1/ Why are Israelis dazed and confused? Because Iran demonstrated instrumental rationality. The Iranians, possessing limited capabilities, mounted an operation both psychological and kinetic. They ties Israel in knots for over a week. Then they fired. --->

Thanks Jeremy Bowen : a pleasure to listen to ur thoughtful reflections on #bbclaurak Sunday prog just now!

The major headline in Israel this AM is Jordan’s Air Force intercepting drones in its airspace en route to Israel, especially remarkable for generation of Israelis who remembers sheltering from attacks from Jordan. The takeaway: diplomatic deals are vital for stability

Like most peace-minded or peace-seeking men & women worldwide, I condemn the Iranian attack last nite. But the question niggling me is as follows: should we not have also condemned the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus? Am I missing something here?! #bbclaurak

Impossible to ignore that the Israeli strike in Damascus has completely distracted from Israel’s failing war in Gaza, recruited the West in an escalation with Iran, and all while the man in the driver seat in Israel is not trusted by anyone and fighting for his political survival

Iran might be firing slow, cheap drones it knows Israel can shoot down more for effect at home than as a real escalation. It depends how much damage they do, because if they DO want to do damage, they definitely can. If not, then this won't necessarily be a huge escalation.

Les violences des colons à Jérusalem-Est et en Cisjordanie avec la connivence de l’armée et de la police risquent de susciter le soulèvement désespéré des Palestiniens. La communauté internationale doit réagir.

Truly another sad moment when war-war takes precedence over talk-talk. Tonite, I empathise w/ all those in this conflicted region who r caught haplessly in a vortex of violence & fear. If only the men spewing hatred & injustice learn how to grow up & follow the channels of peace.

The identity of local Chrisians in Jerusalem, and at times their very being too, is challenged increasingly more - be that in the Old City or outside its gates <> via World Council of Churches (WCC) : oikoumene.org/news/orthodox-… ~ Churches on Internat'l Affairs (WCC-CCIA)

When some parties & politicians aspire for a regional war, things might get out of hand <> Iran-Israel “Shadow War” Risks Spinning Out of Control - an Alert via @crisigroup : crisisgroup.org/middle-east-no…

dr harry hagopian 😷 Hussein Ibish I agree and am more skeptical about the delay in a response that Hussein sees. My point was focused more on the fact the Iran views the Israeli bombing in Damascus as a trap, which it was, therefore will try to avoid falling into it.

I said it before & i'll say it again: it concerns me that the whole region is almost on autopilot & that is no good thing. I pray & hope 4 wisdom which is seemingly a rare commodity when it comes to basic human worth in the midst of multiple political arenas & interests.

6/6) I'm truly gobsmacked that Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah was detained at Berlin airport & then sent back to the UK merely bcz he was planning tp speak at a Palestine Congress on his observations of hospital life in Gaza.

5/6) I fully agree w/ tweets by Hussein Ibish & Michael Young that Iran doesn't need to attack Israel directly or via proxies this weekend. But a political head of steam is being built publicly here that might assume its own momentum & become a force of its own;

4/6) Norway yesterday joined a growing list of countries, including Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia, by saying it is “ready to recognise the state of Palestine”;

3/6) According to Palestinian Health Ministry sources, at least 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the > West Bank < since 7 October ~ Israel says that 13 Israelis were also killed in this period;

2/6) I'd opine that the latest attempts at a ceasefire between Israel & Hamas have been alas thwarted again, this time due in part to Israel killing 3 of Ismail Haniyeh's sons;

1/6) Few personal & peace-seeking short Pauses for Thought that I'd like to share w/ u at start of this weekend!

Hussein is right that Iran has interpreted the Damascus attack as an effort to provoke a regional conflagration that encompasses Iran and forces the U.S. to come in on Israel's side. It's the dream of Israel's supporters, but Iran has no reason to give them satisfaction here.

Here, Crisis Group updates on a shattered, starving #Sudan after one year of war, and the lagging diplomacy to try and arrest the spiraling collapse.

We may be a broken record, but it’s beyond time for the world to wake up.