IRAN reveals itself

By supplying the missiles for the attack on Israel from Gaza and being a supporter of troubles in Yemen and elsewhere, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) signposted a renewed desire to become a major military power, but why. If their intent was to destabilise their region by antagonising Israel into rash (or deliberate?) actions, then the strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria seems to suggest their aim(s) are being achieved; as have more recent Israeli attacks upon them and their infrastructure, which will lead to a war in which Israel is likely to prevail because it's smaller army is more sophisticated, with greater military capabilities, 

Israel will have realised the back-room role Iran is playing in the region, but it seems very doubtful their partial withdrawal from Gaza will assuage anyone's annoyance now, nor hint at what comes next, especially so after Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon into the Golan Heights made Israel invade there too, killing many high ranking Hezbollah personnel, as Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Lebanese to help his forces rid themselves of Iran sponsored Hezbollah. That request fell on deaf ears, but the elimination of many Hezbollah leaders will dampen their regional effectiveness and ability to expedite Iran's desire that Israel dies by a thousand cuts, without openly revealing their long term "gameplay"

Too Old?

Iran's attack on a supposed Israeli "spy headquarters" in northern Iraq and similar aggressions upon Syria and Pakistan (who retaliated of course) revealed their latest desire to become a more significant geopolitical influencer of the middle east, though striking a US military area inside Iraq which killed Americans was ill-advised and must stop if shit is not to hit their fan. Iran is showing off to their regional pals at the moment, hoping for an alliance against Israel, which is perhaps what the original Gaza/Hamas attack was really about? Iran's "leaders" want engineered strife in the region, whilst their people probably just want a stable, unoppressed lifestyle.

Update 14th Apr 2024: Having built tension(s) in the area over many months following the missile strikes and incursion into Israel, with murder and kidnappings, Iran and Israel finally came to blows. These former allies (until 1979) have been bickering for years, but why did Iran attacked Israel?

Israel seems to have been played like a fiddle; having been goaded into an over-the-top response to the "Palestinian" invasion from Gaza they have brought upon themselves global condemnation, enough for the self-appointed regional "white knight" (Iran) to feel justified in now "reprimanding" Israel. This is bad news, but possibly the fulfilment of "someone's" desire for instability in the region, for the long-term eradication of Israel.

Iran seemingly wants war with Israel, with a view to supremacy in the middle east, but former US President Biden's condemnation of Iran's brazen act, in which over 300 cruise missiles were inbound for Israel, will be ignored (for now) by Iran, because Israel has thus far done little more than put themselves on military high alert, choosing to savour their (inevitable) response and it's consequence(s). They are happy to promote the "success" of their defence systems, though it is telling that the USA had the intelligence to warn Israel, yet refused to be involve in any retaliatory strike(s), the first of which occurred on Thursday 18th April 2024 when Israel (alone) executed a missile strike onto an Iranian town hosting a major airbase and large missile production complexes. This war is official, we are seeing the first act of a simmering play and nothing good will come of it; Israel have been goaded into a long-term regional conflict and are being "played" into a war, starting with Lebanon's Hezbollah. (What is Hezbollah in Lebanon?)

Howsoever this regional scenario was engineered, Iran is in their enterprise for a long haul, for not only are they targeting mainland Israel, they desire a de-facto embargo of goods into Israel as Iranian forces  began to seize Israel-linked ships.

Iran's aspirations seems set without major internal changes, so now (May 2024) one has to ask, was the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, in a mysterious helicopter, an accident or engineered?  Is his death the first step to change in Iran or merely the consolidation of political controls to the supreme leader  Ali Khameei? Time will tell ........

Update 6th Jul 2024: The electorate spoke and reformer Massoud Pezeshkian was elected to be the the new president of Iran (not the ultimate voice there), possibly signposting Iran's internal reviewing of their standing and responsibilities in that region; or the restlessness for change of the voters.

Update 3rd Aug 2024: Whatever Iran's aims or expectations are in their region, they seem keen to keep swimming in deep waters, for such is their proxy war efforts against Israel in particular that the USA has been triggered into an overt stance in the region, ostensibly in support of Israel, though they still condemn the genocide ongoing in Gaza. Such is the region's dogma on many "sides" that all parties argue their greater "rights" and continue to kill, subjugate, terrify, curtail or ruin the aspiration of millions of innocents to just live a "normal" life, unfettered by political, religious, power-hungry war-mongers.

Update 25th Oct 2024: This is it then, Israel has spoken and struck out directly and decisively at Iran who can no longer skulk in the shadows of their mercenary's actions. They were called out by Israel and it's time for them to put-up or shut-up. To escalate or not. Whatever they wish(ed) for in that region is now becoming the main event.

Update 10th Mar 2025: With the sudden overthrow of the Syrian dictatorship of Assad and the decimation of Hezbollah's leadership by Israeli actions, an unstable power vacuum occurred, meaning Iran has to be overt or retiring in its stance toward Israel, for its regional aspirations seem to be shattering. They still need to come to terms with internal but wide-spread simmering resentment of Iran's national mismanagement amongst its population and it can only be hoped that the new Syrian head man can bring some stability to the region, something that seems possible following him signing a new constitution endorsing Syria's 5-year transition plan back to normalcy.

Update 15th Jun 2025: With a de-facto war erupting between Israel and Iran, it seems their provocations of the past have come home to roost and where that will lead is anyone's guess now that internal dissent is apparent.

Update 22nd Jun 2025: After ostensibly standing on the side-line whilst irritating and disrupting neighbours for many years, using regional proxy forces and threatening "death to America and Israel", Iran's time has come: They have been called-out by the USA, whose gloves are now off signalling their support of Israel, with spectacular bombing and the obliteration of many Iranian sites.

Update 9th Dec 2026: Internal domestic pressure continues to rise in Iran; originally started by shop owners protesting about inflationary trends precipitated by global trade sanctions, displays of discontent by the general populace are now nationwide and internal violence by "the state" against its people has caused the death of thousands as the revolutionary guard are being told to change their ways by the populace. Trump has warned Iran to not continue killing its protesters as they themselves become more violent.

Smug Idiotic Palestinian Supporters

Instead of causing trouble and damage over here in the UK, these supporters of Palestinians should pop over to Gaza help rebuild it or to fight for their Palestinian cause(s), for Hamas is now openly criticised by those existing in Gaza for the plight they are in, causing Hamas to turn upon their Palestinian "hosts". Hamas are not about standing-up for Palestinians, but the destruction of Israel (to please Iran and others in the area); though I feel if Israel had not always wanted to play hardball in the region their neighbours wouldn't hate them so much.

The background to this protest/vandalism is Barclays' willingness, with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and others (according to the Financial Times) to buy Israeli "war bonds", these being bundles of war debt incurred by Israel, upon which Israel promises to pay an annual %return (profit) to bond holders, until a time when those bonds are redeemed for their original purchase price. Such bonds are a way for Israel to defer the cost of their ongoing war by persuading banks to fund the war at a fraction of the actual cost of the war. The banks pay Israel's war bills now and trust Israel to repay them at later dates, causing critics to say the banks are funding war. Such a concept is not new: I was told war bonds were the invention of Rothchild's bank, hundreds of years ago, who would "fund" both side in a war! 

Getting back to the protestors, what on earth do they expect the UK to do? Fight their fight? I'm sure they will achieve nothing here, as armchair "anarchists" rarely do; are they naive enough to believe that only Barclays is "bad"? - They are all "bad". So, PALESTINE ACTION and other individuals, please know that expressing your indignation of Israel et-al will count for nothing and merely annoy the greater population within which you live and protest. With the backing of the USA, Israel are omnipotent in their region; not without faults, but definitely "top dog"; but now you have been labelled a terrorist organisation because you spray-painted a military jet in the UK to protest the actions of a new Nazi-like state, where has that got you? For attacking UK police with pyrotechnics and Sledgehammers, what has that got you? 

To fight your just cause (supported by Sally Rooney no less) go to Gaza please, which might start to settle down as Hamas has agreed to a new Gaza ceasefire.

Before you accuse me of Israeli or Jewish bias, read some of my previous articles.

Here, here, here, or here. And finally this.

Netanyahu digs his hole

Benjamin Netanyahu (on/off prime minister of Israel since 1996) is being squeezed as never before because of his apparent desire to dictate policy and to destabilise the whole of the middle east to actually erase Israel's "Palestinian problem", to actually orchestrate a modern day genocide, no matter the cost to international relations, in order to appease internal dissenters whilst hoping the USA doesn't turn into a "frenemy" (as it seemed to be doing). When Israel's first period of grace came to its end,  former President Biden's earlier censure of Israel was forgotten and he granted an 8 billion dollar export to Israel just prior to his departure, perhaps as a reward to Israel for "breaking" Hezbollah, or to shore-up Israel if Iran ever cuts-up rough about the collapse of Syria. This war grinds on and will do so despite international condemnation of Israel's dogmatic tactics, including Torture which US president Donald "the crazy" Trump is now seemingly indifferent too. Signs of a peace of sorts seem possible but far off as Hamas has agreed to new Gaza ceasefires many times to no effect..

South Africa cited Israel for Genocide in Gaza, (which it may come to regret), as did Saudi Arabia. The USA was fast losing diplomatic patience with their "errant child" when Netanyahu stepped out onto very thin ice. Biden at the time decided strong words were not enough and refused to use its veto for a UN Security Council resolution that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza be agreed as Israeli forces continue to destroy humanitarian infrastructure, emphasised by (then) vice president Kamala Harris (who effectively ran the show until Trump won his second term). She met with and told Netanyahu, the Gaza war has to end.  The UK agreed with this sentiment by officially withdrawing their opposition to the International Criminal Court's desire to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, and suspended arms sales to Israel, an act that Netanyahu said was "shameful" (which seems a bit rich to me); indeed he still protests at anyone that sullies he self-belief.

By rejecting strong signals from the USA, the UK and others, tasking him to get his house in order and stabilise their seemingly never-ending Palestinian "problems", the hubris of Benjamin Netanyahu will be his downfall, for if these two fall-out Israel would indeed look like a little country; Iran would become bolder and Israel would "have to" execute an "overwhelming" response, as is their want. Netanyahu's 4th visit to the US senate neatly underscored the poor state of  their relationship, for whilst he said to the US, "our war is your war" (which it is not), dozens of influential people did not bother to attend. Is the USA beginning to step back from Israel? Possibly distancing US support for military actions that have produced this obscene statistic, which will become worse during Netanyahu's latest plan for Gaza.

The USA put a shot across Israel's bow by reiterating that supplied arms must be used legally and within international law, yet it went "over the top" against Palestinians in pursuit of Hamas in Gaza, causing the Dutch to refuse F-35 parts and many other suppliers to question their role in this, including the UK. The USA has also started to sanction Israeli individuals as a cease and desist policy, though this is proving ineffective. 

Netanyahu had his warnings that the USA will not stomach his wanton destruction of Gazan citizens, and for a while were overflying Gaza for drops of aid and have constructed a huge floating pier, thereby defying what this apparent despot wants. Having said that the US still offered Israel a $1 billion carrot, no doubt to hold back a domestic stink by powerful and assertive supporters of Israel in the USA.

There is no doubting Netanyahu is a survivor, but his problems are really stacking up as Israel continues to sorely vex it's biggest ally, that has refused to help with retaliatory attacks on Iran because they want Israel to come to its main sponsor's heel; indeed a lever of funding received by Israel has been pulled for an ultra orthodox unit of the Israeli defence forces, ostensibly for human rights violations and torture. Netanyahu rejected these cuts, which was ironic as they are not his by right and he must now keep control of ultra reactionary Zealots under his command, as many are being reported by whistle-blowers for treating detainees very badly.

The USA may wish to tie his hands in order to keep theirs clean and with Trump in control Israel may be tossed to the "dogs"!

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu, for so long the strongman of Israeli politics, is now being pressured from within Israel and from many "regular" citizens of Israel, as the Gaza war edges beyond conflict into a genocide. His prior attempts at fiddling with their constitution (courts) remains unresolved and very unpopular, with many seeing him as flawed by despotic tendencies and possible corruption, though he may just be espousing his fanatical Zionist political backers. (Do you believe this?)  He is maybe coming to the end of his reign of influence for rejecting the USA is not going to be good for him, regional stability, nor Israel. Internal dissent is being made public, with "his own people" willing to undermine his political standing; some now calling him a danger to Israel as seniors begin to disengage from this every more serious mess. Even those in the Israeli war cabinet are extraditing themselves from Netanyahu's legacy of rampant vengeance or possibly feeling relief as he relieves them of their role(s); he may be working from a bunker soon?

His enduring problem now is that he has put himself between a rock and a very hard place: his rock is his stated and expected commitment to eradicating Hamas (and its sponsorship), whilst his very hard place is that where much of his strategy in Gaza is deemed by many to be a genocide. His apparent "Kill 'em all" approach is the very thing that undermines his global standing, yet any deal with Hamas is not wanted by the influential Israeli hard right who are damaging his tenure, as the survival of Hamas amounts to his own defeat, as would a total breakdown of support from the USA who are currently restricting themselves to words of advice and aid for Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

The International Court Of Justice ordered Israel to cease yet there are no signs that Israel is listening, for Netanyahu says there will be no Gaza ceasefire, nor let-up of actions against Lebanon until Israel's uncertain war aims are achieved, even as the United Nations adds Israel and Hamas to the list of those committing violations of children.

Netanyahu's policy in Lebanon seems to be twofold: 1) Systematically eliminate key Hezbollah personnel by bombing Lebanon relentlessly, in order to thereby 2) undermine Lebanese succour for Hezbollah and anyone else aspiring to aid/utilise them, such as President Assad of Syria did before his abdication (to Moscow) after the collapse of his Syrian regime; if the new head cannot re-stabilise Syria in the medium term there will be much more turmoil for Israel and the middle east, but this task is seemingly possible as social stability (in 2025) is taking root there after one year in power, in spite of the USA signposting its intolerance of terror groups within Syria's lands, by bombing them.

By January 2026 Syria's more open and inclusive political aspirations were confirmed by the appointment of Syria's first female minister (Hind Kabawat), which goes some way to "normalising" the Middle East.

Side Note: Ultra orthodox Jews living in Israel are now deemed eligible for conscription into the Israeli army and as the war in Gaza grinds on their indignation is obvious in their selfish collective protestations. Disquiet in Israel regarding the "special status" of their Ultra-Orthodox brethren is growing, as is the thought that "Ultras" wish to hide behind their current lifestyle. Their religious exemption has been removed and funding for their seminaries suspended, but at last they will be able to "fight" those that their fellow right-wing political brethren seemingly want eradicating. I hope their sincere beliefs will protect them from PTSD and the carnage they are now expected to embark upon, and that battle-hardened troops (some refusing to return to Gaza after r&r) will greet them into their world without any resentment toward their orthodoxy. If lucky enough to hold dual nationality many could possibly scuttle back to their productive studies in another country?

For readers who need a short recap of why Israel started stripping away its good-standing in the world, read this, or for a broader understanding try this.

Final Note: This is where the war is, but I no-longer feel a need to express further thoughts regarding Benjamin Netanyahu, as his policies and the aftershocks from this war will rumble on and spread as such things do when all parties (Israel, Palestinians, Hamas and more recently Lebanon) and Hezbollah and Houthis are intransigent. (What is Hezbollah?) Any US President wants (global) peace but there's no chance whilst these parties merely want to kill each other (with the malevolent assistance of Iran); Hamas infuriated Israel so much that Netanyahu has grossly over-reacted in order to sell his "saviour of Israel" mantra, when in fact many in Israel have wanted to see the back of him since before the war, along with an enduring "peace" for Israel. Netanyahu's  actions must be manna from heaven for Iran's aspirations in the region, especially so after Israel's attacks upon them,  as must his ICC arrest warrant for war crimes which I genuinely believe Israel will allow, post-war, in order to clean their political slate and keep the USA "onside". He (and Israeli forces) are behaving like a killer in a shopping mall, trying to kill all they can before "the law" arrive in some form to make it all stop, including many accusations of sexual violence as torture. They seem close to their apparent genocidal aims as the last functioning hospital in the whole of Gaza is razed to the ground.

Jews are not a target, Israeli state policy is

I condemn not Jews, nor Jewish individuals anywhere for what is going on in Gaza and Lebanon, for that judgement is reserved for the Israeli state politicians and their principle "driver(s)"; even members of The Board Of Deputies of British Jews appear to agree and Israeli Defence Force reservists publicly voice their distaste of Netanyahu's prosecution of the elimination of Gaza and the genocide there.

We must not forget the meddling of Iran of course, or their options for retaliation upon Israel who killed the head of their Revolutionary Guard and thus gave a de-facto declaration of war between them, later cemented by the USA actually bombing key Iranian sites. If that all goes wrong there will be a regional war. Thanks for reading.

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Pogrom Time and Palestinian protest

The end of Gaza and its people

South Africa has the temerity to speak the words many fear to say, that "Israel is committing a retribution genocide in Gaza"; it cites Israel and calls their Gaza cleansing a genocide, as does Nicaragua who have started a UN case against Germany for supplying weapons to Israel.

The international distain for Israel continues to rise in many forms and Israel became subject to scrutiny and comment by the USA who opened diplomatic channels to bring their unruly child to heel. Benjamin Netanyahu wants his way, so US president Biden put sanctions upon individual Israelis (as one would shoot a few crows to frighten the flock), specifically on the West Bank in order to dampen their love of baiting Palestinians there. All forms of restraint have failed however and a year on this is what we have, as "Trump" wades in with his usual headline grabbing rhetoric.

My feelings about the current Gaza-Israel conflict, viewed through my lens of what I understand of history may be wrong and naive, as I do not understand global struggles for power and influence, but they most often result in suppression, subjugation and killing of many unwilling non-participants, including the taking of land or properties "abandoned" or bombed-out in a conflict. Jewish (un)settlers certainly seem to be eyeing such properties, and "land grabs" of former Palestinian land(s) continue apace, even in the comparatively peaceful West Bank Palestinian lands, where lawlessness and eviction are becoming the new norm. It's no wonder many people hate the Israeli state and what it endorses.

The wheel of history is turning in Gaza with vengeance uppermost in the mind of the Israeli state and this is political, religious and war-mongering "manna from heaven" for Iran, Lebanon based Hezbollah and Yemen. Israel is doing what it has always railed against, by re-inventing sticks they've experienced in their past: Ghettos and genocides.

To tell 1.1 million inhabitants of Gaza to merely go "somewhere", so that Israel's government can start an new offensive (against who? - just buildings?) that will merely flatten the whole of Gaza, seems so wilful, so selfish, so vindictive, so jingoistic, so over-the-top, that the "non-nutcases" of Gaza must be truly thinking this is the end of what is their already over-prescribed/proscribed existence. To then repeatedly bomb the innocents who did as Israel asked, must surely be against any rules of war and is generating more open hatred of Jews than at any time in recent history, probably because accusers think "Jews" are or represent the Israeli state, which is not true.

Hamas will retreat with the general population and return to the rubble later, to fight on from their "bridgehead" presumably; alternatively, Israel will be judged to have walked into the pre-set trap of Gaza, becoming ripe for condemnation and challenged into a regional proxy war. After all, it's no secret that many neighbours would like to see the back of them.

We, the British, pushed our nose (ships) in where it's not needed and the then prime minister Rishi Sunak's sick "good luck Israel" visit, to what become a site of genocide, about which he is now appalled, was being provocative in a way the USA mastered many times since their "honourable" retreat from Vietnam; how many countries have they destabilised in their ascendancy and what good does it do the UK to be in that club?

Here's what the BBC were reporting in the early times, and what subsequent reports revealed; hopefully with less bias than myself.

Pogrom?

Update 12/11/2023: The genocide going on in Gaza is deplorable and Israelis are certainly doing themselves no good for their "fair-minded" but continually whinging reputation; but then again who is squeaky clean these days? Protestors in London (all 300,000 if the press are to be believed) certainly weren't on this day. Do they really believe that protesting (to who?) in London (and America) will change the mind of Israel to annihilate the people of Gaza; what do they expect to achieve and why were they attacking the police (who can admittedly be a collective bunch of dickheads at times) during their ineffectual protest(s), as neither the UK or its police invaded Gaza.

If you Palestinian supporters want to protest about Gaza, why not get your comfortable UK arses over there to help your brethren instead of abusing the liberties you have in the UK. You may be "right-on" and have plenty of post-protest memories to live off for now, but don't attack innocent Police officers,  (with fireworks and sledgehammers') just because you know they will not shoot you or beat your brains out (though many could and would if allowed, I'm sure). 

For anyone to protest on armistice day, for publicity only, was a most disrespectful and cynical affront to those gone before. Perhaps someone will protest at a remembrance service for your family one day. 

Update 25/11/2023: At last some common sense!

Update 25/11/2023: I think only the brave or the foolish attempt a critical discourse about the actions of the Israeli state.

Update 12/12/2023: I'm gonna say it now and I don't want to, but the remorseless clearance of Gaza, by the Israeli state is akin to a Nazi state mentality. The Israeli state, not individual Jewish people of the world, is behaving like a Nazi state because it can; and will do so for as long as it wishes, because "no-one" is allowed to call it out. Israel truly is losing its way!

Update 02/01/2024: South Africa Cites Israel in a similar way, as does Brazil.

Update 19/12/2023: Finally! International communities are warning Israel that its "killing rage" is unsustainable, that Israel has gone beyond self-defence and that far too many civilians are being killed, in what is looking like an unfolding genocide. Ease up Israel or you'll lose your moral high ground.

Update 23/12/2023: Listen Israel, this is mommy speaking. The errant offspring of the USA is being given guidance by it's seniors today, setting the scene for a familial tussle between the old man of USA and the upstart "son" of Israel. Whatever happens between them, Israel's righteousness will prevail.

Update 01/01/2024: Gaza is destined to be flattened with this announcement (and conflict will spread?)

Update 02/01/2024: South Africa Cites Israel and has the temerity to call-out Israel's Gaza cleansing a genocide.

Update 03/01/2024: Hostilities, tensions and a full-blown regional war will follow shortly if Israel (and it's allies) don't start controlling themselves soon. It's as if such a war is wanted by Israel, or at least Benjamin Netanyahu and his cohort.

Update 05/01/2024: At least someone is talking "after war", but Israel seem to be wanting the old status-quo still, and the (bitterness deepens).

Update 06/01/2024: At last, some are looking at a day after plan.

Update 16/01/2024: Israel carry on regardless and start to flatten South Gaza and the people there.

Update 18/01/2024: The whole of the middle east will tear itself apart in a regional war, with Iran looking to gain the most; this if my prediction and where I cease to comment further on this mess, orchestrated by Iran, but why? Everyone is getting sucked in: Jordan attacks Syria, Pakistan counter-attacks Iran, the USA go after Yemen to "protect trade routes", will it ever end and will the Israelis, the focus of so much hatred, ever stop being the catalyst of their own demise?

Update 19/01/2024: The stirring of Iran at this time must be worrisome to all in the region and Iran's sudden strikes shows just how volatile the whole region has become.

Update 27/01/2024: South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), that's cites Israel of a genocide in Gaza has concluded round 1 of the ongoing trial, in favour of South Africa (deservedly) and Israel may be rained in by this ruling if they obey it.

Update 30/01/2024: UK Prime minister Rishi Sunak's visit to what became a site of genocide, to wish Israel good luck at the start of this, looks a bit foolish now, for his "imported" foreign secretary Lord David Cameron (Former Prime Minister who precipitated Brexit) announced Britain is ready to recognise a Palestinian State. Talk about a U-turn?

Update 15/04/2024: So, who are the principal arms suppliers to Israel?

Update 30/04/2024: Pro-Palestinian protesters in the USA say they are not anti-Jewish (as they probably dare not), but wish to elevate knowledge of the plight of Palestinians in the middle-east, but I say rioting and campus take-overs there will be ineffective, destructive and detrimental to any "non-Jewish" perspective of Palestinians in general, for such people may turn their back on a problem not seen as theirs. Hamas enacts the will of Iran (who want Israel off the map so they can totally influence that area of the world) and most Palestinians are, more than likely, not Hamas.

Update 04/07/2024: Finally! It is being voiced, publicly and openly by many true Palestinians in Gaza, that Hamas are merely opportunistic interlopers' whose agenda may not be the betterment of life for Gazans, but to have a "base" from which to "have a go" at Israel, the arch-enemy of many in that region of the world. Members of Hamas should maybe return to the puppeteer called Iran.

Update 21/05/2025: The genocide in Gaza continues. All hospitals have been disabled, the cities bombed and shelled to dust, Hamas condemned by their Palestinian "hosts", voiced, publicly and openly by many true Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu probably hopes that history will see him as a saviour, but I think not; perhaps you too?

Final Update 22/05/2025: I've said enough about this, though if you have read to here, thank you. History will judge Israel (hopefully not Jews) for this and pray they do not precipitate war in the whole region, as seems likely with their recent attack on Iran and this report; but as my dad once said to me, "If you can neither control or influence a situation, keep your gob shut".  So I am, even if the meddlesome Mr. Trump will not.

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Petty-minded little twats

Petty-minded little twat! 

That's what many think about Gideon Falter, who demanded the resignation of the head of the Metropolitan Police, just because a low-ranking officer policing a pro-Palestinian protest suggested that being there wearing his kippah (for reasons you may speculate upon) and thus being "openly Jewish", he could precipitate a breach of the peace upon himself (at that time, at that protest). The officer was not putting Palestinians before Jews, nor putting down Jews, nor giving a toss (probably) about the pointless protest.

Gideon's apparently pathetic behaviour is akin to asking his surgeon to resign because he didn't like a porter. If he had been attacked I guess he'd be happy to receive assistance from that same officer, who wouldn't care less about him being a Jew: an over-focussed busy-body Jew in this instance, who could maybe think less of his Jewish-ness and "scoring points" off an easy target and more about the antipathy he generates against his true cause (whatever that is).

I get that he want's to push the "rights" of Jews via "his" NGO body called Campaign Against Antisemitism, but really? Talk about inflating a perceived slight into front-page news (with media assistance); when someone calls out to me, "you fat bastard" (as I am!) I don't shout back, "you can't say that because I'm a Jew", nor do I call for my doctor to resign because he can't make me thin.

Let's all keep our ongoing struggles in perspective, nor call the Prime Minister to be appalled on our behalf. Talk about "the media" hyping stories. You need look no further than this.

If you remain vaguely interested in the plight of Gideon Falter here are a few links.

The BBC reported this.

Gideon Falter says this (in The Mail Online). Note the minders.

Hear that man grind his axe (copper exonerated)

Side Note: Ultra orthodox Jews living in Israel are now deemed eligible for conscription into the Israeli army and as the war in Gaza grinds on their indignation is obvious in their selfish collective protestations. Their religious exemption has been removed and funding for their seminaries suspended, but at last they will be able to "fight" those that their fellow right-wing political brethren seemingly want eradicating. I hope their sincere beliefs will protect them from PTSD and the carnage they are now expected to embark upon and that battle-hardened troops will greet them into their world without any resentment for their orthodoxy. If lucky enough to hold dual nationality I guess they could scuttle back to productive studies in another country?

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Deluded British MPs Abitsam Mohamed and Yuan Yang 

What on earth were these two idiots trying to achieve, or expect from their rather odd decision to "visit" Gaza for fact-finding and why the apparent political upset in the UK that they were turned away by Israel, which they and their ilk condemned as political censorship. It may well have been because Israel have no desire to interact with minor-league MPs who have a righteous self-affirming feeling they would like to "fact-find". I think we have all the facts we need about Israel's actions of late.

They went to Gaza without a cat in Hell's chance of influencing anything there, but believed that as  British Members of Parliament they would be welcomed to (re)view Israel's dirty little war. They were deluded! As for their political cohort, who are apparently indignant and dismayed at Israel's denial of their Gaza trip, I would say stop trying to score cheap political points, wake-up to your true importance in the real world and concentrate on the needs of your constituency.

I just hope it was a self-funded trip and not paid for by public tax money.

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