Ilunga

I have always stated that at the core of this conflict both sides have been intractable. However the situation now is unlike any other in this forever war. Imagine if this was anyone else but Isreal. The virtual destruction of an entire enclave with a population of more than 2 million. The killing of thousands of women and children, that's at a minimum. Now the survivors are starving. The aggressor, Isreal has up until this point made it virtually impossible for any decent sort of aid to be delivered to the survivors. Hundreds of thousands of those are children. They have killed journalists, 3 quarters of the journalists killed in 2023 were killed in Gaza. They have killed aid workers. One a beautiful kind Australian girl. These people are non combatants so this is basically murder. I can try and ignore what is happening to the adults, even though I believe it is wrong, however the kids brother. As I have detailed, this is not just effecting them now, this will effect them for the rest of their lives. Hamas' is not denying them aid, Israel is. As another poster noted, history will damn the Isrealis for this, just as it will damn the Palestinians who took part in the October 7 attack. Why are people all over the world protesting this ? Why are even Jewish people protesting this ? Because we both know that what is happening is wrong. As horrific as the events of October 7 were, the Israeli response is not humane, is not proportionate. It is actually counter productive to solving this never ending conflict. Even if they manage to destroy Hamas' and that is no certainty, their actions are very probably breeding a whole new generation of militants. All I am asking is that aid be delivered to the Palestinian people, making sure that the children are fed first. If you follow this conflict you will already know that many of the parents are giving any food they do get to their kids first. As I stated, an ex head of the Shin Bet was asked what he would do if he was a Palestinian, his reply was that he would fight. When asked how " dirty " he would be, he replied he would do what it takes. Again watch that Four corners report, it is very enlightening. As you know Four corners is one of our longest running TV shows, and has built a very high reputation as an honest, investagive journalistic program. Many people claim there has never been a battle like this, fought in Urban conditions. They obviously no nothing about the Battle of Stalingrad. " The battle of Stalingrad is seen as the defining battle of urban warfare. The battle was the single largest and costliest urban battle ever, with it being seen as the worst and most extreme case of urban warfare. "

I suggest you read the Times of Isreal article I posted about how members of the Knesset are appointed. By Cabinet ministers. It also stated something along the lines that members of the Likud party " rose or fell " dependent on their loyalty to Netanyahu. I can go back and find the article when I get home from my ride if you like. Meanwhile I will leave you with this article, couple of years old The Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, warning that Isreal is heading towards a fascist theocracy. https://www.timesofisrael.com/tel-aviv-mayor-warns-israel-heading-toward-a-fascist-theocracy/ I, like many Isrealis believe his warning has come true. How could I ever forget you Roman. You are unforgettable. And not in a bad way. You are passionate about what you believe in, I respect that. I just don't agree with your views. Seeing as you are speaking to me, remember you stated that anti semitism isn't limited to non Jews ? Did you see my example of a Isreali/ Jew who is a real anti semite ? You know the guy that the KKK's David Duke shared his post. The Nazi rag the daily stormer called him " bro " Yair Netanyahu, Benny's son. https://www.npr.org/2017/09/11/550058346/netanyahus-son-yair-stirs-up-controversy-with-anti-semitic-cartoon Now that's what anti semitism really looks like. Hope you are having a good one...

Where are our Australians ? Like who fuckin cares. Hanging on to this " national " identity like it makes us special and different from one another. Take it from someone who had identity problem when he was told he was adopted, none of this shit matters. And not only that, it causes so much shit in the world. Few days time we have to go through the hyper nationalistic ritual that has become ANZAC day. The day we honour our vets. This is all good how it used to be before Howard weaponized ANZAC day. When I was growing up, it used to be a quiet day of reflection for the men and women who fought to keep us free. People have forgotten that the original ANZACS, The WW 1 vets, on returning home told us not to honour them. There was no glory in war, only pain, suffering and death. I actually have a VHS recording of a four corners report from the 80's where they interviewed some of the surviving " diggers " and this is what they all stated. They weren't fighting for our freedom, the were fighting and dying in horrific conditions for a few miles of territory half a world away. Those same countries had been fighting over those same bits of land for centuries. Then in the 90's Howard weaponized ANZAC day. All the BS national pride. Guess what happened in a few years ? He volunteered a bunch of our young men and sent them to be involved in an illegal invasion of another country. While we go through all the BS of ANZAC, you know what the bitter truth our vets have to face ? The fact that more of them take their own lives than are killed while serving in the armed forces. The stats for American servicemen are staggering, four times as many ex servicemen took their own lives between 9/11 and 2021. Over 30,000 men, compared to the just over 7,000 men that were killed in the " war on terror " Some good Winnipeg boys words " Fuck Nationalism Fuck Militarism "

I don't just suggest it, I live it. I always have. As you well know I put my safety at risk standing up for what I believe in when I was a kid. That means until I was in my mid twenties. I fought guys who were racist, Simply because they were racist. And yes at the time, I enjoyed it. Since then I have come to the conclusion that violence isn't the answer to our problems. As I have stated before, I was an angry dumbass kid. Regardless, I have always treated other people by the content of their character not the colour of their skin, to use a man I admire greatly, words. To the best of my ability I treat others the way I want to be treated myself. It's actually very easy. I have already told you my version, scrap all borders, one big orgy of race mixing, so there aren't races anymore. As for doing or believing something, as long as you aren't negatively impacting others by your beliefs or actions, have at it.

Yes Jewish Isrealis have the freedom to express their views, however their Arab/Israeli brothers and sisters don't have the same rights. I posted these article before, I suggest you read them. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2023-10-31/ty-article-opinion/end-the-persecution-of-israels-arab-citizens/0000018b-827e-d805-a98f-b6ffe9870000 https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-02/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/systematic-witch-hunt-what-persecution-of-israeli-arabs-looks-like-amid-gaza-war/0000018b-90db-db7e-af9b-fbdb254e0000 https://www.npr.org/2023/11/21/1214341078/israeli-citizens-who-identify-as-arab-or-palestinian-struggle-with-israel-hamas- Why you keep comparing Hamas to Isreal ? Do you believe they make a good comparison ? Actually they do make a good comparison to some of the founders of Isreal. Those terror groups terrorised by Arabs and Jews alike, just like Hamas does.

I was talking about the country we live in. Australia. Also Canada is known to be one of the most multicultural countries on earth. Whats actually more to the point is our ethnic diversity. We have over 270 different ethnicities/ancestries living in Australia. Canada has over 200 ethnicities/ancestries living in Canada. From what I can gather there are only two ethnicities in Isreal. Israelis/Jews and Arabs.

We know what Hamas' position on violence is, they have always been prepared to use it as a means to their end of a Palestinian state. I condemn this. Did your watch the Four Corners report on this conflict a month or so ago ? Very enlightening. Talking to senior Isreali figures and ex IDF members. From memory I think it was an ex head of the Shin Bet, one of the senior figures they interviewed. While he fully supported the war, when he was asked what he would do if he was a Palestinian, he replied he would fight. When asked how " dirty " he would fight, he answered he would do whatever it takes. Anyone who has even a passing interest in this conflict should watch that report. It will play if you click on the link. I think we both know both of those things will not happen. In regards to settlements, I posted an article about a Isreali conservative think tank that advocated the US should stop supplying weapon's to Israel, in part because it stated that a land grab by the Israelis in the west bank during Blinken's visit to Isreal, was a big " fuck you ", their words, to the US.

Why do some Isrealis/Jews themselves, let alone people like me, believe that some of the people who helped create the state of Israel were fascists ? And those same people went on to positions of power, formed the current ruling party, and that Isreal has become a fascist state ? Like what kind of country basically allows only people who were born by their mothers to be designated as that nationality and be able to migrate there ? Is this not a form of ultra nationalism ? We, Australia have built our country on migration. We used to be a racist country over 60 years, white Australia policy. Even then, I grew up with Dutchies and Italians and Greeks, even a few Turks, have always loved me a kebab. The Lebanese tigers scared the shit out of everyone back in the day. Since then we have embraced all cultures. We are an Asian country, situated in Asia, and that is reflected now in our population. This is what Isreal should be doing. Why should it be just a home for people of Jewish descent only. When we hear dog whistles like this in countries like America in regards to foreign immigration what is our reaction ? Fuck racial divides in whatever form they take. First and foremost we are all human beings. Me I hope that one day we don't call ourselves, Australians, or Canadians or Jews, but Terrans. Maybe, just maybe, when we view each other in this manner, we, as a species, won't kill each other in pointless conflicts fighting over pieces of ground.

We don't live in democratic nations. We don't get to choose the people we elect,the party we vote for does. The whole process is tainted by Political donations and lobbying. There are a small minority of elected officials that actually care about us. I would equate the corporations that effectively run our societies to the armed gangs that run some countries. The result is the same, vast amounts of wealth held by a few. The only difference is they don't stick a gun in your face. I would not send my child to any of those countries. Israel is virtually a non immigration destination unless you are off Jewish descent and even then it's matrlineal. There was a test court case, don't know the result. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2019-12-11/ty-article/.premium/in-israels-top-court-a-test-case-for-the-rights-of-patrilineal-jews/0000017f-e101-df7c-a5ff-e37b976b0000 Seems ridiculous doesn't it when you live in one of the worlds most multicultural countries. Both Australians and Canadians can say this.

That's the thing, how many generations of Palestinian kids haven't had hope for a good future. And I know that some Palestinian themselves are responsible for this, but not the kids. We both know that there hasn't been a genuine attempt for a peaceful solution from both sides since Rabbin was assassinated. Check out where Netanyahu and Ben Gvir where a few weeks before the assassination and the threats that were made against his life at that rally that they attended. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/opinion/incitement-movie.html

Fair enough. I found that post " tone deaf " in regards to what is happening virtually next door.

That's a reasonable post brother. Big time respect from me, for not blaming it all on Hamas, and more importantly for voicing your humanity. It may be cheesy to some, but I will always believe that all 8 billion of us human beings are linked together, that we share a common goal, we want the same things. Well the majority of us anyway.

I don't blame you for the actions of people in a different part of the world. You asked a question, I answered it. Another poster in this thread stated that no one complained when Bomber command bombed German cities, comparing Hamas, a stateless Terror organisation with roughly 25- maybe 30,000 fighters, to probably the most evil regime the world has seen, that conquered and occupied most of Europe and a few other parts of the world. Well he was wrong He should have read this book before he made his false claim. https://politics.utoronto.ca/publication/fire-and-fury-the-allied-bombing-of-germany-1942-1945/ " An enlightening and utterly convincing re - examination of the of the allied aerial bombing campaign and of civilian German suffering during World War 11 - an essential addition to our understanding of world history. During the second world war allied air forces dropped nearly two million tons of bombs on Germany, destroying some 60 cities, killing more than half a million German citizens and leaving 80,000 pilots dead. MUCH OF THE BOMBING WAS CARRIED OUT AGAINST THE EXPRESS DEMANDS OF THE ALLIED MILITARY LEADERSHIP. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED NEEDLESSLY. Focusing on the crucial period between 1942 to 1945, and using a compelling narrative approach, Fire and Fury tells the story of the American and British Bombing through the eyes of those involved: military and civilian command in America, Britian and Germany, aircrew in the sky and civilians on the ground. Acclaimed historian Randall Hansen shows that Commander in Chief of Bomber Command, Arthur Harris, WAS WEDDED TO AN OUTDATED STRATEGY WHOSE SUCCESS HAD NEVER BEEN PROVEN; HOW AREA BOMBING NOT ONLY FAILED TO WIN THE WAR, IT PROBABLY PROLONGED IT, and the US campaign which was was driven by a particularly American fusion of optimism and morality, played an important and largely unrecognised role in delivering allied victory. " Punishing civilians for the actions of the militant members of their societies is not only morally wrong, it's counter productive to actually bringing an end to conflicts. It's not a matter of blaming members in this thread for actions half a world away, it their reactions to those events, and what that tells me about our collective humanity. One member posted something about how he hopes things get better in Isreal so that kids can go play some games there. This was a well liked post. While at the same time hundreds of thousands of kids are starving a few miles away. What does that tell you about the priorities of people on this Board. Don't get me wrong, I hope those kids can play their games in a safe environment, however I would prefer that the starving children in Gaza were our community, CFF, first priority.

I know that " watching " hundreds of thousands of kids starving is breaking my heart. I have stayed silent for a while. My parents, and my heart, have taught me to speak out when I see injustice. I wish I could go and help the children in Gaza, I am giving money to aid groups, but I feel driven to actually help on the ground. However even though I am not seeing him I have a child to support and I can't leave my job/ my farm. I have provided examples in this thread of people from both " sides " who have forgiven those who killed people they love. One of those people, an Isreali, actually helps Palestinians after other Palestinians killed someone he loved. I know from my own life experiences that you have to forgive those that hurt you. Not so much for their sake but for your own. It's the only way to move on and make a good life for yourself. It's these kind of people that give our species a chance, give us hope for a better future. Again I condemn Hamas, they are, words fail me to describe what sort of people they are. They are contributing, in a big time way, to the suffering of the Palestinian people, I don't deny that. However Isreal has to take some responsibility as well. We, as a species came up with International Humanitarian Law. Reading what starvation actually does to children, how can that not break your heart ? We have just had our first mass public killing since the Port Arthur massacre. A man, who it seems had mental health problems, walked around a shopping centre, stabbed and killed 6 people, injuring 12 others. I listen to the radio while I am working and people are calling in saying that they don't feel safe anymore. How do you think the people in Gaza feel ? I know the same can be applied to the people in Isreal after the October 7 attack. We all condemn the evil, and I don't use that word lightly, people who committed those attrocities on October 7. They do have to be held to account. However it is my belief that children should not have to pay the price, a price that will be paid for the rest of their lives, for the actions of those evil fucks and what they did on October 7. " We don't inherit the world from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children " What sort of " world " will the children of Gaza have.

Whataboutism again. I have dealt with Hamas. For the billionth and 2nd time I condemn them. What do they have to do with the political system/ the fascists that are running Isreal ? Again the definition of fascism, a ultra nationalist, far right political ideology that usually has an authoritarian leader. Are you denying that they are ultra nationalist ? Are you denying that they are governed by people on the far right ? I have provided evidence from Isreali sources that ultra nationalist far right politicians are the people who are making the " political " decisions in Isreal. Those same articles detail how that to become a member of the governing party of Isreal, the Likud party that depends on your loyalty to Netanyahu. Members of the Knesset are not elected by the people. That's damn close to being an authoritarian figure. And we all know how corrupt he is. Did you read the details of the Nation State Law that was passed in regards to its effects on Arab Isrealis ? Jewish voices within Isreal have called that law a form of apartheid within Isreal itself. As for Arab Israelis being treated equally in Isreal that's bullshit. Again Israeli sources https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-02/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/systematic-witch-hunt-what-persecution-of-israeli-arabs-looks-like-amid-gaza-war/0000018b-90db-db7e-af9b-fbdb254e0000 https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2023-10-31/ty-article-opinion/end-the-persecution-of-israels-arab-citizens/0000018b-827e-d805-a98f-b6ffe9870000 First hand accounts of the persecution suffered by Arab Isrealis https://www.npr.org/2023/11/21/1214341078/israeli-citizens-who-identify-as-arab-or-palestinian-struggle-with-israel-hamas- Arab Isrealis make up 20 percent of the population yet have less than ten percent representation in the Knesset. And remember Isreal does not have the check on power a second level of government - the senate provides. To put that into perspective, here in Aus, first nations people make up 3.8 percent of our population yet that have 8 members of Parliament over 5 percent representation, and 3 members in the senate which is close to their percentage in regards to representation. I hold Isreal to the same account that I hold Hamas. I hold all people to the same account. Treat each other with humanity, dignity and respect. Especially when those around you don't. I have actually put this into practice in my own life.

Again for the billionth time, violence does not justify violence in return, in regards to civilians, especially women and children. What is upsetting me the most is that hundreds of thousands of kids are starving due to the actions of people who lack humanity on both sides of this conflict. As I have detailed, this will have a lasting effect on these kids lives both psychically and psychologically. Any one with a decent bone in their body knows Israel does not have the right to collectively punish an entire population for the crimes a small percentage of that population. Just like Mike stated, this whole situation can be summed up by his words " And human rights and freedom are just words That have lost all their meaning " As your reigning in the idiots comment, look around the world, let's start with the US and move on from there, they are taking over. As for people being held accountable, Hamas is a terror organisation, for the billionth and one time I condemn them. What Isreal is doing in Gaza amounts to acts of terror committed on civilians, a large percentage of them children. They are also killing journalists and aid workers. 3 quarters of the journalists killed in 2023 were killed in Gaza. https://www.icij.org/inside-icij/2024/02/over-75-of-all-journalists-killed-in-2023-died-in-gaza-war-per-cpj/ I condemn the killing of civilians, the mass starvation, the killing of journalists and aid workers. All these things are against humanitarian law. As for Isreal defending itself, it is not under attack any more it's hasn't been for over 6 month's. They are far from their stated objective. So under the current status quo there is no end in sight for the suffering of these kids. As I have pointed out, Israel is becoming a pariah state. Even it's best friend the US has had enough of Isreals actions in Gaza in relation to allowing humanitarian aid into the enclave. Here is what the highest ranking Jewish American in the senate, Chuck Schumer has to say about Israel becoming a pariah state https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/15/politics/schumer-israel-speech-analysis/index.html Jewish voices themselves all around the world and inside Isreal itself are condemning its actions in Gaza. You want to support a fascist regime that's on you. I am making my voice heard, I want people to know I denounce both Hamas and the Fascists that are ruling Isreal, and their actions in Gaza.

Did you read my post, the Times of Isreal article, detailing the current state of the Isreali political system ? If not, go back and read it. It isn't democracy as we know it. Members of the Knesset aren't elected they are chosen by Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers. And as the article points out, loyalty to Netanyahu is the factor that defines a members selection. Their populist rhetoric, " the tyranny of the supreme court ". How many examples do you need ! What the fuck do the Gazans have to do with the Isreali government and why bring up the October 7 attack in relation to them being a fascist state ? As for your claims about Arab judges and others claims about " everyone being equal in Isreal " Read this article about the Nation State Law those right wing nut jobs passed. https://www.vox.com/world/2018/7/31/17623978/israel-jewish-nation-state-law-bill-explained-apartheid-netanyahu-democracy As you can see, not everyone is equal. " Palestinian Isrealis " are not treated equally in Isreal and this law has made it worse for them. For fucks sake that article illustrates how ' Mizrachi " Jews have been marginalised by " Ashkenazi " Jews For the billionth time, I condemn Hamas. What do they have to do with fascists running Isreal. Again the definition of fascism. Ultra nationalist, far right, authoritarian regime. Israel and it's current regime fit that description. Isrealis themselves say this. I have provided the evidence of this.

Do Hamas control what aid comes into Gaza ? No, the Isrealis do. And whats with the Hamas bullshit about looking after their own people, we both know they don't give a fuck about them. This does not give Isreal the right to stop aid getting to the Palestinian people. And that's what they have been doing up until now. They fucking murdered aid workers, one of them a beautiful Aussie girl. There are hundreds of thousands of kids starving. I detailed what is happening to them in that article. What sort of human being tries to find excuses for what we s happening to those kids. Makes me fuckin sick the lack of humanity in this thread.

Amazing how you haven't refuted my claim that Isreal is a fascist state. No it isn't, really you can't argue with facts. No, Hamas murdered 1200 Isrealis. Isreal in response has killed around 20,000 Palestinians, and caused the the conditions for starvation in Gaza now. Up until this point they have made it virtually impossible for other countries and aid organisations to deliver aid to Gaza. Isreal has murdered aid workers. Here is the beautiful Australian person Isreal murdered, who devoted her life to helping others https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/australian-aid-worker-dies-in-airstrike-in-central-gaza/103656546 Blah blah bullshit anti semitism. I have provided you with a person with a track record of anti semitism. Yair Netanyahu. Keep on victim blaming, innocent children who have done nothing to deserve what is happening to them now in Gaza. And keep on supporting that fascist regime. Isreal is becoming a pariah state. Even people within Isreal are coming to this conclusion. People who have been conservative and pro Isreali to the core until now. More Isreali sources https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/pro-israel-scholar-netanyahu-smotrich-ben-gvir-moving-headlong-to-making-israel-a-pariah-state/ https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-21/ty-article/.premium/is-israel-becoming-a-pariah-state/0000018e-4d66-dfb8-adef-dd76d4820000

Whataboutism ? I have condemned Hamas. I have condemned all the different forms of ISIS. I have condemned Hezbollah. I condemn the religious fruitcakes that control Iran. I was on Putin's case long before the past, let alone the current Ukraine conflict. Don't say this often however a slow death wouldn't bother me in regards to him. I condemn any and all countries or organisations that don't abide by International Humanitarian Law. As is well known, I hate all forms of injustice. Injustice in its different forms is the only thing I really hate. Hate being such a wasted emotion. What has any of your reply to my post have to do with Israel being an ultra nationalist, fascist state ? I have provided evidence from Israeli sources that backs up the fact, that the political ideology in Israel is Fascist. Again the definition of fascism, ultra nationalist, far right, authoritarian Ideology. You don't agree with Einstein and his peers. You don't agree with the facts in those articles, The Times of Isreal and Haaretz ? I will give you some whataboutism. What about the hundreds of thousands of kids starving in Gaza. The events of October 7, do not justify what is happening in Gaza right now. Nothing justifies starving hundreds of thousands of children.

Here is a suggestion. Abide by International Humanitarian Law. This applies to all people everywhere, not just that as part of the world. You do agree with International Humanitarian Law right ? This is what you and others in this thread are defending " Gaza is going hungry. It's children could face a lifetime of harm " https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2024/gaza-food-famine-malnutrition-children-aid/ " Gaza's children are going hungry. More than 25 have died of complications linked to malnutrition, according to the World Health Organisation. Hundreds of thousands more face starvation as Israel continues its siege. Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment - and the ongoing bombing, infectious diseases and psychological trauma - are further condemned to face a lifetime of health woes. Malnutrition will rob them of the ability to fully develop their brains and bodies. Many will be shorter and physically weaker as a result. " At the simplest level, if you have impaired nutrition and growth your brain stops growing ", said Zulfiqar Bhutta, a physician and the chair of Global child health at the Toronto hospital. In the short term even less sustenance will be available for the children of Gaza: This week and Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers led several assistance organisations to announce they would suspend operations. " " The toll from of hunger on the human body is evident from adults to children. The younger the person the greater the impact. People get energy primarily by turning carbohydrates into glucose, which is processed by the liver and distributed throughout the body especially to the brain. After exhausting its glucose reservoir, the body starts getting energy from fat. But if the body is not getting sufficient sustenance, it then burns protein from muscles to get energy eventually becoming unable to deliver essential nutrients to vital organs and tissues. For children this happens more quickly because they have fewer resources and need more energy to grow. As a consequence muscles start shrinking and organs stop functioning properly, the body can't regulate temperature, skin goes pale and gums may start bleeding. The immune system loses its ability to repair wounds and fight infections such as those causing diarrhoea, which can create a vicious cycle that further deprives the body of nutrients. The digestive system is one of the first to shut down, resulting in the decreased production and f stomach acid, chronic inflammation, shrinking of the stomach and loss of appetite. If food becomes available again it will have to be introduced slowly, ideally in a hospital setting. The heart shrinks decreasing blood flow, slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Eventually the heart can fail. Breathing slows and lung capacity wanes. Eventually respiratory function can fail. As the brain is deprived of energy and essential nutrients, apathy, exhaustion and irritability ensue. Children need more energy than adults to develop their brains, making them more vulnerable to a lack of nutrients, and hampering their ability to learn later in life. " This is what is happening to hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza. There is no justification for this whatsoever.

You, and others here are supporting a fascist government. Don't believe me, how about Albert Einstein and a bunch of prominent Jews " Letter to the New York Times New Palestine Party Visit of Menachem Begin and aims of political movement discussed To the Editors of the New York Times Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times in the emergence of the newly created state of Israel of the Freedom Party, Tnuat Haherut, a political party closely akin in its organisation, methods and political philosophy to the Nazi and fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right wing chauvinist organisation in Palestine. The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans of national repute have lent their names to welcome this visit. It is inconceivable that those that oppose fascism around the world, if correctly informed to Mr Begin's political record and perspectives could add their names and support to the movement he represents. Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial contributions, public manifestations in Begins behalf, and the creation in Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and objectives of Mr Begin and his movement. The public avowals of Begin's party are no guide whatever to its actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character. From its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future. A shocking example was their behaviour in the Arab village of Dier Yassin. The village,off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to use their village as a base. On April 9 terrorist bands attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the fighting, killed most of its inhabitants, 240 men, women and children and kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of Jerusalem. Most of the Jewish community was horrified at the deed and the Jewish agency sent a telegram of apology to king Abdullah of Trans - Jordan. But the terrorists far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of their massacre, publicized it widely and invited all the foreign correspondents in the country to view the heaped corpses and the general havoc at Dier Yassin. The Dier Yassin incident exemplifies the character and actions of the freedom party. Within the Jewish community the have preached admixture of ultranationalism, religious mysticism and racial superiority. Like other fascist parties they have been used to break strikes, and have themselves pressed for the destruction of free trade unions. In their stead they have proposed corporate unions on the Italian fascist model. During the last years of the sporadic anti - British violence the IZL and Stern groups practiced a reign of terror in the Palestine Jewish community. Teachers were beaten up for speaking against them, adults were shot for not letting their children join them. By gangster methods, beatings, window smashings and wide spread robberies, the terrorists intimidated the population and exacted a heavy tribute. The people of the freedom party have had no part in the constructive achievements in Palestine. They have reclaimed no land, built no settlements, and only detracted from the Jewish defense activity. Their much publicised immigration endeavours were minute, and devoted to mainly bringing in fascist compatriots. The discrepancies between the bold claims now being made by Begin and his party, and their record of past performance in Palestine bear the imprint of no ordinary political party. This is the unmistakable stamp of a fascist party for whom terrorism against Jews, Arabs and British alike and misrepresentation are means, and a " leader state " is the goal. In light of the foregoing considerations, it is imperative that the truth about Mr. Begin and his movement be made known to this country. It is all the more tragic the the top leadership of American Zionism has refused to campaign about Begins efforts, or even expose to its own constituents the dangers to Israel from support for Begin. The undersigned therefore take this means of publicly presenting a few salient facts concerning Begin and his party and of urging all concerned not to support this latest manifestation of Fascism. Albert Einstein Abraham Brick Rabbi Jessurun Cardozo Isadore Abramovitz Herman Eisen Hayom Fineman M. Gallen M.D H.H Harris Hanah Arendt Zelig S Harris Sidney Hook Fred Karush Bruria Kaufman Irma L Lindheim Nachman Maisel Seymour Melman Meyer D Mendelsohn M.D Harry M Olinksky Samuel Pitlick Fritz Rohrlich Ruth Sagis Itzhak Sankowsky I.J Schoenberg Samuel Schuman M. Singer Irma Wolfe Stefan Wolfe New York December 2nd 1948 " Now why is this important today you may ask. Begin and his so called freedom party morphed into the Likud party, which was founded in 1973. This terrorist and his organisation that not only murdered and terrorised Palestinians, they murdered and terrorised Jews. And this terrorist and his party, the Likud, has governed under his and Netanyahu watch. Now let's look at the definition of fascism/ fascist. A far right, ultra nationalist right wing authoritarian political ideology. Isreal is one of the most ultranationalist nations on this planet. They are run by a far right coalition that has an authoritarian figure in Netanyahu. Don't believe me, then how about The Times of Isreal. https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-implosion-of-israels-ruling-party/ " Nearly everything the coalition has done since seemed to prove the point. It has proposed bills that would impose prison sentences immodest dress at the western wall, grant police the right to search homes without warrants, set aside 30 percent of positions in government corporations and public companies for Haredim alone, massively expand state subsidies for non working Haredi men at the expense of secular Israelis who pay most of the countries income taxes, expand the jurisdiction of rabbinical courts where women are at a structural disadvantage on matters as basic as the relative strength of their testimony, set gender seperate hours for rivers and springs in national parks, politicize the management of elections and on and on. Just on Monday, among the half dozen bills advanced by the coalition was one that allowed public servants to receive almost unlimited amounts of money as gifts, including from anonymous donors, a measure meant to allow Netanyahu himself to keep some $270,000 he received as a gift from a late cousin. This blitz was accompanied throughout the last two months by a steady drumbeat of populist rhetoric including coalition lawmakers calling the high court a " tyranny" that must be overthrown, boasting that secular Israelis would be replaced by, ( as one SHAS MK let slip ) and calmly and repeatedly explaining that a Palestinian town should be " erased ". Some of these bills were retracted after a public uproar, most were not. But even those that have failed to advance have helped set the narrative and define the public perceptions of this government's intentions. " First you win, then you do damage control " Members of the Knesset aren't directly elected by the voters. Most are given their seats when their party leader appoints them to the Knesset list. Even in the Likud one of the few parties to hold primaries, ONE RISES OR FALLS BASED ON LOYALTY TO NETANYAHU THAN ANY OTHER FACTOR. MOST MKS ARE NOT BEHOLDEN TO THEIR VOTERS BUT TO THEIR PARTY LEADERS. AND SINCE THOSE PARTY LEADERS MAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT, ISRAELS MKS SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNMENT MINISTERS WHO APPOINT THEM. THAT MAKES THE ISRAELI KNESSET AN EXTREMELY WEAK CHECK ON GOVERNMENT POWER, MORE SO THAN IN ANY OTHER PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS THAT HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS OF MPs OR OPEN LIST SYSTEMS WHERE VOTERS PICK THE LINEUP ON ELECTION DAY. " There is more in the article about the lack of democracy in the Knesset. Another article from an Israeli source about the rise of fascism in Isreal. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-10-03/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israeli-neo-fascism-threatens-israelis-and-palestinians-alike/0000018a-f6a1-d12f-afbf-f7f5e33e0000 So to check off the main identifiers of a fascist state. Ultranationalism, there are not many countries that are as ultra - nationalistic as Israel Here is a Jewish source, Forward Jewish Independent Not for profit that details Isreals ultra nationalism. https://forward.com/opinion/406904/israel-has-chosen-ultra-nationalism-over-diaspora-jews/ " The Trump Administration and the Israeli mainstream under Netanyahu have joined the ultra nationalist family of nations along with partners like Russia's Putin and Hungary's Orban. Most American Jews along with a shrinking minority of Israelis cannot identify with this mindset. They support neither Trump nor Netanyahu. They believe in old fashioned values, like civil society and pluralism that are losing traction in much of the world. By the by, a new kind of new kind of intermarried Judaism is emerging in the US that synthesises American and Jewish but few that appeal to Isrealis. " Far right leadership/ political ideology, those articles provide the evidence of those. An Authoritarian leader " one rises or falls based on loyalty to Netanyahu " The " leader " of Israel And in regards to your comments regarding that Hamas is to blame for all the civilian deaths in Gaza. Here is what the JCA ( Jewish Council of Australia ) has to say about that " Australia must cut all military ties and place sanctions on Israel " https://www.jewishcouncil.com.au/media/australia-must-cut-military-ties-sanctions-israel All these Jewish voices condemning Isreal, and making a laughing stock of claims that Israel is a democracy. So remember, when you support the current regime in Isreal, you are supporting a fascist regime. Some well known poster in this thread stated that anti - semitism is not restricted to non Jews. I will give you an example of a Jew who is a known anti semite. One whose anti semitic post was shared by the KKK' David Duke. The Daily Stormer, that Nazi publication called him " bro " Benjamin Netanyahu's son Yair https://www.npr.org/2017/09/11/550058346/netanyahus-son-yair-stirs-up-controversy-with-anti-semitic-cartoon These are the people you and others in this thread are supporting.

Thanks Mike

Just bumping this. Would appreciate an answer in regards to my question about draftees playing in the NCAA and when we have to sign them by. Is it the same as the NHL ?

Just to clarify that there might have been a mistake in the dates to remember. Deadline to sign 2022 draftees is June the 10 @ 7pm 2024, not 2023 as it states in the dates to remember. As per NHL rules, 2 years to sign a draftee. Also after checking the NHL rules in signing draftees do we mirror their rules in regards to players who play in the NCAA ? Can't find anything in the contract section about this and my memory is fucked.