Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has famously declared that “Islam has no place in Europe,” has come out with a strange notion: that it was the Russian invasion of Ukraine that led Hamas to invade Israel on October 7. More on her view can be found here: “Hamas’s massacre only happened because of Russia’s war on Ukraine – Italian PM,” Jerusalem Post, February 24, 2024:
“The brutal attack by Hamas, the massacre perpetrated against civilians, including children and the elderly, and the ferocity with which that massacre was carried out pushed Israel into such a harsh reaction that it led to isolation, both in the Middle East as well as in Western public opinions.
Meloni was wrong. Israel had a “strong” reaction to Hamas, but given the circumstances, hardly a “harsh” one. Remember that on October 7, Hamas operatives beheaded babies, burned children alive, mass-raped, tortured, mutilated, and murdered young girls, sliced the breasts off women and played catch with them, gouged out the eyes, and cut off the genitalia, of men. The IDF went into Gaza, always warning civilians to leave areas and buildings about to be targeted, hoping always to minimize civilian casualties, though Hamas’ practice of having its operatives embed themselves and their weapons in and among civilians, made the IDF’s effort immensely difficult. Nonetheless, achieving a civilian-to-combatant ratio of 4:3 is proof of the IDF’s restraint.
“For this reason, those who, like us, work on de-escalation do so above all in the interests of Israel and for an immediate end to the crisis,” Meloni said. “Finding a lasting solution to the issue is in everyone’s interest, both Israel and Palestine.”
Meloni continues, like so many, to believe in a “lasting solution” to the jihad against Israel. This “two-state solution” is a will-o’-the wisp, an ignis fatuus. There is no permanent solution to the jihad imperative. There is the possibility, however, of preventing major war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The only way to do that is to make sure that the IDF remains overwhelmingly, and obviously, stronger than any combination of its potential Arab enemies. This is deterrence. It worked well during the Cold War. There is no reason why it cannot work just as well to keep Israel safe from its enemies in the Middle East.
To sum up:
Meloni is wrong to think that Hamas invaded Gaza on October 7 because 19 months previously, Russia invaded Ukraine. Hamas had been planning such an operation since long before February 23, 2022, when Putin sent his troops across the border into Ukraine. Hamas was impelled, rather, by the spectacle of many months of mass protests in Israel against the proposed judicial reform, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis turning out weekly to demand not just an end to that proposed reform being contemplated, but also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hamas sensed that Israeli society was suitably sundered and, while collapsing from within, would not be able to mount a sufficient counterattack to an invasion, and massacre, by Hamas. But Hamas failed to understand the inner essential strength of the Jews of Israel, who at once put aside their previous divisions and became as one mailed fist in their response to Hamas. The results we can all see, as the IDF has dismantled Hamas in Gaza City and Khan Younis, and is about to assault Hamas’ last stronghold, Rafah.
She is also wrong to think that there is a “solution” to the Arab war on Israel. That war is a jihad to recover territory that once was held by Muslims so, in their view, must forever belong to Muslims. That war will last as long as Islam itself. It should be thought of not as a problem that admits of a solution, but as a situation that can be made manageable. As long as Israel remains stronger than its Arab enemies, and obviously so, it should be able to maintain the peace through deterrence. That strategy worked in the Cold War to check Soviet aggression; it should work again to prevent aggression against Israel. Israel needs to restore that deterrent power by crushing Hamas; anything less, that leaves the terror group still standing, will only encourage another October 7, and another, and another.
tim gallagher says
With the truly insane level of hatred of Muslims towards the Jews, as in the Koran and because that insane hatred is condoned by the phony version of a god that Muslims believe in, along with a hatred of all of us non-believers in islam’s bullshit, there will never be an end to the Muslim Arab conflict with Israel. If islam died out, there would be many problems still plaguing the human race, but the absence of islam with its vicious and murderous hatreds would improve things enormously in endless different ways. islam has been nothing but a vicious, hate-filled curse on the human race for far too long.
Wellington says
Agreed. tg. Yes, as you noted, were Islam absent from mankind ( a beautiful sentiment I might add), many, many problems would nonetheless remain, but at least mankind would be minus one enormous negative.
Hey, one things at a time, eh?
tim gallagher says
Yes, one thing at a time, step by step, Wellington. Unfortunately, at the moment, at least where I live, things are going in the wrong direction with more and more Muslims being allowed to invade the country and making it a far worse place than it used to be. The only good point might be that, too slowly, I think more and more people here are finally waking up to what a terrible thing it has been to invite Muslims into the country. There are not enough yet, but i do sense that more of the sleepwalking people are, and about bloody time, waking up. Hopefully, less Muslims will be allowed in which will at least stop the rot a bit. Ah, a world without islam. What a huge improvement that would be. What damage it has caused the human race, dragging so many people back into the darkest of dark ages. It has definitely been a hideous, barbaric, evil religious ideology.
maria says
The world would be relieved if all the muslims disappeared
tim gallagher says
It is true that a lot of people who are awake to islam’s nature would love to see islam and all the Muslims disappear, maria, but a lot of extremely slow learners still don’t seem to get it when it comes to islam and they remain supportive of islam. Certainly I would love to see islam and Muslims disappear and I think that that would be one of the greatest things ever. Because here in Australia, China, that gigantic thuggish power is probably our greatest threat, since they are going to dominate in this area of the world, I would have to add that I’d love to see the Chinese regime fall apart as well. It would be a wonderful world without islam fouling it up. I fear that it is going to be hard work and a long struggle achieving that goal.
DavidW says
There is one solution – to use rational, fact-based argument to show to Muslims that Islam is really false (which it is) and thus create an avalanche of apostasy. If western leaders had courage they could do this (in nice ways) and in a few generations make Islam about as widespread as Scientology and Moonies.
James Lincoln says
DavidW,
Muslims are generally “hardwired” to NOT use factual evidence-based logic. And the vast majority – due to multi-generational inbreeding with first cousin marriages – suffer from lower-than-average IQ and reasoning ability.
Especially if it involves critiquing islam, the “not so” holy koran, etc.
Bottom line:
Some of the smarter ones may become apostates, but the vast majority will not.
Rufolino says
In the UK, the word “koran”, and the term “Islamic ideology” are never used in discussion anywhere. These topics are apparently off-limits, which is how Islam wants it to be.
Reckoning Labour Got will be colluding with Islam in introducing a new definition of “Islamophobia”, putting any discussion of Islam into the “Islamophobia” basket”.
They are blind to the truth that Islamophobia is an invented scam.
James Lincoln says
Rufolino,
Once a country reaches the point where a rational discussion regarding islamic theology is “off-limits”, it is the beginning of the end.
Wellington says
Well, the PM of Italy has a point in this regard, to wit, but for the weakness of the present bogus POTUS, one Joe Biden, the horrible Putin wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine proper two years ago (N.B., Putin invaded nothing when Trump was POTUS) but because of ass-backwards Joe reviving the idiotic Iran nuclear deal that the extremely foolish man, one Barack Obama, initiated—as well as other stupid stuff like taking the Houthis off the American terrorist list in the first month of Biden’s bogus Presidency and reviving aid to the despicable PA—this sent a signal to the wretched Putin that he could get away with going into Ukraine proper, just as when Barack “Red Line” Obama was doing nothing more than spewing hot air in 2013 about a red line in Syria and the very next year the villainous Putin (and anyone disputing this man’s evil nature is someone I need not pay any attention to) invaded Crimea. So, I would argue, contra Hugh Fitzgerald, that Putin going into Ukraine proper and Hamas doing what it did this past October 7th has a definite connecting link. Indeed, I have no doubt about this.
Weakness comes with consequences—and with cascading effects. Obama and Biden have been weak to world tyrants with their focus on those extra horrible people, i.e., traditional American conservatives (e.g., Biden’s utterly despicable speech on September 1st, 2022 before Independence Hall in Philadelphia demonizing upwards of half of all Americans).
In brief, contra Fitzgerald, I think the current PM of Italy has a point. A very good point. A very accurate one.
John Smith says
“Weakness comes with consequences,” what a profound statement. Absolutely 100% true.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
To your point, Republican US Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin agrees that if Trump had been President continuously since 2017, Russia would have never invaded Ukraine – and Hamas would have never attacked Israel.
Both events were on the heels of a horrifically botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Biden is directly responsible for the thousands and thousands of deaths and injuries that would have been prevented under Trump.
Emilie Green says
Meloni has been a real disappointment.
nicholas tesdorf says
The only solution to the Muslim-Jewish conflict is the elimination of the Islamic Faith, by peaceful methods, of course.
Pray Hard says
There is a solution … The death of islam.
maria says
Yes agree
Hudders. says
The blame, dear Giorgia, for the current events in Gaza/Israel lies firmly at the blood soaked feet of islamic terrorists, namely Hamas.
Obsfucating obvious historic narrative realities, or even throwing out words in an attempt to make oneself look knowledgable about the current conflict, serves you, the situation, or those in the firing line any good. It does help the jihadist animals & it does however muddy the muslim waters of deception once again; drawing focus away from the basic absolute truth of the facts, as stated before.
The blame for the current events in Gaza/Israel lies firmly at the blood soaked feet of islamic terrorists, namely Hamas.
The only solution is to have no islam anywhere. Period.
For wherever that barbaric desert death cult takes root, misery, slaughter, conquest, brutality & death are ceratin to follow.
I would have thought the good Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would have figured that one out by now.
Rufolino says
In the UK, the word “koran”, and the term “Islamic ideology” are never used in discussion anywhere. These topics are apparently off-limits, which is how Islam wants it to be.
Reckoning Labour Got will be colluding with Islam in introducing a new definition of “Islamophobia”, putting any discussion of Islam into the “Islamophobia” basket”.
They are blind to the truth that Islamophobia is an invented scam.
Mike says
“Islamophobia: a word invented by fascists and used by cowards to manipulate morons.” (If I got that quote right)
Hudders. says
yes. uk blasphemy laws inbound on the back of the traitor Labour Govt.
Rufolino says
Autospell spoiled my comment.
Read “Incoming Labour Gvt.”
jdow says
I would be inclined to give her part credit on this one. It is obvious that the invasion was going to happen, eventually. The way we’ve dealt with Ukraine probably factored heavily in the Hamas leadership’s timing for the attack.
{^_^}
abu taleb says
How come people can be so naive about Islam after the internet has been existing for a long time to spread the news about jihad movement everywhere together with the information about Islamic teaching.
After the 1998 riot toward the Indonesian Chinese, I started to learn about Islam until I understand that the only solution for peace with those Islamists is either by military might or by eradicating Islam. Other ‘solutions’ are only delaying the inevitable which is jihad toward non muslims.
Scotsman48 says
islam teaches revenge as a tenet of the faith whereas other faiths suggest revenge belongs to the Lord.
So when muslims see little to no reactions to their vile savage actions then this they see as a weakness and that’s how they see Western men however they KNEW the IDF would react in such a manner and this is what they want, basically WW3, to bring on the end so their wee Guru dude can appear within the ashes and rebuild a great islamic caliphate where everybody will be a sheep, or a goat, and women will be invisible.
islamism is the new nazism.
Rarely says
All these events are interconnected. Certainly Oct 7th occurred when it did because of the distraction caused by the Russian invasion of the Ukraine. That Israel was making headway in developing improved relations with many islamic/Arab countries was a great impetus as well — in order to undermine. There are numerous other reasons for the timing although the attack was a long time in the planning stage.
The Oct 7th attack has been very successful in achieving its goals. A strong reaction from Israel (which was likely expected) helped achieve these goals.
What also occurred as a bonus was the eruption of anti-Semitism in the western world — far beyond anything that could have been expected or predicted.
I don’t think it mattered much who was in the White House.