@Smokin Joe
I can't argue with any of this . The change in Western demographics is driving the changing political view on Israel and Palestine. Sometimes I get the feeling that Bibi considers this political shift to be fleeting and an outlier. IMO, he needs to pay closer attention to this because the shift is real.
And you missed my point, namely that the alleged shift is due, not to a change in the former populations' ethos, but in the makeup of those populations due to illegal immigration, importing with those illegals a different ethos, one that justifies in their mind the random stabbing of, driving vehicles over, and blowing up people who don't believe the same things they do, a people who are bent on conquest of the preexisting populations. Whether or not those preexisting populations recognize it or not this is an existential problem for them. They have allowed it to develop, even naively invited it, and will have to deal with it if they are to continue to exist. It is no time to tire of conflict.
You may have missed my point, which is simply that people tire of war, especially the same one. We certainly did after 20 years in Afghanistan ---- and that war started with 3,000 dead American civilians from a sucker punch from terrorists who hated us. Tiring of war is natural; healthy even.
Then you would think the Muslims would tire of their 1400 year jihad, yet they persist. Europeans have been in longer wars than this, and when the very existence of your culture depends on it, it's time to push the shrinking violets aside and get on with what needs to be done. The blood and sacrifice of past generations can be squandered by a moment of cultural weakness.
This fatigue we have in America is offset only by the patriotism of those who would restore and continue the Republic,and is being generated by a consistent media assault by the enemies of the Republic. Twenty years is an eye blink in history, My ancestors fought the 100 years war.
Israel has been at this war, in one form of another for 56 years ---- making it the longest six day war in world history. I want Bibi to read the room and actually see the exhaustion the world has from this. Israel should take its full and justfied retribution against Hamas --- and then end the Six Day War and find the courage to move past it.
Israel is responding to the aggressions of its neighbors. Maybe they should hang up their jihad. After all, 1400 years is a long time to wage war. Israel's response is what is necessary to maintain Israel's existence. If their enemies would quit attacking, they might be able to quit fighting. In the meantime, it is necessary, and IMHO, has been incredibly even handed.
But as you say, end it. Clear the West Bank and Gaza of Muslims, for starters. Wage a war of aggresssion and end the threat once and for all.
IMO, Israel has had two shields. The first is the historic, unquestioning financial and armament support from the world's only economic and military superpower. This shield is fraying with alarming speed. The second shield is the legend of invincibility.. On October 7, Israel did not "lose a battle" --- On Oct 7, Israel lost the supremecy it projected to the world ---- especially to foes. On Oct 7, David became Goliath.
I disagree. Anyone, if attacked at the right time, by a well organized irregular force, will appear to have been weak. Hamas violated the peace. Hamas will pay the price. That does not mean Israel is a paper tiger, only that it was subjected to a surprise attack. The 'fat lady' isn't warming up in the wings yet, and when this is over, Israel will not be perceived as someone to mess with.
[/quote]
This is such a profound sea change that if Israel kills every Hamas terrorist, it will not change what the Middle East saw end that day: The
legend of Israel. Israel is not the toughest kid on the block. Bibi needs a Plan B.
[/quote]You could have said the same about the United States of America one month after Dec. 7, 1941. Time has proven differently.
Oct 7 was just the beginning of hostilities in this instance, not the end, by any metric. You and the pundits who have affected your logic are trying to call the game in the first quarter.
Despite the quest for instantaneous gratification that afflicts our society, and the short attention spans adopted by those who swipe left or right, conflict is in human nature, the right to defend one's self, family, community, culture, and country so deeply ingrained in our human raison d'être, that Israel will continue its existential battle for as long as it is necessary, by whatever means necessary. We Americans could take lessons from that resolve, especially those who claim to be conservatives who are constantly compromising our heritage for a temporary peace.