anthony

Iran was certainly getting nervous about the threat to its regional dominance. Namely: the Abraham Accords. The best peace initiative - ever- for the Middle East "moderates" and Israel that the Saudis also were about to sign. The Mullahs could not allow that. So in October they set a conflict in motion through their proxy terror group Hamas and proxy Army out of Lebanon. Earlier [2022]. Along came Joe Biden, to not overtly block Trump's popular initiative, but ... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/biden-trashes-abraham-accords&ved=2ahUKEwiYyI7arb-FAxVoygIHHWmaBT8QFnoECDAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1F1u1heEFEUFfbRhbXnnmu "Whereas the Abraham Accords framework draws a bright line separating the U.S.-allied camp from Iran and its camp, the Obama-Biden vision turns the very concept of friend and foe on its head, elevating Iran and downgrading allies under the pretext of creating “equilibrium” or “balance.”"

Michael: support for Israel is eroding even as we speak. Among its usual staunch backers, Evangelical Christians, there's growing sympathy for "innocent Gazans" - or, Israel is-going-too-far. Together with a massive propagandist surge online and regular mobs in every western street and campus by the average haters, anti-Israel/"Zionists"/Jews/colonizers, this vilification inflamed by "genocide" accusations - and everything amounts to the isolation of Israel in gleeful preparation (by many, if not all) for Israel's defeat. Public opinion. especially masses of noisy protesters cannot be ignored long by world leaders, especially with elections pending. Not uncoincidentally I believe, now's the period of particularly weak, irresolute, unprincipled and appeasing world leaders. The ongoing arms supply by the US is again being threatened by Blinken. Pressure on Israel to reduce its effectiveness to quickly finish this war as they see best. Having done all they humanly could not to kill "innocents", and risking (and losing) their soldiers' lives to do so. There's a wider war: One, is 'only' the Gazan conflict, which is about all the news media reports on, also encouraging some West Bank Palestinians to attack Israeli settlers almost daily, reported as "settler violence"; the second is the less-reported, border aggression by Hezbollah coordinated with Oct 7, from Lebanon - which can wind up to be total IDF warfare against a large, trained and heavily equipped army, (and has already caused the Govt to move 200,000 civilians from north Israel). Then the main one, which can kick off any moment - against Iran. You might be confident that Israel can defend itself simultaneously on all fronts, I am not. But they need the weapons. They most need moral support. Against this backdrop, it's irresponsible for Tucker to air his program, endorsing insane claims by a pastor about a tiny few Christians being targeted by Israel for 'genocide' - conveniently jumping on the unquestioned wider 'genocide' of all Gazans - so calling explicitly for arms to be curtailed. This is not trivial. Arms in short supply and a nation cut off by its friends and allies is an open invitation for enemies to strike at once. The pastor lies. Why, I'd only speculate. Whatever he says, the once large Christian community in the West Bank has not reduced because of the Israeli administration -- it was because of increasing Islamist intimidation. In fact, the Israeli administration is what has protected them. On a scale, decreed by their prophet, the Jews are the lowest tribe and worst foe of Islam, other infidels and Christians are barely tolerable; and you can bet Abbas/PLO would not permit their militants to openly attack Christian Palestinians (in their holy place!). The Israel Govt would have definitely come down hard on them. But mainly, the PLO's money and moral backing from the West would dry up instantly. I have the mindset that any information is useful. I have to hear it all - the worst ideas and indoctrination from rotten people - so I can identify what's out there, and answer it. Not everyone is like this I've realized. I enjoy Tucker because he "calls it as he sees it". Even times when he's probably wrong, factually or by opinion. More Carlsons are needed, rocking the establishment boat. But he can't forget what a popular, powerful platform he owns, and how many millions will be influenced - "because Tucker said so" - leading to outcomes he might not have seen.

Michael, nothing against Christians supporting other Christians. But be sure, it is support against the real menace, and that's not Israel or Jews. Identify correctly, right? Does the erudite Tucker not know that he is tacitly playing into the hands of extreme Leftists, terrorists - and ultimately, Iran and Islamicism? He is after all, recommending the cessation of US arms supply to Israel. WHICH - together with its international condemnation - is Hamas' foremost tactic and hope of survival. And they - and their Iranian masters - would take a ceasefire now as a triumph. Putting off for only a short while, the self-defensive actions Israel would have to take next time Hamas commits atrocities to incite the war again. I hate the people who began this war, using their own people as cannon fodder for the 'empathy points', and those many westerners emerging who support Israel's demise. I.e. genocide. Obversely, I am also completely opposed to warmongers wanting to involve America., to wipe Gaza off the map. One of whom Tucker posed as a (false) alternative in his interview. Israel must once more go it alone, with nothing but the West's moral support (and arms). It is human and rational to eventually hate those who hate you enough to want you dead and gone, demonstrated in their acts. The Pastor knows better, certainly if he's been there all his life. Christians normally have an intrinsic sense of good and evil. I've seen proper identification and good moral judgments from most Christians, thank god, like Douglas Murray, an outspoken pro-Israeli. And for anyone who's followed recent history, only one side has been the belligerent rejectionists to a peaceful resolution, consistent Jew-haters who initiated every conflict, from neighboring countries too. But all the pastor could say was to effectively pass the blame onto Israel, unjustly deflecting it away from obedient Palestinians and their immoral leaders. (Like dozens I've heard of, "Hamas apologists"). A successful - self-interested - country such as Israel will predominantly repudiate any death and destruction and any form of sacrifice. Self-sacrifice, first.

"In 2022, about 1,100 Christians lived in the Gaza Strip – down from over 1300 in 2014. About 80% of the Christian Palestinians live in an urban environment. In the West Bank, they are concentrated mostly in Jerusalem and its vicinity: Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, Bir Zayt, Jifna, Ein Arik, Taybeh". Michael, to even suggest or infer that Israel is 'genociding' and deliberately targeting the tiny number of Christians in Gaza and their church - because of accidents of war - shows to me that the pastor has a Palestinian agenda. "Victimology", adored by many Palestinians ,and all leftists, to help them ignore the fact that they and their leaders were mainly responsible for their present plight. Without him going into--or condemning-- the un-Christian actions of a terrorist government - for many years precedng Oct 7 as well - that led up to a justified retaliation, as if causality didn't happen. It is in what they ~don't ~ say. Being a leading Christian (in Bethlehem) hardly automatically makes him a good guy. The simple fact: Israel has never looked to annihilate Palestinians, not then and not ever, given many opportunities and their military capability, while the average Palestinian man in the street has been polled saying they approve of Hamas, and would like to annihilate or expel the Jews. Indoctrination has turned things upside down. Carlson makes too much of it too - appealing to the Christians back home. He also "implies" a Christian genocide going on. Why it concerns me is in the unspeakable intimidation of and attacks on Jews everywhere in the world by progressivists/Islamists/etc., the last remnant of Jew/Israel support is from those Christians. He should be more balanced and keep his perspective on this influential platform he runs. And so - blame Hamas, primarily, not the victims of Hamas. Who include Gazans, Christians and Muslim. Who we all know (as they secretly do, if they didn't despise Jews) would be far better off if governed by Israel. Here in the Jerusalem Post "You've lost the thread". Sorry, Tucker has. Tucker Carlson critiques Christians who support Israel in Gaza dialogue WWW.JPOST.COM Tucker Carlson critiqued Christian support for Israel's actions in Gaza, discussing with Palestinian Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac the conflict's complexities and urging more critical engagement.

Michael, the pastor does not acknowledge the brutal first cause of this war, nor the hostages taken and callously still held. When I see anyone outraged, but not equally acknowledging these, as all of the causes of previous conflicts, and looking for humanitarian sympathy which he doesn't allow for others, I know they are bigoted. I switch off. Man of peace and love? Tell that to Hamas. And please - the IDF deliberately targeting Christians!? (and never forget, the casualty numbers released are highly exaggerated, and pictorial evidence sometimes staged; getting their civilians killed and 'killed' has always been the prime Hamas strategy). I say he's a stooge for the PA, mouthing their exact talking points, but agree it must be dangerous living there for those Christians who oppose what the PA/Hamas are doing. I read the Gazan Christians number under 1000 now from being a thriving historical community, many having left when Hamas took over and Israel 'de-occupied'. Israel then was not to blame. You and me though, we're about on the same page. I'd like this to end soonest.

Question phrased misleadingly. How does Israel treat Arab-Israeli Christians - inside of - Israel? A: very well. Equal citizens. I know a few. I trust US Christians won't buy into this version. The Pastor is a shill for the Palestinian Authority. He knows full well who always incites the violence and who have never accepted (even 95 per cent in their favor) on offer to share the West Bank with Jews. Michael, I like and have plenty of respect for Tucker. He has a blind spot here.

Ray McGovern

Without meaning, yup. I don't know why it wasn't plain, ( it was, but why stop a war to weaken/regime-change Russia, with Ukraine doing the heavy work?) - that Putin was trying to force Kyiv into negotiations from the start--and that almost worked, until Boris and Biden talked Zel out of it. He wanted to conquer all Ukraine, then to invade Europe, the experts said: all scaremongering b.s. to get the European backing. Hardly-reported was the Istanbul meeting in which Zel was already agreeing to neutrality terms with the Russians. Putin - the only "imperialist" in history with a tiny outnumbered army (to begin with) who sought negotiations only one month into the campaign. Somebody has to say it: RFKjr Volker nonsensically delivers the narrative, Ukraine's innocence and Putin's 'Empire building'.

A very good discussion, I'm only glad some can see the perils ahead by mobilizing more troops over there. It seemed to me that NATO could never and would never back down-- too much prestige and credibility at stake. The time to de-escalate and take the negotiation 'off-ramp' was early in 2022 with minimum losses, minimal concessions to Russia and NATO's reputation intact. But - somehow- they believed their own fantasy, Russia would be beaten (military, economy, Putin's overthrow). All fine and upbeat until the reality of the war set in. Once in, Russia wasn't going away. And they fed the major lie to Europeans: Putin intended to invade beyond Ukraine. Ukraine was dragged down for that, "defending Europe". Now my fears of the possibility of false flag attacks to justify a huge operation gets closer.

Left Woke and Palestine explained by James Lindsay

The Truth About the Hostages and the Israel-Hamas ‘Ceasefire’—Colonel Richard Kemp | ATL:NOW WWW.THEEPOCHTIMES.COM Colonel Richard Kemp is a former British army commander and the author of 'Attack State Red; A Landmark Tour of Duty in Afghanistan.'