samijiben

Whatever is happening, it is not a genocide. It is also not not a genocide. Call it whatever you want. It is just one of the dark alleyways of your mind. Story ends there. I'm done with this thread.

Source?

Dear Sir Wilhelm of South Africa, Genocide has a specific meaning. The UN defines it as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Hamas — the stated target of Israel’s war — is NOT such a group. It’s a militant, ideological organization, not a race, ethnicity, or religion. If you're eliminating a military threat, that’s brutal war, not necessarily genocide. Another reason is that Israel is not trying to starve Palestinians. Israel has sent more than 1.3 million tons of aid since the war began (more than any other nation has). That doesn't exactly scream "We want to wipe you off the map." Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Is the aid enough? Arguably no. But it shows some level of effort to not commit genocide. You would be hard-pressed to make the case that this is all a show to "save face." Also, this war was triggered, not premeditated. Before Oct 7, Israel was pretty much disengaged from Gaza. Hamas crossed a line with that attack. It was an unprovoked, horrific massacre of civilians. Israel’s military response, whatever you think of it, is rooted in self-defense logic, not extermination. Their goal is stated clearly: eliminate Hamas’s capability to repeat such attacks. If genocide were the goal, Gaza would look a lot more like a parking lot by now. With the firepower Israel has, if their intent were to truly wipe out Palestinians, there would be no hospitals, no aid convoys, no evacuation leaflets, etc. Doesn’t this suggest at least some intent to distinguish between civilians and combatants?

Yup, that's the answer I was looking for. Goodnight.

@Natasha Tori Maru Yes, thank you, no grain of salt neccesary. With your input & anecdotes plus all the scientific studies out there, isn't it just str8 fax that screens screw with sleep? And yet here I am texting you past my bedtime 💀 I think I gotta bash my phone.

You mentioned the bacon thing. We can both smell the same bacon. But only YOU can FEEL the sensation of, say, getting punched in the gut.. I have pondered this too many times. It is such a mindfuck. This duality between you and me, self and other, is one of the trickiest goddamn things, man. I just don't get it!

Everything is appearing out of nothing. Fine. But I have a question. Where does my experience begin and your experience end? I cannot stomach the reality that I am hallucinating you & my mother & all others into existence. This is one of the biggest unresolved conundrums of Mind. (For me)

Hola Princessa, This is fucky territory. I also don't know how it is possible that you exist. And I exist too. You and me, forever and ever? Babe? No? Maybe so? Could it be? And so it is!

It's now about downplaying the reality of what's happening. It's about seeing if it conforms to the definition of genocide.

I made a post earlier that I deleted bc I thought it was stupid but it is kinda related to this topic & I'll try to refrain it in a more subtle way. It was about getting through to people. Especially dense people who are attached to their worldviews & identities. You are never going to convince them of God or whatever you believe. What you can do is get them out of their mind & bring out their shine/humanity by being present & intense with them yourself, so much so that they SEE, "wow, this guy is CONSCIOUS, ALIVE, REAL, AUTHENTIC. At that point, your interaction will either go in the direction of a genuine connection... Or they will get angry & have ego backlash & Behold: you were never meant to interact with such folks in the first place. Instead of trying to change their mind or persuade or convince them in some way, simply seek to connect with them. This is how you will break down their barriers. Intimacy & closeness is a much surer path to God than proof, logic, debate & argumentation.

That was the purpose of this thread: to answer your question. I am open to considering the possibility that it is indeed a genocide. Are you open to considering the possibility that it is not?

I almost shed a tear while reading this. Time to outgrow our old snake skin, my brother. But the cigarettes shall stay!

65 was the best he could do ☠️

I am doubtless.

I don't know.

Thank you all. I believe not being on the phone in the minutes/hours leading up to sleep is paramount for good sleep. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Lol

Yes, I do have a connection with Israel. I have an equally strong connection to Palestine. For all I know, they could be the same place. My motivation for this thread was to answer the question that is the topic of this thread. Is Israel commiting genocide in Gaza? @Wilhelm44

Amen

Dear Wilhelm, my South African Buddy, I will not argue with you. I am asking a question. You are making accusation of the genuineness of the place from which I ask that question. Can't you see how that can be a bit insulting? Any way, as you noted, it does not matter whether or not it is a genocide, but nothing matters, so that is a shite argument. Perhaps we should close this thread.

Goddamn! Oh, how I appreciate the quality and class of that writing! I am going to SLOBBER THAT SHIT UP!

Sir Wilhelm, My affiliation with Israel is irrelevant to the question of whether or not it is commiting genocide. I am not playing around with words. I am trying to reverse the stupidity that is playing around with words. If any words shan't be thrown around flippantly, it is genocide. Brother, please, let us refrain from finger pointing & accusation. Nowhere did I mention or imply anything other than the genuine curiosity to ask & answer a question.

Thank you for your passion, Wilhelm. I am not trying to downplay the evil transpiring in Gaza. No, in fact, the purpose of this thread was to discuss whether or not what Israel is doing is genocide. Is it evil? Undoubtedly so! Is it genocide? Uhhhhh, Idk! That's why I'm asking! What say ye? @Wilhelm44