The 'defenders' of Israel are people who actively supported the Apartheid regime of South Africa. These are scientific illiterates who believe 'race' is a biological concept and those of non-white skin are 'inferior'; hence they need 'strong and stable' leadership = brutal dictatorship. Remember, the Conservatives are the party of Empire and Colonialism. Paul Goodman was chairman of the FCS at a time when some of his members were actively supporting Apartheid. So, the 'friends' of Israel, which remember is the only state in the world that defines itself on exclusive ethnic grounds are merely vulgar thugs who yearn for the good ole days of Apartheid.
'It's rather excitable of you to chuck in South Africa for good measure, but since you raised the topic, I wonder to what you ascribe the, er, "relaxed" economic growth (or lack of it) post-Apartheid?' Well, when you have not had a functioning democracy; stunted economic development, it is not surprising that economic growth is weak. All countries that have had brutal dictatorships ruling them for decades will start from an extremely low base. Better than preserving the Apartheid system which you clearly have a sneaking sympathy for.
'Your emotionally agitated state'. I am not agitated at all, your posts are laced with innuendo, lack of nuanced thought, and crass indifference to people based on their religion.
A core tenet of libertarianism is open borders - after all people should have the freedom to move and should not be discriminated against based on 'nationality'. Elementary political philosophy.
'Perhaps you didn't enjoy your time in Israel'. I met my wife of 19 years in Israel, so it had an upside despite the country's overt racism and bigotry.
'it doesn't alter the right of the Israeli government, democratically elected last time I checked, to defend Israel against the constant aggression directed at it by its neighbours and much of the Islamic world. ' Democratically elected? A state that discriminates against the minority population, but allows them the right to vote - even though they are not allowed to benefit from that government's policies is not democratic.
Libertarianism and nationalism are polar opposities - you are a walking/talking contradiction.
'I have been known to read the occasional book, thanks.' Probably by Bernard Lewis and Alan Dershowitz judging from your posts. One who told us with 'certainty' that Iran had been developing nuclear weapons - which has now been proven to be a complete fabrication; another who plagarised a book that was riddled with lies.
Rather a pedant than a sociopath.
'but I think their cause is just – and I dislike & distrust their opponents. ' Of course you do. Like many of your ilk, you were saddened by the demise of Apartheid South Africa. You think the 'cause' of racial supremacy, based on pseudo-genetics is just. You dislike and distrust opponents of these regimes, because they are the 'other'.
Hamas actually accept the 'two-state solution' hence the unity government that was encouraged by that well-known Islamist John Kerry. Read serious scholarship, a lot has changed since the Hamas charter was written - an organisation that Israel actively supported so as to undermine the PLO in the 1980s in the occupied territories.
Egypt and Jordan signed peace treaties with Israel and recognise its 'right to exist' - which is a right based on racial exclusivity - which you support.
Read Israeli scholarship, it is far more serious than your Fox News debating points.
'Hamas do not have the moral high ground and use their population as a human shield. They are very bad people.' Despite B'tselem - an Israeli human rights organisation disproving this Israeli propaganda, your still spouting it. Seeing as in your original post you did not express any sadness or regret at the death of hundreds of innocent children - 7 playing on the beach and not under instructions by Hamas, perhaps in your response you would like to.
'Israel is between a rock and hard place. It is surrounded by Muslims who wish to see its destruction and has, in Gaza, a group of Muslims who are more radically against it than many of the countries around it.' A classic Orientalist view from someone who has not stepped foot in the Middle East - Turkey does not count. I lived in Israel for 4 years during the 1990s, so i know more about the country. it's discriminatory laws against the Palestinians.
'More power to the Jews in resisting this.' Bifurcating this into a 'Muslim-Jewish' conflict shows just how little you know about the conflict. The majority of Jewish people - including my wife are appalled and disgusted by Israel's blatant violation of human rights, and their apartheid style of governance and the racial exclusivity of the state.
Seriously, a libertarian supports a racially exclusive state. Read a book.
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