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Are Liberal Jews like me now in no-man's land? Do the Michael Moore's really wanna put us there? [1]

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Date: 2023-10-19  

To oversimplify the dilemma:

Much of The non-Jewish right wing and their MAGA ilk have no problem “supporting” Israel (sure, let Israel fire-fight the Gazans- Hamas and civilians because they’re all Muslims), but are themselves also in bed with White Supremacists (um, no fans of Jews).

Much of the non-Jewish left wing are just fine with embracing Jews here at home and even welcome our support on local civil rights issues like BLM, rights for immigrants,etc… But Israel should burn and suffer for the middle east strife which is ALL THEIR FAULT. Even this latest Hamas attack - all brought on by themselves.

I used to be a huge supporter of Michael Moore, a great champion of the liberal Democracy and Anti Trump contingent. Bless him for that. But even as he recognizes the brutal Hamas act as terrorism, he cynically has the entire conflict pegged with knee-jerk oversimplifications that indirectly puts most of the blame on Israel — and even characterized Israelis as being unable to get over the holocaust and so taking it out on the Arabs. Even if that’s a bit in the background, it’s unfair as a snap over-arching judgement that ignores so much else. I feel personally hurt by that.

I believe in the BLM cause and have taken part in rallies, marches in support of my black brethren (and sisters) and was heartened to see so many of us Jews stand in support during the Floyd summer. Now I feel shocked at the snap statements of BLMer’s who are so quick to place all blame on Israel-the-oppressor.

I totally understand and agree that Palestinian civilians have had a super rough deal at the hands of Israel’s hard right policies — especially the continuing expansion of settlements on West Bank Land. But non Jews must also understand that Palestinian leadership from Arafat to Hamas, have also used civilians (their own) as pawn and victims, and who have willingly provoked Israel into further isolating measures. They’ve played the media by committing terrorist attacks and then hiding behind their own civilians as shields, while getting Western left sympathy all the while.

We all must clear the low bar of condemning the terror and purposeful murder of the Hamas attack. Period. There is never and excuse and no one should ever say that with a “but Israel.” NO! Not justified, not even a little. Please. Just Stop it. Especially BLMer’s I have supported.

{ I know about the “but Israel commits genocide in their bombings” reaction, but not quite the same and not the purpose of the attacks. That’s a big one to unpack and remember, many of these are due to Hamas as well.}

Second: We all must clear the next bar of wanting peace and security for ALL civilians of the region, Israeli and Arab. It is not acceptable to me , who even has family in Israel, that this conflict resolve with more security for Israelis but leave Gazans in the same fix. NO! We must extricate Hamas, (and hopefully replace the Netanyahu coalition) but not stop there until non violent civilian Palestinians also have more dignity , more security. Getting there is going to be a mess, for sure. But we need to say it.

FINALLY: We must admit: From our armchairs in the West: NONE OF US GETS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL THE NUANCES OF THE MIDDLE EAST conflict. Not me either. Those who say:

“Oh yeah, I get it, these are the good guys , these are the bad guys, it’s that simple” are full of it. We may just have to say: we condemn the terrorism and must get to a more peaceful agreement for all — and yes, I don’t get all the pieces here — because we do not. Different cultures, many layers, a messy history on all accounts.

And by the way, I’m proud of Biden’s actions, both his support of Israel’s right to pursue Hamas while fighting for aid for Gazans. Kudos, Joe.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/19/2200448/-Are-Liberal-Jews-like-me-now-in-no-man-s-land-Do-the-Michael-Moore-s-really-wanna-put-us-there?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web

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