Where exploitation and manipulation are all part Hamas’ plan, Israel acting irrationally in the very short term makes it highly rational in the long term.
Ignore the Whingeing and prating of hypocritical politicians who have been living for years off the work which Israel does in securing The West. Millions have been murdered in the last forty years in The Middle East by Arabs and Islamists at War with each other, without even a murmur from these people. Where were the marches and protests about the Iran/ Iraq War, the murder of Kurds in Halabja and Eastern Turkey, or the millions murdered by Assad and Islamic State in Syria, or Daish in Sudan and East Africa and in Nigeria? Or Saudi Arabia in Yemen? Millions have died at the hands of Military Islam. Yes, it is not nice to be attacked by thus proven and barely disguised Antisemitism by some Western politicians. But Reality is about to come crashing home in their own countries, be assured.
This perceptive article demonstrates a deep understanding of both culture and game theory. In Arab societies, Jewish humanitarian actions have often been misinterpreted as signs of weakness rather than strength. While this interpretation may seem irrational, it reflects the influence of honour-based cultural systems (known as 'Sharaf' in Arabic).
It seems that Western antisemitism represents an attempt to transform Christianity's moral implosion into neo-pagan narrative and —essentially reforging their religious prejudice as political opposition.
I remember reading this amazing article by Daniel yesterday when it was first released! The reason why Western countries are appalled by Israel’s actions but the Arab countries are not is because these two regions of the world have two totally different views on how law and order is enforced. In the West in countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Ireland are used to using international law to keep the peace in their backyard. But the Middle East has an entirely different mentality where it’s all about honor. If say one clan attacks another the other responds with extreme violence to show that they mean business and to prevent it from happening again. This is why when Israel gives out humanitarian aid or does peace negotiations with Hamas, that is viewed by Hamas as a sign of weakness. When Israel goes on the offensive and takes it too Hamas, Hamas is put on notice and the Arab countries respect that. They don’t like Israel but they respect their toughness and their willingness to teach Hamas a lesson they’ll never forget if they mess with them in any way.
The Egyptians, Syrians, Jordanians, Iraqis, Iranians, Saudis, Yemenites, Algerians, Moroccans, and Libyans are watching closely the situation in Gaza and when they see Israel blow Hamas bases of operation off the face of the Earth, taking 80% of Gaza and killing most of Hamas’ leadership, they deeply admire it. They see Israel as a muscular nation that is to be respected and feared. There is a price to pay if you wantonly murder Israelis as Hamas did on October 7th. This is how it was in America too at one time. In the North in places like New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, law and order was kept by robust police forces. This is why Northerners could be as rude and aggressive with each other they pleased they never had to worry about offending someone else and as a result, paying the price.
But in the South and West, it was a different story. In places like Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah the law wasn’t as strong, so clan-based violence and an emphasis on honor and respect ruled the day. This is why Southerners and Westerners are so kind and hospitable just like Bedouin Arabs are. But if you cross either of them, you’d find out very quickly what a mistake that was. This is the world and the context that the Jewish state exists in.
This is why the Arab countries publicly say nothing about the Gaza War but countries like Ireland, Spain, Norway, France, and Canada are apoplectic over the situation, are recognizing a Palestinian state and even putting sanctions on Israel. It’s because they have the privilege of living in the most peaceful, prosperous and safe region of the world. Israel doesn’t have that luxury. Nonetheless, Israel has done an amazing job protecting civilian lives and fighting this war following international law to a tee. They aren’t fighting this war for revenge but in the name of deterrence and national security.
If you are right, and I think and hope you are, I wish Abu Bakr had left the Arabs to their polytheism (what's wrong with polytheism?). They had some very interesting Goddesses related to others in the region. History would have been different for much of the world in that case.
Ignore the Whingeing and prating of hypocritical politicians who have been living for years off the work which Israel does in securing The West. Millions have been murdered in the last forty years in The Middle East by Arabs and Islamists at War with each other, without even a murmur from these people. Where were the marches and protests about the Iran/ Iraq War, the murder of Kurds in Halabja and Eastern Turkey, or the millions murdered by Assad and Islamic State in Syria, or Daish in Sudan and East Africa and in Nigeria? Or Saudi Arabia in Yemen? Millions have died at the hands of Military Islam. Yes, it is not nice to be attacked by thus proven and barely disguised Antisemitism by some Western politicians. But Reality is about to come crashing home in their own countries, be assured.
This perceptive article demonstrates a deep understanding of both culture and game theory. In Arab societies, Jewish humanitarian actions have often been misinterpreted as signs of weakness rather than strength. While this interpretation may seem irrational, it reflects the influence of honour-based cultural systems (known as 'Sharaf' in Arabic).
It seems that Western antisemitism represents an attempt to transform Christianity's moral implosion into neo-pagan narrative and —essentially reforging their religious prejudice as political opposition.
The only message that Hamas should get from Israel is that the only good terrorist is a dead terrorist
Fascinating analysis. 👍
I remember reading this amazing article by Daniel yesterday when it was first released! The reason why Western countries are appalled by Israel’s actions but the Arab countries are not is because these two regions of the world have two totally different views on how law and order is enforced. In the West in countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Ireland are used to using international law to keep the peace in their backyard. But the Middle East has an entirely different mentality where it’s all about honor. If say one clan attacks another the other responds with extreme violence to show that they mean business and to prevent it from happening again. This is why when Israel gives out humanitarian aid or does peace negotiations with Hamas, that is viewed by Hamas as a sign of weakness. When Israel goes on the offensive and takes it too Hamas, Hamas is put on notice and the Arab countries respect that. They don’t like Israel but they respect their toughness and their willingness to teach Hamas a lesson they’ll never forget if they mess with them in any way.
The Egyptians, Syrians, Jordanians, Iraqis, Iranians, Saudis, Yemenites, Algerians, Moroccans, and Libyans are watching closely the situation in Gaza and when they see Israel blow Hamas bases of operation off the face of the Earth, taking 80% of Gaza and killing most of Hamas’ leadership, they deeply admire it. They see Israel as a muscular nation that is to be respected and feared. There is a price to pay if you wantonly murder Israelis as Hamas did on October 7th. This is how it was in America too at one time. In the North in places like New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, law and order was kept by robust police forces. This is why Northerners could be as rude and aggressive with each other they pleased they never had to worry about offending someone else and as a result, paying the price.
But in the South and West, it was a different story. In places like Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah the law wasn’t as strong, so clan-based violence and an emphasis on honor and respect ruled the day. This is why Southerners and Westerners are so kind and hospitable just like Bedouin Arabs are. But if you cross either of them, you’d find out very quickly what a mistake that was. This is the world and the context that the Jewish state exists in.
This is why the Arab countries publicly say nothing about the Gaza War but countries like Ireland, Spain, Norway, France, and Canada are apoplectic over the situation, are recognizing a Palestinian state and even putting sanctions on Israel. It’s because they have the privilege of living in the most peaceful, prosperous and safe region of the world. Israel doesn’t have that luxury. Nonetheless, Israel has done an amazing job protecting civilian lives and fighting this war following international law to a tee. They aren’t fighting this war for revenge but in the name of deterrence and national security.
Very astute, original, and insightful essay.
You know jack shit about Arizona and your rationalizations make you sound insane. I am an indigenous survivor in Arizona. Go to hell.
If you are right, and I think and hope you are, I wish Abu Bakr had left the Arabs to their polytheism (what's wrong with polytheism?). They had some very interesting Goddesses related to others in the region. History would have been different for much of the world in that case.