On October 7th, 2023, the militant group Hamas launched a large-scale terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Armed fighters crossed the border and attacked Israeli towns, villages, and a music festival, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 200 others.

Many of those murdered were civilians, including families and children. The attack involved extreme brutality, with reports of civilians being executed in their homes, people taken hostage, and women subjected to sexual violence. Entire families were wiped out.

Hamas leaders knew that carrying out such a massacre would trigger a powerful response from Israel. Any country faced with that scale of attack on its civilians would respond militarily.

Israel’s government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, declared war and launched military operations in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas and rescuing the hostages.

The suffering of civilians in Gaza is tragic, especially for children. But it is important to remember how the war began. The conflict escalated because Hamas chose to carry out the October 7th attack, knowing it would almost certainly lead to a devastating war.

Those are the undisputed facts in black and white, so you can keep all your thumbs-down emojis because they wash over me. It's ridiculous that on here and in the wider world, people decide their areas and target their selective outrage. Sheep is what they are, unable to think for themselves.

9 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

But it is important to remember how the war began. The conflict escalated because Hamas chose to carry out the October 7th attack, knowing it would almost certainly lead to a devastating war.

As you said, there was a conflict before the October attack.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

In reality we have an entire nation that has forgotten every single lesson that came from the final solution and the Holocaust.

You are mistaken. The Jews of Israel have remembered the two most important lessons of the Holocaust. First, no one will protect Jews, they have to do it themselves; and second,

Between 1941 and 1945, the Nazis killed six million Jews. Back then, many Jews walked without resistance to their deaths.

In two months, Israel will mark 78 years since its founding. Those eight decades have been one long struggle for survival against national armies and terrorist groups. But this time round, the would-be perpetrators of the Holocaust, chapter 2, whether Arab or Iranian, face a very different group of Jews:

Lesson learned, lesson applied.

6 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

Between 1941 and 1945, the Nazis killed six million Jews. Back then, many Jews walked without resistance to their deaths.

Women children and old men. At least in the Soviet Unition, all the men were off in the Red Army

4 hours ago, nick supreme said:

It is essential to implement a Jewish exemption for this law.

Like the Nazis did with German laws back in the1930s?

a copy of the Nuremberg race laws.

https://sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/news/nuremberg-from-the-imperial-castle-to-race-laws/

53 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

On October 7th, 2023, the militant group Hamas launched a large-scale terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Armed fighters crossed the border and attacked Israeli towns, villages, and a music festival, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 200 others.

Many of those murdered were civilians, including families and children. The attack involved extreme brutality, with reports of civilians being executed in their homes, people taken hostage, and women subjected to sexual violence. Entire families were wiped out.

Hamas leaders knew that carrying out such a massacre would trigger a powerful response from Israel. Any country faced with that scale of attack on its civilians would respond militarily.

Israel’s government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, declared war and launched military operations in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas and rescuing the hostages.

The suffering of civilians in Gaza is tragic, especially for children. But it is important to remember how the war began. The conflict escalated because Hamas chose to carry out the October 7th attack, knowing it would almost certainly lead to a devastating war.

Those are the undisputed facts in black and white, so you can keep all your thumbs-down emojis because they wash over me. It's ridiculous that on here and in the wider world, people decide their areas and target their selective outrage. Sheep is what they are, unable to think for themselves.

The breakout didn't happen in a vacuum as UN head said.

Also, a leading expert says.

22 minutes ago, JimCM said:

The breakout didn't happen in a vacuum as UN head said.

Also, a leading expert says.

What makes him an expert?

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I love it, there's no reason why Israeli citizens shouldn't be subject to criticism for the extremist policies that their government is carrying out.

As an American I am quite concerned that I could be facing that same level of criticism very soon, for the extreme levels of warmongering taking place in my country.

You love it? As someone who claims to be a centrist Democrat, whatever happened to judging people as individuals? You are nothing but a closet antisemite.

1 hour ago, JimCM said:

The breakout didn't happen in a vacuum as UN head said.

You need to acknowledge that the Palestinians are responsible for the recent outbreak of conflict.

The left is reviving antisemitism. A man was simply sitting and minding his own business when the owner saw him on the phone and chased him away. Meanwhile, those on the left cheered. What happened to judging people as individuals? Those on the left need to hold themselves to their own standards. It seems that antisemitism is becoming acceptable among you.

The Jews' God says they are the best, the Arabs' God says they are the best. Meanwhile, the western world's been crushing it thanks to 'white satan', hahaha. Anyone want to update their belief system? Turns out neither is the way, after all. It's not too late to open your mind and change your beliefs

15 hours ago, jimgilly said:

No it's not that complex. One group had their land stolen and is being subjugated to inhumane treatment and genocide while another group is committing atrocities and is reaping the rewards.

Also, I'm going to guess your from the country that made this possible so perhaps that is why your attacking the shop owner. In any case, we are all entitled to our opinion, but some opinions make sense and yours does not. End of discussion.

Gawd, some of you guys. I don’t see them ‘attacking’ anyone. But if they commend the shop owner then they’re spot on. Their shop, their turf. Don’t go bringing that entitlement here! Speaking of guessing, I’m guessing that you are of a left wing bias and with that anything you say is nonsensical. That is how your response reads.

17 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The shop is located in an anti-maga fascist city

It was a smoothie place (yoghurt close enough I guess) and he was refused service rather than kicked out, but I applaud you for recognising that a city does seem a bit fascist if staff memebers refusing service based on differing political beliefs is applauded by its citizens.

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

But this particular situation isn’t about geopolitics - it’s about discrimination. Asking someone to leave a restaurant purely because of their nationality is discrimination. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not just simple discrimination.

Human beings all have an inherent subconscious fear of being oppressed.

Hence the hostility as it is bringing up deep-rooted fears when they encounter someone from a country that is oppressing others.

20 hours ago, jimgilly said:

Are you delusional? Like to see you sent to live with the Palestinians and endure what they have to on a daily basis.

You need a wake up call but it's probably too late for someone with your inability to know what reality is. Statements like yours are just pathetic to say the least.

And you're okay ignoring all Hamas' atrocities? That is pathetic.

2 hours ago, mattyc1957 said:

And you're okay ignoring all Hamas' atrocities? That is pathetic.

Unfortunately for you there is no cure for stupidity but keep on avoiding the genocide of innocent women and children that is still ongoing. That is what is really pathetic.

Normally I wouldn't respond to something like this, but I read an update and the owner of the restaurant is a Muslim who had the Palestinian flag on the wall. The customer came in and demanded he take the flag off the wall and allegedly started preaching to the owner. Who then threw him out of his restaurant. His business, his option to put whatever he wants on his walls. If you don't like the decor, then leave.

In Phuket there is a huge Muslim community and I am privileged to know a lot of these fine people. The official count in Phuket says that about 30% of the population is Muslim and they get along with everyone, except it appears, some people who demand they redecorate their business.

Tourists can be ignorant about this religious makeup of Phuket and they need to be tolerant of all Thai people that live in Phuket. They are only guests in this fine country. Which will never happen, but we can only hope.

21 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

An earnest plea to all board members who support Israel and the right of Jews to live securely in their homeland: please don't respond directly to any hate speech or antisemitic comments you encounter in this or any other thread. Report all rule-breaking posts to the Mods and let them deal with the situation.

Nothing you can write will make any difference to a hard-core Jew hater. You can't change their minds through intellectual argumentation. Instead, the goal is to have venomous, hate-dripping posts removed. That can only be done by an Admin or Mod.

When you encounter hate speech or antisemitic tropes straight out of the Middle Ages:

• report, don't reply

• report, don't reply

• report, don't reply

Plus as an Aussie get sufficient evidence to ensure they and their family do not live in a country like Australia who try to look after them BUT they want to bring their racist hatred to the country that adopts and looks after them. Export them back to the sh..t hole they came from. Simple.

30 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:

Normally I wouldn't respond to something like this, but I read an update and the owner of the restaurant is a Muslim who had the Palestinian flag on the wall. The customer came in and demanded he take the flag off the wall and allegedly started preaching to the owner.

@LivingNThailand Would you please post a link to the update? The more I read about this incident, the more skeptical I become.

Also, does anyone have a link to the original videos that were posted on Facebook? They seem to have disappeared.

2 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

@LivingNThailand Would you please post a link to the update? The more I read about this incident, the more skeptical I become.

Also, does anyone have a link to the original videos that were posted on Facebook? They seem to have disappeared.

People are so ready to Hate. Not my generation. We were the Love Love Love generation.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/restaurant-owner-says-israeli-tourist-provoked-flag-confrontation-99541.php

You can copy and paste the link.

If the link doesn't work then it is in the Phuket News

Restaurant owner says Israeli tourist provoked flag confrontation

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Not just simple discrimination.

Human beings all have an inherent subconscious fear of being oppressed.

Hence the hostility as it is bringing up deep-rooted fears when they encounter someone from a country that is oppressing others.

I think thats applying too much credit to the owner... IMO the dumbed down thought process was simply...

"Oh, Israel, people / I don't like Israel - get out"... Its simple discrimination - the customer may not even agree with the policies of his government - I don't expect to be treated poorly because the way my government behaves, or the way other Brits behave.

3 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

Normally I wouldn't respond to something like this, but I read an update and the owner of the restaurant is a Muslim who had the Palestinian flag on the wall. The customer came in and demanded he take the flag off the wall and allegedly started preaching to the owner. Who then threw him out of his restaurant. His business, his option to put whatever he wants on his walls. If you don't like the decor, then leave.

That changes the narative somewhat - if the customer didn't like the 'decor' - he can make the choice to leave.

In this case - the shop owner has every right not to serve if the customer is being difficult.

If I see a restaurant that has Posters of Osama Bin Laden, or Hitler (for examples) I'd simply choose not to spend my money there - its that simple - no need to escalate.

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

If I see a restaurant that has Posters of Osama Bin Laden, or Hitler (for examples) I'd simply choose not to spend my money there - its that simple - no need to escalate.

I have seen an Israeli-owned restaurant here advertising as "Meditteranean food". Not explicitly stating it was Israeli food.

Most restaurants will state the nation's food to actually entice diners.

So clearly they are aware of politically motivated possible lack of enthusiasm to spend in their establishments, I'm guessing.

14 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I think thats applying too much credit to the owner... IMO the dumbed down thought process was simply...

"Oh, Israel, people / I don't like Israel - get out"... Its simple discrimination - the customer may not even agree with the policies of his government - I don't expect to be treated poorly because the way my government behaves, or the way other Brits behave.

How many Israelis in Thailand fought for the terrorist IDF?

How many support the Apartheid in Israel, the occupation, the Gaza blockade, the illegal settlements, the genocide? Recent polls from Haertz give the answer, it's most of them.

How many Brits fought for their army?

26 minutes ago, JimCM said:

How many Israelis in Thailand fought for the terrorist IDF?

isn't military service mandatory?

apparently, there is some quite heavy indoctrination of children from an early age, including references to "past historical events" ... to prepare them for military.

16 minutes ago, JimCM said:

Yes, they are brainwashed as kids to think they are superior to Palestinians

I thought Ozzy Osbourne's music was disturbing.

But "Stepping off the rails of a crazy train" sounds like Disney music compared to children singing about war and destruction.

Very sad stuff and let's hope this gets resolved in our lifetime.

1 hour ago, JimCM said:

How many Israelis in Thailand fought for the terrorist IDF?

How many support the Apartheid in Israel, the occupation, the Gaza blockade, the illegal settlements, the genocide? Recent polls from Haertz give the answer, it's most of them.

How many Brits fought for their army?

You seem to have mastered the tone of authority, without the inconvenience of depth !!!...

Its a different model - Israel has conscription - they don't have a choice... But go ahead - extend your hatred of 'everything' Israel with that very broad sweeping brush and complete disregard for intellectual balance.

1 hour ago, JimCM said:

How many Israelis in Thailand fought for the terrorist IDF?

How many support the Apartheid in Israel, the occupation, the Gaza blockade, the illegal settlements, the genocide? Recent polls from Haertz give the answer, it's most of them.

I support all of the above.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I have seen an Israeli-owned restaurant here advertising as "Meditteranean food". Not explicitly stating it was Israeli food.

Most restaurants will state the nation's food to actually entice diners.

So clearly they are aware of politically motivated possible lack of enthusiasm to spend in their establishments, I'm guessing.

More likely that they sold more than just Isreali food ?

Sold Mediterean food ?

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

More likely that they sold more than just Isreali food ?

Sold Mediterean food ?

Ok, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Mr, I.C.P.