This is a megathread for any posts on the conflict between (so far, and so far as I know) Hamas and the Israeli government, as well as related geopolitics. Culture War thread rules apply.
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Notes -
Sure, the Belfour Declaration and its consequences have been a disaster for the Levant.
OK, now what? The position that both sides have a legitimate beef is all well and good as far as it goes. I agree with it and have done my best to articulate it to people who are less inherently sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians. I may have even moved them a little in that direction! But so what? After I understand the situation, I still have to deal with what actually exists on the ground now. For me, that means siding with Israel not based on some deep-rooted claim regarding who should really control the region, but based on simple friend-enemy distinction.
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