Israeli security officials would escort Qatari representatives into Gaza to deliver the cash to Hamas, the New York Times reported.
Israeli officials are facing backlash after years of Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu quietly allowing Hamas to remain in power.
But reporting in the New York Times has revealed that Netanyahu's government was more hands-on about helping Hamas: they helped a Qatari diplomat bring suitcases of cash into Gaza, indirectly boosting the militant organization, according to the report.
The calculus — the Times reported on Sunday, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu's critics, and the man's own reported statements — was to keep Hamas strong enough to counteract the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, allowing Netanyahu to avoid a two-state peace solution and keep both sides weak.
Israeli security officials got it wrong; they didn't think Hamas was capable, or even interested, in launching a large attack against the Jewish state.
The cause of the blockage was terrorism (or "freedom fighters", depending on your POV) that was caused by Israel failing to negotiate in good faith on a two state solution, and actively repressing Palestinian organizations that were garnering international support.
Again: Israel is causing most of their own problems; it's like they've never heard of blowback.
BTW - if you think opposition to Israeli politics is the same thing as antisemitism, well, you aren't arguing in good faith. That would be like saying that opposition to US foreign policy is because you hate Jesus.
Doesn't matter. An Israeli minister in a government elected by the Israelis said it. That's their true intention.
Obviously they will ridicule him, because who would support that? People only support normal indiscriminate bombings of innocent civilians, but nuking is just a bit much. Maybe if Palestinians lived a little farther away, then it would be viable.
You're free to study the history of Zionism, and watch recent and current videos of many Israelis (incliding Israeli soldiers) saying that all the land belongs to them (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq).
Those aren't a couple of people. Those are the beliefs of Zionists.
Except when you poll and find out how deeply unpopular the conservatives are. Common trend…. Elected officials dont always represent a population. Similar situation with hamas tbh. Except hamas stopped holding elections.
I think its fair to say the blockade didnt work to keep things out of gaza. So other than being a type of effective security theater it seems to have been bad policy on its own terms
Great job they did keeping weapons out. Now combine this with all the intelligence they ignored that an attack was coming and try to take it seriously.