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.

        • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          Historically it does seem to be a reoccurring theme but they aren’t even the only group doing that today

          • ???@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            What exactly is your point? Because I seriously doubt that it’s math…

              • ???@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Ok. How far back are we talking in history? Just to know if I should throw Genghis Khan in or not, so we can do a top 10 and see where Israel lands

      • ???@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Oh no, Israel can’t be bad since everyone else also kills and maims, but let’s forget they have killed a large number of civilians in a span of 2 months, more journalists and medical professionals and UN workers in any other conflict ever. Boo fucking hoo.

          • ???@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            You were responding to someone saying Israel are the worst. Worst, being the superlative of bad and all.

              • ???@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Hmmm, you’re right, I guess it would be more correct like this: “Israel can’t be more bad than the average genocider…”

                • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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                  1 year ago

                  It would be more correct of a statement by you

                  But the person I replied to could have just called them bad…or explained why they are worse than every other genocidal group