i too have been curious about the history of the Jews on both a personal and intellectual level. On of my distant cousins is a Zionist historian and I find it curious to listen to his potted justification - especially because on other matters his intellect and rationalism is breathtaking.
Israel will be fully aware of the duplicity and self interest of the USA and fully aware that it is a case of us of them in terms of survival as a nation. It’s an invidious position though it doesn’t excuse the ferocity of the payback. I think it is also fuelled by the particular characteristics of this Israeli government and Netanyahu’s own personality.
but that a government like this is in power says something about the community - which is a strange mix of orthodox and ultra orthodox and intelligent liberal Jews.
I don’t think israel needs to use nuclear weapons and not sure that Hamas could. The Arab states surrounding Israel would regard that as a threat to their own survival so I’d think that would be kept under control.
I also find it interesting that the surrounding states will not accept refugees and there are multiple reasons for that but it also makes the situation more challenging.
this cannot end well. Even if Hamas caved in I think resentment would simmer and boil over again
