Israeli officials are facing backlash after years of Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu quietly allowing Hamas to remain in power.

But reporting in the New York Times has revealed that Netanyahu’s government was more hands-on about helping Hamas: they helped a Qatari diplomat bring suitcases of cash into Gaza, indirectly boosting the militant organization, according to the report.

The calculus — the Times reported on Sunday, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu’s critics, and the man’s own reported statements — was to keep Hamas strong enough to counteract the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, allowing Netanyahu to avoid a two-state peace solution and keep both sides weak.

Israeli security officials got it wrong; they didn’t think Hamas was capable, or even interested, in launching a large attack against the Jewish state.

  • blitzkrieg@lemm.ee
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    11 months ago

    Doesn’t matter. An Israeli minister in a government elected by the Israelis said it. That’s their true intention.

    Obviously they will ridicule him, because who would support that? People only support normal indiscriminate bombings of innocent civilians, but nuking is just a bit much. Maybe if Palestinians lived a little farther away, then it would be viable.

      • blitzkrieg@lemm.ee
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        11 months ago

        You’re free to study the history of Zionism, and watch recent and current videos of many Israelis (incliding Israeli soldiers) saying that all the land belongs to them (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq).

        Those aren’t a couple of people. Those are the beliefs of Zionists.

        • TserriednichThe4th@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Except when you poll and find out how deeply unpopular the conservatives are. Common trend…. Elected officials dont always represent a population. Similar situation with hamas tbh. Except hamas stopped holding elections.