Updated: A short but expanding set of sites, podcasts, and books which I find valuable to stay on top of the Israel-Hamas story and the history. It is my curated list but I welcome your recommendation
Re the interview with Yuval Noah Harari. He talks about the religious beliefs of Hamas - that they will be rewarded in heaven so death is welcome. I'm not sure how often the Armageddon beliefs of Evangelical Christians are also mentioned as they also welcome disaster in Israel as they belief it heralds the second coming of Christ - hence trump moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There is so little room there for calm thinking
One question: “Important to note too that a Reuters journalist died covering the crisis this weekend in the border with Lebanon and other journalists were injured.” It makes it sound like he died of a heart attack rather than being killed by (presumably) Israeli shelling. Any particular reason for that wording?
How is it possible to ignore the context of Israel's long standing maltreatment of Palestinians, its illegal occupation of Palestine, the collective punishment imprisonment of Palestinians in Gaza (especially after the 2006 election of Hamas), and the recent increase in Israeli military and settler provocations in east Jerusalem and the west bank?
"I'd like to make clear that I genuinely wish the best for all of those families who' have been impacted by these recent events no civilian anywhere should have to live in fear or Terror in the coming days and weeks I'll try and find some way to help those affected in the same way I've done with the war in Ukraine"
Frankly IMHO
Expecting violence to provide a solution to intractable polarised situations is like watching two rabid dogs fighting each other, the only choice is which dog to shoot first, neither can survive.
I find your comments, insights and references invaluable. Thank you for your hard work
Kia ora Peter
Have you looked at the Al Jazeera investigation documentary on the events on 7 October - https://www.ajiunit.com/investigation/october-7/ Picks up quite a bit of reporting from Israeli media.
Re the interview with Yuval Noah Harari. He talks about the religious beliefs of Hamas - that they will be rewarded in heaven so death is welcome. I'm not sure how often the Armageddon beliefs of Evangelical Christians are also mentioned as they also welcome disaster in Israel as they belief it heralds the second coming of Christ - hence trump moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There is so little room there for calm thinking
Mōrena Peter
Another Al Jazeera article to consider including in the resource base: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/what-happened-in-israel-a-breakdown-of-how-the-hamas-attack-unfolded
Great list of resources, thanks.
One question: “Important to note too that a Reuters journalist died covering the crisis this weekend in the border with Lebanon and other journalists were injured.” It makes it sound like he died of a heart attack rather than being killed by (presumably) Israeli shelling. Any particular reason for that wording?
How is it possible to ignore the context of Israel's long standing maltreatment of Palestinians, its illegal occupation of Palestine, the collective punishment imprisonment of Palestinians in Gaza (especially after the 2006 election of Hamas), and the recent increase in Israeli military and settler provocations in east Jerusalem and the west bank?
And no assessments of Al Jazeera reports?
Israel's Defence Strategy & the IDF - Doctrine, Mobilisation, and Recent Lessons
Perun 6/10/2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xbkakrwmFo
"I'd like to make clear that I genuinely wish the best for all of those families who' have been impacted by these recent events no civilian anywhere should have to live in fear or Terror in the coming days and weeks I'll try and find some way to help those affected in the same way I've done with the war in Ukraine"
Frankly IMHO
Expecting violence to provide a solution to intractable polarised situations is like watching two rabid dogs fighting each other, the only choice is which dog to shoot first, neither can survive.
Found the Campbell and Stewart podcast, 2 before the one you recommended, the explainer, really helpful. Thanks for steering me towards it!
Many thanks for this Peter. If you are able to keep the newsletter up to date, that would be much appreciated.