The

The Hello and behind the news. My name is Doug Henwood.

Not only do we have the standard two guests today, both have the same initials. Pure coincidence, I assure you.

First, Mouin Rabani will discuss Israeli politics, the war on Gaza and Trump's curious Middle Eastern tour.

And then Maron Rappaport will talk about Israel's strategy of destruction in Gaza, how and why.

Israel's war in Gaza has entered a new

phase which looks to be characterized by total destruction, as if what's been going on for the previous

19 months wasn't destructive enough. It was obvious to anyone watching this horrendous spectacle,

anyone that is not propagandized into unconsciousness, that Israel's aim was the destruction of Gaza as a society

by destroying its physical infrastructure, not just basic stuff like water treatment plants,

but the physical bases of civilization, like schools and hospitals.

But it looks like Israel is going further to turning every building in the strip to rubble.

The other day, the head of the leading opposition party, Yair Golan of the Democrats, a former general and deputy chief of staff, so no innocent,

said, Israel is on the way to becoming a pariah state, like South Africa was,

if we don't return to acting like a sane country. A sane country does not fight against civilians,

does not kill babies as a hobby, and does not give itself the aim of expelling populations.

He was roundly denounced for this, but the comment looks quite on target to me.

Here were some observations on Israeli politics, on the international reaction of the sort that Golan was fearing,

and on Trump's ridiculous tour of the Middle East is Muin Rabani.

Few people can match Muayin's knowledge of the Middle East, the sharpness of his analysis,

and the fluency of his delivery.

He has served in several diplomatic roles over the years and his co-editor of Jadalia,

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