(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Yesterday I heard my normally pacifist rabbi say this is a time for war... and I have family there [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-15 Alright, I think we all agree that Hamas executed a heinous terrorist attack and reveled in killing civilians, and most of us are appropriately disgusted by that. But then, sorting through implications past and future, and hearing my rabbi quote from Ecclesiastes that there is a time for peace but not now: I drop into a swirl of mixed emotions. At what price does Israel respond, especially with many innocent Palestinian civilians in harms way, not to mention Israelis. My rabbi acknowledges this, yet repeats : this is a time for war. I’m a left leaning Jew with family in southern Israel, including those in towns and kibbutzim in harms way during this attack. My 75 year old cousin jumped to the front lines as a medic scarcely realizing that skirmishes and killings were still going on nearby as he tended wounded and dead. His children in their 30s barely escaping while his wife was trying to keep account in nearby Kibbutz Urim which was miraculously missed (although later that day the army arrested several terrorists at their doorstep along with their weapons cache). His youngest son was supposed to be at the rave but had to stay home to take care of a dog. Yes, that mutt likely saved his life. So the family survived but they’ve lost friends for sure, and now most have relocated to other relatives and friends in central Israel. This family is staunchly on the left, no fans of Trump or Netanyahu, realize that the status quo including settlements only enflames the situation, but remain clear that no matter what — Hamas has to go. Did Israel with its many far right policies somehow “deserve” this? Or has HAMAS has used the current tensions as an excuse to do what they are bound to do simply because Israel exists? My rabbi reminded us: — Hamas is dedicated by charter to the destruction of all Israelis, all of Israel, regardless of circumstances (2 state solution or not). It is a joy and honor to kill any Israeli (civilian or not) simply because no Jew belongs in the middle east, period. THESE ARE NOT PARTISAN FREEDOM FIGHTERS, they are terrorists. They do not want to negotiate a two state cooperative solution; they only want a Palestinian state where they rule and there is no Israel. ---Israel is at war with Hamas, not all Palestinians. (and yes, innocent Palestinians are stuck in between.) Biden is clear about that as well. — Hamas rules Gaza as a dictatorship. After being “elected” in 2005-6 , they went to gangster-style war with Fatah (yes, killing each other) rather than share power. They’ve prevented any elections since. They control the info reaching Gaza citizens of course, which means they provoke a response from Israel, embed themselves among Gaza citizens and then point to Israel as “having started” it. They welcome Gazan casualties that they can display as victims of Israeli aggression. -— But didn’t Israel cause Gaza to be a “prison-like” encampment? Israel originally gave Gaza their own self directed autonomy, including allowing Gazans to work in Israel and go back and forth. And Israel took on supplying power, water, etc… In short, the more Hamas provoked Israeli responses with Rocket attacks and incursions, the more Gaza is cut off and the more Hamas secures their own power and yes, can manipulate left leaning media (which I watch, yes) into portraying themselves and Gazans as only victims of Israeli aggression. And they are victims, but of Hamas as well. Which then leads to a strengthening of Israeli parties on the right ( “they all just want to kill us”) and one far right side feeds the other, I know. BUT NOW: what do you do when you know it’s time to shut down Hamas, and they are embedded within the civilian population? IT’s a terrible mess no matter what. RIght now Hamas needs to be shut down. With as little collateral damage to Palestinian civilians, which I know is a pipe dream...But at least Israel is giving some warning, and Blinken is trying to helf and and it’ll never be enough... So, I am also clear that while Israel has had too many provocative policies (settlements in the West Bank, relocations, roughing up civilian families, the current ultra-right government) -nothing excuses the purposeful and celebrated murder of unarmed civilians. Just as nothing justified the attacks of 9/11 on us either. I am not falling for the line: Oh, but if Israel were more cooperative then no one would sign up for these terrorist groups…These terror gangs are a subculture all their own, regardless. There is so much more to say and sort out, and yes, Israeli policies of late have not helped. But my fellow lefties, while you and I hurt for the innocents (Arab and Jew) in harms way, please don’t get into embracing these rats and fleas. You might not wave the flag for Israel and what it has to do; but don’t be lured into bed with terrorists either. So my rabbi concludes: today is for war to eliminate Hamas, so that tomorrow the diplomats can move back in and bring us all to a better place. 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