Under the radar, a movement led by Israeli-Americans, progressive Jews and some allies is forging a more constructive way of engaging with the current crisis.
Well done, Micah. I’ve been hearing about these rallies in NYC and the Bay area. Nothing yet in Philadelphia, and I’ve been yearning to be part of something in the US with progressive Israeli American leadership , that refuses the polarization and the demonization of either side. Thanks.
Though I’m outside my area of expertise on Friends’ theology, and, really, any theology at all including Jewish and Muslim, since early on I’ve been saying I ascribe to the Quaker position. Do you think that works as a good shorthand for what these groups are espousing? I don’t know whether it’s helpful that it’s from a tradition other than that of the combatants, but perhaps? At any rate, I’ve reached for it because people know about Quaker commitment to nonviolence and conscientious objection to all wars, and so, I hope, take it that I’m saying no to military destruction from any and every quarter. Then there’s the Quaker commitment to talking, for however long it takes, to reach consensus. Nobody thought it could be done, and my atheist Jewish friend who’s married to a Quaker member of the board said that if they reach consensus it would make him believe in God, but after years of talking Brooklyn Friends Meeting and the Brooklyn Friends School did ultimately agree to separate officially and operate independently. Ridiculous comparison, I realize, but…
Hope this catches on. Last nite on msnbc after Trump was declared winner coverage shifted to a NH bowling alley for vox pop. One young lady who described herself as. “Very liberal Democrat, very left” said she would vote for Haley over Biden “because of Gaza.” She didnt know what Haley’s view of the war was but “Nikki is a better listener’ it’s hard building a nuanced movement in a country awash with profound political ignorance.
I appreciate that these folks are working to promote peace and understanding of the suffering on both sides. But I think it's very difficult for the humanitarian left to connect with anything that doesn't begin with "stop bombing children immediately" and "allow full humanitarian aid immediately". Conditioning a ceasefire on a bilateral agreement with Hamas effectively means doing nothing while the massive civilian death toll keeps growing and growing, because neither Hamas nor Netanyahu are credible negotiation partners.
Crucially, I think a lot of people over the age of 40 have literally not even seen the endless videos of dead and maimed and dying Gazan children and really don't know what is happening there. Mainstream media won't show it because it's too brutal and gruesome but it will absolutely shock your soul and it's many many thousands of children and other civilians. It just cannot be defended on any level of rationality or humanity or even military strategy. And the damage that Israel is doing to it's global reputation is absolutely massive. And please, if you haven't seen the videos of children in Gaza and people trapped under the rubble, I urge you to talk to someone who uses social media and ask them to send you some of the clips. It's painful to watch but it's real and it's important.
Those who criticize Israel's method of dealing with the current conflict should either provide a credible alternative to defending against Hamas, ruthless, fanatics bent on destroying Israel and killing jews, who use Palestinians as human shield and don't care how many die if it serves their propaganda purposes. If you can't do that, from the perspective of someone who is expert in military actions, you have no business criticizing Israel. This is all on Hamas, and Hamas could end it today. War is always ugly, and Hamas's tactics make this one particularly ugly.
I am all for a non binary approach to the issue, yet I wouldn't be able to sign on with the group you describe for a couple of reasons. 1) Arab citizens of Israel are not discriminated against. They go to the Universities, 46% of Israeli doctors are Arabs, some even serve in the Army. They don't want to live in any other Arab country, where they would have fewer rights and opportunities. So maybe they mean Palestinians on the Westbank? Israel even treated Gazans better than Hamas does. Those that helped the most were the first murdered. 2) The false equivalency between the Israeli hostages in Gaza and most of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. I think they need to clarify their language.
Well done, Micah. I’ve been hearing about these rallies in NYC and the Bay area. Nothing yet in Philadelphia, and I’ve been yearning to be part of something in the US with progressive Israeli American leadership , that refuses the polarization and the demonization of either side. Thanks.
Though I’m outside my area of expertise on Friends’ theology, and, really, any theology at all including Jewish and Muslim, since early on I’ve been saying I ascribe to the Quaker position. Do you think that works as a good shorthand for what these groups are espousing? I don’t know whether it’s helpful that it’s from a tradition other than that of the combatants, but perhaps? At any rate, I’ve reached for it because people know about Quaker commitment to nonviolence and conscientious objection to all wars, and so, I hope, take it that I’m saying no to military destruction from any and every quarter. Then there’s the Quaker commitment to talking, for however long it takes, to reach consensus. Nobody thought it could be done, and my atheist Jewish friend who’s married to a Quaker member of the board said that if they reach consensus it would make him believe in God, but after years of talking Brooklyn Friends Meeting and the Brooklyn Friends School did ultimately agree to separate officially and operate independently. Ridiculous comparison, I realize, but…
As a Jewish American, I thank you for this thoughtful and much-needed commentary.
Also the Podhorzer piece is terrifyingly good
Hope this catches on. Last nite on msnbc after Trump was declared winner coverage shifted to a NH bowling alley for vox pop. One young lady who described herself as. “Very liberal Democrat, very left” said she would vote for Haley over Biden “because of Gaza.” She didnt know what Haley’s view of the war was but “Nikki is a better listener’ it’s hard building a nuanced movement in a country awash with profound political ignorance.
I appreciate that these folks are working to promote peace and understanding of the suffering on both sides. But I think it's very difficult for the humanitarian left to connect with anything that doesn't begin with "stop bombing children immediately" and "allow full humanitarian aid immediately". Conditioning a ceasefire on a bilateral agreement with Hamas effectively means doing nothing while the massive civilian death toll keeps growing and growing, because neither Hamas nor Netanyahu are credible negotiation partners.
Crucially, I think a lot of people over the age of 40 have literally not even seen the endless videos of dead and maimed and dying Gazan children and really don't know what is happening there. Mainstream media won't show it because it's too brutal and gruesome but it will absolutely shock your soul and it's many many thousands of children and other civilians. It just cannot be defended on any level of rationality or humanity or even military strategy. And the damage that Israel is doing to it's global reputation is absolutely massive. And please, if you haven't seen the videos of children in Gaza and people trapped under the rubble, I urge you to talk to someone who uses social media and ask them to send you some of the clips. It's painful to watch but it's real and it's important.
Those who criticize Israel's method of dealing with the current conflict should either provide a credible alternative to defending against Hamas, ruthless, fanatics bent on destroying Israel and killing jews, who use Palestinians as human shield and don't care how many die if it serves their propaganda purposes. If you can't do that, from the perspective of someone who is expert in military actions, you have no business criticizing Israel. This is all on Hamas, and Hamas could end it today. War is always ugly, and Hamas's tactics make this one particularly ugly.
Thanks, Micah! One picky note: I think the lyric is “There’s battle lines being drawn “.
I really appreciate just knowing that these types of actions are happening. This is the kind of action I would happily attend and support.
I am all for a non binary approach to the issue, yet I wouldn't be able to sign on with the group you describe for a couple of reasons. 1) Arab citizens of Israel are not discriminated against. They go to the Universities, 46% of Israeli doctors are Arabs, some even serve in the Army. They don't want to live in any other Arab country, where they would have fewer rights and opportunities. So maybe they mean Palestinians on the Westbank? Israel even treated Gazans better than Hamas does. Those that helped the most were the first murdered. 2) The false equivalency between the Israeli hostages in Gaza and most of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. I think they need to clarify their language.
Debra: Rght now Palestinian citizens of Israel are definitely being political prosecuted for nonviolent political speech related to the Gaza war; people are being physically harassed, thrown out of university, etc. As are Israeli Jewish peace activists. See https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-human-rights/inside-the-israeli-crackdown-on-speech for ex.
Thanks for reference. I'll definitely read it. I deeply appreciate your writing on this topic; it is keeping me sane.