I'm really furious at Israel over its Gaza genocide, BUT I must still support the right of soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans to attend their events. Any other position would encourage government thugs to expand their "security concerns", and eventually that excuse will be used to suppress people I agree with, or my own wish to enter a stadium. So even if I'm selfish to the core I must stand with this author.
It's not a genocide, it's a brutal and horrible war. Genocide requires intent and that hasn't been demonstrated. The rhetoric of a minister who should have been sacked for his comments, does not constitute intent.
Look, I know that the Israelis propaganda on the subject is just as distorted, if far less effective. I'm not going to repeat any of their claims, but I would suggest reading or watching any number of military experts on the subject. Although some of them are critical of some of Israel's actions, most explain the Gaza conflict as a war that was always going to be horrible, with a high civilian death toll.
The two best historical comparisons are Okinawa and Manilla. In Okinawa, deaths attributable to American forces were 7-20% of the civilian population. In Manilla, they did better, with only 10-12% of civilians killed. MoH figures put civilian deaths at 3-5%. Even if we use the the upper end estimate of the Lancet's somewhat implausible figures (which don't account for friendly fire for a start, estimated at up to 10%), then the figure is 6.5%. American forces in Manilla and Okinawa were not genocidal and if the IDF were really genocidal then I can't see how the figures wouldn't be much, much higher.
Genocide is not a claim supported by the empirical evidence or the plurality of military experts. That doesn't mean that it's not a brutal and horrible war.
I also admire your approach to free speech. I constantly warn people that the free speech protections which allow Just Stop Oil to protest are the same ones which allow farmers to protest at the way in which EU and British regulations are making farming in Europe economically unsustainable. Since the pandemic government regulations have added £150-250 to the average shoppers annual food and drink bill. The price rise would have been higher (c. £400) if British shoppers hadn't been able to shift to foreign-sourced products. More goods shipped to us on container ships powered by bunker fuel is hardly good for the planet.
I'm really furious at Israel over its Gaza genocide, BUT I must still support the right of soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans to attend their events. Any other position would encourage government thugs to expand their "security concerns", and eventually that excuse will be used to suppress people I agree with, or my own wish to enter a stadium. So even if I'm selfish to the core I must stand with this author.
It's not a genocide, it's a brutal and horrible war. Genocide requires intent and that hasn't been demonstrated. The rhetoric of a minister who should have been sacked for his comments, does not constitute intent.
Look, I know that the Israelis propaganda on the subject is just as distorted, if far less effective. I'm not going to repeat any of their claims, but I would suggest reading or watching any number of military experts on the subject. Although some of them are critical of some of Israel's actions, most explain the Gaza conflict as a war that was always going to be horrible, with a high civilian death toll.
The two best historical comparisons are Okinawa and Manilla. In Okinawa, deaths attributable to American forces were 7-20% of the civilian population. In Manilla, they did better, with only 10-12% of civilians killed. MoH figures put civilian deaths at 3-5%. Even if we use the the upper end estimate of the Lancet's somewhat implausible figures (which don't account for friendly fire for a start, estimated at up to 10%), then the figure is 6.5%. American forces in Manilla and Okinawa were not genocidal and if the IDF were really genocidal then I can't see how the figures wouldn't be much, much higher.
Genocide is not a claim supported by the empirical evidence or the plurality of military experts. That doesn't mean that it's not a brutal and horrible war.
I also admire your approach to free speech. I constantly warn people that the free speech protections which allow Just Stop Oil to protest are the same ones which allow farmers to protest at the way in which EU and British regulations are making farming in Europe economically unsustainable. Since the pandemic government regulations have added £150-250 to the average shoppers annual food and drink bill. The price rise would have been higher (c. £400) if British shoppers hadn't been able to shift to foreign-sourced products. More goods shipped to us on container ships powered by bunker fuel is hardly good for the planet.