I’d like for you to read some important words today. Do you remember the dawn of the new millennium and the end of the 20th century? How clearly? Do you remember the optimism of the moment? Do you recall the moment of Pax Americana and the birth of the internet?
“Think about it. What the American position must be in this moment is clear. Freedom has always had its enemies, and those enemies have always had their fellow travelers and useful idiots to do their bidding. This moment is no different.”--Steve Schmidt
This time is different because lies travel around the world, while the truth is stuck in the starting gate.
This time is different because we now have know-nothing experts on social media that mislead and lie, and can make a good living doing it. Not to mention, gain fame and notoriety.
This time is different because never in my lifetime have I seen fringe groups infiltrate western democracies and gain power.
And this time is different because of all the apathy and laziness that rich western countries have acquired, leaving marginalized groups of people neglected.
What’s occurring today didn’t happen in a vacuum. The warning signs have been signaling for decades. What we’re experiencing today is the blowback or consequences of poor leadership and neglect for decades.
And all that’s left is the apathy, neglect and distrust for western institutions; allowing the rise of authoritarian and religious zealots, with a messianic philosophy, simply because we’ve grown economically and militarily strong, but emotionally weak; all at the same time.
Julia has written a moving piece. Maybe something I will save. Thanks, Steve.
I'm Irish Catholic but gave up the Catholic part decades ago. I'm married to a Jewish woman who I adore, and we have two Irish/Jewish children who naturally lean towards the Jewish blood. And most of my friends are Jews and I feel very much at home with that.
Israel was created by the UN in 1948, carved out of Palestine which was at the time predominantly Arab with a Jewish minority but was overseen by Egypt as Palestine had no formal government and therefore was not a state. Why did the UN choose Palestine to establish Israel? Because that was the original home of the Jews going back thousands of years. What happened? During Rome's rule of Palestine around 100 BC, the Romans threw out the Jews after a Jewish revote, which today is known as the Diaspora which is why Jews are in every country. They are vilified of course because the Christian bible say they killed Christ. Recently the Catholic Church has amended that to say that the Romans killed Christ, but that changed nothing.
The Palestinians have been fighting Israel since 1948 and there has been no solution. But for me, the latest attack on Israel is truly beyond the pale. Hamas has shown its true face and today with over 300,000 Israeli troops waiting at the border fence Hamas may be destroyed. Innocent Palestinians will die and the war between the two continues. Sorry this is so long but some history is important. I could have said so much more but I think it best to stop here.
Thank-you for the history lesson. I knew all of it, but nowhere near as clearly as you shared. I've been sitting on the fence, as it were, about this conflict, always seeing both sides and never siding with one. It feels never-ending with no fair or clear path forward. With the ascension of Netanyahu, I've become more and more disgusted with how he has pushed their policies towards a dictatorship. But I am also disgusted with what Hamas has done. Thus, I feel pain for innocents on both sides, resulting on my fence-sitting. I don't see a fair and eqitable harmony forward. Does anyone, really?
No one has found a way that works in all these years. I think it should have been handled better in 1948, but you can't go back in time. But, maybe first get rid of Hamas then help The people of Gaza to set up their own government. Work with Arabs to get their economy moving might be a beginning.
1948 was 3 years out from the Holocaust. No one believed Nazi Germany could do what they did, but when it was seen by the liberators, there was no turning away. So it was the best option at the time. I still see it as the best option.
However, I have to ask the question. You have some of the most wealthy countries in the world (Saudi, Quatar) and from all appearances they have not invested in the Palestinian cause to improve their way of life. I am rather perplexed by the decision not to assist those with whom they share a common faith and heritage.
The answer is, that they chose not to. It dioesnt matter why. The Zionists should have been more humane, and seriously proposed the establishment of a two state solution.
Beautiful accurate and straightforward explanation of Jewish history and more recent events.
It occurs to me that in the US, there’s little real understanding of the nature of the Jewish community, the hearts of Jewish people, just as little understanding of the people of Russia and Ukraine. It’s not really fair of us to simply opine from our deck chair. People and places half a world away deserve to be understood.
I would love to hear more, Jerry, unfortunately I have never understood this part of the world. (Other than they are always fighting) I do have a quick question I would like to ask though, where does Hamas come from? Thank you for your explanation. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱
Hamas was created by and part of the Muslim Brotherhood quite a few years ago. I think it has over the years become more terrorist oriented, but their stated goal for their existence has always been the destruction of Israel. Hamas was elected to official office in Gaza by the people of Gaza. They immediately removed any competing Muslim organizations and fired rockets into Israel which is why Gaza was fenced off or walled off from Israel I think around 2008. Egypt also closed their border to Gaza at the same time.
Thank you, Jerry. Does that mean now that the people (Palestinians in Gaza) pretty much asked for this? Wow, what a mess. So, Egypt won’t let any of these people in? Sorry for all the questions. E
Not at all. Hamas came with food and medical assistance. No one else did so they were voted in. I believe also that had they not been voted in, they simply would have taken it. No, Egypt clearly has no interest in accidentally allowing Hamas fighters (terrorists) into their country. What Israel is doing now should have been done years ago. Once the terrorists are gone my hope is that Israel takes down that fence, brings in food and water as well as medical professionals and begins to educate the Palestinians, teach them about business, ultimately bring them to be true partners with Israel and definitely don't start building Jewish residences within the territory.
Thank you kindly, Jerry, your explanation has helped me to understand better, however I do have a couple of things (no hurry) the confusion seems to be with the Palestinians. 1.) are they Arab? 2.) the “Open Air Prison” and at the end you stated a.)educate them (business) and “don’t start building Jewish residences. What do they live in? Tents? What a life that must be. Appreciate your time.🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱🙏🏻
Very moving piece. Eloquent in fact. It’s difficult to understand why this history isn’t more widely known. It certainly isn’t hidden in history books.
What I believe is behind this ignorance is the unstated choice to continue the tradition of the church - a centuries old Catholic view - that places Judaism in a rival category not as a welcome ally in society. It’s insidious and marches in step with racism, blighting behavior or at best giving a two dimensional picture of our family, our neighbors, our (largely) models of some of the best societal interactions.
Patris, why is so little history of any kind known. Lots of reasons such as our religious and political leaders don’t want it known. I’m Irish Catholic but it wasn’t until I sought out and read serious Irish literature both fiction and non that I learned far more about my roots than the superficial nonsense that’s found in the superficial histories that are easily available to any of us. It’s frightening how little many, many know of our history and the history of others and even scarier about the world around us today. But we do know about Taylor Swifts every move and all the football scores even when we try to avoid this.
It all starts with, may I quote you?: "Reading." Unfortunately, although there are many good documentaries, movies etc. that's all hooked into the distraction machine. Reading gives you no choice. It takes some discipline and training to be a good reader.
This didn’t happen in a vacuum. It has been percolating for some time. Signals that this was developing have obviously been missed. Hamas didn’t have all the meetings and training of the magnitude it had to have had in order to pull this off without somebody seeing it. So many intelligence failures.
Israel’s response I believe is based somewhat on the history that Steve outlined. Their backs were up against a wall. They said no more. Have they, especially under Netanyahu, make blatant land grabs, absolutely. They are not operating with totally clean hands.
However look at where they sit. Imagine being surrounded on all sides by countries that are committed to your extinction. Now over time you managed to make peace agreements with some of those countries. It is possible with legitimate governments. Israel this time is not dealing with a legitimate government in Gaza or West Bank. Hamas certainly is not and neither is the Palestinian Authority. So who does Israel try and negotiate with ?
I truly feel that those of the extreme progressive left are looking at what is happening with a myopic pair of lenses. What is an acceptable response to innocent women, children and elderly being brutally murdered? To civilians being taken hostage. To a YouTube video purportedly showing a naked woman being paraded around Gaza in a truck full of men.
Let us not forget that Egypt has gates on its border with Gaza. They are keeping them locked, not allowing Palestinians to escape to them. Where’s the outrage and condemnation of them?
Finally, here’s an interesting parallel, Russia is doing in Ukraine what Hamas did in Israel.
A two state solution was sought many times over may years. The Palestinians only want death and destruction to the Jewish state, it’s a big stumbling block to peace. It’s apparent to all now, this is not hyperbole.
It’s always hard when dealing with 4500 year old family feuds. I am mentioning only on that anyone who says there is an easy answer is not looking at history.
I distrust a good 50% of what is online purporting to be factual. Last PM the BLM issued a statement about two groups purporting to be them that were rogue actors We know other info shared by certain members of the Trump-aligned side are false. I dislike what I’m seeing out of Harvard and the protests but we do have free speech even as misguided as it may be.
Where does that leave us? Staring at a horrific set of events between those who wish to destroy Israel and the need to bring Hammas to account There are those who are cheering the conflict on as the precursor to the Rapture (not a joke: they are serious).
Our moves now are what President Biden and his team are doing. Support Israel and build the coalition. This is a single fight with two battlefields: Ukraine and now Israel. Democracy vs Autocracy We can shut down the two battlefields and stop Russian aggression ( all roads lead to Moscow) we can rebuild
On the turn of the millennium optimism. On Jan 1 I was standing on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach DE watching the sunrise. I was optimistic then and even now optimistic. I think back to Secretary Powell’s life lessons, one of which is optimism is a force multiplier
We are here for a reason This is our time to call the dark forces to account, Hamass among them. Off to work
It has been completely shattering to me as a Progressives to watch as my fellow left has chosen to take this catastrophic, barbaric event as the time to support Hamas, cheering as if this was a win for Palestinians, waving Palestinian flags, flooding social media with their anti-Semtic tropes. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the deafening SILENCE of Hollywood, corporations, artists in every field who are normally on the front lines of support for these kinds of barbaric acts. The slaughter of innocents, grandmothers, parents, young concert goers, BABIES be-headed (verified by the White House) in the most horrific, vile, barbarous way is gut wrenching in itself and now we must accept the fact that there are those who have completely and in an instant took this as a time to show support
for a terrorist organization! Eye opening and soul gutting!
Saying the Left has chosen to support Hamas is a misrepresentation. Please cite a source for anyone in the US, left or right, supporting Hamas. Criticizing revenge bombing is not supporting Hamas.
#2 sounds like a group on the Left. All of the others are Arabic organizations here in the United States, none of which I would identify as on the "Left". Am I correct?
In the face of such inhumanity it is difficult to avoid retreating to one corner or the other and balling up your fists. I know nothing, yet the solution seems so simple. Annihilate Hamas. If you know who they are shoot them down, crush them into dust, no sympathy, no “understanding”. Then put Bibi in prison, because he is a thug and a criminal and responsible for much of the angst in the region. Then find a way to an empathetic Israeli government and get the state’s foot off the neck of Palestinians. It has amazed me that Jews don’t understand how that feels for others, just for them. The Palestinian plight has been continuous. Israeli governments have played with fire and it has come back on them in the form of this unspeakable atrocity, so for some to blame Israel for a 75 year history of oppression is not surprising, because this sympathy for the displaced has been bubbling at the surface for all this time. I once interviewed two Jewish leaders in Canada on the subject of Compassion. They were measured and even humble up to the moment when I introduced the word, “Apartheid”, at which point they became apoplectic. “No, no”, one protested, “We just built them a new school!” This is what the students at Harvard are talking about. It has not been FAIR. Never fair. As horrific as this is and it breaks our hearts that Jewish families, not governments, must endure this unspeakable agony. But something has to change. Empathy must become paramount or this awful history will repeat itself again and again.
The essay by Ms. Ioffe, in my opinion, was a thoroughly accurate assessment of the "human" side of this horrific conflict. Innocent people are being kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. I suspect that many of the people who are actually involved in the conflict have nothing to do with the atrocities that are being committed. At the very least I would say they are accomplices. It's like someone riding in the car with some other people, and one of them gets out at a gas station, ostensibly to use the restroom. On the way back to the car, they rob the gas station. No one in the car had any idea about that in advance. However, in the eyes of the law, they are accomplices. Are they really guilty of a crime? According to the law, yes. According to me, they need to learn how to pick better friends. Most of the people involved in this conflict are victims. It makes me sick to think about what is actually happening. A couple days ago, as I was getting my daily dose of aversion therapy (reading the news), I came across an article with an intriguing title. Basically it was about Netanyahu telling Antony Blinken about pictures of infants that had been killed. Some were beheaded, some were burned, and some were tortured and then murdered. Netanyahu mentioned several times that these pictures must be seen. I assumed he meant Blinken needed to see them. Sometimes, when reading news items on the phone, there will be large blank areas where ads have no yet loaded, or for some reason won't load. You have to go past them to continue reading the article. As I got past the 3rd or 4th blank spot, there were the pictures of murdered infants. I had no idea that the pictures would be shown in the article. I was stunned and shocked. In my sordid past I have seen crime scene photos and autopsy photos. I have seen a few lifeless bodies. There were a few "holy shit" moments, but they paled in comparison to these photos. These made absolutely sick and gave me what seemed like 10 minutes of heart palpitations. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. After a few minutes a wondered why I even made it to the 3rd picture. I guess I couldn't believe it until I actually believed it. I began to wonder what kind of sick fuck could do something like that. What were they thinking before they did it, while they were doing it, and after they did it. It was totally incomprehensible to be that a human being could do that to another human being. I know there are parents that kill their children. There is no doubt they are fucked up, but they don't wantonly go around slaughtering children in a wholesale manner. The people that do this need to be "neutralized", or as Steve Wilson says, they all need to be killed. Now that I'm old enough for conspiracy theories (I actually have been for quite a while), I have to pat myself on the back for what an exquisite job I am doing. I wonder if Netanyahu set this whole thing up in order to get the heat off of him and remain in power. I can think of all the things that make this seem ridiculous, but I cannot help but think that he is somehow acutely responsible for this horrendous and unspeakable situation. Then I think about Donald Trump, and that old feeling of hopelessness and helplessness comes back and I can't catch my breath.
Rick. I am sorry for you having to see such images and I cannot know the depths of depravity that Netanyahu is capable of though I believe that he is definitely depraved and that he will use this catastrophe to his advantage. Israel and the world needs to be rid of him and soon. He has acted in a belligerent manner toward Palestinians, encouraged disruptive settlements on the West Bank, the US Embassy to Jerusalem and scuppered any thought of a two state solution. He is the enemy of peace in the Middle East. Hamas is also evil and have acted in a rage that sees no limits. They must be eliminated and then a real effort for peace and justice must become the necessary goal. If anyone can do it, it will be Biden and Blinken IMHO.
Rick Wilson recorded a short video the other day where he said the same thing about Biden. He discussed the benefits of age and wisdom. Bidens campaign should pay him to use it. If you haven't seen it, but would like to, let me know. I agree with you 100%. My greatest fear now is Jordan become speaker of the house. The world as we know it is a fucking mess. Hard to believe it could get worse, but it can.
This Mr. Steve is what I expected from you some days back however, you have found your way here. Do understand the wounds being fresh and anger high at first look of the carnage. Very hard to condemn one over the other as fault divides on both sides of this. I believe those with Power have an obligation to those without, to treat them fairly, and not to treat them as animals or property, as we once did. Violence helps no one but is carried out on both sides equally, Seen and Unseen.
When humans can be honest with themselves and call out those who mean them/us/US no good, only then can we move forward.
Bibi has A Lot of blood on his hands, from both sides. If I didn't know any better it almost sounds like he wanted an excuse for something, having the all-powerful Intelligence Service, and ignoring the Egyptians.
Put Nothing past Humans, the hate they have for each other is immeasurable. We think with our brains, they think with theirs, never the two shall meet.
Whatever happened with jareds plan for peace, and the 2 Billion.
You are overly familiar in your addressing of Mr. Schmidt. You are condescending. Let us respect Mr. Schmidt, no matter how we feel about his opinions. He is a damn good writer, and for that alone, respect him.
The Israelis are already proposing step one in solving this current iteration of hatred and violence. Remove ALL the leaders, on both sides that feed into this hate. That includes Netanyahu, the Israeli radical right, Hamas, the Palestinian authority. Find those from Iran and Russia who have supplied and trained the vicious and barbaric foot soldiers and cut them off. There are rational elements on both sides who want peace, want to live as equals in a political entity that recognizes both cultures’ right to live in their homeland. Alas, we are so far away from this now that only the simplistic non-solution of further violence is the only one being considered. I have never understood the reasoning behind the centuries of violence and harassment of Jews that blacken the history of every country on earth. Learning about it has left a deep scar on my heart. It fires my absolute conviction to rid America of its latest iteration of anti semitism next year. I pray that the revolution that the world needs to further is one where we may all find peace and acceptance of each other.
I wish somebody of this generation would go out on a limb and say why they think it is, or at least offer an idea, as to why the world has been so hateful of Jews.
I have read of many scholarly opinions on thismatter, but none lately.
Thank you to Steve and to all of you who care enough to respond with your thoughts. I find it deeply disturbing that so many who claim to know the Bible and Middle Eastern history have conveniently forgotten the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the reasons for the Jewish Diaspora. Rashida Talib and her associates show remarkable and perhaps willful ignorance of the Jewish community in the US. Many in the Jewish community are Democrats who have been hoping for and advocating a two state solution that would provide a viable nation for the Palestinians. Instead of looking for common ground with Jewish groups that have advocated for a two state solution, they prefer to lead with hatred of their own. So I have bad news for the haters. Today’s Jews are the descendants of thousands of years of survivors. And we all hope and pray for the end of the violence.
Targeted attacks on the Hamas murderers and terrorists are completely justified. But targeted bombing campaigns on unarmed Palistinian civilians is not. It would be even worse if American resources were used on military attacks on innocent civilians that were not involved in the horrific terrorist attacks. Nor is it acceptable if the family members of terrorists or suspected terrorists are attacked and their homes and livelihoods are destroyed. We can’t let this turn into a genocide of the Palestinian people.
Thom Hartman wrote an article on Oct 10 speculating on the connection of Trump's theft of classified documents to Russia/Iran/Hamas. (It's on his website). I'm not seeing this idea in MSM but it makes perfect sense. I'm fully aware of the historical and current issues of the MidEast, but my simplistic (and sarcastic) atheist brain says, "Ain't religion wonderful?" I align with the Jewish value system of education, education, education and liberalism. I cannot understand how Jews elected BiBi unless they fell for the "only I can save you". My heart goes out to innocent and ignorant Palestinians who have been abused by both their own leaders and militant Jews.
Because some of us support Palestine,doesn't mean that we also support Hamas.It's all about religion.As George Carlin would say"My god has a bigger dick than your god".
Reminds me of General MacArthur’s words you included in your essay a few days ago.
“The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.”
I’ve believed for some time that humanity is unsustainable without a basic change in human character. We must perceive our human condition holistically, both here and abroad, and throw-off the shackles of Paleolithic tribalism.
"It had always been hard for people to HOLD TWO CONTRADICTORY TRUTHS SIMULTANEOUSLY: that THESE TWO DEEPLY TRAUMATIZED PEOPLE BOTH HAVE LEGITIMATE CLAIM TO THE LAND, claims that each side has at times acknowledged about the other, claims that have been warped in both camps by emotion and trauma and religion and nationalism into dehumanization and heartlessness, into forgetting that Israeli children and Palestinian children both deserve to live and thrive. Now, it will be impossible, at least for the foreseeable future, though, my god, do I wish it weren’t so." (Ioffe) Her statement is completely true, powerful, and -- as she points out -- desperately sad because many/most? people can't see the truths on both sides. I will add this: when I look at anti-Semitism from a psychiatrist's viewpoint, I sometimes think that sibling rivalry is a significant part of the driver: "We are the Chosen People" = Dad (God) likes ME better than he likes YOU!" ---> "GRRRR... I HATE YOU!" I'll be interested if anyone reads this, what their thoughts will be on my hypothesis. Also, the "tribal" part -- all Jews are part of this tribe, and what is done to one is done to all (I've heard this several times said by Jews, and written to me by Jewish friends over this past week) -- may be perceived by some people as a "clique" (sort of like the popular kids at school) "and you are NOT invited to be in our clique!" Lastly, I was horrified at the nightmare inflicted on the Jewish settlers near Gaza! It was ghastly beyond words. Having said that, I am now shocked to learn that 25% of the population of 2,000,000 in Gaza are now HOMELESS, in less than one week -- and the bombing has only just now started. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in that situation: no electricity, no water, no food, no escape. Sounds a lot like the Holocaust, doesn't it? I picture Gaza, now, as a Warsaw ghetto with death waiting at the end. Target Hamas!! Wipe them out!! But it is WRONG to destroy the homes and lives of Palestinians b/o the actions of the terrorists with whom they must live. No question that there are probably a large number of people in Gaza who support Hamas, 10%? 20%? even more? But by no means everyone. If Hamas (NOT all of the Palestinian people) is only going to be happy when all Israelis are dead, will Israel (GOVERNMENT i.e., Bibi, NOT all of the Israeli people) only be happy when all Palestinians are dead? Is the only "solution" going to be a genocide of one side by the other?
Kathy, I'm glad I took a look at the comments tonight and found what you wrote here -wow!
I don't know about the hypothesis, but it is most likely a factor of what is going on. I tend to take a trauma perspective, too, as well as evolutionary psychology. I wish I had the answers!
You have definitely helped me to get a handle on what is happening in Gaza. The percentages you used are staggering. Genocide is not an option!
Steve: you alone that I can find in “media” are entirely and honorably consistent. I appreciate your steadfastness in support of the Jewish people, be the threat from Hamas in Palestine or from a bunch of khaki pants white boys marching through Charlottesville Virginia with tiki torches. History matters. Values matter. People who slaughter innocents must be pounded into submission.
“Think about it. What the American position must be in this moment is clear. Freedom has always had its enemies, and those enemies have always had their fellow travelers and useful idiots to do their bidding. This moment is no different.”--Steve Schmidt
This time is different because lies travel around the world, while the truth is stuck in the starting gate.
This time is different because we now have know-nothing experts on social media that mislead and lie, and can make a good living doing it. Not to mention, gain fame and notoriety.
This time is different because never in my lifetime have I seen fringe groups infiltrate western democracies and gain power.
And this time is different because of all the apathy and laziness that rich western countries have acquired, leaving marginalized groups of people neglected.
What’s occurring today didn’t happen in a vacuum. The warning signs have been signaling for decades. What we’re experiencing today is the blowback or consequences of poor leadership and neglect for decades.
And all that’s left is the apathy, neglect and distrust for western institutions; allowing the rise of authoritarian and religious zealots, with a messianic philosophy, simply because we’ve grown economically and militarily strong, but emotionally weak; all at the same time.
What a great response. Wish I could claim it
Julia has written a moving piece. Maybe something I will save. Thanks, Steve.
I'm Irish Catholic but gave up the Catholic part decades ago. I'm married to a Jewish woman who I adore, and we have two Irish/Jewish children who naturally lean towards the Jewish blood. And most of my friends are Jews and I feel very much at home with that.
Israel was created by the UN in 1948, carved out of Palestine which was at the time predominantly Arab with a Jewish minority but was overseen by Egypt as Palestine had no formal government and therefore was not a state. Why did the UN choose Palestine to establish Israel? Because that was the original home of the Jews going back thousands of years. What happened? During Rome's rule of Palestine around 100 BC, the Romans threw out the Jews after a Jewish revote, which today is known as the Diaspora which is why Jews are in every country. They are vilified of course because the Christian bible say they killed Christ. Recently the Catholic Church has amended that to say that the Romans killed Christ, but that changed nothing.
The Palestinians have been fighting Israel since 1948 and there has been no solution. But for me, the latest attack on Israel is truly beyond the pale. Hamas has shown its true face and today with over 300,000 Israeli troops waiting at the border fence Hamas may be destroyed. Innocent Palestinians will die and the war between the two continues. Sorry this is so long but some history is important. I could have said so much more but I think it best to stop here.
Thank-you for the history lesson. I knew all of it, but nowhere near as clearly as you shared. I've been sitting on the fence, as it were, about this conflict, always seeing both sides and never siding with one. It feels never-ending with no fair or clear path forward. With the ascension of Netanyahu, I've become more and more disgusted with how he has pushed their policies towards a dictatorship. But I am also disgusted with what Hamas has done. Thus, I feel pain for innocents on both sides, resulting on my fence-sitting. I don't see a fair and eqitable harmony forward. Does anyone, really?
No one has found a way that works in all these years. I think it should have been handled better in 1948, but you can't go back in time. But, maybe first get rid of Hamas then help The people of Gaza to set up their own government. Work with Arabs to get their economy moving might be a beginning.
1948 was 3 years out from the Holocaust. No one believed Nazi Germany could do what they did, but when it was seen by the liberators, there was no turning away. So it was the best option at the time. I still see it as the best option.
However, I have to ask the question. You have some of the most wealthy countries in the world (Saudi, Quatar) and from all appearances they have not invested in the Palestinian cause to improve their way of life. I am rather perplexed by the decision not to assist those with whom they share a common faith and heritage.
Totally agree Liz! I made this comment a few days ago. I wish more would be heard about this
Jordan did. They used to have the West Bank inside their borders.
For others, always some excuse. For an easy example: Why didn't Washington stop slavery at his own home?
The answer is, that they chose not to. It dioesnt matter why. The Zionists should have been more humane, and seriously proposed the establishment of a two state solution.
A lot of blood and ink was spilt attempting a two state solution. Always broken by …. The Palestinian.
Beautiful accurate and straightforward explanation of Jewish history and more recent events.
It occurs to me that in the US, there’s little real understanding of the nature of the Jewish community, the hearts of Jewish people, just as little understanding of the people of Russia and Ukraine. It’s not really fair of us to simply opine from our deck chair. People and places half a world away deserve to be understood.
"People and places half a world away deserve to be understood."
I Couldn't have said it any better.
I would love to hear more, Jerry, unfortunately I have never understood this part of the world. (Other than they are always fighting) I do have a quick question I would like to ask though, where does Hamas come from? Thank you for your explanation. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱
Hamas was created by and part of the Muslim Brotherhood quite a few years ago. I think it has over the years become more terrorist oriented, but their stated goal for their existence has always been the destruction of Israel. Hamas was elected to official office in Gaza by the people of Gaza. They immediately removed any competing Muslim organizations and fired rockets into Israel which is why Gaza was fenced off or walled off from Israel I think around 2008. Egypt also closed their border to Gaza at the same time.
Thank you, Jerry. Does that mean now that the people (Palestinians in Gaza) pretty much asked for this? Wow, what a mess. So, Egypt won’t let any of these people in? Sorry for all the questions. E
Not at all. Hamas came with food and medical assistance. No one else did so they were voted in. I believe also that had they not been voted in, they simply would have taken it. No, Egypt clearly has no interest in accidentally allowing Hamas fighters (terrorists) into their country. What Israel is doing now should have been done years ago. Once the terrorists are gone my hope is that Israel takes down that fence, brings in food and water as well as medical professionals and begins to educate the Palestinians, teach them about business, ultimately bring them to be true partners with Israel and definitely don't start building Jewish residences within the territory.
Thank you kindly, Jerry, your explanation has helped me to understand better, however I do have a couple of things (no hurry) the confusion seems to be with the Palestinians. 1.) are they Arab? 2.) the “Open Air Prison” and at the end you stated a.)educate them (business) and “don’t start building Jewish residences. What do they live in? Tents? What a life that must be. Appreciate your time.🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱🙏🏻
Yes, Palestinians are Arab. Maybe some live in tents but most live in small towns or the city of Gaza. I think about half live in the city.
Very moving piece. Eloquent in fact. It’s difficult to understand why this history isn’t more widely known. It certainly isn’t hidden in history books.
What I believe is behind this ignorance is the unstated choice to continue the tradition of the church - a centuries old Catholic view - that places Judaism in a rival category not as a welcome ally in society. It’s insidious and marches in step with racism, blighting behavior or at best giving a two dimensional picture of our family, our neighbors, our (largely) models of some of the best societal interactions.
Enough.
Patris, why is so little history of any kind known. Lots of reasons such as our religious and political leaders don’t want it known. I’m Irish Catholic but it wasn’t until I sought out and read serious Irish literature both fiction and non that I learned far more about my roots than the superficial nonsense that’s found in the superficial histories that are easily available to any of us. It’s frightening how little many, many know of our history and the history of others and even scarier about the world around us today. But we do know about Taylor Swifts every move and all the football scores even when we try to avoid this.
It all starts with, may I quote you?: "Reading." Unfortunately, although there are many good documentaries, movies etc. that's all hooked into the distraction machine. Reading gives you no choice. It takes some discipline and training to be a good reader.
This didn’t happen in a vacuum. It has been percolating for some time. Signals that this was developing have obviously been missed. Hamas didn’t have all the meetings and training of the magnitude it had to have had in order to pull this off without somebody seeing it. So many intelligence failures.
Israel’s response I believe is based somewhat on the history that Steve outlined. Their backs were up against a wall. They said no more. Have they, especially under Netanyahu, make blatant land grabs, absolutely. They are not operating with totally clean hands.
However look at where they sit. Imagine being surrounded on all sides by countries that are committed to your extinction. Now over time you managed to make peace agreements with some of those countries. It is possible with legitimate governments. Israel this time is not dealing with a legitimate government in Gaza or West Bank. Hamas certainly is not and neither is the Palestinian Authority. So who does Israel try and negotiate with ?
I truly feel that those of the extreme progressive left are looking at what is happening with a myopic pair of lenses. What is an acceptable response to innocent women, children and elderly being brutally murdered? To civilians being taken hostage. To a YouTube video purportedly showing a naked woman being paraded around Gaza in a truck full of men.
Let us not forget that Egypt has gates on its border with Gaza. They are keeping them locked, not allowing Palestinians to escape to them. Where’s the outrage and condemnation of them?
Finally, here’s an interesting parallel, Russia is doing in Ukraine what Hamas did in Israel.
All roads lead to Moscow. Agree, what we are seeing here is what we are seeing in Ukraine.
The Zionists should have been more humane, and seriously proposed the establishment of a two state solution.
A two state solution was sought many times over may years. The Palestinians only want death and destruction to the Jewish state, it’s a big stumbling block to peace. It’s apparent to all now, this is not hyperbole.
It’s always hard when dealing with 4500 year old family feuds. I am mentioning only on that anyone who says there is an easy answer is not looking at history.
I distrust a good 50% of what is online purporting to be factual. Last PM the BLM issued a statement about two groups purporting to be them that were rogue actors We know other info shared by certain members of the Trump-aligned side are false. I dislike what I’m seeing out of Harvard and the protests but we do have free speech even as misguided as it may be.
Where does that leave us? Staring at a horrific set of events between those who wish to destroy Israel and the need to bring Hammas to account There are those who are cheering the conflict on as the precursor to the Rapture (not a joke: they are serious).
Our moves now are what President Biden and his team are doing. Support Israel and build the coalition. This is a single fight with two battlefields: Ukraine and now Israel. Democracy vs Autocracy We can shut down the two battlefields and stop Russian aggression ( all roads lead to Moscow) we can rebuild
On the turn of the millennium optimism. On Jan 1 I was standing on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach DE watching the sunrise. I was optimistic then and even now optimistic. I think back to Secretary Powell’s life lessons, one of which is optimism is a force multiplier
We are here for a reason This is our time to call the dark forces to account, Hamass among them. Off to work
It has been completely shattering to me as a Progressives to watch as my fellow left has chosen to take this catastrophic, barbaric event as the time to support Hamas, cheering as if this was a win for Palestinians, waving Palestinian flags, flooding social media with their anti-Semtic tropes. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the deafening SILENCE of Hollywood, corporations, artists in every field who are normally on the front lines of support for these kinds of barbaric acts. The slaughter of innocents, grandmothers, parents, young concert goers, BABIES be-headed (verified by the White House) in the most horrific, vile, barbarous way is gut wrenching in itself and now we must accept the fact that there are those who have completely and in an instant took this as a time to show support
for a terrorist organization! Eye opening and soul gutting!
Fran,
Saying the Left has chosen to support Hamas is a misrepresentation. Please cite a source for anyone in the US, left or right, supporting Hamas. Criticizing revenge bombing is not supporting Hamas.
#2 sounds like a group on the Left. All of the others are Arabic organizations here in the United States, none of which I would identify as on the "Left". Am I correct?
In the face of such inhumanity it is difficult to avoid retreating to one corner or the other and balling up your fists. I know nothing, yet the solution seems so simple. Annihilate Hamas. If you know who they are shoot them down, crush them into dust, no sympathy, no “understanding”. Then put Bibi in prison, because he is a thug and a criminal and responsible for much of the angst in the region. Then find a way to an empathetic Israeli government and get the state’s foot off the neck of Palestinians. It has amazed me that Jews don’t understand how that feels for others, just for them. The Palestinian plight has been continuous. Israeli governments have played with fire and it has come back on them in the form of this unspeakable atrocity, so for some to blame Israel for a 75 year history of oppression is not surprising, because this sympathy for the displaced has been bubbling at the surface for all this time. I once interviewed two Jewish leaders in Canada on the subject of Compassion. They were measured and even humble up to the moment when I introduced the word, “Apartheid”, at which point they became apoplectic. “No, no”, one protested, “We just built them a new school!” This is what the students at Harvard are talking about. It has not been FAIR. Never fair. As horrific as this is and it breaks our hearts that Jewish families, not governments, must endure this unspeakable agony. But something has to change. Empathy must become paramount or this awful history will repeat itself again and again.
The essay by Ms. Ioffe, in my opinion, was a thoroughly accurate assessment of the "human" side of this horrific conflict. Innocent people are being kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. I suspect that many of the people who are actually involved in the conflict have nothing to do with the atrocities that are being committed. At the very least I would say they are accomplices. It's like someone riding in the car with some other people, and one of them gets out at a gas station, ostensibly to use the restroom. On the way back to the car, they rob the gas station. No one in the car had any idea about that in advance. However, in the eyes of the law, they are accomplices. Are they really guilty of a crime? According to the law, yes. According to me, they need to learn how to pick better friends. Most of the people involved in this conflict are victims. It makes me sick to think about what is actually happening. A couple days ago, as I was getting my daily dose of aversion therapy (reading the news), I came across an article with an intriguing title. Basically it was about Netanyahu telling Antony Blinken about pictures of infants that had been killed. Some were beheaded, some were burned, and some were tortured and then murdered. Netanyahu mentioned several times that these pictures must be seen. I assumed he meant Blinken needed to see them. Sometimes, when reading news items on the phone, there will be large blank areas where ads have no yet loaded, or for some reason won't load. You have to go past them to continue reading the article. As I got past the 3rd or 4th blank spot, there were the pictures of murdered infants. I had no idea that the pictures would be shown in the article. I was stunned and shocked. In my sordid past I have seen crime scene photos and autopsy photos. I have seen a few lifeless bodies. There were a few "holy shit" moments, but they paled in comparison to these photos. These made absolutely sick and gave me what seemed like 10 minutes of heart palpitations. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. After a few minutes a wondered why I even made it to the 3rd picture. I guess I couldn't believe it until I actually believed it. I began to wonder what kind of sick fuck could do something like that. What were they thinking before they did it, while they were doing it, and after they did it. It was totally incomprehensible to be that a human being could do that to another human being. I know there are parents that kill their children. There is no doubt they are fucked up, but they don't wantonly go around slaughtering children in a wholesale manner. The people that do this need to be "neutralized", or as Steve Wilson says, they all need to be killed. Now that I'm old enough for conspiracy theories (I actually have been for quite a while), I have to pat myself on the back for what an exquisite job I am doing. I wonder if Netanyahu set this whole thing up in order to get the heat off of him and remain in power. I can think of all the things that make this seem ridiculous, but I cannot help but think that he is somehow acutely responsible for this horrendous and unspeakable situation. Then I think about Donald Trump, and that old feeling of hopelessness and helplessness comes back and I can't catch my breath.
Rick. I am sorry for you having to see such images and I cannot know the depths of depravity that Netanyahu is capable of though I believe that he is definitely depraved and that he will use this catastrophe to his advantage. Israel and the world needs to be rid of him and soon. He has acted in a belligerent manner toward Palestinians, encouraged disruptive settlements on the West Bank, the US Embassy to Jerusalem and scuppered any thought of a two state solution. He is the enemy of peace in the Middle East. Hamas is also evil and have acted in a rage that sees no limits. They must be eliminated and then a real effort for peace and justice must become the necessary goal. If anyone can do it, it will be Biden and Blinken IMHO.
Rick Wilson recorded a short video the other day where he said the same thing about Biden. He discussed the benefits of age and wisdom. Bidens campaign should pay him to use it. If you haven't seen it, but would like to, let me know. I agree with you 100%. My greatest fear now is Jordan become speaker of the house. The world as we know it is a fucking mess. Hard to believe it could get worse, but it can.
This Mr. Steve is what I expected from you some days back however, you have found your way here. Do understand the wounds being fresh and anger high at first look of the carnage. Very hard to condemn one over the other as fault divides on both sides of this. I believe those with Power have an obligation to those without, to treat them fairly, and not to treat them as animals or property, as we once did. Violence helps no one but is carried out on both sides equally, Seen and Unseen.
When humans can be honest with themselves and call out those who mean them/us/US no good, only then can we move forward.
Bibi has A Lot of blood on his hands, from both sides. If I didn't know any better it almost sounds like he wanted an excuse for something, having the all-powerful Intelligence Service, and ignoring the Egyptians.
Put Nothing past Humans, the hate they have for each other is immeasurable. We think with our brains, they think with theirs, never the two shall meet.
Whatever happened with jareds plan for peace, and the 2 Billion.
Humans.
You are overly familiar in your addressing of Mr. Schmidt. You are condescending. Let us respect Mr. Schmidt, no matter how we feel about his opinions. He is a damn good writer, and for that alone, respect him.
You're funny, you think I'd pay to read his comments to disrespect him. No disrespect intended nor detected. But appreciate your defense.
I was harsh to you, I admit.
The Israelis are already proposing step one in solving this current iteration of hatred and violence. Remove ALL the leaders, on both sides that feed into this hate. That includes Netanyahu, the Israeli radical right, Hamas, the Palestinian authority. Find those from Iran and Russia who have supplied and trained the vicious and barbaric foot soldiers and cut them off. There are rational elements on both sides who want peace, want to live as equals in a political entity that recognizes both cultures’ right to live in their homeland. Alas, we are so far away from this now that only the simplistic non-solution of further violence is the only one being considered. I have never understood the reasoning behind the centuries of violence and harassment of Jews that blacken the history of every country on earth. Learning about it has left a deep scar on my heart. It fires my absolute conviction to rid America of its latest iteration of anti semitism next year. I pray that the revolution that the world needs to further is one where we may all find peace and acceptance of each other.
I wish somebody of this generation would go out on a limb and say why they think it is, or at least offer an idea, as to why the world has been so hateful of Jews.
I have read of many scholarly opinions on thismatter, but none lately.
Thank you to Steve and to all of you who care enough to respond with your thoughts. I find it deeply disturbing that so many who claim to know the Bible and Middle Eastern history have conveniently forgotten the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the reasons for the Jewish Diaspora. Rashida Talib and her associates show remarkable and perhaps willful ignorance of the Jewish community in the US. Many in the Jewish community are Democrats who have been hoping for and advocating a two state solution that would provide a viable nation for the Palestinians. Instead of looking for common ground with Jewish groups that have advocated for a two state solution, they prefer to lead with hatred of their own. So I have bad news for the haters. Today’s Jews are the descendants of thousands of years of survivors. And we all hope and pray for the end of the violence.
Targeted attacks on the Hamas murderers and terrorists are completely justified. But targeted bombing campaigns on unarmed Palistinian civilians is not. It would be even worse if American resources were used on military attacks on innocent civilians that were not involved in the horrific terrorist attacks. Nor is it acceptable if the family members of terrorists or suspected terrorists are attacked and their homes and livelihoods are destroyed. We can’t let this turn into a genocide of the Palestinian people.
Thom Hartman wrote an article on Oct 10 speculating on the connection of Trump's theft of classified documents to Russia/Iran/Hamas. (It's on his website). I'm not seeing this idea in MSM but it makes perfect sense. I'm fully aware of the historical and current issues of the MidEast, but my simplistic (and sarcastic) atheist brain says, "Ain't religion wonderful?" I align with the Jewish value system of education, education, education and liberalism. I cannot understand how Jews elected BiBi unless they fell for the "only I can save you". My heart goes out to innocent and ignorant Palestinians who have been abused by both their own leaders and militant Jews.
Because some of us support Palestine,doesn't mean that we also support Hamas.It's all about religion.As George Carlin would say"My god has a bigger dick than your god".
Reminds me of General MacArthur’s words you included in your essay a few days ago.
“The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.”
I’ve believed for some time that humanity is unsustainable without a basic change in human character. We must perceive our human condition holistically, both here and abroad, and throw-off the shackles of Paleolithic tribalism.
Well that informs me past what I’d read of him (though his behavior in post war Japan is remarkable for long-sightedness).
"It had always been hard for people to HOLD TWO CONTRADICTORY TRUTHS SIMULTANEOUSLY: that THESE TWO DEEPLY TRAUMATIZED PEOPLE BOTH HAVE LEGITIMATE CLAIM TO THE LAND, claims that each side has at times acknowledged about the other, claims that have been warped in both camps by emotion and trauma and religion and nationalism into dehumanization and heartlessness, into forgetting that Israeli children and Palestinian children both deserve to live and thrive. Now, it will be impossible, at least for the foreseeable future, though, my god, do I wish it weren’t so." (Ioffe) Her statement is completely true, powerful, and -- as she points out -- desperately sad because many/most? people can't see the truths on both sides. I will add this: when I look at anti-Semitism from a psychiatrist's viewpoint, I sometimes think that sibling rivalry is a significant part of the driver: "We are the Chosen People" = Dad (God) likes ME better than he likes YOU!" ---> "GRRRR... I HATE YOU!" I'll be interested if anyone reads this, what their thoughts will be on my hypothesis. Also, the "tribal" part -- all Jews are part of this tribe, and what is done to one is done to all (I've heard this several times said by Jews, and written to me by Jewish friends over this past week) -- may be perceived by some people as a "clique" (sort of like the popular kids at school) "and you are NOT invited to be in our clique!" Lastly, I was horrified at the nightmare inflicted on the Jewish settlers near Gaza! It was ghastly beyond words. Having said that, I am now shocked to learn that 25% of the population of 2,000,000 in Gaza are now HOMELESS, in less than one week -- and the bombing has only just now started. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in that situation: no electricity, no water, no food, no escape. Sounds a lot like the Holocaust, doesn't it? I picture Gaza, now, as a Warsaw ghetto with death waiting at the end. Target Hamas!! Wipe them out!! But it is WRONG to destroy the homes and lives of Palestinians b/o the actions of the terrorists with whom they must live. No question that there are probably a large number of people in Gaza who support Hamas, 10%? 20%? even more? But by no means everyone. If Hamas (NOT all of the Palestinian people) is only going to be happy when all Israelis are dead, will Israel (GOVERNMENT i.e., Bibi, NOT all of the Israeli people) only be happy when all Palestinians are dead? Is the only "solution" going to be a genocide of one side by the other?
Kathy, I'm glad I took a look at the comments tonight and found what you wrote here -wow!
I don't know about the hypothesis, but it is most likely a factor of what is going on. I tend to take a trauma perspective, too, as well as evolutionary psychology. I wish I had the answers!
You have definitely helped me to get a handle on what is happening in Gaza. The percentages you used are staggering. Genocide is not an option!
Thanks. p.s. I'll write soon :-)
I learned it as,, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord."
Your response to the human madness is empathetic in contradictory ways. you have sympathy with the urge for revenge. But that should not excuse it.
You think I am "excusing" the urge for revenge?
Poor thinking on my part. You obviously do not believe revenge is justified. My apologies.
Apology happily accepted!
Steve: you alone that I can find in “media” are entirely and honorably consistent. I appreciate your steadfastness in support of the Jewish people, be the threat from Hamas in Palestine or from a bunch of khaki pants white boys marching through Charlottesville Virginia with tiki torches. History matters. Values matter. People who slaughter innocents must be pounded into submission.