Ok, I’ve managed to avoid ‘the middle east’ for a few days now, even though it is most of what I think about when I’m not engaged in some form of employment or distraction. Like taking Lila and Joey to school early today so they could get a ‘sibling’ photo taken. Ooooooh, that’s so lovely!!!! Because no-one ever takes photos of Lila and Joey otherwise. But this is different! This is… official!!!

So Israel had what we now call ‘a pogrom’, which really is exactly what it was. Hamas is not an army, as such, it is just a group of murderous scum intent on death to all Israelis, men, women, children, old people, anyone and everyone, 1400 of them. Then came ‘the retaliation’, or the beginning of it, where Israel surprised no one by bombing the shit out of Gaza, but, according to them, focussing on the Hamas hideaways, bolt-holes and rocket sites. Most of which are ‘conveniently located’ in or by schools, hospitals, mosques, nice places where ‘innocent civilians’ are bound to group. And this, combined with ‘the blockade!!!’ has caused massive discomfort to all of us. No-one mentions that the power, water and electricity that’s been cut off is supplied by Israel.

Then came the ‘hospital explosion’. Which was something of a game changer, in that it involved the rest of the Arab world who suddenly and understandably became involved in the protests and ‘acts of rage’. Because the assumption was that as Israel is raining missiles on Gaza daily, it must have been one of theirs that hit the place.

Either because I’m a prophet, a cynical bastard, or a man either with a wonderful sense of fair play, or possibly with such prejudicial bias that he sees only what he wants to, I said that I don’t think Israel did that. They would never blow up a hospital. Could have been a mistake? But their missile strikes are incredibly, frighteningly accurate. Whereas the Hamas rockets lose at least 25% in ‘failure’. Not failure in going off, but in reaching their targets.

‘Experts’ (and many true independents, unlike America, friend of Israel, all their work is thus ‘tainted’) have now seen that the explosion did not come from a missile or rocket in the sky. It was terrestrial. Either a plant by the other group of militant jihadis or a rocket aimed at Israel blowing up on take-off.

Oh that’s good. But only if, at heart, you’re a ‘supporter’ of Israel. If you’re not, then its all just ‘fake news’ and ‘American lies’ and look what those bastard Israelis did to this hospital, let’s go and set fire to a synagogue in Antwerp.

Basically, we use our preconceptions to fit the scenario to the best advantage of ‘our side’. And that’s not helped by the BBC, who have managed, in 10 days, to become the absolute enemies of both sides simultaneously. They described the hospital blast as ‘Israeli’ before there was any proof or even investigation, let alone a viable statement. They’ve since withdrawn that stance… about 60%. Sitting on the fence so that half of Upper Regent Street doesn’t get blown up.

As this ‘introduction’ has taken somewhat longer than expected, the actual ‘point’ I wished to raise will have to hold you in suspense and eager anticipation until tomorrow, for ‘part 2’. Cos I gotta pick the kids up from school.

Happy Thursday

A xxxx