November 3: Iran attempts to “Russia” Israel

In which, Iran works the phones and airwaves to isolate Israel, Hamas propaganda seems to be everywhere, and President Biden tries to stay one step ahead of his own party.

Iran attempts to “Russia” Israel…

As Israel’s Gaza offensive progressed this week and successfully divided the Gaza Strip, isolating Hamas’ major hub of operations, Iran has been increasingly upping the diplomatic and military ante in a number of ways:

• Rocket barrages from Hezbollah positions in Lebanon have increased, and Hezbollah’s leader is expected to give a major speech today on the situation in Israel.

• Iran’s Yemen proxy, the Houthi rebels declared war on Israel and immediately commenced missile and drone bombardments.

• Proxies in Iraq continue to hit US bases in Syria.

• Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has said that unless there’s a ceasefire other actors will get pulled into the fray.

• Iran is taking direct aim at the Abraham Accords, urging Muslim countries to stop trading with Israel.

• Iran (and Russia and China) have used their “ceasefire fire now” position to provide diplomatic cover for other countries to recall their ambassadors from Israel, 

• and it serves as a rhetorical position for mass protests throughout the world, even reaching into the Halls of Congress.

The overall effect is a growing chorus of protest against Israeli military operations and deafening silence on Hamas atrocities and misrule as Iran attempts to give Israel the “Russia treatment” of diplomatic and economic isolation.