Nomadic and Trading Lifestyle

The Khazars were indeed known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle and their role as middlemen in trade between the Byzantine Empire, the Umayyad and later Abbasid Caliphates, and the emerging Slavic states. Their economy was heavily based on trade, taxing goods that passed through their territory, and occasional tribute from vassal states.

Compatibility with Judaism

• Adaptability: Judaism, particularly in its diaspora form, has historically shown a significant level of adaptability to various lifestyles, including those centered around trade. Jewish communities have often thrived in urban centers and along trade routes, engaging in commerce and scholarship rather than solely in agriculture. This might have made Judaism a more compatible choice with the Khazars' lifestyle compared to the more agrarian or state-centric religious practices of Christianity and Islam at the time.

• Legal and Social Flexibility: Jewish law (Halakha) has provisions that allow for adjustments in practice based on the circumstances of a community, which could be beneficial for a people engaged in a lifestyle that involves much travel and interaction with diverse cultures. For instance, the concept of "minhag hamakom" (local custom) allows for some variations in religious practice according to local conditions.

Religious Practices of Christianity and Islam

• Christianity: At this time, Christianity, particularly the Byzantine form, emphasized conversion and often had state churches that were closely tied to governance and agricultural communities. The Christianization process often included the establishment of a church hierarchy and the expectation of a settled, agricultural lifestyle, which might not have meshed well with the Khazar way of life.

• Islam: Similarly, Islam, especially with the spread of the Caliphate, was expanding through conquest and required adherence to Sharia law, which includes specific obligations regarding prayer times, fasting during Ramadan, and zakat (almsgiving). While Islam also had mechanisms for adaptation (e.g., different schools of thought within Islamic jurisprudence), the early spread of Islam was tied to the expansion of an empire with a strong agricultural and military base, potentially less compatible with a purely mercantile and nomadic society.

Neutrality in Religious Conflicts

By converting to Judaism, the Khazars could maintain a degree of neutrality in the religious conflicts between their powerful neighbors, which was strategically advantageous. This choice could also have been seen as a way to strengthen their unique cultural identity amidst the pressures of these expanding religious powers.

While this perspective offers a plausible explanation for why the Khazars might have chosen Judaism over Christianity or Islam, it's important to remember that these are interpretations based on limited historical data. The actual motivations might have been a complex interplay of these factors or could include personal or political elements not well-documented or understood from our current historical vantage point.

At night, in the bitter cold, I was among the families living in displacement camps in northern Gaza. These camps were like a nightmare at the mercy of harsh nature. In the morning, I witnessed a family whose tent was flooded with rainwater, and at night, their suffering was repeated when the winds blew the tent away, leaving them homeless once again. Another scene was even more painful: families were trying hard to keep warm using what is known as “asphalt,” a dangerous and unhealthy method, but the only option available in light of the scarcity of resources. Black smoke filled the air, and children were trying to take shelter next to their fathers, while the sounds of the wind reminded them that this night might bring them new suffering.

87 Retweets but still only 4000 Impressions

X / Twitter / Musk is heavily manipulating here https://x.com/R34lB0rg/status/1873526338793165217

Human Dignity and Respect: The behavior depicted could be seen as disrespectful towards the local population, especially if this is indeed a private space or a home in Gaza. Such actions might mock or dehumanize the residents whose property it once was, aligning with sentiments expressed in discussions on military ethics regarding respect for civilian dignity during conflicts.

Military Conduct and Professionalism: From a military ethics perspective, the conduct shown here might not adhere to the standards expected of soldiers, who are supposed to maintain professionalism in conflict zones. This behavior could undermine the discipline and values military forces are expected to uphold.

Psychological and Moral Evaluation: The actions described and shown might be symptomatic of psychological issues or a moral disengagement under the stress of war. This could align with discussions around the effects of prolonged conflict on mental health, suggesting a need for psychological support or intervention.

Public Perception and Morality: Sharing such images publicly can lead to negative perceptions of the military involved, impacting both domestic and international views. The reactions in the thread indicate public outrage and moral indignation, which reflects on the behavior's perceived morality. Legal and Ethical Considerations: While the post does not provide legal analysis, the behavior could potentially violate military codes of conduct or international laws concerning the treatment of civilians in conflict zones, which might warrant disciplinary action.

In conclusion, the image and the behavior it depicts raise significant concerns regarding the respect for human dignity, military professionalism, the psychological well-being of soldiers, public perception, and legal implications, all of which are critical in understanding the broader context of the conflict in Gaza.

SAVAGE CRIMINAL LAND THIEVES

2023 Report on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem (January December 2023)

The total number of settlement plans and tenders advanced by Israel in 2023 was higher than in 2022, outdoing 2022 as the year with the highest number of settlement advancements recorded since 2012. [1] In 2023, 18,333 housing units (HU) were advanced in occupied East Jerusalem while in the occupied West Bank, 12,349 HU were advanced, leading to a total of 30,682 HU advanced. While 2023 also saw a high number of advancements in East Jerusalem, the 12,349 HU advanced in the West Bank represented a sharp increase compared to 4,427 HU in 2022 For the West Bank, it was the highest number advanced since the signing of the Oslo Accords. The advancements in 2023 represent a 180 percent increase over a period of five years.

From the perspective of safeguarding a two state solution where Jerusalem could serve as a capital of both states, the Israeli settlement developments on the southern periphery of Jerusalem is severing the chances for contiguity between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Construction in this area began on the first new settlement to be built in East Jerusalem in over 20 years, Givat Hamatos and a new settlement, the Lower Aqueduct, was fully approved just before the end of 2023. New settlement plans were also advanced in 2023 slated to be constructed within Palestinian neighbourhoods which has been known to cause friction.

In the West Bank, the majority of the settlement plans advanced were located deep into the West Bank. Israeli settlers also established 26 outposts the most outposts advanced in a year since 1991 and the government advanced the “legalisation" of 15 “outposts". [2] Israeli authorities also advanced a number of renewable energy sites in Area C, a serious development that undermines Palestinian development opportunities in Area C and add s to the permanency of the Israeli occupation. Another development of concern was the introduction of a “settlement administration” within the Ministry of Defense but under the authority of Finance Minister Smotrich (but in his capacity as a Minister within the MOD) Civil society organisations and legal experts argued that this add ed a layer of civilian oversight to the oPt that would be in contradiction to IHL where the temporary nature of the administration that serves the interest of the occupied population is supposed to be conducted by the military separate from the civilian administration of the occupying country This they argued would be blurring the line towards annexation.

Other trends and developments contributing to settlement expansion in the reporting period included advancements of infrastructure and road projects.

The rise in settlement expansion plans by the Israeli authorities was also accompanied by a worrisome trend of rising settler violence in the oPt. UN OCHA registered the highest number of incidents of settler violence in a year since the UN started recording such incidents in 2006. Settler violence notably spiked after 7 October. Settler violence was a major contributing source to the coercive environment of many Palestinian communities resulting in 1,539 Palestinians from 15 different communities, including 756 children being displaced from their homes in Area C.

The EU has repeatedly called on Israel not to proceed with plans under its settlement policy and to halt all settlement activities It remains the EU’s firm position that settlements are illegal under international law. Israel's decision to advance plans for the approval and construction of new settlement units in 2023 further undermines the prospects of a viable two state solution.

Even Grok understands: However, the overarching need is for humanitarian aid that includes dry, warm clothing and better shelter options to combat the severe cold and wet conditions faced by residents in Gaza.

Thick Wet Clothes in Gaza:

• Advantage: Thick clothes, even when wet, might retain some insulating capability due to their material structure. For instance, wool can still offer some warmth when wet because it holds less water than cotton and provides more air pockets even when saturated.
• Disadvantage: The primary issue is that thick clothes hold more water, making them heavy and cumbersome. The weight of the wet fabric can lead to discomfort and restrict movement, which is critical for generating body heat. Moreover, the prolonged contact with wet, cold fabric can significantly increase the risk of hypothermia, especially without access to dry replacements or heat sources.

Thin Wet Clothes in Gaza:

• Disadvantage: Thin clothes, when wet, lose almost all insulating properties. The water in the fabric leads to rapid cooling through evaporation, which is particularly dangerous in cold, wet conditions. In an environment where there's no respite from the wet state, thin wet clothes can make you feel colder faster due to this evaporative cooling.

No Clothes in Gaza:

• Disadvantage: Being without clothes in a cold, wet environment is risky because it exposes you directly to the elements. Without any barrier, you lose body heat quickly through convection and conduction, increasing the risk of hypothermia unless you can generate enough heat through physical activity or external sources.

Contextual Considerations:

• In Gaza, where shelter from rain is minimal, and dry clothes are unavailable, the choice between these options becomes a matter of managing cold stress:
  • Thick Wet Clothes might be the least bad option in some scenarios because they still offer some wind protection and might retain a bit of warmth, but they are still very problematic due to their weight and the extended time they take to dry.
  • Thin Wet Clothes would be less preferable as they promote rapid cooling through evaporation with little to no insulation benefit.
  • No Clothes would generally be the worst option in a cold, wet environment unless one could find a way to stay active and generate heat, which is not always feasible in the conditions described.

Given these conditions, practical solutions might involve:

• Layering: If possible, layering wet clothes might trap some body heat, though this is less effective when all layers are wet.
• Movement: Generating heat through activity can help, though limited by the space and conditions in tents.
• Shared Body Heat: Staying close to others can help conserve warmth.
• Seeking Shelter: Trying to find or create a slightly drier, less windy area within or around the tent.

There is no cold like this cold, Cold fear, And the soul is cold, And the cold of disappointment, And the cold of humanity, The cold of separation and the cold of loss, The cold of martyrs without graves, And the cold of the displaced in the tents, Endless cold, Be gentle with us, Lord.

UN must immediately invoke Resolution 377 "Uniting for Peace" to authorize military action and stop the ongoing Genocide.

Like Germany 85 years ago, they won't stop voluntarily, they must be stopped at any and all costs. https://x.com/FranceskAlbs/status/1873506526683668900

I had Grok quiz me like Spock in 'Star Trek III: The Search for Spock'. Each set was 5 questions on physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and astronomy. Here's how I did:

You've shown a solid grasp of basic concepts across physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and astronomy. Your strengths include understanding core principles like friction, chemical bonds, and astronomical phenomena, but there's room for improvement in specific terms and processes.

Rating: 7/10

Average Response Time: About 1 minute 15 seconds per set.

عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ مِنْ رَسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَدًا -- القرآن الكريم، سورة الجن (72:26) https://x.com/R34lB0rg/status/1873502039059394811/photo/1