Israel and New Zealand are now at war?

[angrysoba]

So, according to Bibi...

Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told New Zealand’s foreign minister that support for a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlement-building in the occupied territories would be viewed as a “declaration of war”.

According to reports in Israeli media, the Israeli PM called Murray McCully, the foreign minister of New Zealand, before Friday’s resolution, which was co-sponsored by Wellington. Netanyahu told him: “This is a scandalous decision. I’m asking that you not support it and not promote it.

“If you continue to promote this resolution, from our point of view it will be a declaration of war. It will rupture the relations and there will be consequences. We’ll recall our ambassador [from New Zealand] to Jerusalem.”

Source

So what happens next?

Is this kind of undiplomatic language merely an attempt at bullying or is he seriously saying that the two countries are now at war?

Is this the new Trumpian form of politics of bluster or what?

 

[Hlafordlaes]

Bibi is a bombastic idiot playing to the local crowd and thinking of election coalitions. He can be trusted to put anything -- peace, the future of the country, relations with allies -- on to the sacrificial altar of his unlimited hubris. In that, he is Israel's Trump.

 

[Degeneve]

It is not Israel which is at war with New Zealand but rather Netanyahu who is at war with every country which does not fully share his views on the Palestinian question. And this represents a lot of countries...

 

[Jules Galen]

Bibi is a bombastic idiot playing to the local crowd and thinking of election coalitions. He can be trusted to put anything -- peace, the future of the country, relations with allies -- on to the sacrificial altar of his unlimited hubris. In that, he is Israel's Trump.

I can't believe I actually used to like the guy.

 

[Hercules56]

The world is tired of Israel's crap, and its about time.

If they don't change course soon, they will face international sanctions.

 

[Shiner]

I'm pretty sure that a declaration of war would be appropriately titled. Probably along the lines of 'Declaration of War'. Perhaps Israel should issue one instead of bullying rhetoric. How to win friends and influence people. Supreme arrogance is the new diplomacy.
Does Israel really expect the rest of the world to continue to turn a blind eye to their disgusting attitudes towards human rights?

 

[theprestige]

It's a pretty simple calculus, really: Does New Zealand's policy appease Hamas, or oppose Hamas?

 

[Shiner]

It's a pretty simple calculus, really: Does New Zealand's policy appease Hamas, or oppose Hamas?

I'm pretty sure the policy is to back resolution 2334 in unison with the other 14 members of the security council. Why they've been singled out is beyond me.

ETA. Here's a pdf copy of resolution 2334. http://www.un.org/ga/search/viewm_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2334(2016)

 

[Shiner]

I suppose it does appease Hamas in that it demands that Israel relinquish occupation of territory that Hamas lays claim to.

 

[Sideroxylon]

The world is tired of Israel's crap, and its about time.

If they don't change course soon, they will face international sanctions.

They will have the unflappable support of Trumpistan.

 

[banquetbear]

It's a pretty simple calculus, really: Does New Zealand's policy appease Hamas, or oppose Hamas?

...its a lot simpler than that really. I just need to open up this morning's newspaper. "Are we at war with Israel?" Nope. No we are not.

 

[theprestige]

I'm pretty sure the policy is to back resolution 2334 in unison with the other 14 members of the security council. Why they've been singled out is beyond me.

Because they co-sponsored the resolution, apparently. And appealing to popularity doesn't excuse supporting Hamas.

I suppose it does appease Hamas in that it demands that Israel relinquish occupation of territory that Hamas lays claim to.

I suppose it does.

They will have the unflappable support of Trumpistan.

One can only hope.

...its a lot simpler than that really. I just need to open up this morning's newspaper. "Are we at war with Israel?" Nope. No we are not.

Of course. New Zealanders don't fight; they just encourage Hamas to fight. Somehow they imagine this make them better than Hamas.

 

[banquetbear]

Of course. New Zealanders don't fight; they just encourage Hamas to fight. Somehow they imagine this make them better than Hamas.

...when did we do that exactly?

 

[Shiner]

Because they co-sponsored the resolution, apparently. And appealing to popularity doesn't excuse supporting Hamas.


I suppose it does.


One can only hope.


Of course. New Zealanders don't fight; they just encourage Hamas to fight. Somehow they imagine this make them better than Hamas.

Just so I'm clear ..... did I agree to your use of the word 'support' with my use of suppose' and 'appease' I don't see your opinion supported in the wording of the document.

I'm aware of the strategic arguments for Israel's continual invasion of territory they have no claim to. I'm aware that their opposition are terrorists. Can you explain why you feel so strongly that Israel should recieve support from the U.S, and be excused from adhering to the documents and laws that allowed the establishment of the place.

Note I make no statements of support here. Terrorists are scum. The way Israel operates in the Gaza Strip and West Bank is terrorism.

Tit for tat, certainly. Does that make it ok?

Can you explain how you came to the conclusion that NZ encourage Hamas to fight? All I see is encouragement for diplomacy.

 

[Hercules56]

Just so I'm clear ..... did I agree to your use of the word 'support' with my use of suppose' and 'appease' I don't see your opinion supported in the wording of the document.

I'm aware of the strategic arguments for Israel's continual invasion of territory they have no claim to. I'm aware that their opposition are terrorists. Can you explain why you feel so strongly that Israel should recieve support from the U.S, and be excused from adhering to the documents and laws that allowed the establishment of the place.

Note I make no statements of support here. Terrorists are scum. The way Israel operates in the Gaza Strip and West Bank is terrorism.

Tit for tat, certainly. Does that make it ok?

Can you explain how you came to the conclusion that NZ encourage Hamas to fight? All I see is encouragement for diplomacy.

A co-worker of mine says that "allies do not question each others conduct".

 

[Sideroxylon]

Because they co-sponsored the resolution, apparently. And appealing to popularity doesn't excuse supporting Hamas.


I suppose it does.


One can only hope.


Of course. New Zealanders don't fight; they just encourage Hamas to fight. Somehow they imagine this make them better than Hamas.

You give that straw man might a right old flogging, bro.

 

[Hercules56]

In the mind of many Israelis, supporting Israel means you support and defend everything they do. Opposing the settlements equals opposing Israel and hating the Jews.

 

[angrysoba]

It's a pretty simple calculus, really: Does New Zealand's policy appease Hamas, or oppose Hamas?

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that New Zealand's policy appeases Hamas. I don't agree that that is the purpose, but let's say that that is its effect. Your "simple calculus" appears to be that any country pursuing a policy that effectively appeases Hamas is at war with Israel. Well, the simple calculus is demented. It would put Israel at war with the entire Security Council of the UN. That's something that only North Korea has managed to do in the past, and which is highly unlikely to happen again.

The point is that expressing anger at New Zealand's policy is one thing but throwing around loose talk of declarations of war is mental.

 

[Jules Galen]

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that New Zealand's policy appeases Hamas. I don't agree that that is the purpose, but let's say that that is its effect. Your "simple calculus" appears to be that any country pursuing a policy that effectively appeases Hamas is at war with Israel. Well, the simple calculus is demented. It would put Israel at war with the entire Security Council of the UN. That's something that only North Korea has managed to do in the past, and which is highly unlikely to happen again.

The point is that expressing anger at New Zealand's policy is one thing but throwing around loose talk of declarations of war is mental.

Hamas is crazy. So what?

Hamas speak does not speak for all the Arabs and never has done so.

 

[Shiner]

In the mind of many Israelis, supporting Israel means you support and defend everything they do. Opposing the settlements equals opposing Israel and hating the Jews.

I'm aware of this. Speaking against Israel equals antisemitism in the same way that speaking against Black Lives Matter equals racism.

It's their Trump card.