Crimes and lies in Gaza

The Lowdown Podcast with Daniella Peled

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On this week’s Lowdown I went back to the Gaza conflict to talk to Daniella Peled from the Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Daniella emphasised the extraordinary levels of lying the conflict has brought.

 “I've never seen a war with this much misinformation and hate speech”

And she described how the absolute belief on both sides in their righteousness engendered conspiracy theory.

I am deeply pessimistic about this conflict.

W. H. Auden’s lines written at the start of the Second World War run through my mind,

I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.

Israelis will look at the evil done in the massacres of Jews and support the ultra-nationalist and ultra-religious right. Palestinians will look at the evil done in the destruction of Gaza and support Hamas.

Cheeringly, and somewhat to my surprise, Daniella was an optimist.

“I think Israelis and Palestinians are no different from, other people experiencing protracted and horrific conflict. They want to get on with their own lives. They want to live peacefully. They want to raise their children and they want justice. And that's the same for both sides and for all sides.”

Please listen to the whole thing.

Below is a long read on the weakness of strongmen inspired by the disgraceful spectacle of the supposed tough guy Benjamin Netanyahu presiding over the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

Most commentators still live with the old clichés that right-wing governments are strong on national defence. They no longer hold in our time when populist demagogues, build their personal power by weakening the state, including the military.

There’s a paywall but you can jump it with a free trial. Alternatively you could help me carry on writing by taking out a subscription.

Best wishes,

Nick

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