‘You know Camp, it’s almost been six months since Hamas attacked and murdered 1140 Israelis and took 240 hostages. Until now Hamas still holds over 130 Israeli hostages and none of the senior leaders of Hamas have been captured or killed.’

 ‘Also, none of its 2billion dollar annual budget has been curtailed. Hamas’ leaders, like Khaled Mashaal, whose cumulative net worth is estimated at 11billion dollars, live a life of luxury, staying at 5-star hotels in Qatar and Turkey and fly around in private jets, as their brothers and sisters starve and fight over aid in Rafah on the Egyptian border.’

‘Meanwhile tens of thousands of civilians have died in Gaza and the whole population of Gaza, now over 2.3 million, is at risk of a catastrophic famine.’

‘Where does Hamas get its millions and billions from?’ I asked, knowing Camp had an answer.

‘They get it from the Palestinian authority, about a third of their budget, also Iran contributes about 250 million each year; Hamas also collects hundreds of millions of dollars from various aid groups and its web of so-called charitable organizations. From 2014-2020, U.N. agencies spent nearly $4.5 billion in Gaza. Since 2018, Qatar has also been transferring tens of millions of dollars in cash monthly to Hamas, at one point reaching nearly $400 million per year.’

‘Wasn’t it the Israeli government’s policy to allow Qatar to send funds to the Gaza Strip, hoping it would buy some peace and quiet?’ 

‘Yes and over the years, Qatar has hosted members of Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and the Taliban and mediated the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.’

‘Don’t forget hosting the 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup which cost Qatar over $ 220 billion. A staggering amount of money,’ I said. ‘

‘Last week Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, called for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu should be replaced.’ 

‘Schumer is right. Netanyahu should just resign which of course he won’t. The Knesset could replace him but they don’t have enough votes. Defectors could vote to dissolve the Knesset but Netanyahu would probably fire anybody in his way and remain as caretaker for up to three more months, enough time to completely turn Gaza into a graveyard.’

We both looked out at the bright and cheerful vista of our scenic harbour.

‘It doesn’t look good for Israel or Palestine,’ I said, ‘and if Trump is the next US president, then we have the four horsemen of the Apocalypse run the world. ‘Trump, Xi, Putin and Bibi.’

‘And all the money in the world won’t stop these guys who have already grabbed billions of public funds and have no intention of giving any of it back.’ 

‘Greedy bastards,’ I said.

‘Here is the definition of greed according to Wikipedia,’ Camp quoted: ‘As a secular psychological concept, greed is an inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than one needs.’ 

            ‘I desire another beer, please, it’s no more than what I need.’ I said.

            And just like magic, Vicky arrived with two pints of fresh, golden goodness.

            ‘This one is on the house boys. To celebrate spring!’