# 453 – ‘Pro-Palestine’

‘Pro-Palestine’

Update – Hamas claims that 60 of our hostages have died, because of Israeli bombing. The first number they quoted, perhaps 4 weeks ago, was 19. Then 50, now 60. And Israeli bombing killed them.

370 Israeli soldiers have died. Our boys. The World may look at them as ’the Israeli Army/Oppressors’, but we don’t. We Israelis look at a lot of facts differently.

Update – We have surrounded Al Shifa Hospital. Soon, for the first time in years, a decent authority will be able to handle the horrible situation there. And I doubt that Al Jazeera will a) be allowed in to report, and b) I’m sure they will be forbidden by Al Jazeera to report. In fact, the presence of the IDF in Al Shifa will be difficult for Al Jazeera to report. They’ll find a way; that’s what they’re paid for.

But…..I am extremely worried about the next days. Al Shifa has become ‘a big subject’. The IDF’s decency could make this into a life-saving story. But Hamas’ disgusting mentality could twist the situation in the opposite direction.

Unless I’m mistaken, not 1 hostage has yet to be been found, dead or alive. Yet the IDF has entered Gaza City, they have killed possibly 3-4,000 Hamas militants. They have blown up ‘100s’ of tunnels. So where are the hostages? Hamas might escape from the Al Shifa are, although I have a feeling the IDF has cut off any tunnel escape. So Hamas may make a stand – and it’s always in the form of an ugly statement. As much as I have confidence in the IDF, I fear Hamas.

(By the way, Ronald Lauder, Pres. of the WJC, World Jewish Congress, visited Qatar Oct 31-Nov 1 with members of the Jewish organisations from UK, Switzerland and France. The subject was the freedom of the 239 hostages. So far, nothing. And when I Googled this, the only sites referring to this were the WJC, the French organisation, and the Jerusalem Post. Why doesn’t that surprise me? Or is AI just feeding me only what it thinks I want to be fed).

I got a call from a friend in London. He was on the Pro-Palestine march yesterday. He really does want the ceasefire, but told me that he is now not so sure of who is right and who is wrong. He spoke to a couple from a village just outside Oxford, Matt and Joan. He asked them if they wish to be interviewed by me, and they agreed. I called them this morning:

Why were you on the March?

To call for a ceasefire and stop the killing of innocent civilians.

What about the Israeli civilians killed on October 7?

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Oh so you agree there are two wrongs. Why don’t you criticise both wrongs?

Because Israel won’t stop.

Hamas also hasn’t stopped: keep firing rockets into Israel, and still holds 240 Israeli hostages, dead or alive.

That’s not the same.

Why don’t Gazans have shelters? Just because Israel tries to protect their people and prevent thousands from being killed , you blame Israel? 

But Israel is an apartheid country.

Oh no…That one again. Do you really believe that?

Of course.

How many Arabs do you think there are in Israel?

I don’t know. Lots.

Over 2 million, 23% of the nation

See?

See what? Every single one of them is a citizen of Israel, has freedom of speech, movement and life. They vote, they are members of Parliament, they are judges, doctors, nurses and friends. Is that your definition of apartheid?

Israel started this war.

You giving up? When did they start the war? October 7?

No, 75 years before.

You mean the time when the international community gave the Palestinians a homeland, even including internationalisation of Jerusalem? There was the country. On a plate. Israel agreed. You Arabs didn’t. 

We’re not Arabs!

Oh, sorry, I thought you were trying to be.

We’re British!

So are the ones marching with you, wearing keffiyehs, masks, waving flags and signs that say ‘Death to Israel’. 

None of them say that!

Sorry. ‘From the River to the Sea’. Right?

Yes.

I give up. They’ve won. I definitely suggest you call your kids Ahmed and Leila. Then you might survive in peace and harmony. 

I ended the call.

Bullets from today’s paper:

* A report from the small Jewish community in Beijing: Anti-Semitism in China is ‘exploding’.

* Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh. Raisi of Iran, Assad of Syria, Erdogan of Turkey, Abbas of Palestine, Al Thani of Qatar etc. etc. – all hosted by MBS, the man to whom I entrust my hopes for a peaceful future. Oh, what an opportunity missed…

* Arab Israelis polled 70% that they feel ‘part of the country’, up from 48% in June.

* Thousands of volunteers have flooded the abandoned and devastated villages and farms around Gaza, milking the cows, picking the cherry tomatoes and guavas, calming the chicken and tethering the horses, clearing the horrible signs of destruction. In many cases, they are replacing the Thai workers, several of whom were killed, several of whom are being held hostage in Gaza, several of whom have flown home. Many stayed, however. they loved/love their life here.

* Every Israeli is affected; every one. The atmosphere is very strange. I remember the feeling, 1 day after my mother’s passing, when we were among friends, having dinner in a restaurant, occasionally laughing. But that’s not the same. That was like a wake. She died; Israelis were slaughtered. Life must go on, but the air is heavy.

* And while we mourn, we face worldwide condemnation. If ever there was a truer phrase: it’s not fair.

* On the TV, images of over 100,000 demonstrators in Paris, protesting anti-Semitism. Finally…and from nation I ‘love to hate’. (Note: Paris is close to being my favourite city).

* And in UK, there’s a problem with definitions. Suella Braverman is the Home Secretary. (She was named after Sue Ellen, from ‘Dallas’). She’s a classic example of an immigrant, complaining about immigrants. (Years ago, I got into a ‘terrible fight’ with a friend over the same problem. Yes, I was also an immigrant, complaining about immigrants).

Now, poor England’s falling over itself, not being able to handle the immigrant problem (like so many other countries). She criticised the Police for not ‘doing their job’, and now half the country wants her to resign. She more than likely will, only because ‘who needs all that criticism’. But she has exposed a deep question in today’s society: ‘Is it OK to be right-wing’.

And on that note…

Stephen