Michael Martinez Dec 29, 2023

I don't see enough people asking why all these people who are outraged by Israel's bombing in #Gaza don't express similar anger toward #Russia over its indiscriminate bombing and shelling of Ukrainian civilians.

I don't agree with Netanyahu's policies or strategies. I don't support the indiscriminate killing of civilians, even in a zone like Gaza where #Hamas has built hundreds of tunnels under homes, schools, and hospitals and intentionally uses the civilian population as human shields to maximize casualties.

Nonetheless, if you're going to be outraged over civilian deaths, I think you should express similar outrage over the intentional deaths in Ukraine (and we might as well mention the intentional deaths of civilians occurring throughout Africa, where Al Qaeda/ISIS-linked militant groups continue to attack villages and small cities).

Show threadlocalzukDec 29, 2023

@michael_martinez a lot of those people are outraged about Russia. But there has been less need for us to get our countries to do something about it because they have been doing stuff already. Sanctions, funding, supplies of military equipment to Ukraine, strengthening of NATO, sending of aid, and much more have been happening.

But for Gaza? What exactly is the West doing? Our leaders are supporting Israel in its campaign instead.

Hence, the outrage and protest.

Show threadMichael Martinez Dec 29, 2023

@localzuk "But for Gaza? What exactly is the West doing? Our leaders are supporting Israel in its campaign instead."

And yet most of the outrage I see is completely silent on #Hamas, which does not represent the Palestinians (certainly not the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who live in Israel and who support the war against Hamas).

Hamas is the greater problem here. They could end the war in a day by surrendering and releasing the hostages. Instead, they have committed to further attacks against Israel in the future (and they continue to fire rockets toward Israel).

All the anti-Israel outrage is useless because it only does Hamas' bidding (and as others have pointed out, indirectly the bidding of Iran, China, and Russia).

So we need to continue pointing out the hypocrisy of the anti-Israel protests. Until everyone condemns Hamas, most people are supporting #terrorism and #genocide, and I find that unacceptable.

Show threadlocalzukDec 29, 2023

@michael_martinez Hamas are a major issue, absolutely, but I challenge you on them being a bigger problem. They haven't killed more than 20,000 civilians and injured 100,000 more.

But the issue is that Hamas are a terror group who won't surrender because they think they have their God on their side (they're basically ISIS with a slightly different banner).

Bombing the hell out of civilian areas is not going to get rid of them. It'll just make more of them.

Show threadlocalzukDec 29, 2023

@michael_martinez You are basically saying Israel gets a free hand in Gaza because of Hamas, and that's just not the case. Israel must follow international law. Which, they demonstrably and visibly aren't.

Everyone sane has called for Hamas to stop. But Hamas aren't going to listen, are they? But our governments? They will listen to the protests of their people.

Show threadAvi
@localzuk @michael_martinez You see the problem there for Israelis, though? You KNOW Hamas won’t listen. You want Israel to stop. But are you offering them ANY serious way out? Any way to be safe? No, Hamas did not kill 20,000. But that is not for lack of trying. Israelis are under constant missile attacks. The fact that they have bomb shelters and defense systems keeps them alive. But that’s no way to live, either. The protests offer not even a sliver of constructive way out.
Dec 30, 2023 at 4:45amIceCubesApp