hbt

Though global populations show a larger anti-Israel sentiment, Western media and internet forums don't reflect this balance.

Western media often aligns with Israeli perspectives due to strategic alliances, lobbying influence, and media ownership dynamics, framing Israel’s actions as defensive while sidelining broader Arab or Palestinian views.

Online, pro-Israel narratives are reinforced by organized digital campaigns and moderation practices that shape public discourse. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian voices lack comparable resources and organization in Western spaces, limiting their visibility. This creates a media and digital environment where Western audiences are exposed to narratives that don’t fully represent the global spectrum of perspectives.

Germany has taken commendable steps to confront its role as the perpetrator of the Holocaust and to ensure that Holocaust victims and their heirs receive restitution and/or compensation. Germany also honors and remembers the victims of the Holocaust and has worked to cultivate a culture of remembrance. Its restitution measures range from compensating former owners and heirs for assets wrongfully seized during the Holocaust to making substantial financial contributions to victims’ funds and survivors’ pensions. From 1945 to 2018, the German government paid approximately $86.8 billion in restitution and compensation to Holocaust victims and their heirs.

Your point about EQ's role in speech and its unequal distribution is spot on. It underscores a significant issue: those who can't master the nuances of "acceptable" speech are getting marginalized, especially in fields like academia, journalism, politics, and now social media with this type of legislation.

Plain, straightforward speech has immense value. It promotes clarity and honesty, ensuring ideas are communicated without the need for high-EQ code. Restricting political discourse to high-EQ speech to avoid offense stifles genuine expression and hampers robust debate. This not only limits free speech but also degrades the quality of political dialogue, making it more about adhering to social norms than addressing real issues.

We need to value pluralism and strive for inclusivity in our discourse, ensuring that all voices, regardless of EQ, can be heard and respected.

Being a free speech absolutist ensures that all ideas, even those clumsily expressed, get a fair hearing. It fosters an environment where truth and innovation can thrive, unhampered by artificial constraints on how thoughts must be articulated.

Speech shouldn't require constant PR massaging to be accepted / "legal"

No, there were no reports of a pogrom against Jews in Egypt in 1956. However, during the Suez Crisis in the same year, some Jewish individuals faced increased tensions and discrimination. Many Jews eventually left Egypt, but it wasn't a pogrom in the traditional sense.

Another interview where Paul speaks and clarifies how tech (technology and people) plays a role in this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzXASFo-cf0

>> Israel isn't trying to push Palestinians out of Israel. The ambition that leaders on both sides agree on is that the Palestinians will have their own state.

Yes and what a glorious state it will be. Here is how much land Palestinians have now (Famous image shown to Obama)

https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5b4280778ffba43192e8420f/...

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-map-of-israeli-...

The US doesn't control the food intake, the water intake, fuel, electricity, internet and the flow of any goods/people entering/exiting Iran.

Comparing the Gaza blockade to other blockades is ridiculous.

Here is your own newspaper documenting the treatment of "Israeli Arabs" (Palestinians who were allowed to stay in Israel)

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-01-09/ty-article-ma...

Over 60 discriminatory laws exist, here is a few passed between 2009-2012 alone https://www.adalah.org/uploads/2009-2012_Discriminatory_laws...

You can read more about the systemic 2nd class treatment of "Israeli Arabs" here https://imeu.org/article/fact-sheet-palestinian-citizens-of-... Most links refer to zionist newspapers and laws in case you need more references.

>> I want to contrast this with other sources of numbers

2008 war: The ministry reported 1,440 Palestinians killed; the UN reported 1,385.

2014 war: The ministry reported 2,310 Palestinians killed; the UN reported 2,251.

2021 war: The ministry reported 260 Palestinians killed; the UN reported 256.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-death-toll-records-1.7010...

I'd say Hamas numbers have been reliable based on past conflicts. So, I don't know why you're dismissing them.

>> Given that context, the IDF for sure can still lie, but most likely they will eventually be found out.

Tell me more about the accountability and the cost of those lies and crimes by the IDF. How many IDF soldiers rot in prison for the crimes they committed and the crimes that have been documented by HRW? It's zero.

Even when the crimes are fully recorded, they get a handful of months and a commuted sentence.

When Israel controls the food intake of a population (The Gaza Diet) through a complete blockade, Israel doesn't get to claim they withdrew or respect the sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

Israel tried to do in Gaza what they did in the West Bank. Carve it up, control key resources, create settlements through terrorism and encroach daily on Palestinian territory.

Their settler-colonial crimes are well documented in the West Bank but Israel didn't have enough people and resources at the time to carry crimes both in the West Bank and Gaza.

Yes, I agree those are war crimes and October 7th is called a Tuesday in the West Bank. You're welcome to read about the torture programs by the IDF from reputable organizations like humans right watch, amnesty international or even former IDF soldiers (your own people) explaining their tactics to terrorize the Palestinian population.

I have more trust in those organizations as well as former IDF soldiers (who overcame the brainwashing, grew a conscience and spoke up) than the repeated lies in the zionist controlled media (40 babies? who lies about stuff like that?).

You can read more about resistance under international law and how it's defined by the U.N charter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_resist#:~:text=Based%....

Again, I will take that definition over the definition of a resistance movement by a military occupation.

look at a map of the west bank and tell me more about those massive peace efforts.

if living under a blockade or under military occupation is your idea of peace, no wonder people are resisting.

Israel is not interested in peace, they're interested in submission.

Hamas is a resistance movement and they have every right to resist by any means necessary.

the same way the French resisted against the Nazis or the algerians against the French occupation.

I don't hear french resistance being called terrorists despite sabotage operations, assassinations of nazi personnel and executing collaborators.

they carried a successful military raid, captured hostages and exchanged them for Palestinian hostages.

I completely reject the classification of Hamas as a terrorist group by countries that won't even join the international criminal court to protect their war criminals.

the bombs being dropped on Gaza are american bombs. It is not 1% of bombs being american, so I don't know what GDP relativism has to do with it.

hard to call it self defense when they turn 65% of the city into ruble and show zero humanity by cutting off food, water and electricity etc.

the level of inhumane treatment approved and supported by the west is what woke a lot of people up.

people tend to simplify things too much.

you can support post zionist voices in the Israel Knesset advocating for reform while still condemning Israel apartheid state and the zionist lobby influence in western countries.

You can support the Palestinian Resistance against the military occupation while still condemning terrorist tactics.

there is 700000 settlers and not counting the IDF forces protecting them and terrorizing the Palestinian population. Are the prisons full?

I honestly believe when Israel can mount a siege of Gaza in less than a few hours, have the city completely surrounded and cut off food, electricity, water, fuel, communications and bombard at will; it's not a war. It's a massacre as you have overwhelming force and sustain no military losses (since the siege began).

I'm sorry zionists thought that they could steal people's land, force them out of their homes, kill the ones who resist, put the rest behind a fence, treat them for generations with no humanity and act surprised when the oppressed hop the fence, return to their homes and still have the house keys to massacre the intruders and thiefs occupying their property. Unlike Israel, Hamas doesn't have a fancy prison system to lock up Israeli children and show them what "humane treatment" really means.

But hey, I apologize if I can't continue this back-and-forth banter with you. I highly doubt I can change your mind, just as you won't be changing mine. The footage I'm seeing only confirms my belief that there's a slow and deliberate genocide happening. No amount of fancy rhetoric can justify bombing hospitals just to close a tunnel or destroy a weapons depot, or whatever excuse they come up with. It's as simple as that.

This level of carnage and punishment inflicted on an entire population is absolutely unjustified. Sadly, I have no power to stop it, but I won't let Israel get away with washing off all the blood with empty words of forgiveness and forgetfulness. This will forever stain your civilization, just like Germany has been marked by the Nazi regime. And unlike the Germans, you will never learn or grow from this. Instead, you'll keep playing the victim card.

Sorry, when you accuse dead children of planting bombs and deny/minimize the documented crimes against medical personnel shot with explosive bullets https://youtu.be/HnZSaKYmP2s?t=3152 as "defending the border"; there is no talking while remaining diplomatic here.

Force is the only thing you will respect and is why Hamas exists. Until Israel starts treating others with a semblance of humanity, there will never be peace.

If you visit Canada, feel free to say hi. Perhaps I could introduce you to my jewish neighbor (and Israeli reservist) who hopped on the first plane to go commit war crimes. Only a few weeks vacation to commit atrocities and he will be back. Of course, no one will call him a terrorist or war criminal or hold him accountable; hell, he even gets called "Canadian" despite not hesitating to obey the orders of a foreign government.

All cool and normal.

>> fear of a wider conflict.

A lot of people share concerns regarding potential escalation in the region, although I hold a different perspective on Israel's vulnerability to annihilation. There may be retaliatory actions, yet it is evident that the United States is providing support, as demonstrated by the presence of two (or three) carriers ready for engagement. On the other hand, Gaza faces a significant threat of annihilation. I do agree with you that the likelihood of Canada experiencing war is low, with the primary concerns being terrorism within our borders or the possibility of a nuclear strike.

>> We absolutely hate the UN

And, also, the ICC (Internal Criminal Court) apparently. Along with a few countries like: United States , China , Russia , India , Indonesia , Israel , Sudan , North Korea , Syria.

The resolutions are often a response to actions taken by Israel that are perceived as violations of international law or hindrances to peace efforts. It is not a matter of bias against Israel, but rather an attempt to hold all nations accountable for their actions. Although there are many Arab nations, the resolutions are passed based on the consensus or majority vote of the member states, which includes a wide range of nations with different perspectives and interests.

Dismissing the U.N as a biased organization isolates Israel on the international stage. Perhaps it doesn't matter given the emphasis on catering to the United States as the primary base of support and main audience.

>> Israel withdrew from Gaza

I believe statements like this is where you and I will strongly disagree.

When I see snipers shooting children who are fenced up, shooting medical personnel, shooting journalists, all deliberate, done with intent by IDF snipers; I don't call that withdrawing from Gaza.

This is the video I'm talking about: https://youtu.be/HnZSaKYmP2s?t=2673 explaining the practice of picking targets and killing them. Explained by General Zvika Fogel

This is a recorded video of the practice and performed by Israeli snipers: https://youtu.be/HnZSaKYmP2s?t=2844

This explains how food is restricted or as Israel puts it: "Putting Gaza on a diet" (2006) - Dov Weisglass, an adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. https://youtu.be/HnZSaKYmP2s?t=464 by only allowing 4 hours of electricity per day (cannot store food) and watching the caloric intake requirements to avoid malnutrition.

This was all filmed in Gaza around 2018/2019. You are welcome to watch the rest if you find the time; I hope those short segments change your perspective.

We have many problems with indegenous tribes in Canada (long history) but they are not fenced up, blockaded, shot at and bombed. This is what Israel snipers remind me of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0DqnUk90lo and why Israel is condemned internationally.

While I may not fully endorse Hamas, I hesitate to label it as a terrorist organization without further examination. Instances of violence, as depicted in the video mentioned and recognized by numerous U.N resolutions, involving IDF soldiers and the actions of "settlers" in the West Bank, are acts of terrorism.

When you watch those video segments, do you still believe Israel is a nation interested in peace? Because all I see is a nation interested in the degradation, humiliation and brutalization of people. Israel certainly doesn't get to act outraged when Palestinians resist and fight back against that type of oppression and occupation.

A few definitions so words still have meaning because they easily get distorted in this conflict:

``` A terrorist is an individual who engages in acts of violence, typically targeting civilians or non-combatants, with the intention of instilling fear, spreading terror, and advancing a particular political, ideological, or religious agenda. These acts are usually carried out as a form of asymmetric warfare, where the perpetrators lack the conventional military power to engage in direct conflicts.

A terrorist state, also known as a state sponsor of terrorism, refers to a nation that provides financial, logistical, or ideological support to terrorist organizations. Such states may offer safe havens, training facilities, weapons, funding, or even intelligence to terrorist groups, enabling them to carry out their activities. This support can be motivated by various political, ideological, or strategic interests.

```

Since no international governmental body can, I genuinely hope Israeli individuals can hold their government accountable through democracy and better access to information/education.

Again, I'm 100% open to new material if you want to share your perspective and change minds.

>> I have had to run to a bomb shelter almost every day

First, I didn't know you were Israeli. I live in Canada, far from the conflict and although it has been going on for decades, this moment feels different. It feels we are witnessing collective punishment on a large scale (and it's only beginning) and no one is attempting to de-escalate or even consider the future and its ramifications.

Having said that, I don't live under an "iron dome" and my life is not at risk; so, I can sympathize but will not be commenting on that as I have no lived experience of that level of stress and anxiety. No one deserves to live like that.

In Canada and many western countries, the media is biased towards Israel and the double speak to hide the truth and remove context is off the charts. When comparing the coverage with the Ukraine conflict, there is a silence similar to the Saudi's genocide in Yemen. You don't hear from Yemeni people, you don't see coverage from their perspective. It's the same thing now with people in Gaza. Compare this to Ukraine where we had the stories/experiences of individuals constantly relayed in the corporate media.

>> it's not up to Israel either - it's up to the Palestinians to decide they actually want peace

I completely disagree with that. Again, I see little to no good will from Israel. There are no humanitarian corridors open. People cannot escape. People can go south but even the Rafah (Egypt's border) area was bombed and they also bomb the south of the city in general. I will spare you repeating the talks of dehumanization, eradication from your democratically elected government officials as you've already expressed more empathy than any of them towards civilian lives.

But, I completely reject the notion that this violence is happening in a vaccuum and that Israel didn't play a role in causing this. Again, not alone here, as there are at least 15 U.N resolutions condemning Israel in 2022 alone and of course, vetoed by the U.S.

When I read about the lives of people in Gaza (before October 2023), I'm not surprised a movement of resistance like Hamas emerged. Gaza is under a blockade, their movement is restricted, their trade and goods are restricted, electricity, food etc. and it has been like that for years. It's why it's compared to a prison and Israel is its warden, literally. Israel shows little regard for Palestinian lives and they are treated more like a pest to be managed than the long distant cousins they are.

The lie is: Gaza has been left alone and the people/government have failed to make something of themselves. Meanwhile, I read/watch the lives of people in Gaza (very little footage as many journalists are not allowed to enter Gaza by Israel and are accused of being propagandists) and I can't even imagine how I would live my life under those circumstances without resorting to violence, radicalization or desperation.

Here are two videos that influenced me:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw4CH-Jg6lY This was filmed before October 2023 and shows the reality of the blockade, the lives of people in Gaza and their resourcefulness despite the safety/economic constraints.

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnZSaKYmP2s This was filmed in 2019, mostly in the west bank (which is a whole other disaster) and convinced me about Israel's intent and its so called "good will". I watched it when I heard Abby Martin on the Joe Rogan podcast. I haven't watched since.

Feel free to educate me if you have good material / videos / projects / initiatives you'd like to share that would change my perspective and help put an end to this conflict.

My wish for you is to find security and peace, and I hope that it will not come at the expense of many lives.

Israel is not allowing foreign / independent journalists in Gaza.

From the foreign press: https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/middle...

If you are wondering why, here are the absurd reasons used:

- lack of electricity / internet. No one heard of generators and starlink satellites?

- Israel wants to prevent fake news and propaganda. This backfires as when a hospital gets bombed, we can't know who did it since there are no independent journalists on the ground. It sure doesn't help when your high officials brag about it on twitter.

"Initial posts on X sent by Hananya Naftali, a digital aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aroused suspicion. “Israeli Air Force struck a Hamas terrorist base inside a hospital in Gaza,” he wrote, but the post was almost immediately deleted."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/18/what-is-israels-na...

- Israel cannot guarantee the safety of journalists. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-journalists-safety-israel... Looks pretty bad when an IDF soldier shoots a journalist https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/11/shireen-abu-akleh-i... Of course, guaranteeing journalists safety doesn't seem to be an issue in conflicts like Ukraine.

Israel is afraid of the international scrutiny and condemnation that would follow if the world saw the true extent of the suffering and devastation in Gaza

So, better hide it.

>> The blockade of food and water is new.

It's not new. Food insecurity has been an issue for years.

The blockade has caused severe food insecurity and malnutrition among the 2.3 million people living in Gaza⁴⁵. According to the World Food Program (WFP), more than 60% of households in Gaza are food insecure and rely on humanitarian assistance⁵. The blockade has also affected the availability and quality of food in Gaza, as many products are scarce, expensive or expired⁵.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/25/un-report-80-p...

>> how can it be a genocide if people aren't dying because of it?

I'm not waiting to see what happens when people are starved for weeks and I'm not the only one calling it a genocide:

- https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evide...

- https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/10/28/kilj-o28.html

>> It's not indiscriminate shooting.

The strength of hamas is their tunnels and underground networks and how they use them to traffic weapons, goods and people to circumvent the blockades. That's the source of their power and bombing buildings changes little to Hamas infrastructure or leadership (which is in Qatar/overseas). Even destroying civilian infrastructure like cell towers and Internet does little. Hamas uses hardwired lines and radios as again, the city is small enough to be called a prison and they are fully aware of Israeli digital surveillance.

Did bombing civilian villages change anything to Viet Cong tunnels in Vietnam? Or, the allies during WW2 bombing campaigns in Japan and Germany, did it rally the people against the authorities? The answer to both is no.

>> If and they give up armed resistance, there could be peace tomorrow. The Palestinians have had many deals put forward and chose to continue fighting.

Honestly, if you want to continue this conversation, I'm open to discussing those deals and brainstorming solutions such as grassroot peacebuilding projects, virtual diplomacy (difficult now that the population is voiceless, huh?), and economic integration.

But, I don't believe it's honest to say Israel has displayed good will when Israel has implemented a system of permits and licenses that restricts the ability of Palestinian workers and businesses to access Israeli markets. Palestinians face limitations on exporting their products to Israeli and international markets, which can hinder economic growth and development.

Any palestinian allowed to work are usually limited to agriculture and construction sector and often restricted to the occupied / settler zones.

I want to define "Grassroots Peacebuilding" clearly because it's something I'm interested in and I believe in the power of individuals: "Prioritizing grassroots initiatives that bring Israelis and Palestinians together for dialogue, joint projects, and community-building activities can help build trust and understanding from the ground up. This approach emphasizes the power of individuals and communities to drive change."

>> Egypt is also blockading Gaza. No one is blaming Egypt, and no one is committing terror acts against Egypt. Why is that?

People are not blaming Egypt because it's not bombing Gaza and preparing a ground invasion.

Egypt is blockading Gaza (as evidenced by the fact the border was only open for 23 days in 2022) https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/6/15/the-seven-borde...

The rationale for the Egypt blockade as I understand is:

- Egypt considers Hamas a threat as it is an offshoot of the Muslism Brotherhood which was ousted from power in 2013.

- Egypt accuses Hamas of supporting militant groups in the Sinai Peninsula, where Egypt has been fighting a long insurgency https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypt-arab-co...

- Egypt also wants to maintain its peace treaty with Israel, which it signed in 1979. By preserving the status quo of the blockade until a lasting solution is foudn, Egypt maintains its role as a mediator and is not undermined by siding with one party over the other. It also continues to benefit from economic and military aid from the United States https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypt-arab-co... and avoids fueling the conflict which could spill into its borders as it already hosts millions of refugees from conflicts in Syria, Sudan, Ethiopia etc.

Please note I have to get going with my day but I will reply later.

Thank you

Edit: because I got my links mixed up

a blockade of food, water and electricity, all crucial, especially when you are confined in a small area with low resources and a lot of people is a genocide. combine it with a bombing campaign that is indiscriminately targeting civilians and their infrastructure, from internet to hospitals is a war crime.

keep in mind the blockade and hindering the economic development of Gaza is not new.

there is no such thing as eradicating hamas because Israel and its policies are a recruitment tool. This conflict will continue and the children today will be fighting in a few years because what choice do they have than resist.

The palestinians don't hide that their high fertility rate is politically motivated and have structured their society to marry young and have a lot of children as it is an act of Resistance.

not all children make it, the malnutrition rate was around 15%. again, all caused by Israel as they have control major aspects of that open air prison.

I think if you are shooting fish in a barrel and the international community lets you do it, you don't get to complain about the splashes and you certainly shouldn't be claiming the moral high ground.

no matter how much the politicians or corporate mainstream media keep repeating it, Israel and its apartheid genocidal policies don't have international support.

the moment government starts a UBI program, all our bills converting basic needs will increase. rent, internet, food etc.

many sectors of the economy are just oligopolies or straight up monopoly in some places

> There are so many knee-jerk reactions and hot takes about the really simple idea that people should be assured the means to subsist. The two most entrenched and, dare I say, ridiculous ones being:

> 1. "No one will ever work anymore!"

> Really? People do not care about material well-being, leisure goods or the feeling of usefulness? What does it say about our current labor market if, given a poverty line subsistence (!), the majority will choose to forego any superior value good? Maybe that we are forced to work, against our will? Where's freedom in that? If this is the case, we clearly have an economic efficiency problem here and now.

> 2. "Inflation will eat any gain, prices will skyrocket!"

> Simple. As for price increases, well we already have something to counter these and it's called the market. As in the price increase signals to actual & would-be producers that there's money to be made by producing more potatoes, lodging, clothes, etc. This is textbook economics.

bro, are you even Canadian? You never heard of our famous oligopolies?

oligopoly. An oligopoly is a market structure in which there are a few firms producing a product, and they may collude to set a price or output level for the market in order to maximize industry profits1. As a result, price will be higher than the market-clearing price, and output is likely to be lower1

we have them in every major economic sector and their lobbyists have regulatory capture preventing any meaningful reform

Yes, there are authors pushing a narrative. But, let's not pretend these institutions are powerless. They often get a board seat; although, some give up their proxy vote and they are pushing an agenda with their ESG score. Unsure how much of it is just optics.

aren't they the largest shareholders in 90% of companies but actually own maybe 20% of the total stock market? i don't recall the latest number but it should be around that

what you are describing is why I use a virtual phone for all services.

you can do it on your own with twilio, then create a phone number and have a program forward you stuff to your real phone.

the twilio phone is hard to lose as it has an api and you can toss it when you want to start over.

except now, you need an entire phone virtualized as your proxy instead of just a twilio phone number.

they keep raising the barrier

germany records every single bullet its police officers fire.

do you want to know the number of bullets fired?

According to a research brief by the Center for Homicide Research1, there were 11 cases of accidental discharges by police officers in Germany from 2000 to 2012, resulting in one death and six injuries. This means that on average, there were less than one accidental discharge per year in Germany during this period. gpt