There seem to quite a few ‘world leaders’ who have a problem understanding what they are seeing. Radical Islam is a recipe for violence and terrorism. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by many countries. But it doesn’t deter those Hamas by sending both goods and funds for “humanitarian aid”. I’ve pointed out before that Hamas enjoys being able to conduct terrorism and have others pay for the damages they incur in doing so.
One of the latest examples is the visit of the French foreign minister to Israel. She complained about a French diplomatic staff member in Gaza being a victim of an Israeli air strike. I believe she even mentioned that the building where he worked should not have been considered a military target. Well, either she, or someone on her staff failed to do their homework. The man in question was visiting the home of another person and that is where he was when the IAF attacked. I know if his host was a Hamas member, but since he was a ‘diplomat’ and most of his contacts would normally have been with Gaza officials (all Hamas members?) it’s hard for me to imagine him making a friendly social visit to someone who wasn’t a Hamas supporter.
The French minister also repeated her countries call for an immediate and complete cease-fire on “humanitarian” grounds. It would be interesting to know if anyone ever pointed out to her that Hamas would then remain in power and the whole show would be repeated in the future. Funds for reconstruction would go to building up what Hamas calls “the military wing”. I fail to find any real difference between the “military” and “political” wings of terrorist regimes. Both have the same aims.
She also seems to believe the Hamas propaganda that says hostage release negotiations can only begin after there is a cease-fire. That interpretation leaves out the other part of the Hamas precondition, granting all their other demands. It not only leaves Hamas in charge, but it doesn’t even result in the release of those remaining hostages.
The French military has experience operating against Radical Islam. French troops in Africa fought Boko Haram terrorists there. A French warship is part of the naval patrol sent to defend international shipping from the Houthis. It actually shot down a missile or drone. But that patrol is only a defensive effort. Without something stronger the Houthis will not be deterred. The Americans are following the same path. Major international shipping companies understand what is happening and the largest of them have decided to reroute all their ships around South Africa. The shipping companies don’t have weapons. They will just charge their customers more because of the added time and distance. Rerouting also saves them the extra ~0.03% war risk premium on war risk insurance. Who are the big losers? Egypt doesn’t get fees from the Suez Canal transits. Shippers and customers pay more for the longer transits (money and time). Indian, Asian and East African countries will find their commerce affected most. China will have to weigh the added economic costs against the benefits they get from importing oil via Iran. The potential scenarios are endless.
Wetherhorn 
The French and the Germans have always given in to terrorist. I was at the Munich Olympics in 1972, my husband was stationed in Germany for three years when the very next morning they allowed terrorists to kill Israeli athletes and gave them a means to escape. It’s really sad how gutless some countries are. I am always in awe of how Israel always gets their man after the fact. I will always stand with Israel. Our American president in office is as gutless as they are. Pray we get him out of office next year or it maybe to late for us too. Hoping your family and friends are safe.
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