The David Hunter Perspective - 2023-11-01

Read on for today's agenda below prepared by David (thank you very much). - Retired US Diplomat to 5 different nations  David Hunter shares his knowledge, passion, interest, and experience.

1)Why Is Biden Administration Counseling Israel Not To Launch Ground Invasion?: According to report of Washington Post this weekend, Biden and his team, while still backing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, think a ground invasion would not be a good idea. They suggest instead a 'limited tactical strike' on Hamas forces using Special Ops teams. Is that a better alternative?

2)Is Israel's Disproportionate Use of Military Force a Violation of International Laws of War?: The Israeli military has a military doctrine named Dahiya which claims massive retaliation for any limited attack is a legitimate way to defend and deter future attacks. If one Palestinian strikes an Israeli solider, the Palestinian family's home will be bulldozed down, making all the family members homeless. Collective punishment as deterrent. Is this justified as defense against Hamas or Hezbollah?

3)Will US Go to War Against Iran?: The Israel crisis has the potential to 'boil over' into a wider regional war, including Hezbollah and Iran. Already US is bombing Syrian bases of pro-Iran fighters who have fired missiles on US troops in the region. The US has 36,000 troops already stationed in the Middle East, including Djibouti, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and UAE. What would happen if we have a direct conflict with Iran?

4)Do Israeli Arabs Make Up Just 20% of Israel's Population?: The two million Israeli-Arabs --sometimes called "1948-Palestinians",---- who now live in 'non-occupied' areas of Israel, comprise just 20% of Israels total nine million official 'citizens'. The other seven million are Jewish. These population statistics are used by Israel to claim Israel is predominantly Jewish. But they do not include five million 'occupied West Bank' Palestinians or two million Gaza 'de-occupied Palestinians'. Should these also be considered part of Israel's population for Israeli census purposes?