they have been hardened, but because Western societies and the media have propped them up and applauded the hatred Palestinians have shown Israel, justifying their hatred and feeding it. The softening that might otherwise have come has been muted by massive support they have received from Jew haters on the right and left.
It ignores an uncomfortable but central fact: Gaza is not merely a ruined place; it is a radicalised one. Polling over the past two decades—by Palestinian research centres and international organisations alike—has consistently shown overwhelming rejection of Israel’s right to exist, with majorities endorsing armed “resistance” even in the face of repeated catastrophe.
There is no credible evidence that this has meaningfully changed since October 7. If anything, the war has reinforced existing attitudes. As one astute observer put it, those views were already rock-hard by October 7; what has been learned since is not remorse, but a lesson in impunity—that one can murder civilians, retreat into cover, and still earn applause from the global commentariat. This is not radicalisation through suffering. It is radicalisation-enabled.
I'm not sure if you include mooching off the world in the GDP, but I don't. It's hard to multitask, raise the kids to make Jews turned into flesh and bone, focus on their education, what to do . .
What an incredible article. I very much appreciate your insightful thoughts on the challenging political and social issues facing us. I also am quite shocked to hear about the issue with LinkedIn. Your moral clarity is incredibly reassuring.
Great article! Points excellently stated.
I think my vulgar title is necessary.
That's not Vulgar. Trust me. Dont follow me. My language used for antisemites got me tossed off Medium.
Trump's "Board of Peace" was doomed to fail when he invited Qatar and Turkey. It's like a sheep farmer deciding the best way to protect his flock of sheep isn't just with sheepdogs and fencing to keep away the wolves, fox, and coyotes, but instead invite the wolves and foxes to join the sheepdogs and work together towards protecting the sheep. Bring them inside the fence. After all, wouldn't it work so much better and mean less work for the sheepdogs and farmer if he could convince the predators not to be predators by openly welcoming them? Reminds me of the American president played by Jack Nicholson in Mars Attacks, who as the Martians relentllessly attack the humans, says "Why can't we all just...get along!"
I've read a number of your pieces; I thought this was particularly interesting, especially about Gaza. Barbara Tuchman suggests that the incomprehensible, visceral Arab hatred of Israel stems from the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the tiny Jewish state. Israel's ongoing successes underline the "Arab failures" as she put it. They can't get over it. Now all these years later, Israel vanquished them all, further humiliating them. Tuchman wrote, "The Arabs were left, like a woman scorned, with a fury matching hell's..." Mayb now, this generational loathing can finally dissipate, although I wouldn't bet on it. By the way, your AI images are extraordinary, and greatly enhance your commentary.
The key to getting read is putting “shitting” in the title :)
Yes their prophet says they are the best of men but their countries are corrupt cesspits.
Perhaps the BOP will finance an independent state prison where no one leaves or enters? Komrade Karney has declared the international rules based order obsolete after all.
I saw an interview with Jonathan Conricus where he says another war with Gaza is likely to happen shortly. We just keep going round and round. Dan Shueftan has predicted the same, but he did so earlier. Really sad that things can change so much and also stay the same.
There are so many things I liked about this essay that I hate to quibble over a small point, but what the hell, I have time while waiting for my wife to bring home take out herbed grill salmon from Olive Garden. You say Gazans haven't been softened but hardened by the past 2 years of war. Seems to me they were hardened by genocidal hatred by October 7th. If anything they see what their actions and hatred have brought them, and they know Israel won't idly wring their hands but instead respond forcefully. I don't think they are tougher than the Germans who weren't hardened by the bombing of Dresden, or the Japanese who weren't hardened by the firebombing of Tokyo and atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nakasaki. The devastation of war softened the tough Germans and tough Japanese to the point of them becoming allies instead of hated enemies. The same won't happen to Palestinians vis a vis Israel, not because they have been hardened, but because Western societies and the media have propped them up and applauded the hatred Palestinians have shown Israel, justifying their hatred and feeding it. The softening that might otherwise have come has been muted by massive support they have received from Jew haters on the right and left.
It ignores an uncomfortable but central fact: Gaza is not merely a ruined place; it is a radicalised one. Polling over the past two decades—by Palestinian research centres and international organisations alike—has consistently shown overwhelming rejection of Israel’s right to exist, with majorities endorsing armed “resistance” even in the face of repeated catastrophe.
There is no credible evidence that this has meaningfully changed since October 7. If anything, the war has reinforced existing attitudes. As one astute observer put it, those views were already rock-hard by October 7; what has been learned since is not remorse, but a lesson in impunity—that one can murder civilians, retreat into cover, and still earn applause from the global commentariat. This is not radicalisation through suffering. It is radicalisation-enabled.
I think your point about not being hardened by seeing that they got allies is really good and accurate. I will fix.
see changes above, sorry I didn't give credit.
The notes being held by The Hamas guy in 1st photo, almost look like they have bet hay in the top right!
On 6th Oct 23 Gaza had a better GDP than a lot of the mid East, the issues are other things you mention, not being poor.
I'm not sure if you include mooching off the world in the GDP, but I don't. It's hard to multitask, raise the kids to make Jews turned into flesh and bone, focus on their education, what to do . .
What an incredible article. I very much appreciate your insightful thoughts on the challenging political and social issues facing us. I also am quite shocked to hear about the issue with LinkedIn. Your moral clarity is incredibly reassuring.
The response to moral clarity, though, is alarming. But thank you for your support. Either I'm not insane or just you and I are insane.
We’re not insane.
I didn’t think so. My academic world is insane.
Most certainly