> I literally said "Hamas was actively attacking Israel". You did? It was buried under lots of anti-Israel rhetoric that it was hard to see. The blockade was

> I literally said "Hamas was actively attacking Israel". You did? It was buried under lots of anti-Israel rhetoric that it was hard to see. The blockade was introduced to the discussion as yet but one more example of Israel oppressing the poor Gazans, presented as if it were some kind of arbitrary evil simply to control Gazans with no other rhyme or reason. It turns out that there was a reason, actually. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40271323 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40271323 So, without cruft: 2005: Israel withdrew from Gaza 2007: Israel blockades Gaza we have "Hamas actively attacked Israel" It seems a very straightforward cause and effect. > Come on, you're actively avoiding anything that paints Israel as less than saintly. Not at all. However, I do note with sadness that you and the other guy could not simply answer the question. Lots of diversion into how awful Israel is before at last a grudging admission that the blockade was in response to attacks. Do you think it's at least possible that your firm and unwavering anti-Israel stance is informed itself by this kind of rhetoric? Just a thought. Ok, now that that's established, I'll dig into this allegation of Netenyahu funding Hamas in order to deny Palestinians a state. And while I'm at it the other guy's allegation that at the same time Israel funded a coup against Hamas. Sounds suss out of the gate but who knows? Maybe this is the smoking gun that Israel is led by demons. I find that most anti-Israel rhetoric is like that. Israel builds a wall in response to a wave of attacks: "Israel is building an open air prison". Israel blockades Gaza in response to tunnels: "Israel just wants to control Gazans lives" and so forth. Israel destroying an airport? Gee, I wonder why they did that? What possible reason could those monsters have for doing such a despicable act? Any ideas?