Hamas strike on Israel - Threadbans in op - mod warning in OP updated 19/10/23

In Palestine itself or Israel itself. No, the nearest place was the Golan heights. But Lebanon and Syria yes, several years 's in fact. Yes, the Climate is very different, can hit the high 30'c in the Summer, and the minus 10 in the winter (or lower depending on where you are) Some of the best people that I have had the good fortune to meet, were in Syria and Lebanon, both Christian and Muslims. But even so, there will always be differences between Islamic and non-Islamic Countries and people. It just depends on how extreme (for want of a better word) the version of Islam being practiced in that Country. Say Saudi and Kosova Muslims, for example. Different as chalk and cheese in their interpretations of Islam. So bottom line, when in an Islamic Country, be aware of where you are, and the way you need to behave.

Now for the holiday part... Syria, and Damascus, as a holiday destination is fantastic to visit. To travel through the Old City within the city walls is an experience in itself. (nicest ice cream I've ever eaten anywhere in my life). the cobbled streets laid down by the Romans, still the same. The width, just wide enough to take two horses' side by side, the massive doors on the buildings and the overhanging balconies, from which various items could be thrown down on any unwelcome visitors on the street below. To have a coffee in a 400-year-old coffee shop, in front of the massive city gates, of a city that has been occupied for 10'000 years. It's unbelievable!! And I better stop before I lose the run of myself. But a word of caution, IMHO, It's not safe yet for tourists.

People in Ireland, and many other Countries too, are protesting about what's happening to Palestinians, the sheer horror of it. And that's a natural reaction.

See, you don't disagree.

Tell me, is it a 'get out of genocidal jail free' card if you're doing it to force your political ideals on another sovereign nation?

Try again.

The post was that they were given a mandate to rape as many as possible. Even your links don't suggest that this was the case.

But given your interest in the topic, I'm interested in your thoughts on post 23953.

To be fair, I think I was responding to your post not realising you were talking about the discussion regarding the stripping of prisoners... I thought it was general comment you were making.

I lived in Ashkelon, before any trouble of any note and I had many Israeli friends. Some lived in Kibbutzim - but none of the ones directly impacted by the current events. Israel is a beautiful country. Israelis were sound. I only met one Palestinian who lived in Gaza. He was a carpenter working in Israel on a permit. He'd travel to and fro each day. I'd give him a lift.

My work colleagues were very welcoming. They just wanted to get on with their lives and were happy to live peacefully alongside the Palestinians. The extremists on both sides (very small percentages) were the cause of all the trouble. And here we are. Heart-breaking for all my Israeli colleagues and friends. And for my Palestinian friend.

I recall one day going into Jerusalem, for about the 10th time, through the Jaffa Gate. I'd been in all four quarters and loved each one. The coffee, pastries and ice-cream! I sat down for a coffee on this particular day and was getting my bearings on my tattered tourist map. I noticed a plaque on the wall stating that "this is where Jesus met the women of Jerusalem". I thought to myself that it was "one of those stations of the cross" you see in the churches back home. Then, like a hammer blow, I realised it was the actual station of the cross - I was on the Via Dolorosa. Probably the most impactful moment of my life. On my travels North and South, I'd see the Roman ruins, viaducts, roads all over the place. It was stunning. I didn't go into Gaza or the West Bank (Israeli car). But my Israeli (Jewish) friends did tell me they used to have rocks thrown at the car when travelling to their parents' house. They used to go through a settler village - the Jews were throwing rocks at them for driving on the Sabbath.

The Israelis and the one Palestinian I knew were good friends. I lost touch over the years unfortunately - it started heating up not long after I left. But I found them no different to me. They had dreams and ambitions. They had or were starting families. They were just like us.

Yes, warmer, sunnier and drier of course! Food was amazing. But they were the same as us... God help them all.

That's bs. Rubbish.

Honestly

Trying to get posters banned? These type of posts are dishonest.

You think we're thick. Fire away.

Feel free to go through my posts.

And that is an excellent point. I would definitely be way out of my comfort zone and expertise even thinking about answering that one. I do know, now I've told you I lived in Israel, that I did "get it" - Israel is surrounded by countries who want to wipe them off the face of the earth. Hence military training for everyone, a well resourced defence force etc.

I was surprised at the reticence/downright denial of Egypt and Jordan to be honest in taking Palestinians. But I don't follow the politics closely enough to understand the reasons.

I'm guessing that perhaps one reason is that the Palestinians see no reason to leave - it is their land. Perhaps Egypt/Jordan see it the same way - why should they leave, it is their country. Perhaps if they left, Israel would never let them back. Fear of another Nakba?

Perhaps Russia/Ukraine is not a good analogy many Ukranians have stayed since they have a right to be in their homeland.

I should read more about it...

So all cool?

I presume you have proof? Hamas fighters? Go on. You mean the ones who don't have nappies, water, heating, antibiotics, food, shelter, not being blown to bits..etcetera...go on.

There is nothing fair about that post. It was made up.

I'll give you full credit for doggedness... Unfortunately, you're barking up the wrong tree.

No-one I have seen has excused rape. You seem to be well able to excuse murder though. At least of one side in this conflict...

You accusing a poster a "rape denier" however is well and truly below the belt.

Ironic that you then post this about yourself: "So we now moved to “attack the poster” phase which I’m fairly sure is against the forum rules"

When you grow up and read these posts again in 10 or 15 years time, I guarantee you'll be mortified.

I called a poster a rape denier. That's because they said things like this

He clearly doesnt believe the rapes, that have been verified by several agencies and outlets happened, and if they did, then it wasn't as bad as claimed. I've even highlighted the specific parts where the poster is denying and downplaying what happened. That's rape denial and is just one post of many similar ones he has made.