About Religion

This is a brief and introductory exploration into just a few of the religious insights that contextualise the situation between Israel and Palestine. It in no way claims to be comprehensive, as books could and have been written. And even to do this justice, would create a page too long. So therefore it will be brief. Focusing on key topics that are asserted and that have taken the mainstream news as 'truth'; no apology is made for re-balancing biased narratives. Palestinians for a change, need their voices heard. 

Culture, Society, Zionism and Hamas.

Why Zionism and not Judaism. This is based on Rabbinic testimony that Zionism is distinct and separate from Judaism, and even the briefest look into the history will show that many founding and current Zionists don't in fact believe in God. But even if they did, Zionism is defined as a political right wing nationalist colonial expansionist movement entirely distinct from Judaism.

Why Hamas and not Islam. Much of what Hamas do and say is directly attributable to the Hadith or Quran, their context is that of defending a country against an invading army; but as 7th October 2023 showed, they do use violence against civilians (*due to conscription nearly all adults in Israel are or have been in the military, sadly 2 children died) to cause alarm and fear and took hostages to coerce an enemy government (to release Palestinian captives).

Both the actions of Hamas and the Israeli's meet the definitions of Terrorism and Fanaticism, Israel more so, in volume, intensity, collective punishment, lack of proportionality and lack of distinction and retribution fuelled by evidenced Zionist ideology and likely Islamahate.

Windows into Culture and Society.

Overview of Zionism

Technically since 2005 a President should not serve more than two 'consecutive' terms. and each term is 4 years.  That being said, Israel has disrupted to the N'th degree the proper process along with additional problems between PLO and Hamas.  Pres Abbas has been working consistently with the UN and NGO's but its hard to see any governmental rather than unilateral decision making.  Pres Abbas has to hold elections within 12 months of the ceasefire agreement. This is 1/2 defining arenas for a future state of Palestine, in how prepared is the Palestinian Authority for what is needed.

Hamas

Hamas have been accused of being fanatic Islamists who say that Palestine must only belong to Muslims (despite Palestine having a long history of peaceful pluralism), even that the Martyrs lives do not matter, because they've returned to God. Such thinking is distorted through a islamahate lens. And an understanding of the situation will not be gained through western secular or zio nationalist lenses. 

Rabbi's influence

The State of Palestine is governed by the Palestinian (National) Authority, mainly governed by Pres Abbas' Fatah party.  However there have only been 2 occasions that the Palestinian National council has met since 1991. It is a fair criticism that there is no real government in Palestine currently (despite many ambassadors), but space to re-group and elect may change that. Certainly the Fatah Party is well supported, but it needs new ways of doing things and it may be that a new party will change part of the system gradually over time. But building on what's already there.

Palestine Encyclopaedia

Resistance

A proposed function of the Peace Board will be to guide governance in Palestine and see if its robust enough to lead the people forward.  It will require being open to suggestions from the board.  One of the functions of the Internal stabilization force is that the occupied areas will become un-occupied by Israel. (A bit difficult with all the settlements in West Bank).  This is the 2nd defining arena for the future of the state of Palestine. With over 70% of academics specialisms killed, any form of leadership imprisoned, Israel is banking on Palestine not being able to govern itself effectively. Those who do not see from long term overview will feel betrayed.

Bringing Children up

 A very long standing figure on the scene of Israel and Palestine. Currently a warrant for his arrest has been put out by the ICC for crimes against humanity. The prime minister was a key opposer when Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was making peace plans with Yasser Arafat, and was attributed with stirring up tensions that resulted in the assassinations. Currently also wanted in his own country for corruption. Ranked highly in current politics for making statements that can be proved false.

Conscription

An Israeli far-right lawyer and politician who leads the Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party and serves as the Minister of National Security. His history is marked by extremist activism. He adopted radical right-wing views as a teenager, and became a follower of the extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was later designated a terrorist organization by both Israel and the U.S. He armed the Settlers and instructed the police to ease controls on them.  Manages the prison conditions.

Gaza

In 2022 Netenyahu formed the most rightwing government in Israel’s history, a coalition with Bezalel Smotrich, whose Religious Zionism party has 14 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose Jewish Power party has six seats.  Smotrich is a messianic settler who was born in the occupied Golan Heights in 1980, now lives in the occupied West Bank and has repeatedly called for Israeli settlers to return to Gaza. As with the rest of the coalition, committed to a divine right to conquer-occupy. 

West Bank

An Israeli politician and former military officer. Currently wanted internationally for war crimes against humanity by ICC. 
In 2023 Gallant warned that the price Gaza would pay "will change reality for generations" and Israel was imposing a total blockade with a ban on food and fuel imports as part of a battle against "human animals". Gallant said that only military pressure would achieve the twin aims of destroying Hamas and freeing the hostages, in line with Netanyahu.

The Peaceful Approach

A person people really dislike, or like. President Trump is on his second term as president of the US and will chair or oversee the peace board. Best known on for both being a property billionaire business man, and being a 10 year friend of deceased Jeffrey Epstein. 
President Trump infamously has an unconventional style where he says what he thinks. And like the politicians in Israel has some very shocking statements on video.  Some see an conflict between USA culture and Islamic Culture. Certainly Mr Trump has made statements against both race and against Islam. 

Schools

Prime minister for 10 years in the UK (in the UK the leader of the winning party stays in position until voted out.) Had a role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Unfortunately he also wrongly took the UK to war with Iraq. Then with what were unpopular changes to law, to erode British (hard won) Civil Liberties, Sir Blair's political career changed and he left position, to later stay in Israel as special envoy for the Middle East Quartet focused on Palestinian economic and political reform for 10 years. He has in someway been involved albeit from an Israeli side for decades.

UN

Oh the UN. What to say about the UN. The UN established as a global forum for all countries to join together, one country one vote and formulate plans that prevent / reduce conflict. And to address global problems that effect all countries such as climate change. If you see the UN page, you will see decades of saying 'we must' and countries should sanction etc. But those countries don't. Since the Gaza crisis, there has been a crisis of international law being adhered to. With countries on mass ignoring the commonly agreed instruments based on political preference, rather than adhere to international laws and findings.

Mosad/ShinBet/Aman

Mosad's favourite game is assassination. Most famous probably being the Pager Plot . Key People associated with ICC and peace process have died mysteriously. ShinBet protects national secrets. It involves gathering information, conducting secret actions to mislead adversaries, and taking measures to protect critical assets and sensitive information from espionage, terrorism, or other threats. Aman is military intelligence inc 8200 and cybersecurity. It's likely all these sections will become even busier with their agenda to prevent the successful operation of a Palestinian State (to enable a greater Israel)

Insights

Continuously seeking to link and highlight relevant resources and insights regarding the Palestinian Tragedy. 
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