Quote Originally Posted by jon1959 View Post
I agree with you about Putin, but I think there is massive hypocrisy in 'western' governments about their different treatment of Israel and Russia - especially when responding to clear breaches of international law. One is condemned, one is given arms and diplomatic cover; one is 'an enemy', one is 'an ally'. Taking nothing away from 7 October, in both cases there is history and context. Donbas 2014 does not justify Russian imperial aggression and war crimes; the Hamas attack does not justify genocide and other war crimes (and 75 years of ethnic cleansing and oppression).

I watched the documentary '20 Days In Mariupol' yesterday - the film record of a group of Ukranian photo journalists as the Russians encircled then captured the city. I had heard about it for a while and it came through on Sky Films. Harrowing but well worth watching.
It also has a few of the 'Comical Ali' quotes of Russian politicians denouncing the video evidence they got out as 'false news' - very similar to what we have seen from Tel Aviv.
I’ve seen that film too, crazy stuff. I agree also the comparison between what both countries are doing, Russia rightly condemned by any sane person, just because they don’t like Zelenskyy they think it’s ok to attack the country as a form of defence against nato encroachment . Now Israel is condemned too having gone to far, it’s almost like Israel gets a pass because of historical atrocities taken out on their people, something I actually know a lot about as I have family who fled Germany in the 30’s to start new lives in cardiff, New York and S Africa. Everyone knows Israel don’t need any encouragement to wipe Gaza off the face of the earth, you can bet they’ve wanted to do it for years, ever since Hamas took over. They won’t stop either and will no doubt look ironically at Russia thinking well if they can can away with it whilst not under attack, surely we can after being attacked? Seems like they will.
It’s a messed up world at the moment. A guy I work with knows two Ukrainians, we met up for some food and drinks last week, one moved his family over, the others are still there as his kids love school there, he lost his business and some loved ones. He can’t even talk about it, in fact he had to leave during the meal as he got so upset just talking about it……