Dear Rhian,

«But if so, it is clearly not possible for UNRWA to operate in accordance with its charter in Gaza.»

Very true, nobody could. Just watch the mob surrounding Arbel Yehoud when she was being transferred to the Red Cross - obviously impossible.

«Doesn’t that reinforce the case for Israel to refuse to co-operate with it, and for countries such as Australia to stop funding it?»

This is a difficult question, because it is not clear what one could do instead.

Everyone in Gaza must have cooperated with Hamas and knew what they were doing, for otherwise they wouldn't be left alive, so can Israel then cooperate with anyone whatsoever within the Gaza strip? If not, should Israel kill them all instead? or just starve them? I don't think either would truly serve Israel, or Australia.

Hi Yuyustu

I don’t know the answer, and hope brighter minds than mine can work out a solution.

I think UNRWA has become too entwined with Hamas, but I also think a huge humanitarian effort will be needed if Gaza – or better still, Palestine – is to become safe and liveable. Maybe the UNHCR would be a better option – it doesn’t have the long history with Palestinian terrorists that UNRWA does, and has experience working in war zones. Organisations like the Red Cross and MSF can also help. In the long term what’s needed is some political arrangement that allows Palestinians to govern themselves and provide their own health, education etc services. However well-intentioned its inception was, UNRWA has an institutional self-interest in remaining the “indispensable” provider of basic services and perpetuating Palestinians’ “refugee” status.

If Hamas cannot be “redeemed”, as Alon Ben-Meir argues in today’s article, then it must somehow be replaced. There are encouraging signs that it is losing support among Gazans.

http://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-poll-finds-big-drop-support-oct-7-attack-2024-09-17/

Christianity to be banned in Israel
http://x.com/_NicoleNonya/status/1886507070851047476

Anyone else trying to ban Christianity upon penalty of jail time?
Or is it just the Jews?

Christians support Israel and Israel wants the Christians in jail.
Geez those people are stupid, I mean how stupid could they actually be?
Christians be having fingers in their ears saying 'We're not listening'.

Dear Critic,

You are basing your "knowledge" on social media - of course I wouldn't go anywhere near there (and my browser too would block it if I clicked on a link there by mistake) and I have seen no clue to such claims in conventional and Israeli media.

As you observed yourself just yesterday, social media is totally full of rubbish and non-human-generated contents, thus Israeli Hasbarah authorities who tried to dip their hands in those filthy waters, themselves found their efforts reversed (I hope that teaches them a lesson!).

By claiming as if Christianity is banned in Israel, are you perhaps referring to the ancient Israeli laws whereby religious conversion of minors without both parents' consent and offering and accepting money for converting, are criminal offences punishable by 6 months, 5 years and 3 years imprisonment respectively?

To rebuild Gaza with a population that is already highly radicalised is to ask for October 7 to be repeated all over again. Any “innocent” Palestinians are Hamas's problem: not Australia's or any other Western country's problem; and not Israel's. Israel has already done a lot more than is reasonable for Gazans - their enemies, who want to wipe Israel out. You don't do favours for the other side when they attack you yelling “from the river to the sea”.

If other Arab Muslim Countries won't take Gazans in, too bad. We don't want them here spitting hatred of Jews - and worse.