Hope and Dreams?

I believe the Gaza ceasefire will hold and all hostages returned. I say this because the prizes for both Trump and Netanyahu could be substantial. Looking at the map of the region it’s obvious that the small area of Gaza is separated from the West Bank by significant slice of Israel making it’s joint governance impossible, and likely Hamas still in charge, even after any furure elections. However, as Trump has already pointed out, Gaza represents interesting development potential with its coastal position and climate. Need I say more? It’s distinctly possible that the currently uninhabitable Gaza population, without the assistance of the USA and Israel (and with very limited help from other Arab states) Gaza will remain uninhabitable and unsustainable.

It seems that most of Gaza’s population will have to relocate voluntarily or will be forced to move. But to where as with Trump’s blessing Israel will continue with its robbery of West Bank land and property. In any event, Gazans face a very uncertain and uncomfortable future while Israel will continue to face attacks from Palestinians who will never forgive the death and destruction - over 47,000 dead, over 110,000 injured (many with life-changing injuries), over 14,000 missing, almost total destruction of infrastructure, key services and homes.

The American Dream…

Or American Nightmare. With a substantial number of American voters dreaming of a better future under Trump, the new president has rapidly started to stamp his authority on America, and with it drastically undermined the country’s fundamental democratic system. With the swipe of his pen, Trump has cast aside democratic debate, consensus, climate change and the country’s justice system with the most authoritarian and extreme Executive Orders or Decrees. Trump’s only motivation is himself and his family’s interests. What is also striking is the lack of criticism and the way the richest Americans and corporations have supported Trump, again purely for self-interest. One of his most worrying moves is the pardoning of over 1,500 seditionist criminals to the horror of those that witnessed the 6 January storming of the Capitol and the police officers who were attacked.