Hamas Attacks, Israel Responds II

It’s been there since the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.

 

As long as Bibi stays a war time PM there can't be elections.

 

Could one call this attack a terror attack? Does this make Israel a terrorist state? Has Iran or North Korea ever bombed five different countries in the same day while starving an entire city?

 

EU boss Von der Leyen wants to take tougher action against Israel: 'Policy is unacceptable' After months of silence, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was very critical of Israel's actions in Gaza for the first time on Wednesday morning and proposed sanctions.
The German, who at the same time underlined that she sees herself as a friend of Israel, condemned the famine caused by Israel in Gaza and the Israeli government's undermining of the so-called two-state solution, in which the Palestinians would also be a country to live in.
"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies," von der Leyen said Wednesday morning in her annual 'State of the Union' address to the European Parliament. "That's why I want to start with a very clear message: man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this has to stop."

'Simply unacceptable'
She also spoke of "a more systematic change" in Israel's policy in recent months "which is simply unacceptable." "We have seen the financial suffocation of the Palestinian Authority. The plans for a settlement project that would effectively cut off the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem. The actions and statements of the most extremist ministers of the Israeli government that incite violence. All of this points to a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution. To undermine the vision of a viable Palestinian state, and we must not let that happen."

The European Commission will therefore suspend its support for Israel, Von der Leyen said. All payments in the occupied territories will be stopped. It will also propose to the governments of the 27 EU countries to impose sanctions against the extremist ministers and the violent settlers. And to partially suspend the existing cooperation treaty with Israel.

In recent months, the German chairman of the EU's executive board has kept a low profile when it came to Gaza. After Hamas's terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, she had the Commission's building in Brussels illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag without prior consultation and immediately travelled to the stricken country. In the months that followed, she also underlined her solidarity with Israel.

'Painful to say'
Von der Leyen acknowledged that so far it has not been possible to speak with one European voice, because different countries maintain their own relations with Israel and the governments themselves decide on their foreign policy. "It really hurts me to say these words. And I know that Europe's inability to agree is just as painful for many citizens. They wonder how much worse it has to get before there is unanimity. I understand. Because what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable." It will also be difficult to find majorities for sanctions, Von der Leyen acknowledged. In particular, her own country Germany, but also Austria, Hungary and Greece do not feel for a tougher stance towards Israel for various historical and cultural reasons. "I know that every action will be too much for some. Too little for others. But we all have to take our own responsibility – Parliament, Council and Commission."

 

Nothing is going to change until the EU imposes sanctions, which it should have done 20 years ago.

 

Empty words and nothing to eat. How about standing behind what you say and coming to Gaza to back it up?

 

I would like everyone to take a breath and not respond to obvious trolling.

 

You don’t have a substantive answer to write, so you calling me a Troll cuz my words are triggering you? That’s very illiberal and undemocratic of you

 

Well, the countries that want action are going to form a group of determined countries and these will sanction as a group within the EU.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/politiek/...el~ba3f5a57/?referrer=https://duckduckgo.com/
"Brekelmans no longer counts on the EU and thinks of a 'leading group' for measures against Israel
The government no longer expects that the European Union will be able to reach agreement on measures against Israel in the foreseeable future. Outgoing Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans is now aiming to form a 'leading group' with countries that do want to take a step. "
Raouldu Pré This article was written byRaoul du Pré is chief of the political editors. Published at 30 August 2025, 17:42

One can fill in the countries that will take part from what they have already have been communicating about Gaza.
When you look at their economic power, it willnot be a futile action.
However it's rather late.

 

?
What about my post is trolling?

 

I always have to click on “show ignored content” to see what such comments refer to. You should feel more comfortable ignoring that poster.

 

Countries hosting US military bases should be rethinking the value of having them on their territories. Mismanagement such as theses makes it more obvious that they are being occupied by the US, not defended as advertised. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe should really reflect on this.

Qatar did what the U.S. and Israel asked. The missiles came anyway
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/israel-attack-doha-consequences-mediator-1.7628885

 

No

 

Attacks on non-combatants in a residential area by a rogue regime with the aim of killing and/or instilling fear in them and others is the definition of terrorism.

If, eg Iran, bombs eg an embassy, in eg Buenos Aires, is that terrorism?

 

No

 

A big local story is that Seinfeld was at Dook and compared the Free Palestine movement to the KKK

 

Like the KKK, Jerry Seinfeld is a has been.

 

hope you’re right on the KKK but I’d need to see some data.

 

Is Greater Israel still a fantasy for conspiracy theorists?

They won't stop bombing their neighbors using Hamas as an excuse.


I saw a video from a Toronto teacher who's theory is : Israel wants to unite itself by breaking the world. Interesting perspective although still can't wrap my head around the eschatology part...or maybe some people are really that crazy. Don't know...

I mean, we're at a point where even the very pro-Israeli government of Mark Carney said this today - now reconsidering the relationship with Israel


Are they doing this on purpose? Good question, but it looks obvious that are only getting starting with the bombing left and right


Also this happened - heated argument between Netanyahu and Trump over the bombing in Doha.

 

So, an embargo would hurt Israel to some degree. That said, Israel has had zero qualms with working with non-aligned countries like Russia, India, China, etc in the past. Indeed, 1948 had Israel bypassing the regional arms embargo through Czechoslovakia. There will be some qualms about a truly serious embargo against Israel because they are a crucial counter to other powers in the region and a serious developer of their own armament tech which is usually traded with Western powers.

 

Well he is a comedian. That's just not a good joke.

 

Well, can you believe this.
The 4 parties Dutch government collapsed, when Wilders pulled the plug, making the remaining parties forming a caretaker government.
Then over a conflict between NSC and the parties BBB and VVD about sanctioning Israel, NSC (New Social Contract) decided they couldnot live with the two others stance on not sanctioning Israel and collapsed the 3 parties caretaker government.
Just a few weeks later the two remaining parties decide Israel has to be hit hard and prepare to sanction as Netherlands on their own if necesary, but preferably with likewise minded other EU countries