> It beehoves the Palestines to build a strong military (which they can't without a State) and not hide like cowards lacking any code of ethics or morality. Is it correct to say Israel won't like that, because they prefer Hamas/Hizb-style millitia and collective punishment over a recognised military (and not a puppet "security force" like the NSF)? If true, do Israelis realise this and despite the government for it?

Since the entire region is very small there is a concern about a standing army literally at the doorstep. I don't think there's a preference for millitia but one of the rallying cries of the right is: "why did you give them guns". This refers to the fact that the Oslo accord provided the Palestinian police with guns. Then when things soured these weapons were used against Israelis.

They have a fantasy of a demilitarized autonomy, I honestly don't have a good answer here.

> Normalisation efforts are a great starting point.

The right was trying to push for peace with Saudi Arabia as a way to pressure the Palestinian leadership into a deal on Israels terms. I don't think that would have worked. Ideally, these holy areas should be open to everyone. Israels tourism numbers are amazingly low considering everything it has to offer. I know there's tourism from Jordan, UAE, etc.

But this will require a tectonic shift in mindset. The problem is that it's really hard to root out extremists.

> Norman Finkelstein, a very controversial figure, said in a talk at University of Waterloo (2008) that the issue of Palestine is a simple one but that the US had made it complicated for whatever it stands to gain (I wonder what that is, I have no clue). Finkelstein says, most of the world (via UN) agrees that Israel should rapidly work towards as 2 state solution, when only US doesn't and it consistently vetos most resolutions (some 280+ that have been brought against Israel, which is an astoundingly high number). What do you make of this stance (which comes from someone who's considered 'an enemy of Israel').

I 100% agree with the two state solution as did most Israelis in the past when it was surveyed. Not sure if this is still true. I think the solution is simple, but there's a lot of nuance which is where the main problems occur. There's also execution of a solution which is MUCH harder, e.g. clearing settlements, etc.

The vetos in the UN are related to resolutions brought about by Arab countries who have more influence in the UN due to their numbers. This is mostly the US defending Israel against a stacked playing field. Some of that is enablement but if it wasn't for the US there would be no moderation. A lot of the deals and holding back is due to US pressure.

> Well, Israel eventually split from Judea... Is that the kind of ideal settlers harbour long term?

A lot of people are talking about this since the split between right and left seems to be very clear here. E.g. Tel Aviv is as liberal as can be... It's often referred to as Tel Aviv state because it is so different in its views. Realistically, this is probably not doable.

> Another theme I see on the Israeli tech Twitter, is the insistence on convincing the American public about the war. Not sure if propoganda is the right term, but it is pretty close to it.

A recent set of letters from Harvard and other universities student bodies really shook up the local press. I Get that. They wrote that Israel is 100% to blame for everything even the attack on its own people. That is delusional and scary.

There's concern that Israel will find itself isolated again if it lets such rhetoric slide.

> at times seems hysterical

I was reading about a family of 3. The father and mother were unarmed and shot as part of the attack. The Hamas kidnapped the 3 year old to Gaza and the two other kids survived by hiding under their mothers body for 7 hours. Children hiding under bodies to survive is very reminiscent of the holocaust survivor stories. It's about as triggering as can be.

The Hamas reminded Israelis just how vulnerable Israel is. I think the hysteria is partially warranted.

> conditions in Gaza without any semblance of empathy or sympathy

This is "what aboutism" at its worse. I think they are doing a disservice to their country.

> > This is a scary dystopian future.
>
> If so, I wonder why the US supports such a future unconditionally?

They don't. Biden is actually pushing to something that would resemble a Marshal plan for Gaza with UN rule. That's smart, we're lucky that he's in-charge and not Trump or someone else. He understands the nuances of this situation better than most.

China is terrible, it made the worst communication mistakes with Israel when this whole thing started. They don't have the capability of nuance or diplomacy that the US has.