Israel is a Rogue nation!

Israel is not doing itself any favours All for taking out the terrorists but.... among others,

• wholesale carpet-bombing -- Every life is equally precious whether Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian or
• seeming disdain for non-Israeli lives
• The horrors and immeasurable suffering of the innocent civilians cannot be discounted....
• not to mention the Thousands killed Millions displaced
• shunted between 'safe' zones multiple times
• Families torn apart
• lack of food, medicine and essential services
• Homes flattened
• Infrastructure destroyed
• Vast areas uninhabitable
• Israeli settler violence
• “Israel strikes battered and bloodied Syria 480 times and seizes territory”
• Israel plans to expand Golan settlements

*Israel repeatedly says, it seeks,
1. to minimize civilian fatalities and stresses that the terrorists,
2. use civilians as human shields
3. fighting from civilian areas including homes, hospitals, schools and mosques
4. storing weapons in warehouses under residential buildings

Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel
The algemeiner by Gregory Lyakhov 11 December 2024

Extracts:

• Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel

The aftermath of Hamas’ brutal assault on October 7, 2023 — resulting in 1,200 deaths and hostage-taking, leaving Israel shaken — has exposed a concerning global trend

The Jewish State, defending itself against an existential threat, finds itself under fire from well-known adversaries — but also from nations that have long been considered allies

A troubling shift in rhetoric and policy reveals a prevalent bias against Israel, calling into question the commitment of Western democracies to principles of fairness and justice

• United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has seen over 100,000 people march in pro-Palestinian rallies since the October attacks, many of which
1. support Hamas
2. and call for violence against Jews

While these events often claim to advocate for Palestinian rights, chants such as “From the river to the sea” — a call for Israel’s destruction — are alarmingly common as are acts of physical violence

• London mayor - No condemnation

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has refrained from condemning such slogans despite growing concerns from Jewish communities about a surge in antisemitism

Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel
The algemeiner by Gregory Lyakhov 11 December 2024

Extracts:

• Europe

Across Europe, protests and political narratives blur the distinction between valid criticism of Israeli war tactics and outright bigotry

• France

France has seen a similar spike in bigotry, with hundreds of antisemitic incidents reported in the past year alone
Jewish schools and synagogues have been targeted, further alienating Jewish citizens

• Spain

Meanwhile, in Spain, prominent left-wing politicians like Ernest Urtasun have,
1. framed Israel as the aggressor
2. failed to condemn Hamas’ war crimes
3. and Hamas’ use of human shields and hostage-taking

Selective outrage as seen in Spain, underscores a troubling trend in Western Europe, where anti-Israel activism often spills over into antisemitism

• Australia

Australia too -- among others,
1. Fire bombing of Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea
2. Multiple properties at Woollahra, sprayed with anti-Israel slogans and a car was set on fire
3. never ending pro-Palestinian - destructive, disruptive, malicious, violent anti-Israel protests particularly in Melbourne and Sydney
4. there have also been some peaceful protests, decrying antisemitic attacks "Enough is Enough"

Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel
The algemeiner by Gregory Lyakhov 11 December 2024

Extracts:

• USA

In the United States, a historical stronghold of support for Israel, cracks are appearing, particularly within the Democratic Party

Numerous Democratic lawmakers have pushed for ceasefires without acknowledging Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields — or repeating President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ promise that Hamas will not be allowed to retain power in Gaza

Not only that but some Democrats are blaming support for Israel for their resounding defeat in a presidential election that had nothing to do with foreign policy

The Biden administration faces mounting pressure from progressive lawmakers to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza even as Hamas diverts billions into its war effort instead of civilian needs

Figures like Democrat Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (Michigan) have refused to condemn Hamas’ atrocities, focusing their criticism entirely on Israel

• US College campus violence

College campuses, including prestigious institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University, have become antisemitic breeding grounds, with some faculty and student groups openly supporting terrorist attacks, censoring and assaulting Jewish students

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) antisemitic incidents in the US increased by 360% in the past year, a rise closely tied to anti-Israel propaganda

Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel
The algemeiner by Gregory Lyakhov 11 December 2024

Extracts:

• United Nations

Beyond individual nations, international institutions like the United Nations have amplified this bias

Since 2015 the UN has passed more than 140 resolutions targeting Israel, compared to a mere handful addressing human rights abuses by Hamas or Hezbollah

These resolutions, framed as calls for accountability, fail to acknowledge Hamas’ deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and its documented use of human shields

• Double standards and Hypocrisy

The UN is attacking Israel because it’s a country of Jews — or else those 140 resolutions would also have been passed against Russia, Afghanistan, North Korea and the countries of the world that actually are committing war crimes and grave human rights abuses

Allies to Adversaries: Waning Global Support for Israel
The algemeiner by Gregory Lyakhov 11 December 2024

Extracts:

• Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel

Bigotry against Israel also extends to economic measures, with support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel growing across Europe

This campaign attempts to systematically undermine Israel’s economy and erode its international standing, often disregarding the oppressive regimes and terrorist organizations in the region that perpetuate the conflict

• Israel's colossal battle

Israel’s battle is not only against terrorism but also against an international narrative infused with hypocrisy and bias

Nations that claim to foster human rights, must recognize the security needs of the world’s only Jewish state
Defaming Israel undermines its right to defend its citizens and fails to respect a democratic nation

The international community must move beyond its selective outrage and hold all parties accountable
Criticizing Israel while ignoring Hamas’ atrocities is not advocacy for peace — instead, it is continuing the cycle of violence

• Bias against Israel

In this climate of rising hostility, Israel stands not only for its survival but for the principles of truth, justice and the universal right of every nation to defend itself against terror

The world must resist promoting bias and uphold democratic values before the damage to Israel becomes irreparable

Please! We need more Trump [US] Wilders [Netherlands] Orbán [Hungary] Milei [Argentina]

Why are Putin and Netanyahu getting an ICC arrest warrant, but not Assad?

He will but they won't pursue them like Israel persecution

How is he alive Israel slippin'

Religious leader of millions, rewriting false history and Fanning the flames
Inflaming the already out of control global antisemitism rampant in Europe and around the world while cocooned in luxury Vatican

Pope Francis You're Fired!

Trojan: Nice to have a good/true/new/dear friend while most of the old ones are deserting Israel, in their dire need
Well said The world must resist promoting bias and uphold democratic values before the damage to Israel becomes irreparable

Israel closing embassy in Ireland -- not a smart move Could just recall their ambassador

Before the war, as much as 10% of the population in Syria was Assyrian, Armenian, or Arab Christian, who made up one of the largest Christian minorities in the Middle East. In the early days of the civil war, some Christian communities were given arms by both the Syrian government and Kurdish groups, to defend themselves against sectarian Sunni Islamist Syrian rebels. The Syriac Military Council, a Syriac-Assyrian Christian militia allied with the Kurdish-majority People's Protection Units (YPG), is the largest Christian militia in the Syrian civil war. By comparison with some of the other armed groups in Syria, Christian militias are small, and dependent on the Syrian government or the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.[5] Defence units set up under the auspices of the Syrian government are called Popular Committees, which have since been integrated into the National Defence Forces.[6]

Maronite Christians in Lebanon have also formed militias to fight against Islamic State incursions from Syria.
The Lebanese Maronite population is concentrated mainly in Mount Lebanon and East Beirut.[2] They are believed to constitute about 30% of the total population of Lebanon.[1]

Israeli military strikes Yemen hours after Houthi attack targets Israel
Jessie Yeung
By Irene Nasser and Jessie Yeung, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 3:22 AM EST, Thu December 19, 2024

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a power station following Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen on December 19, 2024. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters
CNN
—
Israel’s military launched deadly strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen early Thursday, just hours after the Iran-backed militant group’s latest attack on Israel.

Nine people were killed and three others injured in Israeli airstrikes on a port and oil facility near the capital Sanaa, said Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, in a post on X. Earlier, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV said the Israeli strikes targeted the Heyzaz and Dhahban power stations near the capital, and the Hodeidah port and Ras Isa oil facility.

Israel’s military said the airstrikes were retaliation for Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel over the past year, most of which were intercepted.

“Israel’s long hand will reach you as well,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a warning to Houthi leaders following the strikes. “Whoever raises a hand against the State of Israel - his hand will be cut off, whoever harms us - will be harmed sevenfold.”

Tensions between Israel and the Houthis have escalated for months as Israel wages its war on Hamas in Gaza following the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attacks – with world leaders warning of the potential for a wider Middle East conflict.

Earlier Thursday, sirens were heard in central Israel after the Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. A school was damaged and no injuries were reported, the IDF said.

The Houthis later claimed they had achieved their goals in twin missile attacks on Israeli military targets in the Tel Aviv area.

The Houthis have attacked Israel, its allies and vital Red Sea shipping lines in rejection of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians. The group, which controls Yemen’s most populous regions, say they won’t stop striking Israel and its allies until a ceasefire is reached in the Palestinian enclave.

In July, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial center – the first such strike on the city by the group.

Israel hit back the next day with deadly airstrikes on a Yemeni port in the first such Israeli strike on Yemen, according to Israeli officials.

In September, the Houthis fired a missile deep into Israel, and earlier this month, they claimed to have fired a drone that hit a building in central Israel. No injuries were reported in either attack.

Israel’s key ally the United States has also struck Houthi targets in Yemen multiple times over the past year, including consecutive nights of strikes in November.

From: The Australian December 20, 2024
Israel warns Houthis: You’re next after Hamas, Hezbollah

Israel has pounded the Yemeni capital and ports, with Benjamin Netanyahu claiming the strikes were to protect ‘the entire world’ and threatening Houthis with the same fate as Hamas and Hezbollah.

also Britain, France... How are they not neutralized more than 14 months

As for Hamas, still has the hostages...

From: Sky News December 19, 2024
Hostages
‘Release the hostages’: Israel-Gaza war will only end when Hamas surrenders

When the Hamas terrorists release all the hostages and surrender, “the conflict ends”, claims Sky News host James Macpherson.

“But what about negotiations? Well, you don't negotiate with terrorists. I mean, unless you want more terrorism,” Mr Macpherson said.

“The way I see it, Hamas forfeited the right to be spoken to as equals when they raped and slaughtered 1,200 Israelis before boasting about it on social media.

“Release the hostages. Until you do that – there's nothing to talk about.”

If only -- Day 441

From: Haaretz December 3, 2024
'Those Who Are Alive Sit and Rot, and the Dead Are Decaying'

From: Haaretz December 19, 2024
A Missile From Yemen Destroys a School – and Reminds Israelis the War Isn't Over

There is little hope that Israeli attacks in Yemen will deter the Houthis from trying to strike Israel again in the coming days or weeks.

Meanwhile, the biggest problem of this war – the fate of Israel's hostages – remains unsolved

For the vast majority of Israelis, the past two weeks have brought a false sense of normality – as if the war that began on October 7, 2023 is effectively over.

Not for everyone, of course:
Not for the families of the 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Not for the residents of communities along the Gaza border that haven't returned home.
Not for soldiers still fighting on the southern front, and their families who anxiously await their return.

From: SBS News December 20, 2024
Israel accused of genocidal acts in Gaza

HRW, MSF and AI:
Human Rights Watch and Médecins Sans Frontières have separately accused Israel of genocidal acts in Gaza.
The report released Thursday by the Human Rights Watch follows a similar accusation by London-based Amnesty International.

Human Rights Watch accused Israel of "systemic" efforts to deprive Gazans of water, while Doctors Without Borders noted "signs of ethnic cleansing" in the north of the Palestinian territory.

HRW stopped short of saying Israel was committing outright "genocide".

Israel:
Israel denies fresh accusations of 'acts of genocide' and 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
Israel has denied the accusations, dismissing them as "lies" and "fabricated" reports.

US:
The United States also disagreed with the HRW findings.
"When it comes to a determination of something like genocide, the legal standard is just incredibly high, and so the finding in this scenario we just disagree with," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

“That does not take away from the fact that there is a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Patel distanced the United States from the finding but, in contrast to Israel, stressed the value of non-governmental organizations.

An unlikely German ally
Israel’s relationship with Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has been cautious due to the party’s open antisemitism and neo-Nazi ties. Despite this, Israeli figures have occasionally advocated for closer ties with the party. In August 2019, Israel Hayom, a daily newspaper aligned with Netanyahu’s Likud party, called for official dialogue with the AfD, arguing that Israel should pursue its national interests wherever allies could be found. The newspaper claimed that “the biggest threat today to Israel and European Jewry doesn’t come from the Right but rather from the Left and its partner-voters in the Arab and Muslim immigrant communities”.

In May 2020, Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son, became a poster figure for the AfD after his tweet calling for the EU’s demise. Responding to the EU Delegation in Israel, he tweeted: “Schengen zone is dead and soon your evil globalist organization will be too, and Europe will return to be free, democratic and Christian!”.

From: Haaretz December 20, 2024
Musk Endorses Far-right Alternative for Germany Ahead of February Vote

'Only the AfD can save Germany,' the Tesla CEO and Trump adviser says about the party that has downplayed the country's Nazi past,
while Chancellor Olaf Scholz quips that "freedom of expression includes the right to say things that are wrong and don't offer good political advice"

Elon Musk has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany party, writing on Friday that "Only the AfD can save Germany" and punctuating a week when the country's governing coalition formally collapsed ahead of early elections set for February 23, 2025

From: Haaretz December 19, 2024
A Politically Unstable Europe Is Ill-equipped to Deal With Trump 2.0

The continent may be on the verge of another defining moment in its postwar history depending on how it reconciles U.S. President-elect Donald Trump – a huge NATO critic – with Europe's endemic political weakness

1. Europe's largest and strongest countries are undergoing political turmoil and instability.
2. The European Union is weak on foreign and defense policy.
3. The NATO military alliance's future is threatened by an incoming U.S. president who is post-post-1945
4. Today, Europe is leaderless and, most critically, lacks a center of political gravity.

From: Haaretz December 20, 2024

West Bank: Palestinian reports say that Israeli settlers set a mosque on fire, sprayed anti-Arab messages in West Bank village

Video footage captured at the scene shows,
1. the burned mosque,
2. with the word 'revenge' and Star of David symbols painted on its walls and floor

The governor of the local district said that the attack 'wouldn't have occurred without the constant protection that settlers receive from the Israeli army'

IDF: destroys Gaza tunnel, finds Israeli army equipment

The IDF announced Friday, it destroyed a seven and a half kilometer (4.6 miles) tunnel in north Gaza's Beit Lahia, where soldiers found,
1. IDF equipment that was taken from Israeli territory on October 7, 2023
2. along with maps of southern Israeli Gaza border communities and weapons

Another one! We've carried out a 1,000 airstrikes in Yemen but Houthis invulnerable unlike ISIS...

The United States Central Command announced Friday that it carried out a precision airstrike in Syria's Dayr az Zawr Province targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif, also referred to as Mahmud, killing him and another ISIS operative.

From: The Times of Israel December 20, 2024

US and HTS meeting:
Senior US diplomat, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf says she received ‘positive messages’ on fighting terror from Ahmed al-Sharaa, who she met with despite his group’s continued terror designation

After Damascus meeting US drops $10 million terror bounty for new Syrian leader

A senior US diplomat told Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday that Washington was scrapping a reward for his arrest, and welcomed “positive messages” from their talks including a promise to fight terrorism

HTS and SDF:
It will be interesting to see how Sharaa handles the U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) situation

From: The Australian December 20, 2024
Israel on brink of dominant ‘peace’
Israel is on the cusp of stamping its authority across the Middle East like never before.

If there is an Israel still standing...

More votes for AfD the upcoming elections in February.

Two dead, almost 70 injured in German Christmas market terror attack

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/20/germany-magdeburg-christmas-market/

NCTV: chance of an attack remains real

News item | 17-12-2024 | 14:00

The chance of a terrorist attack in the Netherlands is real. The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) therefore maintains the threat level at 4 (substantial). This is partly due to the continuing high threat of jihadism.

The continuing high threat of jihadism is illustrated by the sharp increase in the number of jihadist attacks and arrests in Europe in 2024. The war in Gaza is a major driving factor for the jihadist threat in Europe. Jihadist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS use the conflict in their propaganda and call on their followers to carry out attacks in the West against 'Christian and Jewish' targets. On 19 September, a man attacked people with a knife at the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, killing one person. The Public Prosecution Service suspects the suspect of murder and attempted murder with a terrorist motive.

The jihadist threat mainly comes from the Islamic State (ISIS). In Europe, attacks are still being carried out by perpetrators acting alone who are inspired by ISIS. But there are also networks of jihadists from Central Asia and the Caucasus in Europe who intend to carry out an attack in Europe. They are often linked to ISKP, the originally Afghan province of ISIS. Other ISIS provinces, such as those in Syria or Somalia, also try to direct attacks in Europe or encourage supporters in the West to do so. There is a certain degree of coordination between the ISIS provinces, which sometimes also work together to prepare an attack. This distribution of external attack capacity makes it more difficult to detect attack planning at an early stage. In addition, directed attacks are often more complex and aimed at causing many victims.

Furthermore, there is a potential threat throughout Europe from people who have been released from detention after a conviction for terrorism. From next year, this could also become more of an issue in the Netherlands: from then on, people will be released with a higher threat profile than many previously released terrorism convicts.