I watched the whole 25 minute Al Jazerra video your posted. So disturbing. And I decided I needed to watch the whole thing - the infant being taken from the bombed out apartment building, the boy whose arm, head, legs were bleeding and whose backside was partially gone. We must watch these scenes and put them in perspective whenever we hear the Hamas attacks on Oct 7th used to excuse permanent war on the Palestinians. None of this will make Israel any more safe or secure.
I've no idea what you're talking about! The answer to my question was Hamas kidnaped rather than killed the hostages because they needed to use them as a bargaining tool in order to stop the occupation. That was the sole intent of the entire invasion to capture NOT KILL! Hence there not being an ounce of veracity to all the other bullshit being spewed. Israel has invested a billion dollars on this propaganda campaign. It was the IDF that slaughtered the vast majority of Israel's that day - how do we know this for fact? Because the Israel's who witnessed the IDF opening fire on everyone have since testified. As by now you know Israel has admitted they killed their own people Why do you think over a million Israel's have already fled to the USA and Europe - imagine being called up to serve your Country and then being gunned down by them instead? Israel like the USA has never had a problem killing it's own civilians - as you saw when they shot and killed the 3 hostages - who had their hands raised waving white flags - spoke in Hebrew and yet they still murdered them
Trish, I am no supporter of Bibi and his right-wing backers. However I strongly support Israel and its right to exist where it has for most of the past several thousand years. You are supporting a group that wants to kill all Jews and probably Christians. Israelis just want peace. I support their right to demand that and to defend themselves and their families from hate and genocidal religion. I have been with you on everything until now, but I must part ways on this issue. All the best.
I do not enjoy the suffering of innocent Palestinians though not sure if support for Hamas and cheering on 7 Oct makes them innocent. On that day, Hamas unleashed the dogs of war. War is violent and Brutish; we seem to have forgotten this despite the current carnage in Ukraine, that for some strange reason no one seems to care about.
I think what is happening in Gaza is atrocious....and....I’m increasingly concerned about what’s happening in Toronto (specifically) to Jewish businesses and people.
How is it ok to attack Jewish Canadian’s because of decisions being made by extreme leaders in another country?
Are you speaking to this in your episodes?
Is it ok to say I don’t agree with Israel and what is happening in Gaza is beyond devastating and wrong....and....I’m concerned our open immigration has led to people living in our country who might be affiliated with Hama’s and that I’m not ok with people in our country living in fear because they are Jewish or with the escalating threats of violence by pro-Palestinian groups that are not what life used to be like in Canada?
Trish, I am faced daily with the loss of humanity in our world today. I am doing my best to think critically and reading as many "sides" to this ongoing battle in the middle east. My heart breaks for all the beautiful people killed, mamed and trapped in all the wars for power and control.
Similarly, though not nearly as lengthy, to Darryl Cooper of The Martyr Made Substack, James Pew has written a deep dive analysis called, "The Case for Israel". I am trying to figure out what is propoganda and what is truth. As always, I believe there are 3 sides to every story, yours, mine and the truth.
Those “children” are their parents cannon fodder. Their “parents” delivered the pain. If the parents loved their children they would have sued for peace long ago. The palestinians have earned every bomb they absorb. It’s tough to be a stupid hater. F the palestinians………if they could be good citizens anywhere every single moslem country would not refuse them but they can’t….they are whining complaining trouble makers where ever they reside and that is their role in the arab world.
A couple million less terrorists is a benefit for the world
Thank you Trish for continuing to shine the spotlight on the atrocities happening in Gaza despite the anger that you are getting from some of your audience members who cannot seem to understand the difference between a civilian and a military target. However I worry that no number of front line reports like the one you have published here will be enough to change the genocidal direction that the IDF and their US backers are headed. I also worry that very little conversation is happening on Canadian social media amongst the former “Freedom Crowd” as they all seem narrowly obsessed with amplifying cries of anti semitism and focusing on a couple hundred “Pro Hamas” demonstrators in our country. It’s sactually a very brilliant strategy by the Israeli propaganda machine as they know that people cannot actually defend the Israeli slaughter in Gaza, so instead they have instructed their goons here to distract and keep the narrative focused on “Jew-hatred” (their script, their term). Obviously I condemn any acts or anti-semitism but there is no reason we cannot be against anti-semitism and still talk about the horrific and indiscriminate civilian killings happening for over 90 days now in Gaza.
It seems to me that the root cause of this conflict has always been a religious intolerance between followers of Islam and the Jewish faith. I will never understand why they can co-exist side by side in mutual respect and understanding.
There are many Jews and Muslims living in Canada, often in the same neighborhoods and working in the same organizations peacefully. Why can multiethnic, multi-cultural Canada maintain a society that is relatively free of the constant state of war in the Middle East between theocratic nations?
It seems to me that average citizens who immigrated to Canada from those warring countries were the one’s who wanted to escape from the conflict perpetrated between their leaders who place their theocratic principles and values ahead of the health and safety of their citizens.
There is lots to dislike about contemporary Liberal/NDP Canada, but our ability to live in peace with our neighbours - in spite of our many differences - is something we got right!
Do you seriously think that children losing their limbs and eyes “deserve” what that are getting with the indiscriminate IDF slaughter and cruelty? I honestly just cannot understand how anyone with a functional heart and soul can hold that position. Sorry but you suck.
I have heard stories about this conflict primarily from Trish and Bari Weiss (occasionally Ben Shapiro). Trish, a Catholic and a Canadian with Scandinavian roots, has no dog in this fight like Bari and Ben other than being a caring member of the human race. I am with Trish on her reporting of this war.
The film reinforced my disgust for those Israeli leaders, and their American government backers, who seem intent on carrying out a revenge genocide. How much of the divide between Israelis and Palestinians is over religious beliefs? Are their faiths simply the manifestation of mass formation psychoses that are so deeply rooted in the national psyche that they will sacrifice life itself to their religious convictions. Muslims and Jews are, IMHO, both victims of these psychoses and the senseless narratives about their ancestral homelands. Is the fight over these lands based on those beliefs really a sound justification for snuffing out so many lives?
I left the Roman Catholic faith over 50 years ago. I remember the senseless fighting between the Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. The terror attacks (“suicide bombers, 911, and more) carried out subsequently in the name of Allah has never made sense for anyone who places human life above promises of a good afterlife.
Most of all, I have never understood the imperialist ambitions of major world religions. They have waged wars in the name of their “God”, then profess a “personal relationship with their Creator” - one that should be honoured as no one else’s business but that of the individual person.
I stay clear of religious zealots - you know, the people who are constantly advertising their faith as a merit badge or something of high virtue. I respect people of faith who practice it silently or within likeminded communities.
Overt tribalism, in any form, is the root cause of the divisiveness I observe in much of humanity. We are a species, however, that has relied on tribal affiliations to survive over our history. A certain level of tribalism is to be expected but moderation is certainly more attractive than zealotry.
Three Israeli hostages carrying white flags and speaking Hebrew were shot, not just by one IDF soldier but by two. When women in Gaza were evacuating, one mother who walked with her kid in the group, was killed by an IDF sniper. Laying down arms to such an army, means certain death.
Hello Trish. What you have written is very touching yet detailed. Thanks. I must gather my thoughts carefully. BTW, do you know Terry Glavin? I suspect he will read your latest column as carefully as I do. Thanks for your courage in the information you present.
Glavin is a good reporter on some issues, such as Indigenous Canadians. But on Israel-Palestine he is a defender-of-Israel-at-all-costs apologist, lacking any seeming understanding as to what Israel (and the British and Jews in Palestine prior to its establishment) did to the Palestinians. He is not a serious, neutral observer.
Agreed. I’ve been very disappointed by Terri’s coverage of Gaza and his more recent article on immigration that was dripping in hatred towards Muslim Canadians.
Thanks for commenting. I too have noticed that Terry G takes to task the pro-Hamas faculty, media mavens and those pro-Hamas demonstrators in the streets. So, yes, he is pro-Israel. I tend to the think he has good reason to be thus and hope to have more to say on this very controversial topic later.
The Muslim prayer you refer to signifies the last steps taken before bedtime in the event you don’t wake up. Wudu is the purification that all Muslims do before praying (washing hands, face, arms, feet, etc.). Then praying a short prayer and making the testament of faith (shahada), which is the statement of belief that there is One God and that the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet of God in the full line of Prophets of God beginning with the Prophet Abraham and including the prophets Noah, Moses, Jesus, et al. Muslims make this testament of faith as the last act before death to state their commitment to God, a final act of devotion. The point is that everyone has made peace with the fact that when they go to bed, they may be killed in their sleep. Thank you for this important piece.
Grace, I don’t know you, but I like you because you appear to have kindness and respect in your heart. Your post shows you to willing to share your knowledge and perspective in order to build understanding about a topic that is so often misunderstood. Thank you.
Please consider joining my Substack under the title MY LIFE LENS. I write for the same reason as you - to share what I have learned with others in the hope of bringing a little more peace in the world.
In order to do a balanced take on any conflict or any story Trish you have to see it from both sides. You no longer have a two way perspective and have chosen a side. That is not reporting critically, nor is it wrong to have compassion for those people being harmed. I thought you were an old school reporter and looked critically at all angles and perspectives of a situation but that is not what you are doing here. Your taking someone else’s reporting and deeming it as fact because it coincides with your perspective. That is not thinking critically, nor is it being balanced. You chose the underdog, which is your right to do so but please don’t tell me it’s critical thinking or unbiased content you are relying on. With Zelinski we could agree because I kept up with the back ground and I saw his name in the Paradise Papers and how much money he already had sitting off shore. I also knew of Bidden and his deals with China and it coincided with what I heard from other journalists. I have been following the trails and I am not saying that Israel is clean by any means but I do know who started this war and who still has hostages and who said they would do it again and again. I also know who broke the cease fire. So it may be just Propaganda in your eyes but I could say the very same thing from what you deem as truth as just propaganda from the other side. They are both guilty of doing this, not just Israel. Any side the UN is on, I will most likely be on the opposite as I know them to be the worst of the worst regimes sitting on committees for human rights. Usually those Countries that do not have any. That is blaspheme so we need to be removed from the UN and the WHO. Maybe we can agree to that. Maybe not as you may think they are a necessary bureaucracy but I have a deep dislike for any and all bureaucracy or leadership at this point in my life. I find the majority to be appalling today.
I watched the whole 25 minute Al Jazerra video your posted. So disturbing. And I decided I needed to watch the whole thing - the infant being taken from the bombed out apartment building, the boy whose arm, head, legs were bleeding and whose backside was partially gone. We must watch these scenes and put them in perspective whenever we hear the Hamas attacks on Oct 7th used to excuse permanent war on the Palestinians. None of this will make Israel any more safe or secure.
I've no idea what you're talking about! The answer to my question was Hamas kidnaped rather than killed the hostages because they needed to use them as a bargaining tool in order to stop the occupation. That was the sole intent of the entire invasion to capture NOT KILL! Hence there not being an ounce of veracity to all the other bullshit being spewed. Israel has invested a billion dollars on this propaganda campaign. It was the IDF that slaughtered the vast majority of Israel's that day - how do we know this for fact? Because the Israel's who witnessed the IDF opening fire on everyone have since testified. As by now you know Israel has admitted they killed their own people Why do you think over a million Israel's have already fled to the USA and Europe - imagine being called up to serve your Country and then being gunned down by them instead? Israel like the USA has never had a problem killing it's own civilians - as you saw when they shot and killed the 3 hostages - who had their hands raised waving white flags - spoke in Hebrew and yet they still murdered them
Trish, I am no supporter of Bibi and his right-wing backers. However I strongly support Israel and its right to exist where it has for most of the past several thousand years. You are supporting a group that wants to kill all Jews and probably Christians. Israelis just want peace. I support their right to demand that and to defend themselves and their families from hate and genocidal religion. I have been with you on everything until now, but I must part ways on this issue. All the best.
https://www.youtube.com/live/fBIetBzWHi4?si=RH8P2Ye4tjKNSBuu. I rest my case!
I do not enjoy the suffering of innocent Palestinians though not sure if support for Hamas and cheering on 7 Oct makes them innocent. On that day, Hamas unleashed the dogs of war. War is violent and Brutish; we seem to have forgotten this despite the current carnage in Ukraine, that for some strange reason no one seems to care about.
I think what is happening in Gaza is atrocious....and....I’m increasingly concerned about what’s happening in Toronto (specifically) to Jewish businesses and people.
How is it ok to attack Jewish Canadian’s because of decisions being made by extreme leaders in another country?
Are you speaking to this in your episodes?
Is it ok to say I don’t agree with Israel and what is happening in Gaza is beyond devastating and wrong....and....I’m concerned our open immigration has led to people living in our country who might be affiliated with Hama’s and that I’m not ok with people in our country living in fear because they are Jewish or with the escalating threats of violence by pro-Palestinian groups that are not what life used to be like in Canada?
Trish, I am faced daily with the loss of humanity in our world today. I am doing my best to think critically and reading as many "sides" to this ongoing battle in the middle east. My heart breaks for all the beautiful people killed, mamed and trapped in all the wars for power and control.
I would sincerely appreciate your opinion on this peace from the Woke Watch Canada Substack "https://wokewatchcanada.substack.com/p/lies-damn-lies-and-haaretz/comments"
Similarly, though not nearly as lengthy, to Darryl Cooper of The Martyr Made Substack, James Pew has written a deep dive analysis called, "The Case for Israel". I am trying to figure out what is propoganda and what is truth. As always, I believe there are 3 sides to every story, yours, mine and the truth.
Those “children” are their parents cannon fodder. Their “parents” delivered the pain. If the parents loved their children they would have sued for peace long ago. The palestinians have earned every bomb they absorb. It’s tough to be a stupid hater. F the palestinians………if they could be good citizens anywhere every single moslem country would not refuse them but they can’t….they are whining complaining trouble makers where ever they reside and that is their role in the arab world.
A couple million less terrorists is a benefit for the world
Thank you Trish for continuing to shine the spotlight on the atrocities happening in Gaza despite the anger that you are getting from some of your audience members who cannot seem to understand the difference between a civilian and a military target. However I worry that no number of front line reports like the one you have published here will be enough to change the genocidal direction that the IDF and their US backers are headed. I also worry that very little conversation is happening on Canadian social media amongst the former “Freedom Crowd” as they all seem narrowly obsessed with amplifying cries of anti semitism and focusing on a couple hundred “Pro Hamas” demonstrators in our country. It’s sactually a very brilliant strategy by the Israeli propaganda machine as they know that people cannot actually defend the Israeli slaughter in Gaza, so instead they have instructed their goons here to distract and keep the narrative focused on “Jew-hatred” (their script, their term). Obviously I condemn any acts or anti-semitism but there is no reason we cannot be against anti-semitism and still talk about the horrific and indiscriminate civilian killings happening for over 90 days now in Gaza.
What military target. The Hamas cowards hide under and among civilians.
This is what hatred and terrorism buys. F the palestinians. They are getting what the deserve
This is what hatred and terrorism buys. F the palestinians! They are earning what they have sown.
It seems to me that the root cause of this conflict has always been a religious intolerance between followers of Islam and the Jewish faith. I will never understand why they can co-exist side by side in mutual respect and understanding.
There are many Jews and Muslims living in Canada, often in the same neighborhoods and working in the same organizations peacefully. Why can multiethnic, multi-cultural Canada maintain a society that is relatively free of the constant state of war in the Middle East between theocratic nations?
It seems to me that average citizens who immigrated to Canada from those warring countries were the one’s who wanted to escape from the conflict perpetrated between their leaders who place their theocratic principles and values ahead of the health and safety of their citizens.
There is lots to dislike about contemporary Liberal/NDP Canada, but our ability to live in peace with our neighbours - in spite of our many differences - is something we got right!
Do you seriously think that children losing their limbs and eyes “deserve” what that are getting with the indiscriminate IDF slaughter and cruelty? I honestly just cannot understand how anyone with a functional heart and soul can hold that position. Sorry but you suck.
Do you think that Israeli women and children deserved to be raped and killed?
I have heard stories about this conflict primarily from Trish and Bari Weiss (occasionally Ben Shapiro). Trish, a Catholic and a Canadian with Scandinavian roots, has no dog in this fight like Bari and Ben other than being a caring member of the human race. I am with Trish on her reporting of this war.
The film reinforced my disgust for those Israeli leaders, and their American government backers, who seem intent on carrying out a revenge genocide. How much of the divide between Israelis and Palestinians is over religious beliefs? Are their faiths simply the manifestation of mass formation psychoses that are so deeply rooted in the national psyche that they will sacrifice life itself to their religious convictions. Muslims and Jews are, IMHO, both victims of these psychoses and the senseless narratives about their ancestral homelands. Is the fight over these lands based on those beliefs really a sound justification for snuffing out so many lives?
I left the Roman Catholic faith over 50 years ago. I remember the senseless fighting between the Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. The terror attacks (“suicide bombers, 911, and more) carried out subsequently in the name of Allah has never made sense for anyone who places human life above promises of a good afterlife.
Most of all, I have never understood the imperialist ambitions of major world religions. They have waged wars in the name of their “God”, then profess a “personal relationship with their Creator” - one that should be honoured as no one else’s business but that of the individual person.
I stay clear of religious zealots - you know, the people who are constantly advertising their faith as a merit badge or something of high virtue. I respect people of faith who practice it silently or within likeminded communities.
Overt tribalism, in any form, is the root cause of the divisiveness I observe in much of humanity. We are a species, however, that has relied on tribal affiliations to survive over our history. A certain level of tribalism is to be expected but moderation is certainly more attractive than zealotry.
No. Jews want peace. Hamas wants all Jews dead.
It is terrible, but it would stop instantly if Hamas laid down its weapons and released the hostages. See here for instance: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/it-is-up-to-gazans-to-stop-the-fighting
Three Israeli hostages carrying white flags and speaking Hebrew were shot, not just by one IDF soldier but by two. When women in Gaza were evacuating, one mother who walked with her kid in the group, was killed by an IDF sniper. Laying down arms to such an army, means certain death.
Hello Trish. What you have written is very touching yet detailed. Thanks. I must gather my thoughts carefully. BTW, do you know Terry Glavin? I suspect he will read your latest column as carefully as I do. Thanks for your courage in the information you present.
Glavin is a good reporter on some issues, such as Indigenous Canadians. But on Israel-Palestine he is a defender-of-Israel-at-all-costs apologist, lacking any seeming understanding as to what Israel (and the British and Jews in Palestine prior to its establishment) did to the Palestinians. He is not a serious, neutral observer.
Agreed. I’ve been very disappointed by Terri’s coverage of Gaza and his more recent article on immigration that was dripping in hatred towards Muslim Canadians.
Thanks for commenting. I too have noticed that Terry G takes to task the pro-Hamas faculty, media mavens and those pro-Hamas demonstrators in the streets. So, yes, he is pro-Israel. I tend to the think he has good reason to be thus and hope to have more to say on this very controversial topic later.
The Muslim prayer you refer to signifies the last steps taken before bedtime in the event you don’t wake up. Wudu is the purification that all Muslims do before praying (washing hands, face, arms, feet, etc.). Then praying a short prayer and making the testament of faith (shahada), which is the statement of belief that there is One God and that the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet of God in the full line of Prophets of God beginning with the Prophet Abraham and including the prophets Noah, Moses, Jesus, et al. Muslims make this testament of faith as the last act before death to state their commitment to God, a final act of devotion. The point is that everyone has made peace with the fact that when they go to bed, they may be killed in their sleep. Thank you for this important piece.
Grace, I don’t know you, but I like you because you appear to have kindness and respect in your heart. Your post shows you to willing to share your knowledge and perspective in order to build understanding about a topic that is so often misunderstood. Thank you.
Please consider joining my Substack under the title MY LIFE LENS. I write for the same reason as you - to share what I have learned with others in the hope of bringing a little more peace in the world.
Lovely. Thank you.
https://youtube.com/shorts/bmvLvYbKLb0?si=MivsIPmGmMQU2lk5
Marylou -- you are linking to IDF propaganda videos. This is not the way to encourage a learned discussion here. Better to engage on the issues.
In order to do a balanced take on any conflict or any story Trish you have to see it from both sides. You no longer have a two way perspective and have chosen a side. That is not reporting critically, nor is it wrong to have compassion for those people being harmed. I thought you were an old school reporter and looked critically at all angles and perspectives of a situation but that is not what you are doing here. Your taking someone else’s reporting and deeming it as fact because it coincides with your perspective. That is not thinking critically, nor is it being balanced. You chose the underdog, which is your right to do so but please don’t tell me it’s critical thinking or unbiased content you are relying on. With Zelinski we could agree because I kept up with the back ground and I saw his name in the Paradise Papers and how much money he already had sitting off shore. I also knew of Bidden and his deals with China and it coincided with what I heard from other journalists. I have been following the trails and I am not saying that Israel is clean by any means but I do know who started this war and who still has hostages and who said they would do it again and again. I also know who broke the cease fire. So it may be just Propaganda in your eyes but I could say the very same thing from what you deem as truth as just propaganda from the other side. They are both guilty of doing this, not just Israel. Any side the UN is on, I will most likely be on the opposite as I know them to be the worst of the worst regimes sitting on committees for human rights. Usually those Countries that do not have any. That is blaspheme so we need to be removed from the UN and the WHO. Maybe we can agree to that. Maybe not as you may think they are a necessary bureaucracy but I have a deep dislike for any and all bureaucracy or leadership at this point in my life. I find the majority to be appalling today.
well said. I couldn't agree more.
Guess where I'm going next :)