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.

  • ILikeBoobies
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    11 months ago

    How so?

    I’d hardly call what they’re doing unique

    • ???@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Oh no, Israel can’t be bad since everyone else also kills and maims, but let’s forget they have killed a large number of civilians in a span of 2 months, more journalists and medical professionals and UN workers in any other conflict ever. Boo fucking hoo.

        • ???@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          You were responding to someone saying Israel are the worst. Worst, being the superlative of bad and all.

          • ILikeBoobies
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            11 months ago

            “Absolute worst” and “bad” aren’t equivalent

            • ???@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              Hmmm, you’re right, I guess it would be more correct like this: “Israel can’t be more bad than the average genocider…”

              • ILikeBoobies
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                11 months ago

                It would be more correct of a statement by you

                But the person I replied to could have just called them bad…or explained why they are worse than every other genocidal group

                  • ILikeBoobies
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                    11 months ago

                    Why do you think that? I just asked them to explain themselves

      • ILikeBoobies
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        11 months ago

        Historically it does seem to be a reoccurring theme but they aren’t even the only group doing that today

        • ???@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          What exactly is your point? Because I seriously doubt that it’s math…

          • ILikeBoobies
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            11 months ago

            My point was to ask why they think Israel is the absolute worst

            • ???@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              Ok. How far back are we talking in history? Just to know if I should throw Genghis Khan in or not, so we can do a top 10 and see where Israel lands

              • ILikeBoobies
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                11 months ago

                Feel like everyone is fair game if we are using “absolute”