Janice Gross Stein on the surprise attack on Israel and the best historical analogy to the crisis
This emergency episode of Hub Dialogues tries to make sense of a harrowing weekend in the Middle East. On Sunday night, the estimated death toll climbed to more than 1,000 people on both sides of the conflict as battles continued to rage and Israeli forces and citizens braced for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a long and difficult war" ahead.
Meanwhile at professors at Ontario universities are praising Palestinian action as correct and justified with the faculty local CUPE union singing the praises of Hamas terrorism.
What sane person or group would sign up to support the wanton slaughter of innocents and hostage taking?
This support of terrorism is beyond belief.
9th October 2023 at 10:04 am
Robert Tilden
would you be kind enough to Prove what you are saying by providing links and times and dates of of the aforementioned articles,, sounds like BS to me
9th October 2023 at 3:08 pm
John Trainor
CUPE has made no secret of its Hamas support and was shamed into taking down the advertising banners proclaiming such…..Rachel Notley’s husband is the CUPE nut job leading the charge…..marxist barbarians every one of them pretending to be ‘socialists with a brain’.
9th October 2023 at 3:42 pm
Michael F
Explicit support for Hamas or rather support for the Palestinian people and a two state solution?
9th October 2023 at 5:52 pm
Jacob Birch
Janice’s reminder about The Green Line being the internationally accepted border between Gaza and Israel illustrates that Hamas’ and Iran’s intention is annihilation (of Israel) not negotiation (for prisoners and end to embargo). How do you negotiate with an irregular force who targets civilians and desires only your End? Any result short of Hamas’ end will squander the terrible opportunity that lies before Israel at this time. What next? PA resume ruling and rebuilding Gaza.
9th October 2023 at 9:29 am
Michael F
The IDF will never eradicate Hamas or Hezbollah with conventional military operations. Was the US able to achieve a similar goal in Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq?
9th October 2023 at 11:41 am
Shahryar Saigol
What was the purpose of Hamas’s seemingly suicidal move to carry out this attack? To take hostages while losing its popular support in Gaza? No, they are playing for a bigger prize.
9th October 2023 at 7:42 am
Michael F
Some analysts are saying the attack was meant to derail the Saudi-Israel accords.
9th October 2023 at 12:18 pm
Bette Laughy
Thank you David Frum. You have clearly stated the Canadian sickness when you said that Canada has become known as a haven for international bad actors and needs to reassert ties with 5 eyes allies.
9th October 2023 at 4:31 pm
A.Chezzi
There will be no peace in the Middle East until all sides are at the table and the rights of all people are considered. At the moment both sides in this conflict refuse to listen, to dialogue and be present to the needs and suffering of everyone. Ideology once again stands in the way, blinding both sides to peace. No one, neither Israel nor Hezbollah can claim the high road and moral superiority. Atrocities abound on both sides. It was encouraging to hear a young man say that although is grandmother was killed in yesterday’s fighting, he was open to dialogue so that peace could be found. Maybe the younger generation is the hope for the way forward.
9th October 2023 at 11:01 am
A.Chezzi
It is comments such as this, Hammas started the war, let Israel finish it.” which will prolong the war. I am amazed that Jews who suffered so much at the hands of dictators would cause innocent men, women, and children to suffer as they did. Netenyahu’s warning, “get out now,” is unconscionable because he knows that there is no where to go in Gaza. I usually find Frum’s analysis have merit but this comment doesn’t show any merit.
9th October 2023 at 11:09 am
G. Kett
Although there is plenty of blame to go around, it remains clear – at least to me – that Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other players are intent on the complete annihilation of Israel. Nothing more/nothing less. Sadly I see little opportunity for any meaningful negotiation with that being the position of one side. That coupled with the current state of politics in the US doesn’t make things any better or any more likely to see real progress.
9th October 2023 at 3:38 pm
John Trainor
As a fellow traveller you deflect….you are an apologist for terrorism.
9th October 2023 at 3:44 pm
Don Stoneman
Janice Stein says there is overwhelming support for Israel in the Middle East and elssewhere after the Hamas attacks this past weekend. And yet this is the headline on a story in the New York Times Across the Mideast, a Surge of Support for Palestinians as War Erupts in Gaza
The escalation laid bare the limitations of diplomatic deals between Israel and Arab governments as long as the underlying conflict continues. “We told you so,” a Saudi scholar said.
So, I ask, which is it?
9th October 2023 at 8:26 am
Ian Gray
It is the New York Times.
9th October 2023 at 5:13 pm
jim Cowan
I seem to recall that about a week or so ago Netanyahu voiced his intent to apply more pressure on Gaza !?
10th October 2023 at 12:24 am
Ian Gray
I have been observing this continuous war, and it is a war, over Israel since sometime in the 50s. I and I am sure so many others are simply tired of this non stop Arab and Iranian, in one cloak or another, effort to eliminate a vibrant country and people.
A war is won or ends if you will when one side finally is beat down so it no longer has the will and means to continue. That is how the ‘war’ with Hamas must be brought to a close.
Unfortunately, there are too many sick societies lead by Iran willing to pick up the club on Irans behalf. Eventually the leader will have to be brought to the position of no longer having the will to fight. Or, the Arab Sunni peoples will have to say we are no longer willing to be manipulated and used by Persians.
Comments (17)
Meanwhile at professors at Ontario universities are praising Palestinian action as correct and justified with the faculty local CUPE union singing the praises of Hamas terrorism.
What sane person or group would sign up to support the wanton slaughter of innocents and hostage taking?
This support of terrorism is beyond belief.
would you be kind enough to Prove what you are saying by providing links and times and dates of of the aforementioned articles,, sounds like BS to me
CUPE has made no secret of its Hamas support and was shamed into taking down the advertising banners proclaiming such…..Rachel Notley’s husband is the CUPE nut job leading the charge…..marxist barbarians every one of them pretending to be ‘socialists with a brain’.
Explicit support for Hamas or rather support for the Palestinian people and a two state solution?
Janice’s reminder about The Green Line being the internationally accepted border between Gaza and Israel illustrates that Hamas’ and Iran’s intention is annihilation (of Israel) not negotiation (for prisoners and end to embargo). How do you negotiate with an irregular force who targets civilians and desires only your End? Any result short of Hamas’ end will squander the terrible opportunity that lies before Israel at this time. What next? PA resume ruling and rebuilding Gaza.
The IDF will never eradicate Hamas or Hezbollah with conventional military operations. Was the US able to achieve a similar goal in Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq?
What was the purpose of Hamas’s seemingly suicidal move to carry out this attack? To take hostages while losing its popular support in Gaza? No, they are playing for a bigger prize.
Some analysts are saying the attack was meant to derail the Saudi-Israel accords.
Thank you David Frum. You have clearly stated the Canadian sickness when you said that Canada has become known as a haven for international bad actors and needs to reassert ties with 5 eyes allies.
There will be no peace in the Middle East until all sides are at the table and the rights of all people are considered. At the moment both sides in this conflict refuse to listen, to dialogue and be present to the needs and suffering of everyone. Ideology once again stands in the way, blinding both sides to peace. No one, neither Israel nor Hezbollah can claim the high road and moral superiority. Atrocities abound on both sides. It was encouraging to hear a young man say that although is grandmother was killed in yesterday’s fighting, he was open to dialogue so that peace could be found. Maybe the younger generation is the hope for the way forward.
It is comments such as this, Hammas started the war, let Israel finish it.” which will prolong the war. I am amazed that Jews who suffered so much at the hands of dictators would cause innocent men, women, and children to suffer as they did. Netenyahu’s warning, “get out now,” is unconscionable because he knows that there is no where to go in Gaza. I usually find Frum’s analysis have merit but this comment doesn’t show any merit.
Although there is plenty of blame to go around, it remains clear – at least to me – that Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other players are intent on the complete annihilation of Israel. Nothing more/nothing less. Sadly I see little opportunity for any meaningful negotiation with that being the position of one side. That coupled with the current state of politics in the US doesn’t make things any better or any more likely to see real progress.
As a fellow traveller you deflect….you are an apologist for terrorism.
Janice Stein says there is overwhelming support for Israel in the Middle East and elssewhere after the Hamas attacks this past weekend. And yet this is the headline on a story in the New York Times Across the Mideast, a Surge of Support for Palestinians as War Erupts in Gaza
The escalation laid bare the limitations of diplomatic deals between Israel and Arab governments as long as the underlying conflict continues. “We told you so,” a Saudi scholar said.
So, I ask, which is it?
It is the New York Times.
I seem to recall that about a week or so ago Netanyahu voiced his intent to apply more pressure on Gaza !?
I have been observing this continuous war, and it is a war, over Israel since sometime in the 50s. I and I am sure so many others are simply tired of this non stop Arab and Iranian, in one cloak or another, effort to eliminate a vibrant country and people.
A war is won or ends if you will when one side finally is beat down so it no longer has the will and means to continue. That is how the ‘war’ with Hamas must be brought to a close.
Unfortunately, there are too many sick societies lead by Iran willing to pick up the club on Irans behalf. Eventually the leader will have to be brought to the position of no longer having the will to fight. Or, the Arab Sunni peoples will have to say we are no longer willing to be manipulated and used by Persians.
But, first things first.