"Having to look at dead and mutilated children every day, month after month, has changed my experience of the world. Changed my insides. Changed what it feels like to be alive."
Caitlin has perfectly encapsulated what most of us have felt since this genocide began.
This is not ok. Vilifying a certain race or religion for the actions of a few is not ok. Christians, Muslims and Hindus and even Buddhists are equally evil when it comes to greed and imperialism.
Greed and general assholery is not confined to any group. Please stop this.
I'm sorry David Avenell, but YOU don't have the authority to decide unequivocally who IS and who ISN'T a Buddhist.
What you're doing here is being an apologist. ALL faiths and ALL religions have GOOD and BAD interpretations. The same with ideologies.
If one uses YOUR LOGIC, then one can make/support any argument.
Example: The arguments people make to defend capitalism (which goes along the lines of "...doing <xyz> is not true capitalism, capitalism cannot be blamed" OR "....doing <xyz> is not a part of <abc> religion, hence these people don't belong to <abc> religion".
The western caricature of Buddhism is very well crafted for the western eye (and $$ ofcourse). In reality Buddhists are just as human as anyone else, including their capacity for mass murder.
Actions of a few, sorry not true, however I completely understand and agree with your point. It is said from israel's own polling some 70% of israeli citizens want the complete and total destruction of Palestine.
I agree with that assessment. All Israelis are directly or indirectly involved with the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. It is also true that most Jews around the globe are also complicit in it. Yet, there are many to are against it. I am hoping that it will shift in future.
The Israeli Govt has always said that all Palestinians are Hamas, that there are no civilians in Gaza. But the opposite is true. Every Israeli citizen ( with the exception of the Ultra Zionists ) on turning 18 must do National Service in the military and are thereafter enrolled in the reserves.
So the reality might be that there are no Israeli civilians.
Having said that, there are jewish voices in Israel opposing what their regime is doing and those people are being arrested, beaten and jailed.
while the western world went murdering muslims by the millions based on lies about 911 and WMD, they were salivating for blood and death, all of them ,and the euro trash helped out with the genocide.
99% of Americans wanted blood and they got it with shocks and awe.
The globalists want the total destruction of ALL NATIONS . Focus on the ball
I believe that most of them are simple-minded people like any other people and they have fallen victim to the century-long propaganda and brainwashing with religious exceptionalism (read The Chosen Ones), feeling of insecurity (from the holocaust and other persecutions), and constant pampering by the western countries (read $$$). Add racism to the mix (European settlers) and you get a bunch of entitled assholes (read most Israelis). However, eliminating some of the factors could significantly alter their attitude. I am hopeful.
I believe that no group of people is inherently evil. We should give them the opportunity to correct their ways. We did that for the Japanese and Germans, we can do the same for Israelis.
Trust me, even the mullahs belonging to the Muslim faith regurgitate their fair share of bigotry and all sorts of hate on a daily basis all over the world. Sure as hell all religion books contain texts that can be interpreted in a manner that can push people toward being genocidal maniacs. I am sure that bible and Torah are no exceptions.
Many of my people have fallen prey to this brainwashing, leading to persecution of the religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hell, we even have an apartheid settler colonial project inside our country, feasting on the flesh and blood of the indigenous tribes. I call it our own little Gaza. The similarities are striking and yet my fellow countrymen fail to see what I see. I do not blame the religion islam for that, I blame the priests who feast on hatred and violence.
It's up to the people to not become what the priests want us to be. I believe that preaching common sense and solidarity with the global movement for de-radicalization is the path toward our redemption.
NO. GTFOH with this antisemitic lie that all Jews are responsible for the genocide. It is true that ISRAELIS do, as a majority support this horror. Those few opposing it deserve our support as they stand very alone in their country and are persecuted. Many Jews in USA have led actions in opposition to genocide. They deserve our support as well, and have faced consequences for their actions.
It is not JEWS that are responsible. It is Zionists. And Christian Zionists outnumber Jewish Zionists by far. This wouldn’t happen without a Christian Zionists and western imperialists.
Please reconsider, I have walked with some of the most humane, kind, loving, and caring people in Jewish Voices for Peace. Please do not conflate Zionism with Jewish faith. This I beg you. We are far more powerful with our Jewish Sisters and Brothers than without them. Change is coming to the dying israel (lowercase intentional) , the Jewish community will return and help change the New Palestine into a country of Kind, Loving, and Caring people for all.
See, there is such a thing as REAL anti-semitism, and it's being inflamed by allowing the Israelis to carry out a genocide--not just allowing, but supplying the weapons.
Agreed. The actions of Israel has made Jews even more unsafe. We must protest such rhetorics against any group of people. Never again means never again for anyone.
how are Americans any different? Americans have a murder death cult responsible for the murder of MILLIONS of souls. I don"t blame Americans for globalist politics, and neither do I blame jews for globalist politics.
It isn't Jews who own the world fool, it is money power, and only an idiot blames people for the actions of money power.
If you sign a "treaty," then immediately violate the terms you've promised to abide by, that is a violation in my mind. Clearly reneging on a promise is not going to send you to jail, but, depending upon how significant the issue is, it is morally contemptible.
Israel has killed more than 80 palestinians in the last 24 hours. There are 48 more hours to go for the ceasefire to take effect. Let's pray for the palestinians. They need all the help they can get.
Unbelievably evil. No way they're actually ending this, and isn't it only for maximum of 42 days anyway? Dumpy just wanted some positive publicity. He and Jared are drooling over their future Gaza by the Sea Dumpty Hotel.
Knowing just a little bit about human nature from a long period of observation, I wonder whether the overall (hopefully) positive response from the public, the international pats on the back for Trump in the early months of his reign for anything that is different from the past criminal behaviour of the dementia resident in the White House, criminal #1, a few kind words from Trump to China, perhaps a visit to see Putin and to end the war, things along those lines, may turn Trump into a person who starts to thrive on such positivity enough to make it become part of his 'new' character.
A nice person rather than a typical US bully-boy, arrogant and big-headed as well.
If so, he will certainly have to go through a cleansing of his cabinet and past associates who do not share, and probably never ever could share such human characteristics.
In other words, could he respond more to kindness, friendship and praise for his efforts than to be what he is now. ................................................you can fill this in.
Remember last time, the "liberal press" castigated Trump for saying he didn't see why we couldn't have peace with Russia, that the US hadn't been innocent, and then he dropped the Mother of All Bombs somewhere and the press was all google-eyed, "today he became presidential"--the most disgusting display from the media yet. So he got more into looking for wars to start...it's certainly true that he needs constant ego-petting. But of course this will happen again, and probably in relation to Israel, as well as elsewhere.
Thank you for grounding me. Just the statement from the Trump envoy made me emotionally better for a few minutes : ) I am not ready to eat that big bowl of sh it, Trump voters I told, while I vote for Jill Stein, Trump and Genocide Kamala are the same. Even this glimmer of hope is more than Genocide Joe/Kamala have given me over the 4 yrs. Recipes?
Yes, just like when the Grinch's heart expanded with understanding and love! I don't see it happening but if he quickky ends the proxy war in Ukraine, he'd deserve the Nobel Peace prize and deserve it more so than Obama's prize.
I so dislike TFG that I have it in me to shower him with kindness if that would help make him humble and kind (his wife is obviously not doing it)🤞🕊️🍉🍉🍉
Time will tell. I don't believe for a minute that this will last. Israel want's complete extermination and all the land. Always have. Always will. This is a pause at best. How long is the question.
I’m afraid this is simply about getting the hostages released. Trump takes a victory lap. Then Israel can go back to killing “terrorists” (how Republicans view Palestinians), “finishing the job.”
Israel already said it was temporary. See why I didn't jump on the ceasefire and Trump bandwagon?
Don't trust Trump. Don't trust Biden. Don't trust Netanyahu. Don't trust anyone from Washington D.C. Don't trust Democrats. Don't trust Republicans. Don't trust God. Don't trust religion - any religion. Don't trust the astrological stars. Don't trust "The Process".
It's all designed to deceive all of us and lull us all into false security. I dare Trump, Biden, and every single D and R in Washington to prove me wrong. I'll be proven correct.
Another take that I have seen put out there is that Israel is losing in every other way that doesn’t involve slaughtering innocent people. Their army is exhausted and has taken on a lot of casualties. Its economy is not good and many educated non-Zionist citizens are leaving the country. Many of them are their best and brightest who are tired of being in a some of constant conflict. Just a thought
In short, the resistance organised within Palestine and by its millions of international supporters is holding out against Zionism. Trump is a bit of film-flam window dressing.
but this "living on stolen land," etc. applies to everyone in North America, Australia, New Zealand, except the remnant indigenous population. Yet I AM in fact non Zionist. What are people like me to do, move to Ireland or England, where my paternal ancestors came from, or somewhere in eastern Europe where my maternal (Jewish) ancestors came from? I wouldn't know where to go, and would not be seen as belonging there. Even if you're only talking about Israel, arguably some (damn few) leftists there might honestly believe their resistance is vital (i would have gotten the hell out long ago).
If the case arises as such in Bangladesh, I would try to go back to my ancestral land.
However, do not take it literally when the colonized indigenous people say, "go back to where you came from". What they really mean is that they want equality, justice and reparations for the damage done by the colonisers. So, do that first. It's not a conditional thing. Settler colonials have this responsibility toward the indigenous people.
Netanhayu's reason for the war is different to the USA's i.e. he needed the distractionfor his country to not imorison him for his corruption. How he has capitulated is important. What carrot or stick was he offered?
Most likely you are right. The Greenland/Panama statements are part of that war on China. Blocking all shipping from China is the point of all of the crazy thoughts. End Stage Capitalism coupled with End of Empire will do that to Billionaires.
And the news that Hamas recruitment has at minimum compensated for its losses, so that the numbers of Hamas fighters in Gaza has hardly altered. Hence, Israel's stated goal of eliminating Hamas has been thwarted. Israel has lost the conflict on that front as well. Of course, as in any rebellion by a colonially repressed people, the sacrifice of lives had to be horrific to accomplish this.
While I think that is true, the country is in the hands of people hell-bent on securing perfect security for Israel, however they define it, by any means possible, and clearly getting rid of Palestinians and all traces of their culture. And, it seems that a majority of the Israeli population are in favor of that.
There's also the rapidly decreasing support for Israel, the fact that their mighty impenetrable 'iron dome' was made of wet paper when put to the test, and US interests being pulled away from west asia towards east asia again.
Not to mention the increasingly marty-focused resistance in gaza and west-bank contributing to IOF exhaustion and casualties.
If anything, israel is on the brink on collapse and is desperate to put up a strong face right now.
I have seen this personally in our own lab. israeli citizens in science coming the to u.s. now. One student came to the u.s. and avoided the service of Genocide.
Nobody wants to be a pessimist but you are correct in expressing skepticism given the history of Zionist Israel in dragging America into Mideast wars, coups and assassinations for the last 70 years.
Your choice to be optimistic. I understand it. And yet, there is no ceasefire or visible off-ramp to slaughter, today, tomorrow, or on January 19. It’s a piece of paper at best. I am not optimistic.
The worst thing about this is the genocidal maniacs will all get away with it. No cease fire or temporary peace will ever make this right. If it were my children, grandchildren my sisters, my mother and my wife I know I would never make peace until every last one of the hierarchy that imposed this met justice. I fear this is far from over.
That was the feeling I got hearing the news. Relief, yes, but also rage and sadness, because the genocide has already been committed. Those who were killed can't be brought back through a ceasefire. This is just the first step. I think the only way this ends is if the Palestinians are restored to their land, all of it, to live as equals with the Israelis.
Can’t believe you’re sucked into this bit of inauguration window dressing Caitlin 😢. Remember the ceasefire Israel signed with Lebanon just weeks ago. Then kept right on bombing? At exactly the same time the Zionists and their U.S./NATO/Salafist allies set about destroying Syria, claiming chunks of Syria and Lebanon as permanent Israeli land now? Annexing 40% of Syria’s water resources? I know we’re all exhausted but for goodness sake!
It doesn’t sound like she has “fallen” for anything. We all know the Empire didnt grow a conscience by electing Trump. She is simply expressing the same relief Gazans are expressing. This is far from over, but can you imagine getting this news after being bombed for 450 days straight? Just do that and perhaps you may understand what she’s saying.
It isn't 450 days straight. Remember--there was a prior ceasefire with prisoner exchange, during which Israel hardly bombed the people, got some of the hostages in return for 50 times as many Palestinian political prisoners (still the Israelis got a higher percentage of their hostages back). Then they resumed the attacks and arrested thousands of new and old prisoners. Hamas is giving up its only bargaining chip.
As I have said all along, Trump's major strengths are that he doesn't like war, and he can be really tough when necessary...His envoy to Netanyahu was extremely blunt, and that made a big difference....Posting the Jeff Sachs interview was his warning shot to Israel, and he followed through quickly...But of course we all want to see follow through that ends Israel's war crimes spree, and punishes the crazies who started it...
CJ>>"So it looks like Trump winning ended up being the better result for the people of Gaza, as weird as that sounds. Not because he’s a fantastic peacemaker, but because he did something instead of doing nothing."
I'm NOT buying it for a second. Actions speak louder than words. Time (and the unfolding of future events) will tell us more.
Caitlin, I'm not sure why you're buying this - especially since you are good at dismantling narratives. Why do you think the elimination of Gazans (and people from the West Bank) will stop? What evidence is there that to make you believe (and have confidence the way you do) what you do? Do you know something the rest of us don't? What am I missing? (PS: I have ZERO love for Biden, Trump, or ANYONE in ANY US Administration).
I did re-read. And I quoted you "So it looks like Trump winning ended up being the better result for the people of Gaza" and the hopium you express throughout your article.
(1) Gazans celebrating? How many times in the past have they celebrated a potential ceasefire and been let down?
(2) Do these Gazans celebrating understand the politics of how these things work?
Like I said, I don't see any evidence for the "hope" that you feel. Is it just something you feel in your heart or is there something more concrete to it? I read all the "supposed things" that you seem to be taking hope from, and I hope that you ARE RIGHT, but I don't see what you see.
Never. I have never once seen Gazans celebrating like this. Maybe you have, but I certainly haven't. It's a pretty straightforward fact that this is the closest we've come to peace in 15 months. That doesn't mean the genocide can't resume, it doesn't mean things will be just peachy for the Palestinians going forward, and it doesn't mean Trump is great. It just means what it means. I'm not sure what you're finding so baffling about this.
I guess we can disagree on the "signs of hope" part. For me, I see the following:
>>"straightforward fact that this is the closest we've come to peace in 15 months."
(1) No peace - again depends on how you define peace. Regardless of the rate of elimination of Palestinians, it will continue. Maybe the strategies of elimination might change (and it might be harder for others to figure out how they are being eliminated moving forward - especially with the lack of media), but I don't see peace
>>I have never once seen Gazans celebrating like this."
(2) I understand the effect "Gazans celebrating" is having on you, (and I would be ecstatic myself if resulted in anything concrete (in the future), but I don't see "the magnitude of the celebration" as having much significance on what Israel (and the US) do or don't do moving forward.
I don't think "Gazans celebrating" are the best (or reliable) indication of future events, but then again - I guess we read the tea leaves differently.
I am happy to leave it at that. And most importantly - I hope you are right - God do I really wish you are right and this nightmare starts coming to an end.
Please also do take care of yourself, and you deserve every bit of respite, relief, and hope and more for the way you have been holding up all these last 15 months (that you are not yet ready to share with us).
And, THANK YOU for continuing to be a source of support and guiding light for so many of us. Much love ❤️
“ Don’t get me wrong, Trump is going to be terrible for the Palestinians, terrible for the middle east, and terrible for the world. And it’s very possible that even this basic, bare-minimum end to an active holocaust won’t hold. I’m not praising Trump, I’m shitting on Biden.”
Seems like Caitlin has her eyes wide open for what still might come. She isn’t being naive.
Chang, I feel the same way as you do. I am afraid I do not go along with Caitlin that this ceasefire is genuine. Going by so called ceasefires in the past we cannot but be pessimistic. Are we to believe that Trump is a peacemaker and the Zionist regime has changed its savage brutal ways?
While we can fervently hope and dream that the Palestinians will get some sort of respite, some time to breath from the holocaust and genocide they were subjected to, I am fearful that this is just a huge conjuring trick.
Well, all I can say is that I hope I am wrong and Caitlin is right. The Palestinian people (and the rest of the world that supports Palestine and humanity) deserve a break. Only time can tell how things will work out in the future...(though based on my knowledge and emotional feelings about the US Empire, I'm not holding my breath).
I expect it's simply 1) a publicity stunt for the Trump team and 2) a chance for Israel to get most of the remaining hostages before resuming the destruction of Gaza and Gazans As for Gazans celebrating, after what they've been through I'm sure they're in a mode of focusing on daily survival, and any relief is manna from heaven--doesn't mean THEY believe it will actually end the genocide.
Mary Wildfire, I agree with you on all counts. In addition to that there is the underlying sinister motive of clearing the decks for the coming war with China.
Caitlin beat me to it my friend ha. For me this is relief and my last hope there is still humanity and logic left in the world. I am not looking forward to eating a bowl of sh it over Trump possibly doing something I said he would never do and so far hasn't. We shall see my friend, we shall see.
Seeing anyone in Palestine celebrating anything lift 2k pounds from my heart and mind. Love you.
I share your feelings and appreciate the emotionally intense way you expressed them. When I think of cease-fire agreements, the fake one in Lebanon comes to mind. In the case of Gaza, I'm hopeful but wary because no rational person can trust the US and Israel to keep their word.
Another factor is that the IDF is exhausted, many have retired, and others are seeking psychological help to deal with the terrible violence they have inflicted on children and other civilians...
You put into words everything I am feeling right now. Cautious hope, and the beginnings of a tsunami of grief and rage. Physical pain and tension began in my neck as soon as the ceasefire seemed like it might actually happen. I think I have been holding back so many emotions that need to erupt. I can only imagine what the Palestinians in Gaza are feeling right now. God… all those precious children that have been murdered and mutilated by Israel…
I’m more pessimistic than you. After Trump has preened in the spotlight for a while, he and Nitenyahu(?) will find an excuse to continue the slaughter. I hope I’m wrong!
As a lifelong cynic, the genocide and the accompanying gaslighting/whitewashing from Western governments and media that has followed has made me no longer believe anything anyone says anymore.
Yeah, but its a depressive way to go about life (i.e. always expecting the worse). Such thinking (on a constant basis) changes a person from the inside.
"Having to look at dead and mutilated children every day, month after month, has changed my experience of the world. Changed my insides. Changed what it feels like to be alive."
Caitlin has perfectly encapsulated what most of us have felt since this genocide began.
This is not ok. Vilifying a certain race or religion for the actions of a few is not ok. Christians, Muslims and Hindus and even Buddhists are equally evil when it comes to greed and imperialism.
Greed and general assholery is not confined to any group. Please stop this.
Buddhists never started a war
It's not possible for me to find out who started what. However, I can confirm that Buddhist monks are carrying out at least one genocide as we speak.
If you can confirm that, then please do.
You can check the link to Rohyngya genocide information posted by Chang Chokaski below.
Anita Wood, the buddhists of Myanmar did WORSE than start a war, they created a GENOCIDE (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohingya_genocide).
Yes they did but Zen and Tibetan Buddhist are moral
Killing any living thing is not Buddhism, so despite whatever the Myanmar military might claim, they are not Buddhists.
I'm sorry David Avenell, but YOU don't have the authority to decide unequivocally who IS and who ISN'T a Buddhist.
What you're doing here is being an apologist. ALL faiths and ALL religions have GOOD and BAD interpretations. The same with ideologies.
If one uses YOUR LOGIC, then one can make/support any argument.
Example: The arguments people make to defend capitalism (which goes along the lines of "...doing <xyz> is not true capitalism, capitalism cannot be blamed" OR "....doing <xyz> is not a part of <abc> religion, hence these people don't belong to <abc> religion".
I think the Rohinga Muslims of Myanmar would beg to differ.
The western caricature of Buddhism is very well crafted for the western eye (and $$ ofcourse). In reality Buddhists are just as human as anyone else, including their capacity for mass murder.
Actions of a few, sorry not true, however I completely understand and agree with your point. It is said from israel's own polling some 70% of israeli citizens want the complete and total destruction of Palestine.
I agree with that assessment. All Israelis are directly or indirectly involved with the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. It is also true that most Jews around the globe are also complicit in it. Yet, there are many to are against it. I am hoping that it will shift in future.
The Israeli Govt has always said that all Palestinians are Hamas, that there are no civilians in Gaza. But the opposite is true. Every Israeli citizen ( with the exception of the Ultra Zionists ) on turning 18 must do National Service in the military and are thereafter enrolled in the reserves.
So the reality might be that there are no Israeli civilians.
Having said that, there are jewish voices in Israel opposing what their regime is doing and those people are being arrested, beaten and jailed.
while the western world went murdering muslims by the millions based on lies about 911 and WMD, they were salivating for blood and death, all of them ,and the euro trash helped out with the genocide.
99% of Americans wanted blood and they got it with shocks and awe.
The globalists want the total destruction of ALL NATIONS . Focus on the ball
Evidence suggests that your statement is correct.
I believe that most of them are simple-minded people like any other people and they have fallen victim to the century-long propaganda and brainwashing with religious exceptionalism (read The Chosen Ones), feeling of insecurity (from the holocaust and other persecutions), and constant pampering by the western countries (read $$$). Add racism to the mix (European settlers) and you get a bunch of entitled assholes (read most Israelis). However, eliminating some of the factors could significantly alter their attitude. I am hopeful.
I believe that no group of people is inherently evil. We should give them the opportunity to correct their ways. We did that for the Japanese and Germans, we can do the same for Israelis.
Trust me, even the mullahs belonging to the Muslim faith regurgitate their fair share of bigotry and all sorts of hate on a daily basis all over the world. Sure as hell all religion books contain texts that can be interpreted in a manner that can push people toward being genocidal maniacs. I am sure that bible and Torah are no exceptions.
Many of my people have fallen prey to this brainwashing, leading to persecution of the religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hell, we even have an apartheid settler colonial project inside our country, feasting on the flesh and blood of the indigenous tribes. I call it our own little Gaza. The similarities are striking and yet my fellow countrymen fail to see what I see. I do not blame the religion islam for that, I blame the priests who feast on hatred and violence.
It's up to the people to not become what the priests want us to be. I believe that preaching common sense and solidarity with the global movement for de-radicalization is the path toward our redemption.
NO. GTFOH with this antisemitic lie that all Jews are responsible for the genocide. It is true that ISRAELIS do, as a majority support this horror. Those few opposing it deserve our support as they stand very alone in their country and are persecuted. Many Jews in USA have led actions in opposition to genocide. They deserve our support as well, and have faced consequences for their actions.
It is not JEWS that are responsible. It is Zionists. And Christian Zionists outnumber Jewish Zionists by far. This wouldn’t happen without a Christian Zionists and western imperialists.
💯 it is Zionism that has hijacked Judaism. Zionists are the worst antisemites on the planet today.
Agreed.
Please reconsider, I have walked with some of the most humane, kind, loving, and caring people in Jewish Voices for Peace. Please do not conflate Zionism with Jewish faith. This I beg you. We are far more powerful with our Jewish Sisters and Brothers than without them. Change is coming to the dying israel (lowercase intentional) , the Jewish community will return and help change the New Palestine into a country of Kind, Loving, and Caring people for all.
We are humans first. Let's stand for humanity.
See, there is such a thing as REAL anti-semitism, and it's being inflamed by allowing the Israelis to carry out a genocide--not just allowing, but supplying the weapons.
Agreed. The actions of Israel has made Jews even more unsafe. We must protest such rhetorics against any group of people. Never again means never again for anyone.
Counter-dehumanizing is not an appropriate response to dehumanizing
how are Americans any different? Americans have a murder death cult responsible for the murder of MILLIONS of souls. I don"t blame Americans for globalist politics, and neither do I blame jews for globalist politics.
It isn't Jews who own the world fool, it is money power, and only an idiot blames people for the actions of money power.
Let's see whether Israel sticks to any ceasefire deal before taking a victory lap, what say?
The "ceasefire" in Lebanon lasted just under two days before Israel violated it. I give this one under 24 hours.
You're optimistic. Israel will violate it before it even starts.
LOL. But if it hasn't started it doesn't count as a violation.
If you sign a "treaty," then immediately violate the terms you've promised to abide by, that is a violation in my mind. Clearly reneging on a promise is not going to send you to jail, but, depending upon how significant the issue is, it is morally contemptible.
Israel has killed more than 80 palestinians in the last 24 hours. There are 48 more hours to go for the ceasefire to take effect. Let's pray for the palestinians. They need all the help they can get.
https://x.com/sahouraxo/status/1879690323779346438?s=46
Unbelievably evil. No way they're actually ending this, and isn't it only for maximum of 42 days anyway? Dumpy just wanted some positive publicity. He and Jared are drooling over their future Gaza by the Sea Dumpty Hotel.
Feral,
Knowing just a little bit about human nature from a long period of observation, I wonder whether the overall (hopefully) positive response from the public, the international pats on the back for Trump in the early months of his reign for anything that is different from the past criminal behaviour of the dementia resident in the White House, criminal #1, a few kind words from Trump to China, perhaps a visit to see Putin and to end the war, things along those lines, may turn Trump into a person who starts to thrive on such positivity enough to make it become part of his 'new' character.
A nice person rather than a typical US bully-boy, arrogant and big-headed as well.
If so, he will certainly have to go through a cleansing of his cabinet and past associates who do not share, and probably never ever could share such human characteristics.
In other words, could he respond more to kindness, friendship and praise for his efforts than to be what he is now. ................................................you can fill this in.
More likely in that case, Trump will be removed from office... one way or another.
Remember last time, the "liberal press" castigated Trump for saying he didn't see why we couldn't have peace with Russia, that the US hadn't been innocent, and then he dropped the Mother of All Bombs somewhere and the press was all google-eyed, "today he became presidential"--the most disgusting display from the media yet. So he got more into looking for wars to start...it's certainly true that he needs constant ego-petting. But of course this will happen again, and probably in relation to Israel, as well as elsewhere.
Thank you for grounding me. Just the statement from the Trump envoy made me emotionally better for a few minutes : ) I am not ready to eat that big bowl of sh it, Trump voters I told, while I vote for Jill Stein, Trump and Genocide Kamala are the same. Even this glimmer of hope is more than Genocide Joe/Kamala have given me over the 4 yrs. Recipes?
Cool thought
Yes, just like when the Grinch's heart expanded with understanding and love! I don't see it happening but if he quickky ends the proxy war in Ukraine, he'd deserve the Nobel Peace prize and deserve it more so than Obama's prize.
I so dislike TFG that I have it in me to shower him with kindness if that would help make him humble and kind (his wife is obviously not doing it)🤞🕊️🍉🍉🍉
TFG?
Time will tell. I don't believe for a minute that this will last. Israel want's complete extermination and all the land. Always have. Always will. This is a pause at best. How long is the question.
And, just like clockwork, apparently Netanyahu is claiming that a highly convenient "last minute crisis" is holding up Cabinet approval of the deal.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/netanyahu-says-cabinet-wont-meet-084340689.html?.tsrc=1013&ncid=crm_-1526955-20250116-1&bt_user_id=ARrawvtGKRHKSSUcOhqFdE7VDTISUpONSfT0VANMRPNSmV2H243FrHw4KzoCjaQnfoN43uGTS74v5oETbf9WoZiAEDXuu0%2BMwOnfuMjVqU9wFVgM8xpJoLaMKt153lGZ&bt_ts=1737033914359
I’m afraid this is simply about getting the hostages released. Trump takes a victory lap. Then Israel can go back to killing “terrorists” (how Republicans view Palestinians), “finishing the job.”
Israel already said it was temporary. See why I didn't jump on the ceasefire and Trump bandwagon?
Don't trust Trump. Don't trust Biden. Don't trust Netanyahu. Don't trust anyone from Washington D.C. Don't trust Democrats. Don't trust Republicans. Don't trust God. Don't trust religion - any religion. Don't trust the astrological stars. Don't trust "The Process".
It's all designed to deceive all of us and lull us all into false security. I dare Trump, Biden, and every single D and R in Washington to prove me wrong. I'll be proven correct.
Yes my friend, I just need this one moment in time to stop crying inside : )
Another take that I have seen put out there is that Israel is losing in every other way that doesn’t involve slaughtering innocent people. Their army is exhausted and has taken on a lot of casualties. Its economy is not good and many educated non-Zionist citizens are leaving the country. Many of them are their best and brightest who are tired of being in a some of constant conflict. Just a thought
In short, the resistance organised within Palestine and by its millions of international supporters is holding out against Zionism. Trump is a bit of film-flam window dressing.
I've long thought that it's not possible to be non-Zionist if you are living on stolen land, drinking stolen water and eating stolen food.
Same applies to the term "left wing" in Israel. Anyone profitting from the settler/colonial project can never be considered to be of the left.
indeed, the actual left in Israel would fit in a few buses (pretty much like in the us).
but this "living on stolen land," etc. applies to everyone in North America, Australia, New Zealand, except the remnant indigenous population. Yet I AM in fact non Zionist. What are people like me to do, move to Ireland or England, where my paternal ancestors came from, or somewhere in eastern Europe where my maternal (Jewish) ancestors came from? I wouldn't know where to go, and would not be seen as belonging there. Even if you're only talking about Israel, arguably some (damn few) leftists there might honestly believe their resistance is vital (i would have gotten the hell out long ago).
If the case arises as such in Bangladesh, I would try to go back to my ancestral land.
However, do not take it literally when the colonized indigenous people say, "go back to where you came from". What they really mean is that they want equality, justice and reparations for the damage done by the colonisers. So, do that first. It's not a conditional thing. Settler colonials have this responsibility toward the indigenous people.
well one can be sure it is not because the zionist state has suddenly had an epiphany on their own moral degeneration.
Netanhayu's reason for the war is different to the USA's i.e. he needed the distractionfor his country to not imorison him for his corruption. How he has capitulated is important. What carrot or stick was he offered?
I've heard the SPECULATION that it is a big chunk of the West Bank.
Yes! Tim Melin, very plausible. Also is the empire clearing the decks for the main game - the war against China. ... just a thought.
Most likely you are right. The Greenland/Panama statements are part of that war on China. Blocking all shipping from China is the point of all of the crazy thoughts. End Stage Capitalism coupled with End of Empire will do that to Billionaires.
And the news that Hamas recruitment has at minimum compensated for its losses, so that the numbers of Hamas fighters in Gaza has hardly altered. Hence, Israel's stated goal of eliminating Hamas has been thwarted. Israel has lost the conflict on that front as well. Of course, as in any rebellion by a colonially repressed people, the sacrifice of lives had to be horrific to accomplish this.
While I think that is true, the country is in the hands of people hell-bent on securing perfect security for Israel, however they define it, by any means possible, and clearly getting rid of Palestinians and all traces of their culture. And, it seems that a majority of the Israeli population are in favor of that.
There's also the rapidly decreasing support for Israel, the fact that their mighty impenetrable 'iron dome' was made of wet paper when put to the test, and US interests being pulled away from west asia towards east asia again.
Not to mention the increasingly marty-focused resistance in gaza and west-bank contributing to IOF exhaustion and casualties.
If anything, israel is on the brink on collapse and is desperate to put up a strong face right now.
I have seen this personally in our own lab. israeli citizens in science coming the to u.s. now. One student came to the u.s. and avoided the service of Genocide.
Nobody wants to be a pessimist but you are correct in expressing skepticism given the history of Zionist Israel in dragging America into Mideast wars, coups and assassinations for the last 70 years.
They've never had to drag very hard.
A tickle in the right spot goes a long way
When you save a drowning person, you don't ask yourself if he will die of a heart attack or cancer. In the meantime, you prevent him from drowning.
"This is pure theater." I am afraid you are right. It seems that all our politics is just theater now, to distract and cover up from the stealing.
Can't imagine anything else. And they've destroyed all the buildings. Just the people left. 😫
SOME of the people.
Right. Far more accurate .
Your choice to be optimistic. I understand it. And yet, there is no ceasefire or visible off-ramp to slaughter, today, tomorrow, or on January 19. It’s a piece of paper at best. I am not optimistic.
The worst thing about this is the genocidal maniacs will all get away with it. No cease fire or temporary peace will ever make this right. If it were my children, grandchildren my sisters, my mother and my wife I know I would never make peace until every last one of the hierarchy that imposed this met justice. I fear this is far from over.
That was the feeling I got hearing the news. Relief, yes, but also rage and sadness, because the genocide has already been committed. Those who were killed can't be brought back through a ceasefire. This is just the first step. I think the only way this ends is if the Palestinians are restored to their land, all of it, to live as equals with the Israelis.
Can’t believe you’re sucked into this bit of inauguration window dressing Caitlin 😢. Remember the ceasefire Israel signed with Lebanon just weeks ago. Then kept right on bombing? At exactly the same time the Zionists and their U.S./NATO/Salafist allies set about destroying Syria, claiming chunks of Syria and Lebanon as permanent Israeli land now? Annexing 40% of Syria’s water resources? I know we’re all exhausted but for goodness sake!
It doesn’t sound like she has “fallen” for anything. We all know the Empire didnt grow a conscience by electing Trump. She is simply expressing the same relief Gazans are expressing. This is far from over, but can you imagine getting this news after being bombed for 450 days straight? Just do that and perhaps you may understand what she’s saying.
I’ve got friends with children who’ve died in Gaza. Get off your lectern please.
As do I. Whats your point?
I do too, most likely why we are all here, caring.
So far I count 2. In what continent does 2 = all ?
It isn't 450 days straight. Remember--there was a prior ceasefire with prisoner exchange, during which Israel hardly bombed the people, got some of the hostages in return for 50 times as many Palestinian political prisoners (still the Israelis got a higher percentage of their hostages back). Then they resumed the attacks and arrested thousands of new and old prisoners. Hamas is giving up its only bargaining chip.
Uncle Sam never looks the other way. He/they are always stirring the pot and adding the ingredients.
Thanks for all your posts and the hard work and dedication.
As I have said all along, Trump's major strengths are that he doesn't like war, and he can be really tough when necessary...His envoy to Netanyahu was extremely blunt, and that made a big difference....Posting the Jeff Sachs interview was his warning shot to Israel, and he followed through quickly...But of course we all want to see follow through that ends Israel's war crimes spree, and punishes the crazies who started it...
CJ>>"So it looks like Trump winning ended up being the better result for the people of Gaza, as weird as that sounds. Not because he’s a fantastic peacemaker, but because he did something instead of doing nothing."
I'm NOT buying it for a second. Actions speak louder than words. Time (and the unfolding of future events) will tell us more.
Caitlin, I'm not sure why you're buying this - especially since you are good at dismantling narratives. Why do you think the elimination of Gazans (and people from the West Bank) will stop? What evidence is there that to make you believe (and have confidence the way you do) what you do? Do you know something the rest of us don't? What am I missing? (PS: I have ZERO love for Biden, Trump, or ANYONE in ANY US Administration).
I don't have the position you seem to think I have. Maybe re-read?
I did re-read. And I quoted you "So it looks like Trump winning ended up being the better result for the people of Gaza" and the hopium you express throughout your article.
(1) Gazans celebrating? How many times in the past have they celebrated a potential ceasefire and been let down?
(2) Do these Gazans celebrating understand the politics of how these things work?
Like I said, I don't see any evidence for the "hope" that you feel. Is it just something you feel in your heart or is there something more concrete to it? I read all the "supposed things" that you seem to be taking hope from, and I hope that you ARE RIGHT, but I don't see what you see.
Never. I have never once seen Gazans celebrating like this. Maybe you have, but I certainly haven't. It's a pretty straightforward fact that this is the closest we've come to peace in 15 months. That doesn't mean the genocide can't resume, it doesn't mean things will be just peachy for the Palestinians going forward, and it doesn't mean Trump is great. It just means what it means. I'm not sure what you're finding so baffling about this.
I guess we can disagree on the "signs of hope" part. For me, I see the following:
>>"straightforward fact that this is the closest we've come to peace in 15 months."
(1) No peace - again depends on how you define peace. Regardless of the rate of elimination of Palestinians, it will continue. Maybe the strategies of elimination might change (and it might be harder for others to figure out how they are being eliminated moving forward - especially with the lack of media), but I don't see peace
>>I have never once seen Gazans celebrating like this."
(2) I understand the effect "Gazans celebrating" is having on you, (and I would be ecstatic myself if resulted in anything concrete (in the future), but I don't see "the magnitude of the celebration" as having much significance on what Israel (and the US) do or don't do moving forward.
I don't think "Gazans celebrating" are the best (or reliable) indication of future events, but then again - I guess we read the tea leaves differently.
I am happy to leave it at that. And most importantly - I hope you are right - God do I really wish you are right and this nightmare starts coming to an end.
Please also do take care of yourself, and you deserve every bit of respite, relief, and hope and more for the way you have been holding up all these last 15 months (that you are not yet ready to share with us).
And, THANK YOU for continuing to be a source of support and guiding light for so many of us. Much love ❤️
Caitlin:
“ Don’t get me wrong, Trump is going to be terrible for the Palestinians, terrible for the middle east, and terrible for the world. And it’s very possible that even this basic, bare-minimum end to an active holocaust won’t hold. I’m not praising Trump, I’m shitting on Biden.”
Seems like Caitlin has her eyes wide open for what still might come. She isn’t being naive.
>>"She isn’t being naive."
I NEVER said ANYTHING about Caitlin being naive. Caitlin is the last person on earth to be naive.
Don't know what you're going on about and why. Caitlin and I have already settled the matter between us.
Chang, I feel the same way as you do. I am afraid I do not go along with Caitlin that this ceasefire is genuine. Going by so called ceasefires in the past we cannot but be pessimistic. Are we to believe that Trump is a peacemaker and the Zionist regime has changed its savage brutal ways?
While we can fervently hope and dream that the Palestinians will get some sort of respite, some time to breath from the holocaust and genocide they were subjected to, I am fearful that this is just a huge conjuring trick.
Well, all I can say is that I hope I am wrong and Caitlin is right. The Palestinian people (and the rest of the world that supports Palestine and humanity) deserve a break. Only time can tell how things will work out in the future...(though based on my knowledge and emotional feelings about the US Empire, I'm not holding my breath).
Biden for Prison.
Prison is too good for a creature like Biden. I don't think an appropriate punishment exists for such evil.
Agree
I expect it's simply 1) a publicity stunt for the Trump team and 2) a chance for Israel to get most of the remaining hostages before resuming the destruction of Gaza and Gazans As for Gazans celebrating, after what they've been through I'm sure they're in a mode of focusing on daily survival, and any relief is manna from heaven--doesn't mean THEY believe it will actually end the genocide.
Mary Wildfire, I agree with you on all counts. In addition to that there is the underlying sinister motive of clearing the decks for the coming war with China.
Caitlin beat me to it my friend ha. For me this is relief and my last hope there is still humanity and logic left in the world. I am not looking forward to eating a bowl of sh it over Trump possibly doing something I said he would never do and so far hasn't. We shall see my friend, we shall see.
Seeing anyone in Palestine celebrating anything lift 2k pounds from my heart and mind. Love you.
I share your feelings and appreciate the emotionally intense way you expressed them. When I think of cease-fire agreements, the fake one in Lebanon comes to mind. In the case of Gaza, I'm hopeful but wary because no rational person can trust the US and Israel to keep their word.
Things will maybe get better for 42 days, and then, who knows?
Another factor is that the IDF is exhausted, many have retired, and others are seeking psychological help to deal with the terrible violence they have inflicted on children and other civilians...
OUR HOPE IS THEIR TRAUMA SINKS DEEP AND EATS THEM.
https://youtube.com/shorts/yNgYoyYJWWw?si=h07_LzDX4wY-HxZz
And some of those IDF soldiers are walking the streets of Melbourne. I do hope our security forces are keeping a close eye on them.
You put into words everything I am feeling right now. Cautious hope, and the beginnings of a tsunami of grief and rage. Physical pain and tension began in my neck as soon as the ceasefire seemed like it might actually happen. I think I have been holding back so many emotions that need to erupt. I can only imagine what the Palestinians in Gaza are feeling right now. God… all those precious children that have been murdered and mutilated by Israel…
I’m more pessimistic than you. After Trump has preened in the spotlight for a while, he and Nitenyahu(?) will find an excuse to continue the slaughter. I hope I’m wrong!
Agreed.
As a lifelong cynic, the genocide and the accompanying gaslighting/whitewashing from Western governments and media that has followed has made me no longer believe anything anyone says anymore.
If you expect the worst of people you will never be disappointed, you can only be pleasantly surprised.
Yeah, but its a depressive way to go about life (i.e. always expecting the worse). Such thinking (on a constant basis) changes a person from the inside.