I've sadly concluded that like Woody Allen's facile quip: "The future will be just like the past, only more so." Irrespective of how Israel handles its sworn enemy in Gaza, continued conflict will occur because the Palestinians are being used as proxies of Iran and Russia and Israeli leadership has turned sharply right wing out of fear. Like your essay intimates, hope rests with out of this most recent conflict a two-state (or other) compromise solution will emerge. Hope is so fragile. I appreciate this well thought out and painful essay.
Many thanks, Marvin. I share your insights on this most difficult conflict. I agree that the Palestinians are being used as proxies. On the Israeli side, my view is that the settler movement has been a cancer that is driving the center of the Israeli government and has insinuated itself into different strata of Israeli society. After the 1967 war and Israeli's capture of the West Bank, David Ben Gurion, who was still alive, came out of his retirement in a kibbutz in the Negev to attend a large gathering of the Labor Party. He admonished his colleagues to give back the territories and do so soon. He prophesied that nothing good would come from holding on to them. They should have listened!
This is so emotionally and politically difficult. Ireland and South Africa have managed to have a single country integrating across religious and ethnic divisions. I hope it can happen here. It would take the support and pressure of the world.
One would hope here. The divisions and hatreds are so deep-rooted and intense that it is difficult to envision an amicable living side-by-side. I suspect such an outcome would have to await a long-distant future.
I remember back in the nineties a couple who were friends of mine cancelled their membership at Ethical since they believed the society platform only showed support for the Palestinians. Now in the present, folks who are "friends" on Facebook are afraid to express their opinions to avoid any animosity between them. I myself support a two state solution, but this may take years to happen if at all. In the meantime, innocent souls are being blown away on both sides.
Thanks, Marilyn. Conversation across lines of difference has greatly broken down in society, perhaps around this issue most of all. Either one is seen as too sympathetic to the Palestinians, or charged with antisemitism. No room for details, nuance, or differences or views based on positive motives. Hope you are doing well!
I've sadly concluded that like Woody Allen's facile quip: "The future will be just like the past, only more so." Irrespective of how Israel handles its sworn enemy in Gaza, continued conflict will occur because the Palestinians are being used as proxies of Iran and Russia and Israeli leadership has turned sharply right wing out of fear. Like your essay intimates, hope rests with out of this most recent conflict a two-state (or other) compromise solution will emerge. Hope is so fragile. I appreciate this well thought out and painful essay.
Many thanks, Marvin. I share your insights on this most difficult conflict. I agree that the Palestinians are being used as proxies. On the Israeli side, my view is that the settler movement has been a cancer that is driving the center of the Israeli government and has insinuated itself into different strata of Israeli society. After the 1967 war and Israeli's capture of the West Bank, David Ben Gurion, who was still alive, came out of his retirement in a kibbutz in the Negev to attend a large gathering of the Labor Party. He admonished his colleagues to give back the territories and do so soon. He prophesied that nothing good would come from holding on to them. They should have listened!
Very good. Why cannot we live peacefully as good neighbors?
Many thanks Waheed. That is the question. I think we can never underestimate the power of deep-rooted resentment in igniting the flames of violence.
This is so emotionally and politically difficult. Ireland and South Africa have managed to have a single country integrating across religious and ethnic divisions. I hope it can happen here. It would take the support and pressure of the world.
One would hope here. The divisions and hatreds are so deep-rooted and intense that it is difficult to envision an amicable living side-by-side. I suspect such an outcome would have to await a long-distant future.
A thoughtful and reasonable analysis of the present crisis.
Many thanks, Jean.
I remember back in the nineties a couple who were friends of mine cancelled their membership at Ethical since they believed the society platform only showed support for the Palestinians. Now in the present, folks who are "friends" on Facebook are afraid to express their opinions to avoid any animosity between them. I myself support a two state solution, but this may take years to happen if at all. In the meantime, innocent souls are being blown away on both sides.
Thanks, Marilyn. Conversation across lines of difference has greatly broken down in society, perhaps around this issue most of all. Either one is seen as too sympathetic to the Palestinians, or charged with antisemitism. No room for details, nuance, or differences or views based on positive motives. Hope you are doing well!