Very impressive individual.

One of only a handful globally worthy of respect.

I'm waiting for Clair Obscur, BG3 to come out on a good sale.

In the meantime I'm strangely going through a vertical / horizontal shoot-em-up phase... (including old arcade ports).

And mine.

You're looking at velvet malachite, Cu2CO3(OH)2.

A few warnings:
Please resist the urge to touch it to feel how soft it is.
Absolutely /do not/ lick it.
Keep far away from any Supermen.
If a wingéd creature emerges, do not agree to any pacts.

Let's talk about the science here.

Yeah, super cute outfit and well posed/shot.

I apologise.

I have made an error and extrapolated the weakness in 2023 and 2024... Its GDP growth has since strengthened to respectable levels.

Arab is not widely considered a derogatory word. Neither in Israel nor in others.

I understand "Arab" and "Israeli Arab" are commonly adopted by Arabs in Israel.

Uh huh.

I find, when dealing with the hard Left, that they are almost as hostile to those who advocate Centrist positions, as they are to the hard Right.

Whilst a generalisation, I find they are quite tribal. And in many cases, poorly informed.

Well, it's good at least you acknowledged your statement was wrong.

I rarely see that.

* correction: Israel's economy is not doing so well on account of the multiple battlefronts it is running.

Israel has been succeeding in every space but the popular opinion vote at the UN General Assembly. Which they don't seem to care about these days.

Israel has achieved official recognition with Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain and others.

I don't like Israel but these are facts.

Yes, they are the same thing.

Self interest dictates that intervention is either costly (financially) or diplomatically.

So they don't.

And sometimes it's just pure ambivalence.

The only bad party is USA?

Hello? RUSSIA!?

🤦

I will not be responding to you again. I have better things to do with my time than converse with someone who has a shaky grasp on reality.

I disagree. It is not clear cut.

Hamas has said they will 7 Oct "again and again".

I'm sorry to hear you support war crimes / genocidal acts.

Are you taking the piss? 😳

Are you unaware of all the times Palestinians have targeted their own leaders to obstruct diplomatic efforts and any recognition of Israel?!

😂 You Irish.

This exchange only confirms my earlier views.

That response is about what I expected.

And so Palestinians will suffer for another hundred years on account of an uncompromising and unrealistic position.

Have a good day.

I have British friends, and immediate family members that have lived in Britain for decades.

You are off your rocker.

Indulging in victim fantasy crap and grudge-making from hundreds of years ago.

The deal would have given Palestinians almost all of 1967 borders (although well short of the original land apportionment under UN 1948 partion plan). It was never going back to the original following multiple invasions of Israel.

I don't know how familiar you are with it. It was a fair offer.

Do hold onto your victim fantasy and grudges.

I'm sure they'll serve you well. 👍

Many nations (including Israel) have sent food to Palestine.

If you have nothing intelligent to say, I suggest withhold comment.

Why has three-quarters of the world done nothing for Ukraine even though (at least in my view) there is unambiguously a good and bad party in that conflict?

Because (most) nations prioritise self interest.

Because the conflict is not as clear cut as is made out by the hard Left. Atrocities on both sides.

Additionally, Israel is overwhelmingly more powerful (economically, militarily, influentially).

At a minimum, int'l community should have imposed consequences on West Bank settlement expansion.

That is nonsense.

Israel ceased its occupation of Gaza in 2005. This gave rise to election of Hamas, and rest is history. It had no interest in Gaza beyond suppression.

Israel DOES have an illegitimate interest in West Bank expansion.

Accuracy is important.

What a load of nonsense. I have long time British friends and have discussed almost every topic under the sun, including relationship with Ireland.

You are living in a victim fantasy.

That can be answered right now.

Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank have been spun the fairytale (indoctrinated) that if they fight hard enough, they will eventually get rid of the Jews.

It's a cult mentality. Terrorism is their idea of resistance.

UNRWA (and UN) has not helped in this regard.

Even countries that officially recognise Israel (and profit from economic relations) don't really LIKE Israel... And they are secretly pleased to have the Palestinians as a thorn in Israel's side.

But they have no incentive to send their armies against Israel.

It's complicated.

The truth is that Palestinians have made themselves unwelcome in neighbouring countries (Jordan uprising, Lebanon, Egypt) as they are considered trouble.

Attempts at a fair two-state solution were offered many times, but rejected by Palestinians (pre-Netanyahu).

Palestinian state was broadly recognised by UN only since 2012. But as an amorphous state with no clear territories and divided leadership (Hamas vs PA).

Armies were sent to crush Israel. Repeatedly. They lost. But it wasn't really to save Palestinians, but more religious/nationalist tension.