Israel/Palestine

We are more similar than you think. Including Briggs-Myers (though I don't recall my type exactly, but it sounds about right) and the suspected autism thing. Throw in some ADHD diagnosed and I'm all over the place with inattention combined with hyper-focus and special interests. And of course a pre-occupation and passion for fairness and justice. ESPECIALLY the defense of underdogs, minorities, victims of all sorts and the persecuted and endangered. Seems like a commonality.

We both come at this from the same place, a good place - a concern and care of the less powerful and the victimized. We diverge in our assessment of who those are, in this case.

My assessment is based on where the facts and "logic" have led me. That process was long and painful. Complicated by the fact that I grew up in a historically anti-semitic country and my last name is Jewish. So I am not a stranger to anti-semitism on a personal level, though I was not fully aware of the extent of my Jewishness (though not matrilineal) as it seems it was kept from me until not long ago. Or perhaps it was due to lack of interest on my part, being a humanist eschewing all forms of tribalism, nationalism and religion.

Then of course, in Canada, I was exposed to the same PR and mythology about Israel as everyone in the West.

But then, applying logic, I started seeing inconsistencies and fallacies in those arguments and myths. Once my eyes were opened, a long process in my youth and early middle age, I could not unsee what I had seen or concluded. Then, similarly to autists or people with that bend towards fairness and justice, I was passionate and relentless, and no one could convince me otherwise. Sort of like you, on the opposite side.

You may think me presumptuous, but I see the error in your "logic". It starts with the equating of Israel with Jewry and vica versa. Therefore you see criticism as anti-semitic or at least somehow dangerous to Jews. But Israel is a nation-state, not the Jewish faith, culture or ethnicity. It does not represent Jews worldwide or should be equated with all Jewry. It is in the interests of people like Netanyahu to claim otherwise in order to ensure people of good will towards Jews are reluctant to criticize Israel and that they defend its actions with all their might, all facts and evidence to the contrary.

We saw that play out for two years. I saw no hateful comments about Jews but I did see a lot of demonization of Muslims as well as defense and rationalization of even the most hateful and inhumane actions of Israel. Trust me when I say it was agonizing and demoralizing to read and exhausting and personally costly to fight against.

What I see still is the repetition of the same talking points that enabled many to close their eyes to an unfolding genocide.

Israel will not be wiped off the map as long as the American Empire exists and that includes not just the U.S.. I am not convinced they would be even then, even if such an unlikely scenario occurred. That view assumes all Muslims are vengeful and genocidal like the state of Israel, so far not born out by history or facts.

Jews are not being genocided, but Muslims are. And Muslims have ALWAYS been the underdogs in a world ruled by white Christians, but that fact doesn't penetrate Western ears attuned to hear "Muslims are bad". To claim that they are not in danger of genocide, when it is actually happening.... attests to the strength and power of Israel's PR and sway in Western discourse as well as to anti-Muslim propaganda.

Of course there is also the fact that it is not Muslims per se that Israel is genociding. It is Israel's neighbours and/or owners of the lands Israel covets. So to me, the argument that Muslims are not underdogs because of the size of their population is a deflection and a distraction from the real issue - which Israel does not want you to see. It is also dangerous and divisive, if you think about it.

Thank you for explaining your views and where you come from. It was a good post for that reason and this exchange is probably the most honest and respectful one we've had. I am glad for that.