Rory Stewart Explains Why Israel Is Attacking Hezbollah

[@restispolitics]

The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy, a green electricity supplier powering homes across the UK. Use referral code POLITICS after sign up for a chance to win a signed copy of Rory and Alastair's books with personalised messages. Learn more at getfuse.com/politics ⚡

[@-Gramps]

I see a great deal of resistance, in the comments, about your advertising at the beginning. Some of us believe that it is okay for you to pay the bills & put a £ or 2 into your pocket.

[@MarklovesTV]

Absolutely, the hosts cannot be expected, to work for free.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

It really does feel to detract from the authenticity of the podcast in general.

[@YTguySmithy-lk6go]

Capitalism has no moral component.

[@StephenAnderson-l2l]

Cases can see what is going on and wants no part of it

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

You really do need to give a date for these podcast. They don't make sense without dating.

[@AJGladys]

A date wouldn't matter for this one, the situation had changed entirley between the tine of filming and publication.

[@Eltener123]

​@@AJGladys I presume he means the time and date of filming

[@nickchapman145]

⁠@@AJGladyshence why a date would be useful to know when it was filmed?

no they dont . And if it makes no sense to you , then you must have personal issues . Maybe see a doctor ?

[@JohnTCowie]

Their analysis is irrelevant. They ignore the Hannibal Directive that occurred on Oct 7th

[@oneofmanyjames-es1643]

Never has a podcast episode been so out of date so quickly

[@MarijanStupar]

I believe that's a Winston Churchill quote.

[@karlstone6011]

@@MarijanStupar Called it. 19:00 (Recorded Monday afternoon.)

[@EricDMMiller]

They were just wrong. It's not out of date. They just don't know what the fuck they are talking about.

[@EricDMMiller]

It's not that it is out of date. They just don't know what they are talking about.

[@alancx523]

@@EricDMMiller ironic

[@WilliamFinn-h3b]

I'm not the only one to see the irony of Alistair giving us his wisdom about the middle east - old enough to remember his part in the UK joining yet another USA disaster to support their oil and arms industry

[@mikeblack2uk]

Campbell🤡🤡🤡

[@iainfletcher3066]

and Israel

[@U_C_G]

He literally did a 2-part video a month ago detailing his part in the Iraq war which I thought was quite insightful

[@vincentvangogh8092]

Is rael told the USA they had evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq which gave the reason for the Bushes were dreaming of. ISRAEL THEN USA and UK always does what the USA SAYS

[@Klinsmann1985]

No one is forcing you to listen to him

[@somthingbrutal]

and just how much of these current attacks by Israel have to do with Netanyahu avoiding court in Israel for corruption charges

[@whtwht]

Uk and US Govt. How about you have unwavering support for your own countries first rather than just Israel. Complete mess of a world. I feel for the kids born into this BS.

[@RajivSinhaG]

Alastair Campbell: “They’ve taken out maybe 4 maybe 6 apartment blocks in order to get underground and take out Nasrallah. Now that is an incredible success story for the Israelis.” Israel has killed civilians, including children, with its indiscriminate attacks. I know he was talking about the strategic victory of “taking out” Nasrallah, but anyone else not feel like talking about an “incredible success story” here?

[@AJah-h3d]

Repulsive

[@Jmwlk07]

The language in all media over the last year of war mongering is sociopathic..I despair.

[@fenrisgrins]

It's because he regards Lebanese life as cheap. That's always the subtext with these two, even down to the lives of ordinary Britons.

[@jonpeters9148]

the problem is theyre not indiscriminate,they are targeted at terrorists and their leaders,the problem is that both sides have little regard for the lives of civilians on either side and iran hides its assets and leaders behind civilians.hospitals, schools ,mosques etc are used as areas to hide military assets,israel doesnt do that but iranian proxies target civilians outside of the military sphere,see last nights attacks.once the massacre in oct took place israel went for hamas and didnt care who the iranians proxies put in front of their assets to protect them from attack because that is the purpose of the locations.iran has stated time and again they will genocide the jews with nukes or standard military tactics.thereby lies the crux of the matter,myself ive yet to meet an iranian who likes their govt,perhaps we in the west should work on that fact,then iran can be free of the mullahs and lebanon and israel can be safer,as for gaza once the gazans expel hamas the possibility of peace existsQED .iran and its mullahs are the root cause of this problem.iran is predominant in the region thanks to bush 2 and blairs failed attack into iraq which was completely unnecessary,why is blair not in the hague and made responsible for his actions???justice was served upon hussein.lebanon its people and army should try to reassert their own sovereignty

[@DroolRockworm]

Yep, totally with you. It’s honestly surprising how callous people are to this. Wtf? Defund Israel

[@woofla123]

Have an advert if you must, but please don’t do a personal endorsement, it’s just embarrassing.

[@Macarite]

It'll be in the contract, also don't you skip it anyway? Doesn't rly matter the content of an ad, it's an instant skip every time

[@MarklovesTV]

@@MacariteI think it is pretty clear that they are just reading a statement anyway.

[@sparks1792]

Stop crying

no it isnt . Scroll on

[@MojoZ20]

the bigger more worrying picture, is that netanyahu & israel has since learnt to not seek prior consent from america no more (in its action against hamas leader, against nasrallah, invade lebanon)...they attack first, and ask for american & other allies' cover later

[@lenno15697]

Good. American leadership is weak and feckless.

[@lizroberts1569]

They always have, why wait, no one really cares about them they never have.

[@hughiemg2]

Unwavering US support is an issue, it gives Israel the sense that it can act with impunity with the full military and financial backing of the US no matter what it does.

[@lukedaniels7750]

The problem for Israel is that the USA is a waning superpower. Once the USA's support begins to diminish, I think that Israel will find out that their neighbours have long memories.

[@mchparity]

That's what real all-weather friendship looks like. Not that Russo-Chinese crap.

[@Penguinator-rj4jm]

Please acknowledge the many civilian casualties in Lebanon as a consequence of Israel's attacks - hundreds.

[@mchparity]

Why would you expect that when they delibrately didn't mention the civilian tolls in Gaza in their summary?

[@perilouspenny8001]

Consequence of Hamas’ actions on Oct 7. Consequence of Hamas not agreeing to ceasefire. Consequence of Hamas refusing to release hostages and killing hostages (civilians). Suggest you read Hamas Charter. War is hell.

[@kerryryan5116]

And do you recognise the atrocities on the 7th of October that started it all? Do some research. Hamas were about to be elected....exit polls prior to October 7th showed they would win power.

[@g3523jaen]

And the one Palistinian man killed by Iranian rockets.

[@Sai_Saracen]

"Hezbollah has been a threat to Israel for the past 18 years"... its really vile how Rory is twisting the narrative.. When it is the Israelis that attached and occupied Lebanon in the 1980s … and Hezbollah was FORMED TO OVERCOME THAT OCCUPATION... and Israelis constant;y attacking Lebanon Seems Rory forgot to mention the real sponsors of the podcast... AIPAC

[@tabbymoonshine5986]

We should not be funding this.

[@stuartg380]

Yes I don't think we should fund Hezbollah

[@PeachesandCream225]

@@stuartg380we don’t, we find the terrorist state of Israel. Silly billy…

[@lukedaniels7750]

Not be funding what ? This podcast ?

[@Klinsmann1985]

Not funding what?

[@UK-Conscience]

@tabbymoonshine5986 Agree - our tax payer money should not be funding 🇮🇱 war crimes nor supporting it at UN to continue its apartheid regime

[@shanedoyle8933]

Its interesting how Israel could kill the Leadership of Hezbollah without flattening the whole country, but the leaders of Hamas are still at large. Why is this the case?

[@Cubeforc3]

There are no hostages in Lebanon. Sinwar reportedly surrounds himself with hostages which makes it much harder to target him. Gaza is also completely sealed off which makes it harder to infiltrate. Israel clearly has moles inside Hezbollah with how thoroughly they're getting picked off.

[@shanedoyle8933]

@Cubeforc3 Why did they not take him out during previous conflicts?

[@Cubeforc3]

@@shanedoyle8933 He was a prisoner in Israel but they traded him and about a thousand others for one Israeli soldier who was taken hostage. Fun fact, Israel operated on Sinwar and likely saved his life. I'm guessing it's why Netanyahu isn't too keen on doing a hostage deal - the last deal was a large reason why October 7th was able to happen.

[@KeithBrighouse-r3k]

@@Cubeforc3 Utter rubbish!

[@shanedoyle8933]

@@Cubeforc3 that sounds like they wanted him to live?

[@trevordaviesable]

This podcast is predicated on the convenient date of October the 7th when the real problem began with lie back in the1940s.

[@jmsunlinenet]

Actually tribal warfare in the area has gone on since the bronze age. Remember that in the book of Joshua the chosen people boasted about having taken the city of Jericho and having killed every single man woman child and beast. The story may not even be historically true, but it is one of the founding myths of the Jewish religion.

[@mahon257]

Perhaps America could give up a state somewhere in the middle, and move the state of Israel to the American homeland?

[@davetdowell]

@@mahon257 Why would the Jews who can date their presence in the land through archeology back thousands of years, agree to that?

[@tawandatawanda8388]

​@@jmsunlinenet maybe they should do DNA tests to prove who's really from where they are from

[@brun4775]

@@davetdowell how many Israeli’s can date their presence in the area back thousands of years? Precisely zero. There’s basically no one alive on earth who isn’t descended from people, both Jewish and non-Jewish, who lived in the area 2000 years ago, regardless of their religion or current ethnicity identification. Most Israelis, unless they are descended from the pre-Israeli Palestinian Jewish population, have no historical connection to the area that extends past 100 - 150 years. Israel’s right to exist stems purely from the fact that it exists, no different from other countries where the majority of the population are descended from either colonialists or more recent immigrants.

[@samueljweston]

Unless I'm late to the party, there really needs to be an "extraordinary" Rory count for each pod.

[@akeleven]

YOU ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A VIDEO GAME! That huge success for Israel killed hundreds of families in 6 apartment buildings. But no let's not talk about the civilians they're just NPCs right?

[@uschurch]

Do you care as much about the German civilians who perished in every major German city as they were flattened by aerial bombing 1943-1945 as you care about the Shias of Lebanon who elect to be represented by a militia (Hezbollah) literally modelled after the SS?

[@jakerowsell8752]

@@uschurch based on what was cited in this podcast only 12% of lebanese support Hezbollah, and not over 1% of any ethnic group not Shia. Nazi Germany had much wider support, you really need to draw this parallel.

[@camdenNW1]

​@@uschurchthis is a great example of why a little knowledge is deadly.

[@IAmTheOnlyLucas]

Militant groups in this part of the world always hide among civilians and beneath civilian infrastructure. It’s a calculated bet that Israel will comply with international laws even though Hez/Ham don’t and won’t. This is nothing new.

[@uschurch]

@@jakerowsell8752 around 30% of Lebanon are Shia, up from 15 in the 70s. And Israel is striking Hezbollah surgically and this is obvious because until now at least Hezbollah wasn't hiding among civilians, so much less collateral damage than in Gaza.

[@shahidulislam4636]

Netanyahu doesn’t have any alternative other than escalating the war to survive politically. It’s Netanyahu’s war in the name of Israel.

[@t.p.mckenna]

Netanyahu's war in the name of Netanyahu you mean.

[@robertwalker7924]

satanyahu

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

Netenyahu isn't acting alone.

[@mattieboy7777]

Always love hearing Campbell's thoughts on the middle-east. It's not like he was government advisor for the biggest embarrassment the west suffered since Vietnam. Almost like he isn't a serious actor in this regard....

[@iananthonyjames]

Supporter of Saddam were you?

[@tomjohnson9833]

Not just an advisor but the principal architect of the 'sexed-up' dossier on weapons of mass destruction that was used as the excuse for the whole invasion of Iraq.

[@tomjohnson9833]

​@@iananthonyjames Saddam was hardly the only dictator around at the time. He wasn't even the worst.

[@iananthonyjames]

@@tomjohnson9833 USA had unfinished business with him after the Kuwait war of 1991.

[@mrjoe5292]

@@iananthonyjames Better off just ignoring these people. Essentially Alistair Campbell has said something they don't like, a number of things maybe. and they think that by implying he's disingenuous or lying they can undermine him. There's no honesty or integrity, and there's no actual argument or counter-point, because that would require effort and thought. But pointing this out won't help, because they don't care. If they did they wouldn't be acting this way to begin with. But don't worry, it's all the politicians fault, _they_ need to take responsibility!

[@Eltener123]

More on Latin America and other underreported regions would be wonderful. My favourite thing about this podcast is when big stories in lesser known countries get covered

[@quintuscrinis8032]

They covered Argentina briefly, although yes could definitely be more.

[@Eltener123]

​@@quintuscrinis8032Money&Macro and Patrick Boyle have down some good videos on Millei's Argentina if you're interested

[@donaldfarquar]

13 people died on bloody sunday. The world was rightly horrified even though the press tried to cover it up. 40000 are now dead in Gaza. 40 thousand people with families. 40 thousand families hearts broken. Is it really necessary that after 400 years the Uk realised what it had done on ireland was wrong, that we needed to go all the way back to the start and learn the lessons all over again?

[@rebeccaly21]

I see huge parallels to the occupation of Palestine and Ireland. Not enough is taught in English history lessons of the horrible role we have played in the death and destruction around the world.

[@donaldfarquar]

@rebeccaly21 yeah, the UK involvement in Ireland from the Ulster plantations onward, is almost an exact copy of Israel. The only way either side will ever have security is the West Bank and Gaza to be made fully independent states probably with as few as possible changes to the 1967 borders with Eastern Jerusalem being the West Banks capital. Full autonomy in other areas with a Palastine majority that can either join the West bank, gaza or stay independent if they want. There have been so many killed now though that seems at least 30 years away in Gaza at least, the restraint shown by the Palestinians in the west bank despite what is being done to them shows it would be possible though.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

50 million died in WWII. Do you also think fighting that war was evil?

[@donaldfarquar]

@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat 1. the only event in ww2 this is similar to this, would be the Warsaw ghetto uprising and liquidation, just 1 group has swapped sides. 2. Clearly yes? Just because one side is more evil doesn't make the other side good.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

@@donaldfarquar Almost every single event in WWII is worse than this. Dresden, Warsaw, Nanjing, Tokyo, Manilla, Stalingrad, Leningrad, Berlin, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Moscow, Barbarossa, Hamburg, Okinawa, Greece, Lviv, The Blitz, literally everything I just listed is ALONE worse than this entire war. Many of them are statistically EXPONENTIALLY worse than this war. Six months of the Syrian Civil War had higher numbers than the ENTIRE A/I Conflict combined going all the way back to 1948.

[@peoplevrobot]

Reports indicate that more than 1000 people have been killed by bombs in Lebanon, since Israel started its campaign against Hezbollah and more than 30000 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Gaza. To give a sense of scale 3700 people were killed in the troubles in Northern Ireland over 30 years and more civilians have been killed in Gaza in one year than in Ukraine in nearly 3 years. The fact that escalation is still the key risk shows that the extensive military action has not moved needle towards peace or security for Israel. What it has done is allowed Netanyahu to survive politically and put Israel in a permanent state of war where people will want a strongman PM which gives him a political future (undoubtedly at the expense of the Israeli economy). My concern, is that Iran is now backed into a corner where becoming a nuclear power is the only option to secure its territory and the regimes survival and that international terrorism will be the way military action is pursued against Israeli interest globally. To top it off, today 60% of Hezbollah fighters are orphans so it's not hard to imagine that orphans and the bereft in the region will be drawn in by Hamas and Hezbollah.

[@questioner113]

So in a sad way, everyday Israelis are also hostage, mentally, not physically, to Netanyahu's desire to stay out of prison.

[@Stravanda]

I don't think it makes sense to compare the war in the Middle East, which is Urban warfare against terrorist groups that fight in civilian areas, to the war in Ukraine which is far more conventional given that both have actual armies and are interested in protecting their civilians for the most part. Fair reminder also to please separate military casualties which is likely massively more in the Ukraine/Russia conflict. I definitely don't think it makes sense to compare the casualties to Northern Ireland. What does that have to do with anything? Giving poor examples does not make a good case.

[@peoplevrobot]

@@Stravanda With the exception of Northern Ireland, I quoted civilian casualities because what concerns me is the civilians who are the innocent victims of these conflicts. Military casualities are terrible but still in line with the rules of war under international law. Under the same rules you are also supposed to avoid or minimise civilian casualities yet in this conflict massive civilian casualties seems to be normalised. Effectively, renegging 75 years of international law. In Northern Ireland similarly to Israel/Palestine, a conventional army fought terrorists in an urban environment, the difference is the RAF didn’t bomb nationalist areas or believe that massive civilian casualities were acceptable. Do people really think that after all the bombing and casualities the opposite side is just going to lie down and submit. When has that ever happened or worked? The stage is set for decades of conflict in the area.

[@beatonthedonis]

​@@Stravanda First you say you can't compare an anti-insurgency campaign with a conventional war, then you say you can't bring up Northern Ireland, which was an anti-insurgency campaign. Let's be honest - you support the slaughter of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians because they're brown and mostly Muslim, and you don't like people bringing up inconvenient comparisons that show up your racism.

[@Stravanda]

@@peoplevrobot While I agree that there are a lot of civilian casualties, that by itself does not mean that international law is not being upheld. You need to abide by certain principles in war and so long as we are just referring to casualty figures, that won't prove that laws are being broken. I am not even sure to what extent this can be assessed at the moment. This is not even about whether in my view crimes are being committed. I don't like the comparison with Northern Ireland because here we are referring to completely different political/religious/social situation with many different regional actors playing a part. I am also not very familiar with the number of people involved and the type of warfare over the 30 years. For example, did the terrorists have a massive underground infrastructure in civilian areas that they could use to stage attacks? I don't think that was the case. I am happy to hear how you think Israel should/could be operating instead which would potentially lead to less casualties.

[@londresparis_1]

Remember that big clown Alastair Campbell said, almost a year ago now, how Blinken was doing such an excellent job mediating in the middle east. The conflict is now much, much worse.

[@TheDude3007-dd7fg]

I seem to remember when Blair was the " peace envoy " for the area 😂😂😂

[@patrickwalker4159]

He's the worst Secretary of State in the history of the US.

[@lizroberts1569]

You can’t have diplomacy with Iran and other terrorist entities. I wish they stop citing polls in Lebanon they aren’t worth anything

[@julianholman7379]

@@patrickwalker4159 not if you think that he and Austen came from arms industry lobbying - their work looks a great success for their constituencies

[@Elizadoolittle1948]

Blinkens dad and grandfather were major players in the Israel lobby over the years. He also lied to congress about Israel's preventing of aid to Gaza - which should have triggered the Leahy Law's..but I guess that was the point. ​@julianholman7379

[@NickQuinn1986]

This is so refreshing! Listening to two people attempt to take this on objectively.

[@danielbairey4411]

untypical yet failing this time rather miserably alas …

[@Youdoyouyeah]

@@danielbairey4411please explain why

[@Jannfndnanakid]

"Responding to rocket attacks into your territory is an escalation" alright

[@existentialvoid]

This is standard in the Middle East (not just Israel) it is called 'escalate to deescalate'

[@jimboblordofeskimos]

@@existentialvoid Its also standard behavior in 3 year olds, often known as the 'they started it' gambit.

[@jackgillies5638]

Yes - that is literally the definition - you can't escalate unless it has already started. If you want to achieve peace and security you have to de-escalate. Bibi is not interested in peace and security. He is interested in supremacy.

[@jackgillies5638]

I would add that Iran and its proxies are only interested in provoking Israel to claim victimhood and justify their attacks - but Israel just keep taking the bait instead of finding a path towards peace through diplomacy (and eventually a functioning Palestinian state in the occupied territories).

[@MrManny075]

The root cause of all this is the occupation, no occupation no attacks, the whole world said to end the occupation, and Israel raised a finger to the world and said NO

[@danmayberry1185]

Always good to hear these gents' take on breaking news, to counteract the client journalism and general hysteria.

[@sarahpengelly8439]

Go listen also to other independents please.... Novara Media (UK) Democracy Now (US) The Electronic Intifada (US) Owen Jones (UK) The Majority Report (US) Declassified (UK) For a more local perspective from West Asia look at 'The Cradle' And avoid US & UK main stream media

[@NickQuinn1986]

Absolutely!!

[@ELB-v7b]

What happened to 'Rory Stewart Explains Why Israel Is Attacking Hezbollah'?

[@harrydamien6346]

I would also like to know. I was listening and refreshed the page and it disappeared.

[@terryurquhart2413]

@@harrydamien6346 yeah i was too , then scrolled back through thinking i was losing it … thats after being stuck here in Doha after a rerouted around Iraqi airspace flight !!

[@ValdemarGomes-x6s]

Are we aware that Iran just fired 180 something ballistic missiles at Israel...?

[@Shaggy-839two]

Are you aware israel had murdered, raped and maimed multi millions of people in the middle east for 100 years?

[@IsraelisAreEvil]

At last!

[@FourTetTrack]

No, this was recorded yesterday (September 30)

[@TheDanthemanJones]

It is saber rattling. Iran briefs the US in advance so all the missile defence is mobilised primed and in place. It’s a geopolitical move to express displeasure at the ground invasion of Lebanon

[@leonjpaul5524]

​@@IsraelisAreEvil shut up

[@nUmBskulLL]

Welcome to the shit show gents.

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

This will only increase the number of refugees heading towards Europe across the Mediterranean and across the English channel to the UK.

[@YesYes-xb6he]

Military aged men running away and leaving women and children behind. It's no wonder Israel wins all its wars when allowed too.

[@Justsam2468]

How typical thousands are dying and at the brink of a massive middle east war and all you can think of is your own back garden

[@shaun906]

whataboutism

[@lizroberts1569]

You’re wrong, Israel didn’t hit Lebanon they hit a region of Beirut that was only Hezbollah. These people will not leave Lebanon they are Shia and they will stay. The Christian’s may leave but I doubt it, they are Lebanese through and through.

[@Makmak-yf4dt]

In my extensive experience of world travel, much of the rest of the world's peoples don't give a fig about what's going on beyond their own backyard, and look after their own immediate needs. Perhaps we can learn from that? We arguably need to drop the whole White Man's Burden thing. Britain in particular, with the ludicrous rhetoric of our politicians talking about us punching above our weight. Much of Europe finds this hilarious. If we really wanna drop the Empire mindset, we need to learn that each and every little incident going on around the world is not something we need to be "updated" on pretty much every hour. Old habits die hard , of course - hence me watching this podcast. Really, most people out there in the world only care about family and village. Our economy is bled dry by the day from tryjng to save or interfere with the rest of the world.

[@KrisRogos]

I know this was only a minor point in the podcast, but Labour's budget timing is peak stupid. Every new govt wants to show the public they chose right by focusing on the first 100 days. We know big changes will take 3-5 years, but people voted for change, and it is normal to expect to see it within the symbolic 100 days. Keir's Labour waited 100 days to announce the budget and filled this gap with poor messaging on how everything will get worse - yes, we all know the country is broken, that's why "we" voted you in to fix it, now get on with it!

[@ruthwoodhouse2433]

i don't think massacring 40,000 people is being 'on the back foot', Alistair...

[@Czechbound]

Youlve made the Middle East situation much more understandable. It puts the current situation more in context Developments will be easier to understand with this great primer. Thank you !

[@Donetravlin]

Research the Count who created the Red Cross during ww2 & the Liberty American boat 1967 watch documentary Gaza fights for freedom. Check out Israelis Plan-D... look into the deaths of journalists from Shareen Al Jazeera, especially violent video of her funeral.

[@KathysFlog]

OMG, I'll have to listen again. So much to take in and understand. Thank you.

[@JosephNZUK]

You don't know much.

[@henriashurst-pitkanen8735]

Just when I think nobody captures the perspective of a frog in a well like the Brits when it comes to anything outside of the Isles (and honestly, even within them), comments like yours remind me we truly are blessed with an incomparably powerful ignorance to rival even the most undeveloped tribal society in the Amazon.

[@relenadina]

your use of euphemisms is as astonishing as the BBC's use of passive voice and forgetting the word invasion when it comes to Israel INVADING Lebanon, another sovereign country with the right to defend itself, which you keep banging on about when it comes to one country but is forgotten for others. For clarification for those who remember international law, whether this person is a terrorist, militant or whatever, their killing is an act of assassination or an extrajudicial killing not taking our or eliminating and the civilians that were killed in the operation are the result of a WAR CRIME

[@davetdowell]

I'm glad we agree, the slaughter of October 7th was a war crime, as has been every action taken by Hezbollah (the deliberate targetting of civilians) as defined by the Geneva Protocols. It's not a war, but an entire sequence of warcrimes which have been committed against Israel. When is the UN and ICC going to start upholding the much touted internation law and the law of war?

[@lukedaniels7750]

Just at the minute the headline on the BBC news website is 'Israel and Hezbollah fighting on the ground after Israeli INVASION., as it was an hour ago when you posted this. Please check facts before posting.

[@joelthomson6099]

well said.

[@jonathanfell688]

How much of all this is actually about Netanyahu's standing in Israel and keeping him from prosecution?

[@davidk7262]

I'd say only about 99%.

[@badgertheskinnycow]

@@davidk7262 is the one percent the bit where Hamas, slaughtered 1600 Israeli's on Oct 7?

[@KeithBrighouse-r3k]

@@badgertheskinnycow The IDF killed an untold number of Israelis. We know this because Hamas didn't have tanks and helicopter gunships which killed many of the Israelis. Israel spread many lies about this attack claiming systematic rapes and beheading of babies etc, all we know now is lies. Israel kept independent investigators from examining the sites and buried all the evidence so we will never know. We do know Hamas killed around 350 IDF and other security personnel became Israel told us. The number is 1200 or that is what is being passed around.

[@BooleanDisorder]

For Netanyahu? Everything.

[@fburton8]

@@badgertheskinnycow 1139 or 1180 according to wikipedia - let’s say 1200

[@hazayad]

"Hezbollah held back from fireing thousands of missiles..." they only fired dozens a day since Oct 8 2023. What a silly "analysis".

[@philly5452]

Look at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data. The I D F fired 81% of the cross border rockets at the Lebanon, resulting in many more deaths

[@philly5452]

The I D F fired 81% more missiles at the border, look up the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data report

[@sa7ten]

It’s not like Israel was just chilling … they obviously did far more damage and in fact 80% of the cross border attacks since oct 7 are Israeli. Sorry to pop your bubble

[@jstelzner]

Can Israel survive without United States support especially as the west moves more and more towards green energy and younger Americans don't want to pay for this anymore?

[@John-kj7tv]

Yea, it's mainly munitions Israel gets from the US. They won the wars that established their territory without the US, so they can survive without them. They've become a bit dependent now but that can change quickly if there's a will. But they won't need to, the US and the west has enough shared interests with Israel for them to remain partners. It doesn't really matter what American citizens want, it's not relevant.

[@ebrim5013]

Certainly, the hostile force in the region to most governments is Iran, not Israel. In fact, Israel ends up being a de facto ally to the local Arab governments. There’s going to be tensions over the Palestinian question but it’s not a strategic imperative for any major country in the region.

[@joelthomson6099]

@@John-kj7tv OMG you're a tool, Israel is a failed state; they won those short wars French and British arms support. Without it, they'd be the history they're about to become.

[@softperception]

Nailed the tone on the situation

[@TheGrengds]

Pair of pointless pointers, pointing in the wrong direction

[@harrydamien6346]

Why did one of your episodes disappear? 'Rory Stewart Explains Why Israel Is Attacking Hezbollah'? I was listening to it, refreshed the page, and it vanished.

[@-Gramps]

Me too!

[@tomwright9904]

"Dripping with bitterness" nothing wrong with being bitter. Do we have to pretend to be nice...

[@chen2758]

A war criminal, Alastair, commenting on another war criminal..both walking freely despite causing the death of thousands.. this is really messed up!

[@traviscutler9912]

Millions arguably.

[@kreepykraut8153]

Splendid vid, thanks! I‘d like to join the chorus… talk about Afrika, talk about Latin America, talk about Oceania,… please! Thank you very much indeed!!!

[@jamessouttar]

The elections followed by quick budgets were held in May - the Chancellors needed to get them done before the holiday season began. This election was almost immediately followed by the holiday season (effectively, the middle of July to the end of August), adding six weeks to the process.

[@georgeatkinson759]

I blame Lords Balfour and Rothschild....

[@trevaudio]

Churchill, 1953…Iran ! Another foreign policy disaster

[@Paulus8765]

Rory was right: Iran reacted.

[@tokenspirit6140]

LOL! Some of us got that before he had a clue. LOL

[@HowShouldIKnow6543]

Netanyahu can not be singularly responsible for the current situation. Israel only has the same population as Los Angeles County Canada is 3x bigger How is Israel immune from international pressure?

[@simontrevisan5598]

Any country fighting for its existence will care little for international pressure, especially when much of the basis for that pressure is misconceived or dishonest.

[@HowShouldIKnow6543]

@@simontrevisan5598 You mean Sudan? Because no-one is buying the whole Israel is a victim fighting for existence thing anymore.

[@RK-um9tu]

@@simontrevisan5598 Don't you mean, "Any country based on white supremacy will..."

[@julianholman7379]

@@simontrevisan5598 netanyahu isnt a country

[@snaggiz]

Turns out when the US is your daddy, nobody else can criticize you except the US. Israel understands this. They use it against their opponents and even the US itself. Think of it as a parent with their spoiled child throwing tantrums in the supermarket. Of course, the US is *actually* in control, but they are too weak to do what must be done. However, when other parents (countries) tell the US to control their child, the US takes it as an insult and refuse to accept culpability even though we all know there’s not much left to do but tug harder on the leash. Sooner or later, the US position will be impossible to maintain. They will have to endorse the genocidal tendencies of Israel, or start exercising real control. Both of those ideas have uncomfortable implications for the US.

[@DavidDavison-qw5wn]

An exceptionally dangerous tit-for-tat with Iran and/or an expansion of the ground incursion in Lebanon won’t return citizens to the north; it won’t pressure Sinwar to the table and it won’t guarantee Israel’s long term security. In every case it will do the opposite and weaken Israel’s hand against its enemies. Netenyahu should capitalise on a negotiating position bolstered by recent tactical successes vis-à-vis Hezbollah seek to apply diplomatic, not military pressure on the group. One way to do this is by conditioning Israel not retaliating to Iran’s attack on the regime pressuring Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire on terms more amenable to Israel instead of simply just firing back. This isn’t a risk-free proposition and knowing Netenyahu’s hardball approach and proclivity to procrastinate (especially with US elections so close) in the talks with Hamas, even if the PM’s far-right ministers could agree to it, there’s no guarantee that any concessions Iran could force on Hezbollah would be acceptable to the Israeli side. Still, a protracted negotiation would be preferable to the Israelis’ current balance of power - which is as good as its going to get - being wasted and entry into a catastrophic full-blown regional war.

[@theantonlulz]

Tell me you don't live in the Middle East without telling me you don't live in the Middle East. What negotiations are you even talking about? With a terrorist organization? That's who you want us to negotiate with? With the extremist terrorist organization that exist with the express purpose of destroying Israel? People can't be this naive, truly they can't. When someone attacks you you strike back, especially in the Middle East. You think the whole world works like fucking Europe where people can just talk it out but that just isn't the case here.

[@reekiereekie7264]

This aged well

[@mm5478]

The lesson here is Iran is directly helping Netanyahu stay in power. Sigh.

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

Thanks for such a realistic view of what is going on there.

[@mattliamjack3293]

The British and the US never take responsibility for this. Disgraceful.

[@scoobyblue5300]

Hmmm???...Is it the British and the US who have been firing rockets into Israel on a daily basis for a year now?

[@Willys-Wagon]

I think what Rory and to some degree Alistair are missing, and this is not a criticism but a simple observation on is that Israel didn't simply do the things they did because they where held back by US or Europe and suddenly realised the price is not as steep as originally anticipated, they did it out of necessity, taking these calculated risks shift the narrative and offset international as well as domestic pressure. With Gaza grinding to a holt, hostages still alive and captive, Israel can not afford another offensive with dozen of hostages executed. To keep the momentum, Israel believe the lesser risk is provoking Iran. If Iran retaliate, US will lost credibility if they don't support Israel. If Iran don't retaliate, Iran will lose credibility. So in their eyes it's a brilliant move. However I have always had the nagging suspicion that Oct 7 is Israel's 9.11, if they bite off more than they can chew, Israel don't get to walk away and declare victory. As Rory pointed out, Israel is at risk of being seduced by militery solution where a political one is required.

[@maryj5593]

Thankyou for this edition

[@ex-cursion]

"an incredible success story for the Israelis". Not sure I've ever heard war crimes described that way 👏

[@jamesvernon622]

Still waiting for the Manscaped sponsorship

[@edelgyn2699]

Yeeeeessss..... 😬

[@twoeggcups]

Why did this go live? It's completely out of date.

[@dreamcrusher112]

Needed a video to deliver the advert and clearly hadn’t recorded an up to date one yet…

[@Notmehimorthem]

The ads at the beginning show me that both of you can plausibly deliver lines that they don't believe in.

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

Bitter, did I hear Campbell say?😂😂😂😂😂

[@estherromo7689]

I would really like you to talk about Mexico, maybe it will make sense

[@RonanTOC]

Rory called it!

[@AlanHamilton-j5i]

Javier Milei is not wrong on Western Climate Rhetoric; look at how many regimes are desperately rowing back on policy.

[@philipsmith1990]

Iran has joined in. BBC says "Iran says dozens of missiles launched towards Israel". How wioll Israel respond?

[@classifiedsecret6383]

Rory said "...fiscal hawk is something of an understatement." How about "fiscal Grim Reaper"? Cheers

[@howmanybeansmakefive]

Starmer Challenge: Labour PM try not to become a zealous shill for US neocons and their narrative Level: Impossible

[@pareshpatel8032]

This is a more balanced podcast than most on this topic about the Gaza/Isreal conflict. However you cant help but think that if 40+k Isrealis were killed (iincluding 18+k children) and over 2m displaced the focus on these deaths and narrative and interpretation by both Alistair and Rory would be much more condeming. Also this repetative "Isreal has a right to self defence" line is tiresome. Does Lebanon and Iran not have a right to self defence. Do Palestinians not have a right to armed defence against an occupation. They of course do according to the UN, however their rights are not hghlighted in the same way as Isreals right to self defence. If you are going to do a podcast which is meant to be balanced then you really have to follow through and do it all the way, not partially.

[@kathrynlenz8368]

I thought Joe Biden is the US president. Having listened to the VP debate, Vance seems to have confused Harris with Emperor Ming.

[@jamesbottomley2596]

The errors and chaos that Labour have been engaged in since their landslide are chiefly down to the fact that Starmer is not a proper politician, he's an overpromoted (and rather vain and foolish) middle manager who made it big by being extremely PC and having a glitzy wife. The sad fact is that he isn't coping.

[@deltametal]

Much better episode than last one.

[@muffinnman]

If Israel were to accept the Arab countries plan for a Palestinian state this could be resolved and remove the Iranian pretext for defending Palestinians. Israel has peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf States etc which have worked. The problem is Israel doesn't want to and is given carte blanche by the US. Given the changing attitude of most countries towards Israel and the opinions of younger Western populations it would be better for Israel to strike a deal now rather than in the future when it's international support has declined.

[@bujfvjg7222]

The HYPOCRISY is revolting.

[@slimmerish]

Omg… they’re talking to interested viewers as if we’re idiots… they’re just regurgitating what we already know. Not an intelligent way to spend my time

[@Robert44607]

Do you consider the invasion of Lebanon by Israel which gave rise to the formation of Hezbollah a provocation???

[@vincentrey7055]

Please Mr 45 Minutes. Tell me more about your Middle East insights....

[@Withtheghostoftomjoad]

Tiresome.

[@henriashurst-pitkanen8735]

​@@Withtheghostoftomjoad "Noooo, please don't justifiably criticise my utterly brainless war criminal and liar as he tries to platform genocide denial in the Middle East! He's my background noise while I do the dishes :-("

[@olyhamilton2552]

I find the polite and encouraging language when talking about the IDFs genocide and fascism incredibly vulgar

[@lkm3s]

Indeed. Discussion sanitizes israel's behavior. "Killing" instead of assassinations, nor recognition and discussion of the terror attack with Consumer products tampered with. By the way, did you know Palantir, the company that now handles our NHS data, is the partner of Israel in their "lavender" program and have tested their AI in Gaza. Yes, tested it, like lab animals. They have your health information now.

[@lkm3s]

ground "incursion" when it is an invasion.

[@fenrisgrins]

Yes, Rory's logic: Hizbollah has been a threat to Israel since Israel invaded and occupied Lebanon (where they massacred thousands of women and children). I haven't heard him describe any of Israel's actions as terrorist. It's a pathetic double standard, and vaporises any credibility he had. It's too bad, he comes across as an intelligent and compassionate person, but with a huge blind spot for the crimes of "our" allies. he could have been a great man, instead he's a handmaiden to evil.

[@Pebble_Collector]

Someone doesn't know what genocide and fascism means.

[@olyhamilton2552]

@@Pebble_Collector The far-right Lekud Party Charter: believe in the right of Jews to settle illegally in Gaza and West Bank against the will of the native population... Appose Palestinian statehood… Fascism definition: Racial and religious nationalism and discrimination against other ethnic or religious groups… A 7 year old could understand this correlation…

[@donaldgraham6414]

Israel has not vowed to wipe any country off the map. Only Iran has done that (to Israel). So Israel has not escalated.

[@halfamo2422]

As a staunch Labour supporter (and a woman), I think you're quite wrong. Rosie Duffield's letter puts a finger on EXACTLY the problem. If she'd simply said Starmer hadn't paid his dues and was naive, sure, call her bitter. But she side-stepped that by honing in on the clearer-by-the-day fact that he's behaving like a bureaucratic dictator, the evidence of which is now everywhere in these few short weeks. The utter lack of ability to anticipate the political fallout of cutting poor pensioners heating allowance, for instance. The political, social and economic effect of a WEEKS-long talkdown of the state of the country...while we must all wait for the Budget of Doom. Labour's aim to run roughshod over councils who refuse their housing/energy plans - and look at the language with which they signal that. TheIR ONLY economic plan to push housing on people when the building trade has nowhere near enough tradespeople or material. Starmer is proving horrendously naive - and very aggressive. This is certainly not leadership.

[@mattliamjack3293]

Watch the great book robbery. Great documentary. Free Palestine 🌍🌎💚

[@upendasana7857]

"war aim in Gaza"...."not fully met".....thats putting it mildly !!! 42.000 killed including 18.000 children,100.000 injured !!! I mean you can keep on calling it a war but 2 million civilians displaced,now starving and without adequate medical care,virtually not having tents to protect them from rain and for winter...honestly the way you talk about this totally ignoring the depserate conditions inside of Gaza and the horrendous scenes of destruction and suffering. Where is the international community !!! no one is looking fater those in Gaza and also in the westbank the settlers backed by IOF and the police get away with constant violence and harassment and you never talk about that !!! To talk about Israelis being on the "backfoot"...!!!! there haven't been 42.000 Israelis killed or 2 million displaced ...if there was you wpould all be outraged and invoking all sorts of international protocol. In essence this is still a Eurocentric,western supremacist take that refuses to look at the west's toxic influence in the middle east and its role on destabilising it and creating these radical "terrorists".You never talk about Israels terrorism and Israels breaking of international law.You let Israel basically get away with murder !!! They need to be at the ICC,Netanyahu needs to be arrested and all players who have suplied wepaons whislt knowing they broke international law and have killed so many civilians need to be held to account. You completely ignore Palestinians suffering !!!!

[@neil_gg_]

No ads please. Painful to watch.

[@jungleboy1]

you know there are timestamps u can skip them.

[@neil_gg_]

​@@jungleboy1I didn't know. Thank you! For anyone else who didn't know, there are indeed timestamps in the description.

[@garetteasdale7064]

so far I havent heard a single word about the Beirut Israel border has a significant UN peace keeping force, why are the UN not making a big fuss about the incursions while blue helmets are trying to police this ground.

[@Notmehimorthem]

Starmer has just handed back a 6k bung, presumably no consequences "because he was in opposition" (Starmer says it's different). SO now, the opposition presumably can take bungs? My glasses cost £50 and I can see further than him.

[@douglaskaminski4703]

And what do you most people under the age of 50 think of their western governments in terms of trust and corruption?

[@julianholman7379]

why dont the arab counties like Iran ?

[@HarryMolyenux]

I'm no expert but from what I understand Iran is led by a theocratic leadership who follow the Shia sect of Islam, whereas the majority of the Arab world follow the Sunni sect of Islam. There are examples if this not being the case and there are tons of other reasons as well but that's the most basic reason

[@ebrim5013]

Iran also wants to overthrow most of them and seeks regional hegemony.

[@ejc636]

Turned off

[@danielcairns9390]

Could you help us understand please why Israel is attacking Hezbollah when it was Hamas who attacked Israel in October?

[@Krisdt8]

Hezbollah were assisting Hamas with missile strikes into the north of Israel.

[@simony2801]

They want to escalate the war, bring Iran into the conflict, with the goal of getting America involved.

[@JoshWine]

Hezbollah attacked Israel with a rocket barrage on the 8th October 2023, the day after Hamas and while the IDF was still fighting Hamas in Israeli territory. Since that date, Hezbollah has fired several thousand rockets at Israel, creating almost 100k internal refugees within Israel. Israel warned Hezbollah that if it does not stop its attacks voluntarily, Israel will try to do it militarily. This has now happened. It didn't happen earlier because the IDF was still highly engaged in Gaza but Hamas is more or less demolished at this point so the IDF has capacity to take on a challenge to the north.

[@danielcairns9390]

@@JoshWine thank you 👍

[@sararichardson737]

Hamas are the baby brothers of Hezbollah.

[@shrewtamed]

Israel's gov officially stated its intent to illegally occupy much of Lebanon. It's just another landgrab, in plain sight. Sponsored by British and US taxes, but Jews around the world will pay a heavy price. Is Israel's territorial expansion worth your childrens' safety, Rory?

[@danielbairey4411]

@@shrewtamed what’s the alternative if Lebanon cannot or will not assert its authority to prevent Hizbullah taking potshots at Israeli civilians across the border ?

[@whtwht]

Better stock up on supplies . This will affect all of us.

[@stephenhosmer9444]

Biden and Blinken have NOT been tough enough with Netanyahu; most Americans despise the man, but he holds sway over many of the Zionist-backing warmongers in both Houses of Congress, except for about sixty or so left-wing members of the Democratic party, whom I support--having lived in Apartheid/Zionist Israel. I saw horrible treatment of kind Palestinians in 1980, when I lived on a kibbutz 10 kilometers from Jerusalem. I also visited several towns in the West Bank. I saw/heard obnoxious, arrogant, vulgar Israeli talk of the less than valuable Arab citizens. We have had massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations/many podcasts all over America since last fall. Unfortunately, both Trump and Harris are "Christian" Zionists, who will back Israel despite the harm it has done to American foreign policy. The students and universities remain strongly pro- Palestinian, but most people feel powerless to change any policies in Washington. As Lenin would ask: What is to be done? The whole area is a chaotic, tragic, sad mess.

[@marmirymat]

The people have no power. The US gov will do what it wants to do. I am so ashamed to be ruled by this government. This one and the possibility of a Harris or Trump victory.

[@sidney341]

Gentlemen, a little late on asking the question but; between the crisis in the Middle East, War in Ukraine and the threat from China and North Korea on the liberal democracies south of them - how do you feel about Trump victory would play on all of the above? I’m very worried - people have lost sight of European security.

[@hecter3008]

Don't worry Al , we will have millions more Muslims coming here looking for their free life.

[@reimmukhtarmohamedahmedalh8329]

Roy Stewart very supported of Israel regardless their genocide because people dying in Lebanon and Gaza aren’t European

[@sidenbigh8832]

AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS FOR ISRAEL? Taking out 6 apartment blocks and over 1000 civilians? Yes Alistair we see your loyalties and lack of concern for the death of innocent civilians.

[@MrSupersamovar]

Is attacking terrorist organization an escalation?

[@beatonthedonis]

Are you referring to the IDF or Hezbollah?

[@jasonsheath3294]

​what utter shash. Never would I have believed 10 years ago that so many useful idiots in the West would be taking up the cause of apocalyptic genocidal jihadis who were literally founded on the principles of the wiping a sovereign state from the earth because the Koran tells them that any "peace is forbidden under Islam" quote from late leader of Hamas in press interview. How about we measure the values of a group by how much emergency preparation they make for their civilian population in the event of war they intend to start? Israel? Bomb shelters and contingency plans for all Israeli citizens. Hamas - ZERO / Hezbollah? - ZERO. Worse they hide on plainclothes and embed themselves amongst the people to ensure MAXIMUM civilian casualties which they can then use as propaganda against Israel (Sinwar literally said this - current leader of Hamas) So not only do they NOT try to safeguard their respective populace- they do the opposite to intentionally sacrifice them to their war aims. Just so easily duped people and media in the West can be turned against the very people they attacked. Hezbollah was founded by Iran to seek the eradication of Israel. The IDF was founded to protect Israel from being eradicated. The IDF is a military no doubt and Luke any military it has its history of righteous and bad acts (like Sabra). But your sneering joke about the two being equivalent is disturbing unless you are a brainwashed Islamist yourself. Then it's understandable.

[@paulc7798]

Fish & chips paper.

[@TheKakan1337]

why did Israel escalate making Iran send 400 ballistic missiles?

[@alexbuckenham1663]

On the day that Israel is attacked by around 180 ballistic missiles, really?

[@adamsubtract81]

Wow this aged overnight like a pear

[@BleakVision]

Good show! Apparently I voted for a fascist Volkskanzler last Sunday. You may wanna tone it down a bit. The part with repatriating Austrians with passports not factual, acrually.

[@geoffreymitchell6693]

I'm so glad Alistair so tenaciously clung to his survey while Rory tried to educate us and give context. You guys were totally out of sync. I was totally annoyed. This show isn't live. If you're at each other's heels, re-tape it.

[@eveapple4928]

Listening to Campbell talk about middle eastern military and political issues makes me actually be sick in my mouth a little bit

[@AndreiMuntean0]

8:03 just because Hamas says Deif is alive doesn’t mean he is. It’d be a catastrophic propaganda blow for them to admit it