The whole situation is so incredibly complex and nuanced that the worst way to approach it is in black-and-white absolutes. And yet that's exactly what lots of folks, ironically, BECAUSE of the complexity and nuance.
I appreciate you paying mind to that complexity and nuance and laying out your thoughts as such. Said it better than I could. Like you, I don't know either. Part of me thinks this was inevitable given Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, specifically in Gaza. The other part thinks that no matter of ill-treatment justifies targeting civilians like Hamas has done.
It is an awful situation on both sides. Thank you for your insight as a Jew. As a Christian, it has always looked to be a ridiculous situation from the beginning. I feel for the people on both sides, they just want to live and follow their faith in peace in the lands of their ancestors. Whilst Netanyahu is leading Israel, there will be no peace and as you said Hamas has its own agendas. There needs to be dialogue between the west and the middle east to find a solution.
The 60% POC Jews in Israel have Levantine DNA. And Jews come in literally every color because of the diaspora. The Levantine Jews are related to the Canaanites.
Thank you That expresses the ideas and thoughts of we nominal christians EXACTLY Wtf is it with these guys Did pogroms screw up all of the last millennium of world history?
My heart goes out to you and everyone who has a connection to that tormented slice of land. You have done an admirable job of setting out the irreconcilable divisions we see today. I just wanted to cry when I heard this news, knowing that the current leaders of Israel will unleash a horror show of retaliation. What in the bloody universe did Hamas imagine they would accomplish? They invaded on motorcycles; Israel will strike back with all their overwhelming US-built air power.
I’m in Jerusalem. I think the nut jobs on both sides are at fault. But after watching the news all day, and rushing to the bomb shelter 8 times this morning, you can guess whom I’m the most pissed at.
I think you did a great job writing about this. I too am not educated enough to fully understand the scope and complete history to feel confident to express an opinion or view but I feel like you approached this perfectly and I agree with you.
The Palestinian population deserve a homeland. I’ve believed this in my heart for 40 years now, since meeting and discussing the issue with many Palestinian and Israeli friends in Houston. Unless Israel is willing to surrender territory AND share some holy territory and respect sovereign borders, this ends badly for all.
Iran has a vested interest in all this.
This might explain why the Saudies, who are not our friends, recently demanded a unilateral protection agreement by the US to protect “all things Saudi”. Me, I still want answers on 9-11.
"Unless Israel is willing to surrender territory AND share some holy territory and respect sovereign borders, this ends badly for all."
Surrender territory will do nothing, Groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza clearly say they want all of the land including Israel. giving a piece here or there wont solve anything,
You think giving Isis land in Syria or Iraq would have made them stop? Not much difference between groups like IJ in Gaza or Isis
Israel pulled out of every inch in gaza 18 years ago and what did it get?
Again statements from Hamas and IJ say they want ALL of the land.
the day after IDF leaves the west bank, Hamas will take control of all the West Bank.
When Israel left gaza Palestinian Authority controlled Gaza, less then 2 years later Hamas took over the Gaza strip, violently.
"The poll found that 53% of Palestinians believe Hamas is “most deserving of representing and leading the Palestinian people,” while only 14% prefer Abbas’ secular Fatah party."
We will see how this plays out. I thought all that territory used to be Palestine anyway, until the land was taken from them. I guess guys like you and Jarad Kushner got this all figured out.
Gaza shares their own border with an Arab country called Egypt. they can use it at any time
Palestinians CHOOSE to be dependent on Israel. Why not use Egypt for water, electricity, telecommunications, and other utilities instead of Isreal, If Israel is the enemy? Does it say something if israel was still providing gaza with these recourses when being hostel to it.
"six of Gaza's seven land crossings, "
So Hamas should control the land crossings into Israel? Great logic
A hostile neighbor should have plains flying in anytime it wants? This war would be much deadlier if Hamas can bring any advanced weapons and amount it wants unchecked.
Even when being hostel 1000s of trucks with goods still crossed into gaza from Israel and many workers from gaza going into israel for work
Thanks for this post and also for the recommendation of that JERUSALEM book. I just ordered it from my local indie bookstore as well as posting about your Substack over on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.bsky.social/post/3kbkjf3kgyb2o
I went to Jerusalem for a pilgrimage (I am Catholic). My prayers are with everyone I met.
Sidenote: why aren't we going after the Brits? It's their fault Israel even exists.
The fact that people are going after Israel Jews, it's just antisemitic rhetoric.
A Catholic named Ari? What's next - pineapple on pizza?
The irony, huh?
It is a beautiful book. I’ve never been to Israel but it took me there, you know?
Wow - you’re brave for taking a stand so explicitly on this issue. Terrible situation there...intractable.
The whole situation is so incredibly complex and nuanced that the worst way to approach it is in black-and-white absolutes. And yet that's exactly what lots of folks, ironically, BECAUSE of the complexity and nuance.
I appreciate you paying mind to that complexity and nuance and laying out your thoughts as such. Said it better than I could. Like you, I don't know either. Part of me thinks this was inevitable given Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, specifically in Gaza. The other part thinks that no matter of ill-treatment justifies targeting civilians like Hamas has done.
So...like you, I just don't know.
It is an awful situation on both sides. Thank you for your insight as a Jew. As a Christian, it has always looked to be a ridiculous situation from the beginning. I feel for the people on both sides, they just want to live and follow their faith in peace in the lands of their ancestors. Whilst Netanyahu is leading Israel, there will be no peace and as you said Hamas has its own agendas. There needs to be dialogue between the west and the middle east to find a solution.
These people have no ancestral relationship to ancient Israelites. They are European concerts.
The 60% POC Jews in Israel have Levantine DNA. And Jews come in literally every color because of the diaspora. The Levantine Jews are related to the Canaanites.
As someone of Muslim descent, it looks pretty ridiculous, too.
Thank you That expresses the ideas and thoughts of we nominal christians EXACTLY Wtf is it with these guys Did pogroms screw up all of the last millennium of world history?
My heart goes out to you and everyone who has a connection to that tormented slice of land. You have done an admirable job of setting out the irreconcilable divisions we see today. I just wanted to cry when I heard this news, knowing that the current leaders of Israel will unleash a horror show of retaliation. What in the bloody universe did Hamas imagine they would accomplish? They invaded on motorcycles; Israel will strike back with all their overwhelming US-built air power.
“Not knowing is most intimate.”
I’m in Jerusalem. I think the nut jobs on both sides are at fault. But after watching the news all day, and rushing to the bomb shelter 8 times this morning, you can guess whom I’m the most pissed at.
Beautifully articulated the same swirling thoughts in my head.
This is the best piece I’ve read so far, much appreciated!
I think you did a great job writing about this. I too am not educated enough to fully understand the scope and complete history to feel confident to express an opinion or view but I feel like you approached this perfectly and I agree with you.
What does this have to do with demographics?
Over 20% of israel are arabs who can vote
Why should residents of Gaza vote in Israel elections? They have their own leaders they can vote for.
"Herding people into ghettos "
Who are herding Palestinians in ghettos? there are 0 Israelis in the gaza strip except for the people they kidnapped.
Important to remember Israel pulled out of all of Gaza in 2005
The Palestinian population deserve a homeland. I’ve believed this in my heart for 40 years now, since meeting and discussing the issue with many Palestinian and Israeli friends in Houston. Unless Israel is willing to surrender territory AND share some holy territory and respect sovereign borders, this ends badly for all.
Iran has a vested interest in all this.
This might explain why the Saudies, who are not our friends, recently demanded a unilateral protection agreement by the US to protect “all things Saudi”. Me, I still want answers on 9-11.
"Unless Israel is willing to surrender territory AND share some holy territory and respect sovereign borders, this ends badly for all."
Surrender territory will do nothing, Groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza clearly say they want all of the land including Israel. giving a piece here or there wont solve anything,
You think giving Isis land in Syria or Iraq would have made them stop? Not much difference between groups like IJ in Gaza or Isis
Israel pulled out of every inch in gaza 18 years ago and what did it get?
West Bank? It’ll take compromise on all sides.
Remember this attack is from gaza.
Again statements from Hamas and IJ say they want ALL of the land.
the day after IDF leaves the west bank, Hamas will take control of all the West Bank.
When Israel left gaza Palestinian Authority controlled Gaza, less then 2 years later Hamas took over the Gaza strip, violently.
"The poll found that 53% of Palestinians believe Hamas is “most deserving of representing and leading the Palestinian people,” while only 14% prefer Abbas’ secular Fatah party."
https://apnews.com/article/hamas-middle-east-science-32095d8e1323fc1cad819c34da08fd87
Well Eric, I guess I’m totally wrong. Carry on.
Facts do that
Anything that has occurred since The Palestinian Mandate is an “alternative fact”.
We will see how this plays out. I thought all that territory used to be Palestine anyway, until the land was taken from them. I guess guys like you and Jarad Kushner got this all figured out.
Gaza shares their own border with an Arab country called Egypt. they can use it at any time
Palestinians CHOOSE to be dependent on Israel. Why not use Egypt for water, electricity, telecommunications, and other utilities instead of Isreal, If Israel is the enemy? Does it say something if israel was still providing gaza with these recourses when being hostel to it.
"six of Gaza's seven land crossings, "
So Hamas should control the land crossings into Israel? Great logic
A hostile neighbor should have plains flying in anytime it wants? This war would be much deadlier if Hamas can bring any advanced weapons and amount it wants unchecked.
Even when being hostel 1000s of trucks with goods still crossed into gaza from Israel and many workers from gaza going into israel for work
*Hostile*
*planes*
Not sure what a hostel nation would be like. Plenty of places to stay, I guess.