You're conflating one side with Arabs and the other with Jews, when clearly there were people involved who don't fit those identities (like the English racist far right on the Jewish side (for now)).

As I said, there are many parts of London where Arabs and Jews live quite happily as neighbours and have done for a long time. Cite or stop talking nonsense about something you don't have any idea about.

Not necessarily. Under the 1977 Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, 'civilians who directly take part in hostilities temporarily lose the protection provided for civilians, but only for the duration of their participation in the hostilities.' The Third Geneva Convention of 1949 already included as combatants 'members of other militias and members of volunteer corps, including those of organized resistance movements belonging to a party to the conflict and operating in or outside their own territory, even if this territory is occupied,' and even 'inhabitants of a non-occupied territory, who on the approach of the enemy spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading forces, without having had time to form themselves into regular armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war'.

Protocol I says that combatants are 'the armed forces of a party to a conflict, and also groups and units that are under a command responsible to that party for the conduct of its subordinates, even if that party is answerable to a government or an authority not recognized by an adverse party.' (Arts. 43 and 50, 1977.)

Guerrillas or irregular forces may conceal arms at times but must carry them openly during engagements to be recognised as combatants rather than criminals.

Handy guide to the law here:- https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/c.../3/combatants/

The reason was Jewish settlement in Palestine with a view to takeover, like I said. That's what caused the problem and, given the violence of the eventual takeover, on land sacred to Arabs as well as Jews, that's what the Arabs didn't like, since the Zionists considered them (and still consider them) a negligible under-race to be swept aside, and, I mean, you wouldn't like that, would you? The British weren't exactly defeated, they just couldn't be bothered any more, regarding the two sides as irreconcilable, and had better things to do, like the NHS and new housing and gearing up against the Soviets.

I thought you had previously cited the Jewish community doing pretty good in Baghdad before the 40's. Did you say they controlled like 75% of the import business?

yes they are legal targets but still civilians as they havent formed themselves into regular armed units.

My sister and her family were scheduled to leave Israel today (thank god). Haven't heard from her yet. Hopefully later when they get to Virginia.

There are people in Hamas that their only job is being a soldier. That's their career. I guess they're mercenaries? PMC's?

I actually just read your OG post again, and totally missed "in their countries". I thought you had said in Israel (which reading my post back I'm sure you'll spot given that context).

In which case, complete agreement. I will read slower next time.

I’d say so. But I don’t think that’s a lot of people. I think Hamas makes it seem that way but that reality is diff

Yup. Racism explains much of Israel’s actions.

Possible
I just don't think they pull something off like al aqsa flood with the majority of their guys working a falafel stand 40hrs a week.

You have to be some combination of self deluding, ignorant, foolish, and antisemitic to believe Hamas doesn’t have thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of full time fighters.