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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Kill these Chinese invaders

Chinese invaders that need to be killed (note yellow legs)

These Chinese invaders were first detected in France in 2014, arriving as a nest in a consignment of pottery, but being aggressive critters they have spread widely (Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal) and finally got established in the UK, as far north as Hull, via trade with our Channel Islands.

They are not good news!    They need to be killed on sight!

As we know, nature isn't the fluffy world of cuteness often portrayed on TV, but an adversarial system that promotes dominance, and so it is with the "Yellow Legged Asian Hornet"; they are tough, invasive, aggressive and wiping out many of the UKs native pollinating bee species, especially docile honey bees which they eat. 

Without help from us they will wipe-out honey bees for they are able to kill a hive of Honey Bees in a single day. Their method is to simply sit at the entrance of a beehive, agitate the hive into attack mode, then bite their heads off and take the protein-rich bodies away to their nest to feed. (If you are a bee friend you may enjoy this site.)

Know the size (2p coin) and colours of your enemy 

The life cycle of the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet is two-fold and it is at the first stage (Spring nest) that it is easy to eradicate (squash) them. The second stage (large nest) needs professional help to retrieve and kill them.

This link is more detailed

WORDS OF WARNING - Hornets bite hard!

Spring nest eradication is easy. Merely observe the nest, identify its occupants as Yellow Legged Asian Hornets (not native harmless wasps), then dislodge the nest into a bag with a gloved hand and then squash the bag.  A spring nest is typically no bigger than a tennis ball and best dealt with at dusk when they are at home and quiet. Don't poke the nest - just place a bag over it, knock it off and squish it. Spring nests are usually built in March/April, in sheds, lofts, garages or porches: places protected from the weather. Kill them at this stage and they can't breed in the second life cycle phase during the summer.

Knock Spring nest into a bag

Report  Larger Nests

The second life cycle nest, in the summer, will be a lot larger, usually up a tree, so after observing the occupants are actually the target (see identity marks in the picture), report it for official eradication. It will be dealt within days by trained people. Record the location and if possible take pictures, then contact the NNSS (Non Native Species Secretariat) on the email address alertnonnativ@ceh.ac.uk, or the National Bee Unit at York. Remember to look out for yellow legs.

If you happen to live in and around Hull, contact the Beverley Beekeepers Association if you suspect a sighting of a Yellow Legged Asian Hornet. You will be saving their industry, preserving parts of your food supply and eradicate what is an invasive and dangerous species. Please be vigilant and pass this information to as many people as you can.

The native bees that we do want in the UK are these.

Update Feb 9th 2024

Though their invasion continues there is a sign that evolutionary processes are at work, at least with the most common of European Bumble bee species.

Update May 20th 2024

Throughout 2023 a record number of reported sighting were recorded, with 72 nests in 56 locations (mostly in Kent), with 8 so far in 2024. Without continued vigilance and help from the general public their numbers will grow to a point of there being zero chance of their eradication. Go to it public!

Update Sep 5th 2024

The race is on, using ingenuity in the Asian Hornet race.

Update  Apr 18th 2025

Please take a look at the current situation here.

Remember: Charlotte "Betty" Webb MBE (Bletchley Park)

Once again I am thinking of one of the "little" people of the world who often achieve great things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into general obscurity. English born Charlotte "Betty" Webb, contributed to our general well-being in the UK but was deliberately obscured for decades by the National Secrets Act, for she worked within Bletchley Park; well known since the 90's as the forerunner of GCHQ and their ilk.

"Betty" in her initial service days

Betty joined Bletchley at the age of 18 and thereafter her life, both personal and private became a national secret she kept until released from her bond of silence in 1975. To everyone she was a secretary, though it later transpired she was a fluent German speaking codebreaker of such expertise that following the end of WW2 the Americans snapped her up and she relocated to The Pentagon in the USA. Her contribution to the West's security demands our remembrance of her.

RIP Betty Webb MBE, Légion d'Honneur (1924-2025)

N.B. Bletchley Park house and grounds are now a museum open to the public. Here is their official site

Word of the day - GIGIL

The word today is Gigil

I have added this to our list of "Words Of The Day" because it is literally a word newly accepted into "official" English usage as, for example the German word, SCHADENFREUDE. This is an import into the English language from the Philippines. Here is what it means.

Giggle is not new but gigil is

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - MAELSTROM

The word today is Maelstrom

Maelstrom is a noun and means the following:

- A situation of great turbulence, confusion, destruction or upheaval

- A violent and powerfully destructive whirlpool of water

Original 1919  illustration by Harry Clarke

Maelstrom is originally a Dutch word, first recorded in 1588

Maelstrom morphed from "grinding stream", its original meaning

From a raging whirlpool, Maelstrom has become more nuanced 

In modern parlance a Maelstrom is not good to be in, or near

A maelstrom is an uncontrollable and chaotic situation to avoid

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Truism (to preserve sanity or perspective)

If you can neither control or influence a situation, don't worry about it.

Personal thought - For those of us who occasionally think the world will fall in on them, such is the maelstrom embracing the world and its once stable countries, I give you another  piece of  good advice inspired by dad, implying that it may be better to live in ignorance with your sanity then take onboard what are basically other people's woes. 

A friend said that to put your head in the sand, Ostrich-like, is to invite someone to take your ass, but I'd still rather hang on to my head.

N.B. This truism is similar to this one.

Remember: Grp. Capt. John "Paddy" Hemingway

Dubliner John Hemingway's peaceful death on Monday 17th March 2025, aged 105, formally closed a very important chapter of UK history (perhaps also the world). He was the last surviving RAF fighter pilot who fought throughout the entire Battle Of Britain, a battle for supremacy in the skies over England in the first year of  WW2. His death reminds us of Europe's collective debt of thanks to all allied combatants of the brief but very intense Battle Of Britain.

Despite being injured and shot down 4 times, he and relatively few fighter pilots (100s) and their support personnel, prevented the expected invasion of England by the NAZI forces of Germany. The significance of this battle will never be underestimated, for had the NAZIs endured, the subsequent history of Europe (certainly) and then the world would have promised misery, subjugation and "elimination" for millions of people.

"Paddy" served the RAF from 1938 to 1969 and rightfully will hold the honour of being "one of the few", now the last of the few; though John said he was most proud to be the last surviving Irishman of that battle .

John at the start of his RAF service

RIP Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway DFC (17/07/1919 - 16/03/2025)

Yahoo! have written the best obituary to John, the the BBC did OK.

RING

There's a ring of truth upon my finger

protecting me from the past.

A ring of contentment white with age

forevermore to last.

A sign of fidelity

confirming reality,

in a groove of mutated skin,

proving my tears

after all these years,

are only wept for you.

There's a ring of truth upon my finger

fusing my soul to yours.

A golden truth, for all to see,

a bonding force twixt you and me,

a cover for still youthful skin

a proof of love, through thick and thin.

MARRIAGE Married BETROTHED Life Partner LAURENCEAUX England YONEL

Word of the day - OMNIPOTENCE

The word today is Omnipotence

Omnipotence is a noun and means the following:

- The expression/exhibition of  unlimited power able to do anything

- The action(s) of someone who is omnipotent (all powerful)

- The exhibition of being a supreme power (an omnipotent person)

If you are actually omnipotent you are said to have omnipotence

You can show your omnipotence only if you are omnipotent

If some say you are omnipotent they mean god-like or "top-dog"

An omnipotent dog could bite anyone anytime with impunity

Dictators often assume they have omnipotence

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Visual brain teasers

There are occasions, with time on your hands, when just just fancy a few good brain teasers a bit like these .....

How many rings? - wiggle your screen for rotation

More rings? - wiggle your screen for rotation

 

Look at this for several seconds and the stairs my flip for you

Just try opening this window

If you have the time to look, here are more sites ..... 

Site 1      Site 2      Site 3      Site 4       

Loads more.

You just lost your job!

Usually a hard job done well

THE ORIGIN OF THIS ARTICLE ....

People in the United Kingdom expect standards and protocols to be upheld, but can be so petty at times as to take your breath away with the triviality of their "concerns" or complaints, but in this case I expect this officer to be dismissed following his abuse of a person already prone and acquiescent at Manchester airport.

The "victim" may well have behaved terribly prior to these scenes (aggression in baggage hall with other passengers from their incoming flight QR023 from Qatar), for no bystanders were willing to step-into the fray to defend him, yet what you see here is, to my mind, an officer venting his anger at what had presumably gone before. He lost control of himself and behaved like a thug. Whatever triggered that officer could have killed someone, for a booted kick to the head with a stamp are not always inconsequential.

I defend UK police, for they are often between a rock and a hard place, but this appears to be someone who should (re)join a para-military group, the army, or take up a cage fighting career.

This is not acceptable policing!

THE FOLLOWING DAY ....

Obviously, the "family" has appointed legal representation, just in case there's profit to be had, then called for "calm in the (racial) communities" which will keep their article hot, but we have learned there is more to this story than the footage that was selectively released, for there was indeed a serous altercation (officer hospitalised with broken nose) involving third parties and the victim. The BBC gathered more details, indicating police were called to an ongoing incident, possibly involving theft, which also shows the overly assertive officer roughly handling another person in their group. The officer had obviously reached the end of his tether with this incident and issued his lesson in induced aggression. I still believe he should, at least, be removed from a public facing role as he has been suspended pending a criminal investigation of his action(s).

THE TRUTH IS OUT ....

As with many "sensational" media pieces we must be sceptical about what is and what is not being shown. In this case the 2 "victims" in the first video turn out to be the instigators of their own suffering. In common parlance they got what they deserved. Muhammed Fahir Amaaz (head kick) and Amaad Amaaz (fat lump) both attacked police officers and were happy to dish-out their feral violence, but (obviously) their family were not happy with the corrective therapy that followed their fun; they have though lowered their public indignation level by sacking their original "legal" representative, allowing a new damage limitation representative to say the family, "had real concern for any police officer injured".

The thing is, police are (mostly) people and not monsters, so if you smash them in the face they naturally want to respond; but training and the uniform stops this. Usually!

I still believe the "offending" officer's behaviour was unacceptable (for one wearing the uniform), but his treatment of his attackers is understandable in the context of this incident and an extended period away from the "front line" would be good. Soldiers are granted R&R so why not overstressed police officers?

solicitors

 THE INEVITABLE AFTERMATH ....

A second officer at this incident has been suspended (reason unknown) and the two instigators of the police response to their original assaults have now submitted assault complaints against the Manchester police force. They have their new parasitic legal representative valiantly implying that the police are not allowed to defend themselves against sustained and serious assaults upon themselves. The hubris in their complaint is breath-taking in the light of the video evidence of them "kicking-off" for reasons as yet unknown. Sky News seem to have the best information.

Muhammed Fahir Amaaz (L) and Amaad Amaaz (R)
with legal representative Akhmed Yakoob (from
Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Birmingham)

New lawyer, Mother and sons (L+R) - angels in new suits?

 Ma

THEIR COURT  CASE ....

The two angels in their dressing up clothes pleaded not guilty! Setting aside the thought everyone in a more real world than theirs thinks they are, the actual recorded evidence against them suggests they are deluded. I think they are taking the piss as they can't take the thought of what they truly are.

Ah, bless - all dressed-up for their party.
Amaad Amaaz and Muhammed Fahir Amaaz

Update July 7th 2025: Their day(s) in court began as they both (surprisingly) pleaded not guilty. This incident was the culmination of arrest for a previous assault that occurred after landing at Manchester airport. The robust approach by the police was based upon a reported propensity for violence (headbutting). The case against them is clear and proven by much contemporary CCTV and if there is any justice left in the UK legal system they should be found guilty. The beginning of their court case was reported by the BBC and others, revealing heavy handling by one officer in response to the unprovoked attack upon himself and fellow officers.

Update July 18th 2025: Guilt has to be determined, "beyond reasonable doubt" for any conviction in the UK and though this criteria it has been proved and they should both be sentenced to a meaningful prison term, their case is dragging on (and on, and on) and should be concluded without further undue procrastination, legal filibustering or unwarranted racial sensitivity by point scoring, self-serving individuals.

Update July 30th 2025: Guilty as expected with more evidence revealed.

Final Update June 26th 2026: Sentences announced. I wish these "angels" the best of times in prison, though I understand that for some charges they got off scot-free. What can I say?

POSTSCRIPT ....

As with any population, there will be ineffectual do-gooders, right through to complete head-cases, so  I guess that within the police service the same holds true, though the weaning process's should eliminate the more obvious, leaving mostly good "coppers" to uphold the law. Three such policemen were nominated for bravery awards when they alone confronted, disarmed and arrested a complete maniac, Alex Muganwa Rudakubana, who undertook a frenzied knife attack on children and any adults about them. 

Killing one child with 144 stabs and two others with multiple stabs, before attacking and maiming many others, including adults who tried to intervene, the three in uniform, without hesitation, managed to suppress him and effect his arrest, without backup or specialist protection; they exemplified the impossibly high expectations we sometime put upon police force members. Well done lads; well done indeed

3 Heroes - PC Luke Holden , PCSO Tim Parry, Sgt Greg Gillespie 

Within any population there will be a bell curve of measurements, whatever it may be, so it is logical to assume that for ever excellent officer (doctor/dentist/lawyer etc.), there will be a poor one, some of which will get to "hide in the organisation"; that is a fact of statistics, but not one the public should readily accept. 

To the officer in this clip I would say your technique is borderline thuggish, with a whiff of you lost it, because the dickhead in the car was deliberately "teasing" and mocking you as some in society always will, but it has to be said that, at times, front-line policing does seem farcical, a spreading assumption being granted legitimacy as (wealthy) people find themselves drawn to "private policing" at a cost.

To these officers, your arrest was shambolic and without due investigation: You merely assumed "a truth" which was completely wrong and an innocent died, literally in your hands.

, Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Birmingham , Maurice Andrews ,  Solicitors in Bingham,

Word of the day - JITTERY

The word today is Jittery

Jittery is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To be having a feeling or unease or apprehension

- To be slightly uncontrolled in movement or mind

- To be showing nervousness or fear about something

- To be tense and easily upset or frightened

Have you ever had "the jitters"?

If your physical or mental behaviour is jittery you have "the jitters"

Whilst having/suffering "the jitters" you are said to be jittering 

If someone says you are jittering they think you unduly agitated

If someone thinks you jittery they mean you have a nervous disposition

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.