bartolomeo

Yes they can even fire at U.S. ships if they want, but they might get fined. Nothing a little U.S. foreign aid won't cover, though.

Again?!

No, the vast majority of them emigrated to Palestine starting at the end of the 19th century, but even then they made up something like 15% of the population. You might be referring to the racial claim to the land, that since Jews came from Canaanites in the region thousands of years ago that the land belongs to Jews today, but of course that's ludicrous. Please take a look at this one example, the occupied city of Akka. It had 1.2% Jewish population in 1922, and then

Before the 1948 Arab-Israeli War broke out, the Carmeli Brigade's 21 Battalion commander had repeatedly damaged the Al-Kabri aqueduct that furnished Acre with water, and when Arab repairs managed to restore water supply, then resorted to pouring flasks of typhoid and dysentery bacteria into the aqueduct, as part of a biological warfare programme. At some time in late April or early May 1948, - Jewish forces had cut the town's electricity supply responsible for pumping water - a typhoid epidemic broke out. Israeli officials later credited the facility with which they conquered the town in part to the effects of the demoralization induced by the epidemic.

So yes, they did that even though there were already Jews there, and now the city is under Israeli rule.

By the way, do you think Turkey (Ottoman Empire) or Italy (Roman Empire) have any claim to Palestinian land? Honest question.

Alright thanks for clearing that up. I'd never heard that definition of holocaust.

What does "holocaust" mean in this meme? IIUC holocaust refers only to the Jewish victims of Nazi genocide. It's neither funny nor appropriate to suggest that would happen again.

Wait so they illegaly aquired weapons and war machines to drive the locals out so they could start their country? That makes Israel sound much worse than what the other guy said.

Haven't you ever heard of a victim that occupies and bombs their oppressor 24/7? It's called "nuance"... look it up.

XD

Defeatedly Connects a monitor and a keyboard to the Raspberry Pi

Thanks, that's pretty much the standard answer.

You are asking for a factual answer to what is basically a philosophical question.

but the thing is, you brought "Israel's right to exist" up.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on why Israel doesn't have a right to exist.

I never said nor implied that Israel has or doesn't have a "right to exist", and what does my opinion matter on that anyway? I think the "Israel's right to exist" argument is some kind of ad hominem fallacy, like "poisoning the well" or "appeal to motive" or some other discrediting tactic used to defend Israeli exceptionalism. Case in point: this meme (which turned out to be pretty powerful after all)- the response to "is Israel commiting war crimes" is "well you must think Israel doesn't have a right to exist (and therefore you're a bigot so I can ignore you)" which is complete cognitive blindness to the simple idea of investigating possible war crimes. It always goes to ad hominem or whataboutism. For the record I'm not arguing with you, I just wanted to know what you think.

I have heard this a lot ("Israel's right to exist") and it makes me wonder, why does Israel have a right to exist? This is an honest question and I hope someone can answer it (and not answer with a question, just facts please). A lot of people, including those who ask that question, seem to have low confidence in Israel's right to exist. Like they need other people to confirm it.

Edit: Israel is literally the only country that I have ever heard people talk about it's "right to exist". Why is that?

I believe it's a war crime for Hamas to use human (including children) shields

This is true and I have great news for you- both Israel and Hamas can go to ICJ and individuals to the ICC! Sanctions for Hamas and Israel, right?