It's true that the Middle East on one hand is set for prosperity, and it will be a wonderful day when that happens. But on the other hand, there is so much racism and destructive potential that leads to events such as we saw on October 7th. I am very afraid that this war will turn to other fronts, the situation is very fragile and incredibly complex, and everything that happens here (I am in Israel), seems to affect the entire world.
Thank you so much for reading my essay. I hope you and your family are well. I am sorry for what is happening.
The destructive potential, the death drive as I understand it, is what the world must unite to confront. Israel is first in line and has no choice but to engage this death drive at all times.
Like I've said in another comment, I do have faith in leadership around the world at the moment. If anything, they are aware of how ugly and destructive this could get - and how fast (an extinction level event). Nobody wants war. (It is unfortunate that Israel has no choice but!) We have a lot to thank Jared Kushner and the Trump administration for: the UAE and Bahrain are strong allies of Israel today and have the influence and resources to stop this from becoming a global war.
Yea not getting too much into politics I’m starting to understand that the Trump administration did some good things in the Middle East. I started reading “Enemies and Allies” by Joel C. Rosenber (had to put down a Stephen K. Novel, just can’t focus on anything apart from the war situation) - and it sheds some light on the positive influence of Trump’s admin on the Middle East. It also sheds light on Bibi, who is the number one most controversial figure in Israel. But for now it’s interesting at least. And I always try to be aware that my thoughts is a consequence of the thin line of information I consume.
Anyways. Thank you. Your support means so much to us at this time 💙
Thank you for highlighting this essay; earlier today I read of citizen journalising which, regardless of perspectives, demonstrates a willingness to literally converse. Global communities of folk who choose life over premature death have more to offer universally which should be celebrated. arrived here via XP Callahan & am better for it.
Hi Zaitoon, welcome back to posting. It seems at least one of the purposes of the Hamas attack was to stop the Israel/Saudi normalization initiative, which has since been put on pause. It looks to me like the war is set to expand to include Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, with the U.S. getting involved. I hope this is not the case, but that's where things are looking at the moment, I think...
Thank you. This situation has made me realize why it is important to write.
Stalling the Abraham Accords was absolutely the prime motive behind the most recent attack. Hamas knows they cannot win, it was nothing but a suicide pact and a provocation.
I do have some faith in leadership at the moment. The most important thing Biden has done is ask Netanyahu what his exit strategy is.
Hopefully Kushner and Trump's efforts save us in the end before it is too late. The region is a lot friendlier and sympathetic to Israel than five years ago. I am worried by China's response, however. They seem to be picking a side for no reason.
The 3000 year war, with no end in sight. It will continue long after Hamas. How awfully short are memories for everyone to point at Hamas, as if this started with them, and will end when their governance ends, along with the lives of so many Palestinians.
I disagree on how this has been framed between progress v hate. Hamas is evil but why is Israel not viewed in the same light? Here's a quote by Netanyahu : 'The weak crumble, are slaughtered and are erased from history while the strong, for good or for ill, survive. The strong are respected, and alliances are made with the strong, and in the end peace is made with the strong.'
Palestinians are being erased by hatred as well which surely contributes to the cycle. 200 Palestinians were killed by settlers this year in the West Bank. 400 kids in Gaza dead in the past week, their blood is worth much less to the western world. Morality and progress of humanity are not the same thing.
And there's a whole another argument about Israel's 'civilised state and law and order.' Ethnic cleansing by Israel is another evil which cannot be dismissed.
This is exactly my problem, of course they're comparable! Because Israel the state can flatten neighbourhoods with air strikes, killing thousands of innocents, it is somehow not classed as terrorism. If you kill innocents, by blowing up buildings via air strikes or by shooting up a rave, it is evil. Nothing civilised about how Israel the state or Hamas controlled Gaza have conducted themselves.
It is impossible to have a constructive conversation with someone hell bent on hating Israel enough to be blind to reality. Even as of now, Israel's response has been measured. They have gone above and beyond to get innocent civilians in Gaza to safety.
Again, this post is about building together. If you refuse to see that Israel and the Muslim world at large has a common enemy, I cannot help you see it.
I admire Israel's progress. The state has excelled in business, science & technology and foreign relations. Makes Pakistan look like a shvthole which achieved independence around the same time. Nonetheless, I find the conduct of Israel towards Palestinians over several decades reprehensible.
Have a read of this. Things are not black and white. If anything Israel and Hamas have many things in common. Love for their holy land, strong sense of ethnicity/identity and desire for ethnic cleansing. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-was-hamas-thinking
I don't believe ethnic cleansing is anywhere on Israel's agenda: 1. they are infinitely powerful compared to their neighbors, 2. they have a thriving Muslim population.
After they eliminate Hamas, then what? One state solution ain't happening because they don't want Arab majority, 2 state solution is impossible because of geography and settlements (ethnic cleansing happening over decades). The third solution is the status quo: keep Palestinians as second class citizens without rights and a state...which as you can see has been the primary driver of hatred.
Beautifully written and morally necessary piece of writing. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for reading. Praying for peace.
Great Essay!
It's true that the Middle East on one hand is set for prosperity, and it will be a wonderful day when that happens. But on the other hand, there is so much racism and destructive potential that leads to events such as we saw on October 7th. I am very afraid that this war will turn to other fronts, the situation is very fragile and incredibly complex, and everything that happens here (I am in Israel), seems to affect the entire world.
Thank you so much for reading my essay. I hope you and your family are well. I am sorry for what is happening.
The destructive potential, the death drive as I understand it, is what the world must unite to confront. Israel is first in line and has no choice but to engage this death drive at all times.
Like I've said in another comment, I do have faith in leadership around the world at the moment. If anything, they are aware of how ugly and destructive this could get - and how fast (an extinction level event). Nobody wants war. (It is unfortunate that Israel has no choice but!) We have a lot to thank Jared Kushner and the Trump administration for: the UAE and Bahrain are strong allies of Israel today and have the influence and resources to stop this from becoming a global war.
Yea not getting too much into politics I’m starting to understand that the Trump administration did some good things in the Middle East. I started reading “Enemies and Allies” by Joel C. Rosenber (had to put down a Stephen K. Novel, just can’t focus on anything apart from the war situation) - and it sheds some light on the positive influence of Trump’s admin on the Middle East. It also sheds light on Bibi, who is the number one most controversial figure in Israel. But for now it’s interesting at least. And I always try to be aware that my thoughts is a consequence of the thin line of information I consume.
Anyways. Thank you. Your support means so much to us at this time 💙
Would love to hear more of your and other local opinions on Netanyahu. Stay safe.
Thank you for highlighting this essay; earlier today I read of citizen journalising which, regardless of perspectives, demonstrates a willingness to literally converse. Global communities of folk who choose life over premature death have more to offer universally which should be celebrated. arrived here via XP Callahan & am better for it.
thank you for reading. Your comment is full of wisdom, appreciate it.
Hi Zaitoon, welcome back to posting. It seems at least one of the purposes of the Hamas attack was to stop the Israel/Saudi normalization initiative, which has since been put on pause. It looks to me like the war is set to expand to include Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, with the U.S. getting involved. I hope this is not the case, but that's where things are looking at the moment, I think...
Thank you. This situation has made me realize why it is important to write.
Stalling the Abraham Accords was absolutely the prime motive behind the most recent attack. Hamas knows they cannot win, it was nothing but a suicide pact and a provocation.
I do have some faith in leadership at the moment. The most important thing Biden has done is ask Netanyahu what his exit strategy is.
Hopefully Kushner and Trump's efforts save us in the end before it is too late. The region is a lot friendlier and sympathetic to Israel than five years ago. I am worried by China's response, however. They seem to be picking a side for no reason.
The 3000 year war, with no end in sight. It will continue long after Hamas. How awfully short are memories for everyone to point at Hamas, as if this started with them, and will end when their governance ends, along with the lives of so many Palestinians.
I disagree on how this has been framed between progress v hate. Hamas is evil but why is Israel not viewed in the same light? Here's a quote by Netanyahu : 'The weak crumble, are slaughtered and are erased from history while the strong, for good or for ill, survive. The strong are respected, and alliances are made with the strong, and in the end peace is made with the strong.'
Palestinians are being erased by hatred as well which surely contributes to the cycle. 200 Palestinians were killed by settlers this year in the West Bank. 400 kids in Gaza dead in the past week, their blood is worth much less to the western world. Morality and progress of humanity are not the same thing.
Hamas and Israel are incomparable. One is a terrorist outfit, the other is a civilized state with law and order.
This post is about building together. I don't see what the point of the rest of your comment is.
And there's a whole another argument about Israel's 'civilised state and law and order.' Ethnic cleansing by Israel is another evil which cannot be dismissed.
This is exactly my problem, of course they're comparable! Because Israel the state can flatten neighbourhoods with air strikes, killing thousands of innocents, it is somehow not classed as terrorism. If you kill innocents, by blowing up buildings via air strikes or by shooting up a rave, it is evil. Nothing civilised about how Israel the state or Hamas controlled Gaza have conducted themselves.
It is impossible to have a constructive conversation with someone hell bent on hating Israel enough to be blind to reality. Even as of now, Israel's response has been measured. They have gone above and beyond to get innocent civilians in Gaza to safety.
Again, this post is about building together. If you refuse to see that Israel and the Muslim world at large has a common enemy, I cannot help you see it.
I admire Israel's progress. The state has excelled in business, science & technology and foreign relations. Makes Pakistan look like a shvthole which achieved independence around the same time. Nonetheless, I find the conduct of Israel towards Palestinians over several decades reprehensible.
Have a read of this. Things are not black and white. If anything Israel and Hamas have many things in common. Love for their holy land, strong sense of ethnicity/identity and desire for ethnic cleansing. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-was-hamas-thinking
thanks for the link.
I don't believe ethnic cleansing is anywhere on Israel's agenda: 1. they are infinitely powerful compared to their neighbors, 2. they have a thriving Muslim population.
After they eliminate Hamas, then what? One state solution ain't happening because they don't want Arab majority, 2 state solution is impossible because of geography and settlements (ethnic cleansing happening over decades). The third solution is the status quo: keep Palestinians as second class citizens without rights and a state...which as you can see has been the primary driver of hatred.