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.

  • kaffiene@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    You’re an idiot if you think that criticism of Biibi or IDF actions equates to supporting Hamas. I get that you like one side of the conflict but don’t assume that because others dislike the mass killing of civilians that means that they support terrorists.

    • TserriednichThe4th@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      You’re an idiot if you think that criticism of Biibi or IDF actions equates to supporting Hamas

      Then I am not an idiot. Thank you.

      Bibi needs criticism. Let’s not elevate Hamas as resistance fighters tho.

      You are an idiot if you are denying some of the very real anti semitism coming from the left now. Jews should be allowed to be Jews and have that independent from the israeli-palestinian confilct.