egg

Khalid

Where on this thread has there been downplaying of Hamas atrocities? What I've seen is a tacit suggestion that it's not possible to condone their conduct whilst condoning Israeli conduct which is a bizarre notion. I started this thread because the Israeli/IDF behaviour over years is something that has concerned me and was getting worse. The religious angle was/is not something I consider or contemplate, and I think that's true of many. I simply saw the Palestinian people getting royally fucked over in the west bank and essentially being locked into Gaza. Since then I've seen what I think is an unjustified response from Israel to what Hamas did. No religion. No prejudice. I don't understand why it's the case that those who disagree with my view cite religion/anti semitism. It's a lazy slur, and we see a lot of that. I can only deduce that's it's a reflection of the views of the people who do that.

Intellectual no, balanced yes, but not hateful as per Alex's response.

Estuary

It was an odd response if he did. It was one of SoG's more balanced posts I thought.

What did he say that you disagree with?

It also needs to be said that Israel ain't exactly keen on a Palestinian state either. Their past and ongoing activities in the west bank are testament to that, and are somewhat amplified by their promises to turn Gaza to dust and the rejection of a 2 state solution. The suggestion that it's just Hamas who need to adjust their position is wrong.

I'm not sure that anyone was so naive as to think there'd be no large reaction. Where I think there was naivety (we've seen it in this thread) was the belief that this is/was about destroying Hamas rather than Gaza. Israel know that as an entity and ideology this episode won't remove Hamas, and their capabilities are more suspended than neutered.

They've annihilated Gaza, not Hamas. Hamas will still exist whenever Israel decide/are told to stop. Did you think they'd cause this much destruction to Gaza? I'm not sure that the international community did.

Massive, yep, but I'm not sure sure that anyone seriously expected a response on the scale that we've seen/are seeing. They've pretty much destroyed the place. Even Biden has described it as over the top.

That article I just linked suggested a verbal attack on an Israeli guy, but also suggests anti semitism. I've read a few more articles on it and it seems his issue was with an Israeli because of Israel actions, but the general reporting is that was that he was anti semitic. Is telling an Israeli bloke to fuck off anti semitic? Whether you're anti semitic I don't know or care, but you've thrown enough wrong labels at others, so don't be whining when you get a taste of your own mate.

Bit more detail here. Not entirely clear what happened after he pulled the flag and told matey to fuck iff. I'd guess that he flew the flag, got some comment, lost his shit. Regardless, he's an idiot for pulling a flag at a comedy show. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/13/soho-theatre-ban-comedian-paul-crurrie-israel-palestine/#:~:text=Soho Theatre is consulting with police following the incident on,“Palestine will be free”.

Steve Wright gone. Only 69. Loved his afternoon show back in the day. Sad loss.

Yep. The criticism of the kid has been harsh imo. My only concern with him was that I didn't see enough effort. He's always had a good touch, he's strong, makes decent runs, has some pace, can finish, and now has some self belief and confidence. We've got a decent player on our hands

All of that is true, but the fact that their bloke wasn't closed down for their third (and runners weren't tracked for the other 2) doesn't alter that Baz was under their 3rd and should have done better. To put it another way, Baz can't be absolved of responsibility for what he was responsible for just because other players didn't do their jobs - all faults can fairly be highlighted.

Chest

I think Baz himself would be disappointed about the first. Possibly the third as well.

Were you there, or did you deduce that from the telly?

Never in doubt. You wet fannies need to chill your beans and remember that half time ain't full time.

Have faith. Long way to go. If they can score in a half, we've got 3 in us.

Because they have.

I think collective punishment is a generous term for what's happening.

The plan has been transparent from the off. Smash the shit out of everyone and anything up north, push them south, repeat, push them further south, repeat, push them to Rafah, repeat. I find it genuinely staggering that people haven't seen that, and seek to defend what Israel have done and are doing. The sad inevitability is that Hamas won't ever be defeated as an ideology, and interestingly western media are finally making that point - the fella on itv news at ten last at night being one.

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