Since no one seems capable of rationally discussing Palestine, let's narrow the focus to Gaza. Does anyone think that it doesn't exist, either? Here are my questions for discussion:
1. What is the legal status of Gaza? Is it under the jurisdiction of another country (e.g., Egypt) or is it an independent territory?
2. Is Hamas its democratically elected ruling political party?
3. Has Hamas declared war against Israel, or vice versa?
4. Can Gaza be effectively governed without Hamas? Is the PLO a possible alternative?
It seems to me that the October 7th attack by Hamas bears some similarity to the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese government. In both situations, a militaristic political faction had taken control and orchestrated a surprise attack on its enemies. Further, both of these factions had gained widespread public support through propaganda and intimidation. Thus, the attacked countries faced the problem of having to defeat and pacify an entire population.
In the first case, the U.S. had to utterly defeat Japan and occupy it in order to change its warlike inclinations. In the second case, Israel has retaliated against Hamas, but has not occupied Gaza. Without such occupation, is there any way to pacify its population? Is any country willing an able to do this?
I applaud President Trump's outside-the-box thinking to relocate these people, but I think it is more of a negotiating tactic than a practical solution. Even so, it would still require the occupation of Gaza by outside forces. Do you think some combination of international forces is a real possibility? If not, will Gaza just remain the world's largest prison camp?
1. What is the legal status of Gaza? Is it under the jurisdiction of another country (e.g., Egypt) or is it an independent territory?
2. Is Hamas its democratically elected ruling political party?
3. Has Hamas declared war against Israel, or vice versa?
4. Can Gaza be effectively governed without Hamas? Is the PLO a possible alternative?
It seems to me that the October 7th attack by Hamas bears some similarity to the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese government. In both situations, a militaristic political faction had taken control and orchestrated a surprise attack on its enemies. Further, both of these factions had gained widespread public support through propaganda and intimidation. Thus, the attacked countries faced the problem of having to defeat and pacify an entire population.
In the first case, the U.S. had to utterly defeat Japan and occupy it in order to change its warlike inclinations. In the second case, Israel has retaliated against Hamas, but has not occupied Gaza. Without such occupation, is there any way to pacify its population? Is any country willing an able to do this?
I applaud President Trump's outside-the-box thinking to relocate these people, but I think it is more of a negotiating tactic than a practical solution. Even so, it would still require the occupation of Gaza by outside forces. Do you think some combination of international forces is a real possibility? If not, will Gaza just remain the world's largest prison camp?
