I'm old enough to remember when the left wing supported Israel and opposed anti-Semitism.
My father remembered the German-American Bund in their SA uniforms in New York in the 1930s. They would go to Jewish synagogues in their uniforms on Yom Kippur, wait until the Jews emerged, exhausted from fasting, and beat them up.
If there were cops, they'd look on. Being Irish, they all listened to Father Charles Coughlin, the radio priest, who told them that the Jews killed Christ, so the Yiddles were getting what they deserved.
The only people who opposed anti-Semitism back then were Socialists and Communists. Some of them went to fight in the Spanish Civil War against Franco. He won all the battles, but the Republicans had all the good songs.
After McCarthyism started, the veterans of the Spanish Civil War were hauled before his committee as "fellow travelers" and -- this is rich -- "premature anti-Fascists."
HAMAS is evil. The settlers/Netanyahu are evil. Both sides are targeting civilians. Both sides are using rape as a weapon. Both sides are using terror. And both sides get attacked by the morally blind that have totally forgotten the humanity of the civilians they are killing.
The Jerusalem Post cites Joan Peters. Several reputable scholars have refuted and debunked her book FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL. I just want Israeli Jews and Palestinians to live in peace. What happened in October was evil and the.hostages must be released. But even Joe Biden has said Israel's response has been extreme. Britain after WW I is too blame for the horrors we are still seeing today. I wish I had an answer or a solution, but I don't. I want peace. Netyanhu is the worst. Wasn't he fighting criminal charges before he was re-elected?
What does it mean ‘extreme’ ? It’s urban warfare. Do you think Biden knows an iota about how to fight and win (yes. That’s the point) in that complex environment?
I love your columns, generally. However, your lack of objectivity on these events is unsettling. By your logic, Black Americans, of which I am a member, should be slaughtering WHITES wholesale. Sure it's in the past, but, we can use that to justify anything, I guess.
I'm not sure I follow your logic? I'm simply saying Jews can't be ascribed 'oppressor' status given the complex history of a) the Jewish people and b) the creation of the state of Israel.
As signing labels is always problematic. But I’m bothered by the thought that any group can’t be ascribed “oppressor” because they have a history of being oppressed themselves.
The abusive husband should be called an abuser. That as a child they were abused should be recognized, but it shouldn’t mean they can’t be labelled ‘abuser’ for their current abusive actions.
Respectfully Ben, I disagree. Anyone that ascribes totally righteous justification to a side with Jets, tanks, helicopters, etc., against stone throwers, for at least the last 50 years, Is simply not being objective, in my opinion. The things that Gaza has been subjected to has been deplorable for a long time. Their reaction to it was predictable AND predicted.
That doesn't make it right, but perfectly understandable. Not all Palestinians supported Hezballa, but I'm sure that number is going up now. But, you reap what you sow.
I agree to a certain extent. The Israeli response to Palestinian terrorism has been counterproductive and in many instances morally wrong. But the Palestinians are not innocent stone throwers, as you suggest. They have significant fire power and have used it against Israeli civilians. They also rejected deal after deal after deal with the Israelis, much to the confusion of neighboring Arab states and the international community. There is deep corruption in the PA, and Hamas is a violent, racist, misogynistic, and anti-lgbtq organization dedicated to murdering all Jews. I just find it astonishing that left wing activists never want to acknowledge this.
Well I guess the world is lucky that there's zero corruption in Israel, and certainly no racism, ( just ask the Ethiopian Jews). Of course the Settlers than continue to encroach on the territories, tacitly backed by the HARDLINERS, couldn't possibly have any impact. Not to mention that ALL Palestinians, nor ALL Israelis should be painted with the same broad brush.
As I said, the issue is objectivity. Not justifying conduct learned in the 1940's.
The stone throwers? Seriously? You are fucking serious? The suicide bombers? The hotel on Passover that was bombed during the second intifada? The wars by Arab states? The constant terrorism?
If you don’t understand my point then maybe you missed October 7. Maybe you slept thru it. Maybe you missed the second intifada. Who knows what you missed.
The left wing should know better.
I'm old enough to remember when the left wing supported Israel and opposed anti-Semitism.
My father remembered the German-American Bund in their SA uniforms in New York in the 1930s. They would go to Jewish synagogues in their uniforms on Yom Kippur, wait until the Jews emerged, exhausted from fasting, and beat them up.
If there were cops, they'd look on. Being Irish, they all listened to Father Charles Coughlin, the radio priest, who told them that the Jews killed Christ, so the Yiddles were getting what they deserved.
The only people who opposed anti-Semitism back then were Socialists and Communists. Some of them went to fight in the Spanish Civil War against Franco. He won all the battles, but the Republicans had all the good songs.
After McCarthyism started, the veterans of the Spanish Civil War were hauled before his committee as "fellow travelers" and -- this is rich -- "premature anti-Fascists."
An "anti-Fascist" is NEVER "premature."
“Recently for example,100 artists including Susan Sarandon, Ken Loach, Tilda Swinton, Peter Gabriel, Mark Rylance and Susan Sarandon “
I agree. Sarandon is twice as oblivious as the rest. 🙂
That's generous. :) I'd go with at least 3 times.
Andrew Sullivan? Really? Way to undercut your argument!
HAMAS is evil. The settlers/Netanyahu are evil. Both sides are targeting civilians. Both sides are using rape as a weapon. Both sides are using terror. And both sides get attacked by the morally blind that have totally forgotten the humanity of the civilians they are killing.
When I see the word ‘intersectionality’ I know there is no room for someone like me in the new found ‘hierarchy of the so-called oppressed’.
That's not the reason. It's because you have your head so firmly stuffed up your ass. Buh-bye.
You sound lovely and extremely influenced by current propaganda.
The Jerusalem Post cites Joan Peters. Several reputable scholars have refuted and debunked her book FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL. I just want Israeli Jews and Palestinians to live in peace. What happened in October was evil and the.hostages must be released. But even Joe Biden has said Israel's response has been extreme. Britain after WW I is too blame for the horrors we are still seeing today. I wish I had an answer or a solution, but I don't. I want peace. Netyanhu is the worst. Wasn't he fighting criminal charges before he was re-elected?
What does it mean ‘extreme’ ? It’s urban warfare. Do you think Biden knows an iota about how to fight and win (yes. That’s the point) in that complex environment?
I suspect were the bad guys hiding near your house, you'd have a big problem being collateral damage.
After all, why have anything other than the simplest response (everyone is a target!) in a complex situation?
Hiding bear your house? Hiding in your house, your roof, your courtyard, popping up from a tunnel in your house.
Trolls, trolls, trolls. Goodbye.
I love your columns, generally. However, your lack of objectivity on these events is unsettling. By your logic, Black Americans, of which I am a member, should be slaughtering WHITES wholesale. Sure it's in the past, but, we can use that to justify anything, I guess.
I'm not sure I follow your logic? I'm simply saying Jews can't be ascribed 'oppressor' status given the complex history of a) the Jewish people and b) the creation of the state of Israel.
As signing labels is always problematic. But I’m bothered by the thought that any group can’t be ascribed “oppressor” because they have a history of being oppressed themselves.
The abusive husband should be called an abuser. That as a child they were abused should be recognized, but it shouldn’t mean they can’t be labelled ‘abuser’ for their current abusive actions.
Respectfully Ben, I disagree. Anyone that ascribes totally righteous justification to a side with Jets, tanks, helicopters, etc., against stone throwers, for at least the last 50 years, Is simply not being objective, in my opinion. The things that Gaza has been subjected to has been deplorable for a long time. Their reaction to it was predictable AND predicted.
That doesn't make it right, but perfectly understandable. Not all Palestinians supported Hezballa, but I'm sure that number is going up now. But, you reap what you sow.
I agree to a certain extent. The Israeli response to Palestinian terrorism has been counterproductive and in many instances morally wrong. But the Palestinians are not innocent stone throwers, as you suggest. They have significant fire power and have used it against Israeli civilians. They also rejected deal after deal after deal with the Israelis, much to the confusion of neighboring Arab states and the international community. There is deep corruption in the PA, and Hamas is a violent, racist, misogynistic, and anti-lgbtq organization dedicated to murdering all Jews. I just find it astonishing that left wing activists never want to acknowledge this.
Well I guess the world is lucky that there's zero corruption in Israel, and certainly no racism, ( just ask the Ethiopian Jews). Of course the Settlers than continue to encroach on the territories, tacitly backed by the HARDLINERS, couldn't possibly have any impact. Not to mention that ALL Palestinians, nor ALL Israelis should be painted with the same broad brush.
As I said, the issue is objectivity. Not justifying conduct learned in the 1940's.
The stone throwers? Seriously? You are fucking serious? The suicide bombers? The hotel on Passover that was bombed during the second intifada? The wars by Arab states? The constant terrorism?
What's your point? All an intelligent and honest person would have to do, is a body count.
If you don’t understand my point then maybe you missed October 7. Maybe you slept thru it. Maybe you missed the second intifada. Who knows what you missed.
You know what I haven't missed? 70 years of history.
Excellent and perfect...thank you - this needed to be said.