The US and Israel are building up military activity in the Middle East https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-israel-is-ramping-up-its-war-on-terror/ but are failing to address the roots of the problem https://www.patternsofpower.org/conflict-in-gaza/
The IDF has admitted lying about, and trying to hide, the killing of medics in Gaza. Its response is woefully inadequate. This has damaged the reputation of the Israeli leadership and must have increased Palestinian hatred of them https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24q6201d8yo
Palestinian children are the victims of Netanyahu’s strategy of starving Gaza https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/we-are-breaking-bodies-minds-children-gaza-says-who-executive-director-2025-05-01/
Israel may seize all Gaza in expanded operation, officials say https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-cabinet-approves-expansion-gaza-offensive-broadcaster-kan-reports-2025-05-05/. Ethnic cleansing is a war crime. Netanyahu’s actions are generating hatred that will put all Jews at risk worldwide.
It is not anti-Semitic to criticise war crimes. The Israeli government is committing genocide whilst escaping criticism from western governments. Now China is drawing attention to this western moral failure https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3309917/western-world-has-already-dug-its-own-grave-gaza-war
Netanyahu’s conduct of the war in Gaza has brought Israel and its supporters into disrepute, so it's appropriate that Donald Trump has given him the cold shoulder this week: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/12/middleeast/israel-trump-middle-east-intl
Trump is helping Israel commit war crimes in Gaza by impeding the ICC prosecution of Netanyahu: https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/british-icc-chief-prosecutor-lost-email-bank-accounts-frozen-trump-sanctions/ And he has recently repeated his wish to take over the enclave to develop it as a tourist resort. He has no moral compass.
Netanyahu only starts to let aid into Gaza after pressure from countries that have been supporting him up to now. He should never have embarked on collective punishment of innocent children https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-gaza-war-netanyahu-faces-sanctions-threat-palestinians-starvation/
Netanyahu has been fuelling global antisemitism by starving the children of Gaza. He has now had the gall to depict the leaders of Britain France and Canada as antisemitic because they have criticised his actions https://news.sky.com/story/netanyahu-launches-attack-on-starmer-macron-and-carney-after-embassy-shooting-13372966
Israel is ethnic cleansing in both Gaza and the West Bank. This contravenes international law and is strategically unwise: giving Palestinians even more reason to hate Jews and feeding global anti-Semitism https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j5954edlno
Trump is finding it hard to position Israel’s Iran strikes. Is he trying to put Iran under pressure after expiry of his 60-day deadline, or was it solely Israel’s decision? Was Israel trying to disrupt Trump’s talks? https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-strikes-iran-amid-nuclear-tensions-2025-06-13/
Netanyahu hasn’t learnt from his failures with Palestinians. He has no way of achieving his military objective in Iran, its regime will work even harder to make bombs, and its population will unify against the attacker https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79e233j2gro
Trump is undecided on whether to join Israel in its war against Iran, and whether to try to stop the latter from making a nuclear bomb. His MAGA supporters are divided on the issue, but regional peace should be the only consideration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1wp72224jzo
Trump has aligned himself with Israel’s strategy by bombing Iran. It will not long delay Iran’s work on a nuclear bomb –and will motivate it to accelerate. And it brings great risk of increased regional conflict https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-under-missile-attack-iran-says-all-options-open-after-us-strikes-2025-06-22/
Israel's murder of civilians in Gaza is terrorism: trying to frighten them into leaving their country. Palestine Action is doing criminal damage and embarrassing the government, but isn’t terrifying anyone https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn81g4e0nlyo
Trump, having done what Netanyahu had asked for in bombing Iran, has now been able to demand a pause in that war. He should now pressurise Netanyahu to declare a ceasefire in Gaza and allow food aid to be delivered https://www.axios.com/2025/06/24/trump-israel-iran-ceasefire-violation
Trump was delighted by Hegseth’s prematurely triumphalist claim that it is unpatriotic for Americans to doubt the success of the US bombing of Iran – but the public will be unforgiving if problems with Iran continue https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20rd30l7l3o
The Israeli- and US-backed ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’ (GHF) is not fit for purpose. 500 deaths and 4000 wounded in a month, as starving people seek food. Netanyahu and Trump have blood on their hands https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/charities-urge-shutdown-of-us-and-israel-backed-gaza-aid-group
The IDF’s words ring hollow. They lied about an earlier strike on a clearly lit ambulance. They have already killed more than 500 people seeking food. They are committing genocide https://news.sky.com/story/idf-blames-technical-error-after-gaza-officials-say-children-collecting-water-killed-in-strike-13396138
Netanyahu is trying to weaken neighbouring countries. He thinks that will make him safe from attack, but it will merely increase hostility towards Israel (and towards Jews worldwide). And he’s upsetting his allies https://www.axios.com/2025/07/20/israel-syria-strikes-trump-netanyahu-divide
Israel rejects international criticism of its behaviour in Gaza, calling the statement 'disconnected from reality' for failing to blame Hamas – but its own strategy is unrealistic without a credible plan for peace https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-france-23-other-nations-condemn-israel-over-inhumane-killing-civilians-2025-07-21/
The Israeli government is starving children in Gaza. It throttles the distribution of food and fires on those who try to reach what little there is – yet it rejects criticism and blames Hamas https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/23/middleeast/gaza-starving-killed-israel-while-seeking-aid-intl
Trump is trying to put pressure on Hamas, abandoning talks and threatening to crush it. That has never worked. A peace process, recognising Palestinian human rights, is the only way that Israel can ever be secure https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrqrz857wgo
There is confused thinking. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestine-action-wins-bid-challenge-uk-ban-under-anti-terrorism-laws-2025-07-30/
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE ALL TRUE:
Hamas are terrorists.
Support for Palestinian civilians is a valid protest against Israel’s war crimes.
Damage to property is criminal.
Peaceful protest is lawful.
Trump wants to end the war in Gaza. His credibility as a peacemaker is at stake, so hopefully he will bring Netanyahu and Hamas to heel and focus on the essential requirement for a Palestinian State https://www.axios.com/2025/08/02/witkoff-hostage-families-trump-deal-gaza-war
Netanyahu’s plan for full occupation of Gaza, a war crime, would be fiercely opposed by Arab States. It would further increase hatred towards Israel. And it would prolong the war. Where is Trump, the self-styled peacemaker? https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/04/netanyahu-says-decision-made-for-full-occupation-of-gaza
The UN has justifiably condemned Israel’s plans to prolong the war in Gaza. Only the US supported Israel – showing Trump to be a warmonger who is uninterested in peace negotiations and Palestinian rights https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yll33v9gwo
Israel’s plans to resettle Gaza’s population clearly show that ethnic cleansing is its goal. It isn't seeking to live peacefully with Palestinians. Maximum international pressure is needed to make it change course https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/13/middleeast/israel-in-talks-to-resettle-palestinians-from-gaza-in-south-sudan-ap-intl
Many Israelis want peace but Netanyahu wants war. He can weaken Hamas but he cannot suppress the Palestinian fight for justice which has continued for decades. He’s repeatedly tried and failed. He should be overthrown https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israelis-stage-nationwide-protests-demand-end-gaza-war-release-hostages-2025-08-17/
President Macron, together with the leaders of Egypt and Jordan, is now planning to pursue “the only credible way forward”: a “two-state solution”
BUT NETANYAHU WILL TRY TO STOP IT
https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1958152478811193746?t=ko9XVdqMum3Q67N6OKiODA&s=03
The Times of Israel reports as antisemitism “Almost half of Brits believe Israel treats Palestinians the way Nazis treated Jews”, but it’s not. It’s criticism of the government's behaviour https://www.timesofisrael.com/study-finds-that-one-in-five-british-people-now-holds-antisemitic-views/
Netanyahu has literally bombed the Gaza peace talks.
He doesn’t want a negotiated peace, which would concede rights to Palestinians and win the return of the hostages held by Hamas. He wants to eliminate Hamas – which is impossible https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2zepgp5neo
The UN resolution endorsing a two-State solution in Israel/Palestine points a path to regional peace in the Middle East. It would benefit both Jews and Palestinians – but the US and Israel still pursue a counterproductive war https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-overwhelmingly-endorses-two-state-solution-declaration-that-condemns-hamas-2025-09-12/
Netanyahu said 3 days ago "There'll Be No Palestinian State" but it’s the only route to regional peace. Rubio should support the UN line to avoid the US joining Israel as a pariah https://www.axios.com/2025/09/13/rubio-netanyahu-israeli-annexation-west-bank
The US and Israel rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, but why didn’t the draft UN Resolution condemn Hamas and accept israel's right to defend itself? Then there would be no excuse for rejecting it https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3yj41083no
Palestine existed long before the modern State of Israel was founded. Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Netanyahu’s denial of Palestine’s right to exist are human rights violations https://apnews.com/article/britain-palestine-recognition-israel-starmer-f667dca304a308b4b3ccf8100ef5051e
Trump supports Israel’s behaviour in the West Bank and Gaza.
He wants his real estate deals and the support of the US Jewish lobby more than he wants peace in the Middle East.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-address-un-he-distances-us-global-cooperation-2025-09-23/
Characteristically, Trump has changed course. He has now decided to put pressure on Israel to stop the war in Gaza. Netanyahu has been forced to agree, but will that hold? https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/gaza-peace-deal-trump-netanyahu-meeting
Trump and the Arab States must keep up the pressure on Netanyahu to prevent him from restarting the war as soon as the hostages are returned https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5q04yr345o
The "virtue-signalling liberals" like Starmer and Macron realise that a lasting peace depends on a two-state solution and it'll take time https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15179219/Israel-Hamas-war-Blessed-peacemaker-utterly-pointless-virtue-signalling-liberals-like-Starmer-Macron.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton
Trump has declared the end of the Gaza war – and he deserves credit. It is no guarantee of peace, though. Peace will not be achieved until Palestinians have been given at least some autonomy and civil rights https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israelis-honour-trump-hostages-return-home-two-years-after-their-capture-2025-10-12/
Hamas is acting as a de facto police force, with a nod from Trump, brutally killing members of rival gangs– some of which are backed by Israel. This illustrates the fragility of the ceasefire https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/13/hamas-deploys-armed-fighters-and-police-across-parts-of-gaza
2 Israeli soldiers were killed (but Hamas has denied responsibility). Some hostage bodies are missing. The U.S urged Israel to "respond proportionately but show restraint" – yet 100 airstrikes looks like more war https://www.axios.com/2025/10/19/trump-gaza-deal-hamas-israel
Lawmakers in the Knesset are defying Trump (and Netanyahu since Trump leant on him) and international law, by voting to annex the West Bank. It was a vote against a 2-state solution and peace https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/22/israels-parliament-advances-bill-to-annex-occupied-west-bank
Israel killed 19 Palestinians in Tuesday air strikes, citing Hamas ceasefire violations. The US must stop Netanyahu from making further attacks for that specific excuse if JD Vance’s claim that "the ceasefire is holding" is to be true https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-says-israel-will-respond-after-hamas-hands-over-remains-not-belonging-2025-10-28/
The US has recognised that the UN can help with difficult disputes. The UN would add legitimacy to the next steps in bringing peace to Gaza https://www.axios.com/2025/11/03/gaza-security-force-board-of-peace-un-resolution
It is almost a year since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was agreed, but Israel is still striking Lebanon and won’t negotiate. Its strategy is to try to suppress its opponents rather than make peace. That is costly, morally wrong and futile https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-a144881947fcaaef772ef689372cf3f3
There are numerous issues to resolve for the Gaza ceasefire to become more permanent. Israel, Hamas and Trump's team will all have to show that they are capable of the delicate diplomacy required to reach a compromise https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kushner-israel-trapped-hamas-fighters-issue-bedevils-gaza-truce-progress-2025-11-10/
Israel’s government has not done enough to prevent settler violence in the West Bank. If Trump wants peace in Israel he needs to put pressure on Netanyahu to use the full force of the law to bring the criminals to justice https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-gaza-palestinians-west-bank-cc98f37d31a6510b08e767366ca8038e
Trump is trying to progress his peace plan for Israel by normalising its relations with Saudi Arabia. The Saudis want a firm plan for a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine – starting with Palestinian civil rights perhaps? https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/trump-mbs-israel-normalization-call-saudi
UN authorization of a peace plan for Gaza is welcome. There is a potential hurdle though: Israel must be forced to take a back seat, so that Hamas can disarm honourably https://www.axios.com/2025/11/17/gaza-security-force-un-resolution-passes
While Trump's attention switched to a peace plan for Ukraine, his peace plan in Gaza is unravelling. Israel has killed 352 Palestinians since then and continues to make life unbearable for them https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/27/israel-still-committing-genocide-in-gaza-amnesty-international-says
Israel is recklessly damaging its international reputation and increasing Palestinian hatred towards it. Ben-Gvir, who applauds war crimes, should immediately be removed from office and be prosecuted https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-condemns-brazen-west-bank-killings-2025-11-28/
A Netanyahu pardon would not “be good for Israel”. His policies make peace impossible: genocide, settler violence and opposition to the two-state solution https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-officially-asks-israeli-president-pardon-2025-11-30/
The “rising antisemitic violence that has alarmed Jewish communities worldwide” is appalling. No violence against an entire community is ever justifiable – and most Jews deplore the atrocities committed by Netanyahu’s government https://www.axios.com/2025/12/14/australia-bondi-beach-hanukkah-shooting-terror
Israel's security cabinet Is opposing the two-state solution, defying international law, and destroying any hope for peace. Trump must now either rein in Israel (if he can) or abandon the Abraham Accords https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjg18xe0wwo
Israel's destruction of Palestinian housing has led to great suffering, now made much worse by winter. Israel Is making matters worse by continuing military action, so external organisations cannot deliver aid. Genocide is not too strong a word https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/28/middleeast/harsh-winter-weather-flooding-despair-gaza-intl
Netanyahu opposes the only route to peace in Israel / Palestine: a 2-State solution, as advocated by its Arab neighbours. Trump’s total support for Netanyahu will make all Jews less safe https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/12/30/trump-netanyahu-iran-gaza/
Trump's headline-grabbing military deployment to Iran may be to distract from politics at home, or to please Israel, but Iran will resist. Patient diplomacy would be a better approach than threats of violence https://www.axios.com/2026/01/28/trump-threatens-iran-worse-attack
Israel repeatedly asserts that Hamas has violated the ceasefire that began in October, but it has killed more than 500 Palestinians in response. Disarming Hamas is important – but so is Israeli withdrawal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c701g1g00gdo
It seems likely that Iran was probing US capability in drone defence and sending a signal to Trump that it is preparing for combat. Iran could launch swarms of drones in a military confrontation https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-shoots-down-iranian-drone-approaching-aircraft-carrier-official-says-2026-02-03/
Iran is threatening to attack US bases as a signal that it isn’t impressed by Trump’s armada and negotiating tactics. It isn’t a promising lead-up to diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions: confrontation not negotiation https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/if-us-attacks-iran-says-it-will-strike-us-bases-region-2026-02-07/
Israel's proposed land grab in the West Bank makes a two-state peace solution harder to achieve. Netanyahu is visiting Trump on Wednesday, so the US President could then stop the plan – if he wants to https://apnews.com/article/west-bank-israel-settlement-palestinians-cabinet-328429d96099bc33275035b85244797a
Trump has announced that he will start work on Gaza reconstruction by chairing his Board of Peace on Thursday. He makes big claims for it, but international support is patchy https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-board-peace-reconstruction-stabilization-685251b3e8f24cf8779d6fe3f5f2ca04
The US ambassador has said that Israel “has a right to much of the Middle East”. This makes a nonsense of Trump’s attempt to bring peace to the region by working closely with Israel’s Arab neighbours https://apnews.com/article/israel-ambassador-huckabee-middle-east-arab-muslim-e88a235c48bfb904f0ee7f8a72edf250
Trump has told Axios that he might limit the Iran war to 3 days. Israel claims to have decapitated the religious leadership, perhaps making space for regime change – but a peaceful transition to democracy will be difficult https://www.axios.com/2026/02/28/trump-iran-war-israel-off-ramps
Russia condemned US strikes on Iran for breaking international law – yet it attacked Ukraine and it uses Iranian-made weaponry in that conflict. Its hypocrisy is obvious. And the UN is toothless https://passblue.com/2026/02/28/un-security-council-falls-short-of-fully-condemning-us-israeli-attack-on-iran/
Britain wanted to stay out of America's war with Iran, but Iran has attacked Cyprus – thereby widening the conflict. Britain now has no good choices, because retaliation would drag it into the rapidly escalating mess https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2r0q310e3o
Trump's stated reasons for attacking Iran have shifted from regime change to destruction of Iran’s military capabilities. And Rubio has explained “why now?” – Netanyahu wanted to kill Iran’s leader, so Trump decided to join in https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-ordered-iran-strikes-thwart-tehrans-missile-program-2026-03-02/
Russia and China have not come to Iran’s aid. It is lucky that they are more risk-averse than Netanyahu and Trump. The US and Israel have ignited a regional conflict which is still spreading, but it is not yet a World War https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/isolated-under-fire-iran-strikes-out-russia-china-stand-aside-2026-03-05/
Trump is making a big mistake in trying to humiliate Iran instead of negotiating. He cannot win this war by air strikes alone. He will meet prolonged resistance on the ground, just as in Iraq and Afghanistan https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/trump-iran-war-unconditional-surrender
Britain didn’t agree with the US decision to strike Iran while negotiations were ongoing. Israel led and Trump obediently followed. That was both stupid and illegal. The next UK decision, to send assets into theatre now, was defensive https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-tells-britain-he-does-not-need-its-help-win-iran-war-2026-03-07/
Oil price hikes affect cost of living in the US and globally. Trump is now nervous about the impact of the Iran war on his popularity so he is reducing sanctions on Russia to cut prices. The Iran war is benefiting Russia https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-oil-prices-jump-supply-fears-amid-expanding-us-israeli-war-with-iran-2026-03-08/
Iran has a strong hand, no matter how heavy the US air strikes. The IRGC can inflict great damage on the Gulf states and the global economy. The US wants a quick end to the war, but it won’t be able to dictate terms https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/iran-says-oil-blockade-will-continue-until-attacks-end-trump-threatens-hit-2026-03-10/
Israel's planned invasion of Lebanon will fail, as has its previous invasions. Civilian casualties will be a gift to Hezbollah, which will gain new recruits. The Lebanese government needs help, not bombs https://www.axios.com/2026/03/14/israel-lebanon-ground-invasion-hezbollah
Robert Reich’s article on Substack noted that Trump says that the US is planning to escort warships through the Strait of Hormuz – but that would be very dangerous. The more likely outcome is that he just exits https://robertreich.substack.com/p/so-what-does-trump-do-now
Europeans are reluctant to help Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He had said earlier that he didn’t need any help, but he is now threatening consequences for NATO members who don’t support him. He is an unreliable ally https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-allies-rebuff-trumps-request-support-strait-hormuz-2026-03-16/
Asking for China's help to open the Strait of Hormuz shows Trump’s ignorance. Chinese and Indian ships can pass through freely. Russia, China, India and Iran help each other as SCO and BRICS members https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-postpones-trip-beijing-iran-war-delays-china-reset-2026-03-17/
It is always a mistake to assume that Iran has no retaliation options in this war. It has now struck Qatar to inflict economic pain in response to Israel’s strike on its gas field https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-criticises-allies-over-rejection-hormuz-request-iran-israel-trade-2026-03-17/
Iran wanted sanctions lifted on its oil. Its wish is being granted – because it can dictate its own terms, after Trump’s unwise decision to join Netanyahu in starting this war that affects the whole world https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/trump-iran-oil-sanctions
Trump has lifted his threat to strike Iranian energy facilities, so the oil price has dropped. His decisions affect markets. It would be interesting to know whether his family has made money betting on the price movements https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75kl47zez3o
Trump's threat to seize Iran's Kharg Island has three big drawbacks. US boots on the ground would be unpopular with voters, there would be American casualties, and a further cut to global oil supplies would raise prices https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c937gd1vq7xo
Trump’s war will continue as long as Netanyahu and Iran want it to. Whatever he does next, the war has his name on it and the economic damage will be seen as his legacy. It will be impossible to present it as a US win https://www.euronews.com/2026/03/31/netanyahu-iran-war-usa-trump
US and Israeli attacks on Iran are intended to weaken it, but the bombing has also strengthened civilian resistance and hatred of the attackers. Iranian leaders are now exploiting this https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/iran-leaders-join-crowds-tehrans-streets-project-control-wartime-2026-04-03/
Israel's attacks on Lebanon healthcare facilities cannot be justified ethically, in law, or militarily. People are appalled by attacks on civilian infrastructure, so Hezbollah gains more recruits and fights harder https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/4/3/how-israel-is-destroying-healthcare-infrastructure-in-southern-lebanon
Trump's threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure were obscene, including the language he used. In stark contrast to the Pope's Easter message of peace, he was threatening war crimes https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-us-will-target-irans-infrastructure-tuesday-2026-04-05/
Pope Leo has rightly criticised Trump's threats against the Iranian people. Regardless of what Trump does next, those threats are an unforgettable stain on America's moral standing https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-leo-calls-trumps-threat-against-iran-truly-unacceptable-2026-04-07/
China's role in the Iran war is not a surprise. Russia, Iran and China are partners in the SCO and BRICS. The Iranian regime will survive – but the US needs to exit from an unpopular war, so its bargaining position is weak https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/politics/china-iran-war-missiles-supplies.html
Escalation Will Not Work for Trump. Mearsheimer notes that Trump's planned blockade would only make the world economy even worse https://open.substack.com/pub/mearsheimer/p/escalation-will-not-work-for-trump