Hi,
@berdie Thank you for this. Here are my thoughts on the concerns you raised --- posted with an eye toward brevity (
)
But the two biggest comments for me were: (1) Equating Israel with Hitler. That's quite a stretch of the imagination and very creative.
Many of my colleagues access and analyze data on global political hotspots. The Gaza war is, obviously, one of these hotspots. The trend is not Israel's friend, and is ignored at her peril. There are striking similarities between the Nazi's Warsaw Ghetto and the Gaza Strip that have always been talked about --- in whispers, not outrage. This is changing. The Nazi's Madagascar Plan is showing up more often now that Netanyahu is publicly supporting the efforts by members of his government to relocate Gazans to Africa. (I posted the plan up thread to show the uncanny similarities). These comparisons are growing louder. They are also the last thing Israel needs.
There is also growing concern the new attack on Gaza City is a ruse to turn rubble to dust and give evidence that Gaza is too unlivable --- and Israel is doing the people a favor moving them to the Sudan. Please, keep in mind that agreeing with Netanyahu's decision does not change the reality that this is textbook ethnic cleansing --- and the United States has always risen in opposition to it.
On Oct 7, 2023, the world rallied around Israel --- united in their horror and outrage; their financial and military support. Once lost, it will not return quickly or easily. Israel is losing both.
(2). That Hamas is fighting for "their" land. Do you mean "From The River To the Sea?"
No.
It's not their land. Historically, they have laid claim to it, but it's not theirs. In fact the reverse is true.
Here's another reality: For the 2000 years the Israeli Jewish folks were living their best lives in Eastern Europe, the Middle Eastern Arabs were living theirs in Palestine. Do we pretend those 2000 years never happened? Do we pretend the Palestinians/Arabs/Indigenous People were not frog marched from their homes (in 1948 and 1967) for their safety while clutching the promise of a right to return --- only to never see their homes again or have legitimate membership in the global community?
So for the sake of argument, let's assume that their claim has some validity. Let's put history aside for the moment. Who is in possession of the area in question...today? Israel does.
And, this, IMO, is the ugly nub of the whole 58 year conflict. Israel took the land in battle, but never the people it displaced. Israel's political concern has always been maintaining into perpetuity a solid Jewish majority in the State of Israel --- Don't forget: Arabs are breeders, Israelis are not.
So, the areas in question remain in limbo --- neither annexed or free. Its occupants neither fully cattle or fully human. The limbo needs to be fixed.
If we equate their claim with the American Indian or the British claim on the US we should all give our land back to them, should we not?
I don't think this is a question only about land ownership, Berdie. I think this is a conflict essentially over the disposition of displaced millions: Here are the choices, IMO: 1. Annex and make the displaced full citizens of Israel, 2. Set them free in their own nation state or 3. Fight them for another 58 years. Israel has vetoed the first and second choices.
And before you go down the lane of Gaza belonging to the Palis....they launched an attack against a neighboring country. And have been for years.
This is a real minefield for me --- where I get myself in a lot of trouble. But, what the heck ... Here goes:
Yes, Gaza has launched attacks against Israel for years, the last one a stunning break with humanity and sucker punch the Netanyahu administration denied could happen --- even after being told by its own security agencies it was coming.
But, (here's where I get into real trouble) these attacks were not developed or launched in a vacuum. I find it troubling and disingenuous that reports of such attacks from Gaza do not, ever, reference the history:
Israel militarily occupied Gaza from 1967 to 2005. Israel first occupied the Gaza Strip during the Six-Day War in 1967, seizing control from Egypt. This began the 38-year period of military rule, during which Israel built 21 settlements in Gaza.
Israel unilaterally withdrew its military and removed all of its settlements and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005 due to international pressure --- and in 2007 replaced the military occupation with its air, land and sea blockades and became the overlords of all aspects of civilian and government life on the Strip.58 years is a long time --- the despair and pent-up rage *is* going to explode. This does not make the explosion right; but if we're serious about lasting peace, the history can't be ignored.
If we had a similar situation in this country I would expect the same response of restrictions and eventual take over.
Is there anything in America's history, anything at all, that points to what Americans would do facing a take over? Do you think Americans would go gently into that dark night --- or would we build tunnels?
Full disclosure: We were triggered by a tax on tea and fought the world's super power with sticks, stones, muskets and a handful of cannons--- and we won.
God, I love America!
Thanks again, Berdie.
