3. very rational analysis for a situation that is not rational.
Unfortunately this is not a chess game or even a military exercise in tactics & strategy... which is probably what the good general excels at.
This is a form of asymmetrical warfare, or in this specific case, mob violence fueled by religious fervor.
The general's statement "the important thing is not to give any strife monger an excuse" seems to presume that issues can be managed rationally, simply by controlling the narrative with FACTS, etc.
Unfortunately a mob creates its own narrative, excuses, rumors and half-truths. No one will be stopping to have a coffee table discussion.
Perhaps one short-term, immediate solution is to not allow the mob to coalesce to begin with.
Long term, the goal of the rioters is clear: free their land from Jewish occupation. That narrative will be especially hard to change..
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