Morch

MiL (living with us) loves to watch them and scoff. Too funny.

@riclag Mostly, we do not agree about anything much. And I don't like you posting style too. But on this, I hear ya. We don't have a dog problem, more like a loud music fan across the street (mainly when he's alone on the property, working the garden). There's not a whole lot you can do. There might be some rules about it, but nobody cares, and there's no way to check. It all gets decided according to what local police says - unless you're willing to take it up a notch, and that's....sometimes not the best option. What I would go for in your case is a sensor setup - a gadget that turns the music on only when the barking gets too loud. Even if he doesn't get it, the dogs will. Also, if Mrs. riclag isn't averse to it, funeral music does wonders to dampen spirits next door.

Run of the mill travel insurance, covering most health issues isn't very expensive. Plus it covers other issues you might run into here anyway. I'd try extending the previous one (contact insurer/agent, see what they can do for you), or buy one off the internet from a reputable service. Trying to recall the one we used when facing a similar issue, but that apple whiskey comes in the way.

You calling things propaganda means less than nothing. You don't read these topics, yet demand to be supplied with links, proofs for stuff that was already discussed. You do not seem to understand how this works.

Young people tend to go for slogans, simplified solutions, a black and white world view. In that sense, and judging from your posts, you are young at heat. As for them not having a clue - seen too many interviews, news reports and actually talked with some - it's somewhere between amusing and horrifying. Then again, I was young too once. Can totally get it. Most people grow out of it, at least some.

No, not all. Many of the IDF operations in the West Bank were the result of intel about planned terrorist attacks.

Since the current Israeli government was formed, the illegal settlers in the West Bank felt more confident doing their usual stuff, but more so. With ministers either of their people or sympathetic, they felt empowered and so things escalated. The IDF increasing operations in the West Bank was a thing even before 7/10. In fact, one of the cited reasons for the IDF low readiness level, was a re-deployment of troops (days before the attack) - with Gaza Strip border units sent to the West Bank (following a provocation from a settler MK). What you allude to, is an increase in IDF operations carried out in response to intentions by elements (some Hamas, some Fatah, some independent) to carry out attacks. There's more of that, yes. At the same time, there are less troops in the West Bank, less media too, and the settlers are abusing this to further their agenda. There's quite a discord regarding this within the Israeli government and war cabinet.

I accept most of what you describe regarding what Palestinians face in the West Bank. And sure, that's an ongoing situation that was there well before 7/10. So, of course, they'd have legitimate reasons to hate Israel, regardless of the Hamas 7/10 attack. However, the OP (and my post) are about a surge in support for Hamas among West Bank Palestinians. The hate is the same hate - but the political or activist flavor of the month is Hamas. It wasn't quite like that before the war. The point you quote from my post was about it being easy enough to declare/express such support, when not having to face the actual implications entailed. Because harsh as things are in the West Bank, they aren't on par with the reality Gazans face. That goes for both Israel's actions and local governments'. For reference, consider all them students protesting on USA colleges and universities. Forget many of them don't have a clue about anything much, we were all young once. But the thing is, they can protest, they can express political views not aligning with government, women protesting right along men, and so on. Most of that doesn't happen under Hamas rule. So West Bank Palestinians, while obviously being more clued in, still never faced something quite like what Gazans put up with, whether inflicted by Israel, or their own government, Hamas. IMO, most of what Israel does in the West Bank is wrong, but much less so when it comes to the Gaza Strip.

It was valid, but have been out of use for over two months. Sounded odd, but they sorted it in no time. That was about 5 years ago.

Contact your embassy, explain the situation, see what they can do for you. If they can issue you a new passport in time, contact immigration ahead of your due date, explain the situation to them, and ask for guidance. Depending on location some of them can be quite accommodating.

From my experience, suspended not cancelled. I'd call them first, maybe you don't need to actually go there.

She's the representative of Israel's current government, which is a right-wing one. Expecting this government to be pro-peace, embrace the notion of a Palestinian state, or a two-state solution is folly. Everyone knows that. There were other Israeli governments in the past which were into negotiation with the Palestinians. Back when, it was the Palestinians who either rejected offers, or ignored them. What Hamas is about is not a two-state solution, negotiation, or peace. Hamas made that clear. Also, she added a lot of weight. Used to be almost nice looking but a few years ago. Enough to make Netanyhu's Wife growl.

Ezekiel 25:17 "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

The Gaza Strip was not under occupation. The attack had little to do with ending the occupation of the West Bank. Hamas chose to attack Israel in the way it did, knowing the consequences. Claiming that Hamas is not responsible in any way for anything that followed is bizarre.

There is no official statement by relevant bodies, backed by the required legal proof, that asserts that. What you describe is exactly my point. People use 'war crimes' without actually knowing what this implies, how things are considered legally and so on.

The West Bank is not the Gaza Strip. The people there do no live under Hamas rule. Nor do they face the same hardships Hamas decisions brought on the Gazans' heads. Maybe that makes the choice to 'support' easier.

Regardless of constant spins - there were no thousands of dead Gazans on the morning of 7/10. Something must have happened that triggered Israel's response. So claiming Hamas had nothing to do with anything, Hamas does not bear any responsibility, Hamas represents the people and so on - that's a choice. What it actually amounts to is excusing the Hamas 7/10 attack. Minimizing it. Justifying it. Accepting it. Hamas sees dead Gazans as 'necessary sacrifices for the cause'. Let that sink in. Hamas actually welcomes the prospect of dead Gazans. Now go on about how you 'understand' Hamas. Got to love people who say they do not support Hamas, and yet broadcast Hamas propaganda and talking points non-stop.

Again, you saying 'war crimes' doesn't make things 'war crimes'. Similarly, you are no military expert, so again - you saying there were options, is just you saying stuff.

@thaibeachlovers IMO, you can't support anything much of what you posted. Even opinions should be based on something.

I think the issue of 'war crimes' and posters tossing it about like they knew what they were talking about has been discussed plenty of times. I also think it's amusing people who berate, denigrate and ridicule Biden on every opportunity, suddenly take his words very seriously.

There is a gap between referencing/celebrating these things, and acknowledging the non-Islamic elements. In Egypt, my sense was that it's more about the tourist trade value. Lebanese making a whole lot of the Phoenicians I'm not familiar with, and given that Lebanon is a rather multifaceted nation, this comment could mean anything.

@thaibeachlovers Surrender To Terrorism, Says Poster.

IDF losses come from a change in tactics/strategy. Less bombings (more civilians around, and IDF units sometimes operating in close proximity to one another, narrower streets where tanks can't get through). Also these are the more hardcore Hamas areas. The casualty rate seen now is more like what was initially expected in past assessments. While heavy, it's not outstanding or surprising. What I do notice is that a lot of the casualties are reserve duty troops. Could be a wrong impression, or just a numbers game.

Indeed. Moreover, as in many other places in the ME, Arabs are ambiguous toward their pre-Islam history and connections. And, of course, Hamas was not always around.

Reserve troops retain their service ranks, and actually slowly rise in rank over time as service days are accumulated. IDF always had a policy of officers leading charges and operations.