• I was having this discussion worth my wife last night.

    I'm hoping (but will not be shocked when it proves otherwise) that full-throated endorsement now will mean more effective censure latter when the Netayahu gvmnt begins a more obvious program of genocide.

    If the US is reserved now, it weakens later admonishment. I don't expect it to make a difference. Netanyahu's brother was killed by Palestinian PFLP–EO militants, and he's not exactly rational about them. He's also a friend of Trump's, and that's definitely going to play into Biden's responses.

    Incidentally, I've heard some Israelis referring to the attack as "their 9/11." I think that sums up how the current situation is being framed by the Netanyahu government pretty well.

    • emma@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      Israel is such a small country that the percentage of population killed in these attacks is greater than the percentage of the US population killed in 9/11. Everyone knows someone who was killed, kidnapped or injured.

      So yeah, 9/11 has some accuracy as a metaphor.

      • emma@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        Proportionally, when the death toll was at 700, that was already EIGHT TIMES the percentage of population as 9/11. In US terms, the equivalent would be 25,000 deaths through terrorism in a single day. (Source: The News Agents podcast)

        Six hours ago the death toll was reported as over 1000 in Israel.

    • Rapidcreek@reddthat.comOP
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      1 year ago

      Netanyahu is being blamed for the attack by Israelis. I think his self life has run out. But, before that happens Isreal will enter Gaza and it will be punitive.

      • Interesting. I hadn't heard that. My wife manages an organization with a group in Israel; we've only heard the "9/11" comment, and some chatter about the reservists being called up.

        Where are you hearing that Israelis are blaming Netanyahu?

        • Rapidcreek@reddthat.comOP
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          1 year ago

          I did see a snap poll that indicated that, but can't find it. But, there is this editorial in Haaretz:

          “>The disaster that befell Israel on the holiday of Simchat Torah is the clear responsibility of one person: Benjamin Netanyahu.”

          “>The prime minister, who has prided himself on his vast political experience and irreplaceable wisdom in security matters, completely failed to identify the dangers he was consciously leading Israel into when establishing a government of annexation and dispossession, when appointing Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to key positions, while embracing a foreign policy that openly ignored the existence and rights of Palestinians.”

          https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2023-10-08/ty-article-opinion/netanyahu-bears-responsibility/0000018b-0b9d-d8fc-adff-6bfd1c880000

          Haaretz, as you probably know, is the paper of record in Israel.

    • Sina@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      Buffer zones are a very trendy topic these days, that's what I expect they'll go for before the dust settles.