I actually think that quote is a good summary of Israel’s quandary. They are in a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. Outside the simplistic oppressor/oppressed dynamic, where entire identity groups are guilty or innocent just based on skin tone, not many want Hamas forces in Gaza left intact. A lot of those same people recognize that each innocent Palestinian death is an offsetting victory for Hamas. It’s Israel doing Hamas’ “wet work” for them.

Making it worse is that Israel is led by a guy with conflicts. His personal interests lie in keeping the war going. At any cost, because the likely cost at the end is the political death penalty for him. But at the same time, removing him won’t change Israel’s belief that it needs to wipe out those remaining Hamas forces in Gaza. Most of us would feel the same in the shoes of the Israeli public. Hard for us to appreciate how closely personal the savagery of 10/7 was. How would you feel if you had a coworker whose entire family was raped, beheaded, and/or burned alive? I’m not sure most Americans appreciate how ubiquitous that is among Israelis.

I’m personally completely conflicted on the best path from here. I understand the emotional need to finish off the forces behind 10/7. But I strongly suspect that in the end, the entire process would involve advancing Hamas’ goal of maximizing numbers of “martyrs”, and do Israel lasting harm. On many levels.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 03/26/2024 09:57AM]