As Israel incinerates entire city blocks, the White House offers its tacit approval.

The article accuses Israel of potentially committing war crimes in its conflict with Hamas, focusing on a siege on Gaza, airstrikes harming civilians, and evacuation orders. It criticizes the U.S. for not condemning Israel’s actions and emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions. The piece argues that Israel’s approach could backfire politically and suggests that there’s no military solution to the conflict. It calls for the U.S. to exercise influence to deter such actions, asserting it’s in the interests of both the U.S. and Israel to prevent further civilian casualties and maintain regional stability.

  • breakfastmtn@lemmy.caEnglish
    122·
    1 year ago

    Though vile, encouraging strong extremists relative to moderates to divide Palestinians and discredit the idea of Palestinian government is not remotely the same thing as conspiring to murder thousands of your own citizens for political gain.

    (Also, he didn’t openly admit it. There’s an unconfirmed report that he said that during a 2019 meeting. Others close to Netanyahu have said that was basically the policy whether he said it or not.)

    • sirboozebum@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      1 year ago

      https://archive.md/APxHn

      I think the claim that this was Netanyahu’s strategy is a bit stronger than you think.

      This is solidly documented. Between 2012 and 2018, Netanyahu gave Qatar approval to transfer a cumulative sum of about a billion dollars to Gaza, at least half of which reached Hamas, including its military wing. According to the Jerusalem Post, in a private meeting with members of his Likud party on March 11, 2019, Netanyahu explained the reckless step as follows: The money transfer is part of the strategy to divide the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Anyone who opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state needs to support the transfer of the money from Qatar to Hamas. In that way, we will foil the establishment of a Palestinian state (as reported in former cabinet member Haim Ramon’s Hebrew-language book “Neged Haruach”, p. 417).

      In an interview with the Ynet news website on May 5, 2019, Netanyahu associate Gershon Hacohen, a major general in reserves, said, “We need to tell the truth. Netanyahu’s strategy is to prevent the option of two states, so he is turning Hamas into his closest partner. Openly Hamas is an enemy. Covertly, it’s an ally.”

      It has certainly backfired on him.

      Normally, buffoons being caught out by their buffoonery would be funny but it cost the lives of ~1000 civilians.

      • breakfastmtn@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I don’t disagree! I wasn’t disputing that it was his policy, only that he’s openly admitting it.

        • sirboozebum@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          All good, mate. Wasn’t having at you.

          I do think he has openly admitted to his colleagues according to those articles.