you are right on as usual. too often israel and the palestinians have been used as political pawns by our country and our politicians and other nations. this must stop. and a comment the recent trumpian orchestrated alive fest with israel and some arab countries if examined closely dripped with $ and down right criminal fraud and did not last and will not help. some how a world wide gathering and i mean every country must be applied with teeth not playing sides but calling spades spades must be applied to this situation with determined management and scrutiny for many years not to be influenced by $ here or there. but......,,,...do we and the rest of the world have the guts and fortitude to make it happen ........ a question for humanity to decide. but the usa playing policeman and political football is not the answer. thank you for listening. wlb
America must get its own act together before America can even hope to begin to set policy and back it up with action in the Middle East. And at this day and time, America has NOT got its own political affairs in order. Quite the opposite. A fascist Republican Party must be confronted effectively first. All else is the wringing of hands and the gnashing of teeth and the quoting of Bible passages heavily edited by evangelicals for their own purposes.. When Trump is behind bars, a new tomorrow will have dawned. That is a long way off. I hope the Justice Department remains steady and effective in its pursuit of crimes criminal/civil perpetrated over the last four years.
I asked God for this Miracle on behalf of the Vatican. They ignored it. Then I warned them about the subsequent destruction of Venice, COVID in Lombardy, and more. When a Catholic Entity in NYC blocked me, God sent them COVID from Lombardy three days later. Quit blaming China. God sent COVID with the lightening strike. He knew America could not be trusted to do the right thing. Were it not for COVID, the Enemies of Democracy would be in charge now. Our Union would be lost. This Miracle is called "God's Protection for Those Who Seek It." Within sits the Archangel Michael. I am the Messiah. 😇
God is advocating for the Palestinians. Israel has been Judged. Jerusalem belongs to The Tribe of Benjamin. Papa Frankie is well aware that he, too has been Judged. We are in the midst of God's Judgement Day. These are the facts. It all must stop now. There is no more time. These are the facts as dictated to me by God. He already told me three times that I can abandon my mission. We are on the same page when it comes to the Futility of Man. There is no way I can fail, but all of you can. I am the Messiah.😇
Isreal was given as a home after WW2 when very few other countries wanted them back. Land was taken from others without consent for that nee home, Israel. It didn't take long for conflicts that have been ongoing since with, IMHO, Israel being the constant aggressor but always trys to justify.
I support that every nation, people, religion, sex has the right to live as equals with equal rights.
However, Israel's past and on-going aggression has put me in the mind that they... Israel is a terrorist state.
I have always thought of the Israelis as "the good guys." I was just saying to my husband yesterday that the lines between the the good guys and the bad guys are not as well-defined as they once were. The original goals and beliefs of the Israelis were good, well-founded and basically just. Now it seems to have dissolved into a perpetual situation l has happened in Ireland, Africa and all around the world. This will solve nothing, and the previous administration was at playing with politics, not trying to help people. So, how can we help? We again need to find a way to help make peace in a very volatile place in the world. I did not know that Putin and China were getting in on the power plays, but am not surprised. Disturbed, but not surprised.
Brief, thoughtful background and comments, pointing out more than what many of us may have considered in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflicts over decades and Mideastern upheavals over centuries. I feel the frustration over this ugliness and hatred, and I question how our country will truly help guide leaders to end the death and violence so that peoples may live and prosper.
Oooh boy Dan this one struck a nerve. Many of your thoughtful readers have taken a humanitarian lens to this post and I have nothing to add to their heartfelt pleas for humanity to condemn action like we are seeing right now. For me it struck a nerve for a different reason. First let me start by saying I wholeheartedly agree that they history of the Jewish people, including the atrocities they have suffered and the constant threat they live under, must be acknowledged in a meaningful way and not simply taken as a given as you correctly point out. This is not only true in the Middle East but also here in our country where Jewish people are still the subject of hate and bigotry. One only has to see images of some of the more offensive t-shirts during the January 6th insurrection to be reminded. [spoiler alert there is a big BUT...coming]. BUT it would be damn hard to argue that post WWII the US hasn't consistently shown our unwavering support for Israel, politically, monetarily and, unfortunately, militarily. I have for years, and I mean like 2 decades, debated friends and colleagues on the unspoken toll of this unwavering support, the Palestinian people. Years ago I had a passionate debate with a friend in a restaurant over lunch. This was post 911 but not by much. The case I was making was that to separate out our unwavering, unquestioning support for Israel from the hatred fomenting in the Middle East against the United States as somehow unrelated was at best naive and at worst demonizing an entire region as extremists. To be sure there are extremist elements but how do we justify honoring the history of the Jewish people and all they have suffered by allowing another group to suffer and be killed solely for existing? For wanting peace and the security of a home they can call their own and pride in their unique culture...for wanting the very things we have ardently and sometime blindly expressed in every way possible we support for Israel and the Jewish people? You are right it is complicated, there are layers upon layers and history to consider and despite winning my debate with my friend I don't have the answers. What I do have, and have had for more years than I care to think about, is a very heavy heart for the people you rightly say are always caught in the middle, the Palestinian people. I loudly echo your call for a new approach, one that respects and honors all life while also honoring history.
Thank you, again, Dan, for explaining the history and nuances of this current situation. With every new crisis or political situation it is easy to make snap judgements based on headlines and soundbites. Your thoughtful and insightful explanations help to understand the context and reasons for what is happening. Your writing helps me stay calm and 'steady' in this tumultuous world.
Dan, I agree whole-heartedly with the sentiments you express in this essay. Globally, we both individuals and countries must find ways and spaces to make peace with others. When civilians are the target of bombs and guns, it is time for both sides to take a step back to evaluate just what the goals are here. This is a complicated situation as you point out, but it seems to me that there must be a may for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace either together in one state or in separate ones. That must be a goal.
So many opinions on this thread. Who is right, who is wrong? What was offered, what was not? So many innocent lives continue to be lost in all the devastation. Stupid men who think they are powerful, continue to broker deals and make decisions that murder and oppress other human beings, while none of those stupid men are affected. Sickens me.
When will countries of men feel the death of an innocent child in thier hearts. Does death have to surround them with thier own children for them to stop and reflect? How many prayers will it take to end greed and jealousy.. I cant fanthom the amount of prayers to stop wars. I can only hang on to my hope and faith.
I truly appreciate your words. Words based on a life-time of experience and some hands on knowledge of this latest iteration of Israel, a state carved out of other countries and displacing the Palestinians, from their homeland. Israel, under it’s current fascist leader, is not a sympathetic actor. I remember when I was 12 years old watching the films of the liberation of the death camps. It was not not so long after the end of WW2; I could not understand how such horrific events transpired. Then 50 plus years later, I saw the same sort of wretchedness happening in the US. Please continue to share your words of wisdom.
you are right on as usual. too often israel and the palestinians have been used as political pawns by our country and our politicians and other nations. this must stop. and a comment the recent trumpian orchestrated alive fest with israel and some arab countries if examined closely dripped with $ and down right criminal fraud and did not last and will not help. some how a world wide gathering and i mean every country must be applied with teeth not playing sides but calling spades spades must be applied to this situation with determined management and scrutiny for many years not to be influenced by $ here or there. but......,,,...do we and the rest of the world have the guts and fortitude to make it happen ........ a question for humanity to decide. but the usa playing policeman and political football is not the answer. thank you for listening. wlb
Beautifully written
America must get its own act together before America can even hope to begin to set policy and back it up with action in the Middle East. And at this day and time, America has NOT got its own political affairs in order. Quite the opposite. A fascist Republican Party must be confronted effectively first. All else is the wringing of hands and the gnashing of teeth and the quoting of Bible passages heavily edited by evangelicals for their own purposes.. When Trump is behind bars, a new tomorrow will have dawned. That is a long way off. I hope the Justice Department remains steady and effective in its pursuit of crimes criminal/civil perpetrated over the last four years.
I asked God for this Miracle on behalf of the Vatican. They ignored it. Then I warned them about the subsequent destruction of Venice, COVID in Lombardy, and more. When a Catholic Entity in NYC blocked me, God sent them COVID from Lombardy three days later. Quit blaming China. God sent COVID with the lightening strike. He knew America could not be trusted to do the right thing. Were it not for COVID, the Enemies of Democracy would be in charge now. Our Union would be lost. This Miracle is called "God's Protection for Those Who Seek It." Within sits the Archangel Michael. I am the Messiah. 😇
https://images.app.goo.gl/9e2nbTnVa6HmtdMu5
God is advocating for the Palestinians. Israel has been Judged. Jerusalem belongs to The Tribe of Benjamin. Papa Frankie is well aware that he, too has been Judged. We are in the midst of God's Judgement Day. These are the facts. It all must stop now. There is no more time. These are the facts as dictated to me by God. He already told me three times that I can abandon my mission. We are on the same page when it comes to the Futility of Man. There is no way I can fail, but all of you can. I am the Messiah.😇
Isreal was given as a home after WW2 when very few other countries wanted them back. Land was taken from others without consent for that nee home, Israel. It didn't take long for conflicts that have been ongoing since with, IMHO, Israel being the constant aggressor but always trys to justify.
I support that every nation, people, religion, sex has the right to live as equals with equal rights.
However, Israel's past and on-going aggression has put me in the mind that they... Israel is a terrorist state.
I have always thought of the Israelis as "the good guys." I was just saying to my husband yesterday that the lines between the the good guys and the bad guys are not as well-defined as they once were. The original goals and beliefs of the Israelis were good, well-founded and basically just. Now it seems to have dissolved into a perpetual situation l has happened in Ireland, Africa and all around the world. This will solve nothing, and the previous administration was at playing with politics, not trying to help people. So, how can we help? We again need to find a way to help make peace in a very volatile place in the world. I did not know that Putin and China were getting in on the power plays, but am not surprised. Disturbed, but not surprised.
Brief, thoughtful background and comments, pointing out more than what many of us may have considered in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflicts over decades and Mideastern upheavals over centuries. I feel the frustration over this ugliness and hatred, and I question how our country will truly help guide leaders to end the death and violence so that peoples may live and prosper.
Something tells me that aides read this last night and it filtered up to Joe. I just wish someone on the "other" side would read it as well.
Oooh boy Dan this one struck a nerve. Many of your thoughtful readers have taken a humanitarian lens to this post and I have nothing to add to their heartfelt pleas for humanity to condemn action like we are seeing right now. For me it struck a nerve for a different reason. First let me start by saying I wholeheartedly agree that they history of the Jewish people, including the atrocities they have suffered and the constant threat they live under, must be acknowledged in a meaningful way and not simply taken as a given as you correctly point out. This is not only true in the Middle East but also here in our country where Jewish people are still the subject of hate and bigotry. One only has to see images of some of the more offensive t-shirts during the January 6th insurrection to be reminded. [spoiler alert there is a big BUT...coming]. BUT it would be damn hard to argue that post WWII the US hasn't consistently shown our unwavering support for Israel, politically, monetarily and, unfortunately, militarily. I have for years, and I mean like 2 decades, debated friends and colleagues on the unspoken toll of this unwavering support, the Palestinian people. Years ago I had a passionate debate with a friend in a restaurant over lunch. This was post 911 but not by much. The case I was making was that to separate out our unwavering, unquestioning support for Israel from the hatred fomenting in the Middle East against the United States as somehow unrelated was at best naive and at worst demonizing an entire region as extremists. To be sure there are extremist elements but how do we justify honoring the history of the Jewish people and all they have suffered by allowing another group to suffer and be killed solely for existing? For wanting peace and the security of a home they can call their own and pride in their unique culture...for wanting the very things we have ardently and sometime blindly expressed in every way possible we support for Israel and the Jewish people? You are right it is complicated, there are layers upon layers and history to consider and despite winning my debate with my friend I don't have the answers. What I do have, and have had for more years than I care to think about, is a very heavy heart for the people you rightly say are always caught in the middle, the Palestinian people. I loudly echo your call for a new approach, one that respects and honors all life while also honoring history.
Thank you, again, Dan, for explaining the history and nuances of this current situation. With every new crisis or political situation it is easy to make snap judgements based on headlines and soundbites. Your thoughtful and insightful explanations help to understand the context and reasons for what is happening. Your writing helps me stay calm and 'steady' in this tumultuous world.
Dan, I agree whole-heartedly with the sentiments you express in this essay. Globally, we both individuals and countries must find ways and spaces to make peace with others. When civilians are the target of bombs and guns, it is time for both sides to take a step back to evaluate just what the goals are here. This is a complicated situation as you point out, but it seems to me that there must be a may for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace either together in one state or in separate ones. That must be a goal.
So many opinions on this thread. Who is right, who is wrong? What was offered, what was not? So many innocent lives continue to be lost in all the devastation. Stupid men who think they are powerful, continue to broker deals and make decisions that murder and oppress other human beings, while none of those stupid men are affected. Sickens me.
When will countries of men feel the death of an innocent child in thier hearts. Does death have to surround them with thier own children for them to stop and reflect? How many prayers will it take to end greed and jealousy.. I cant fanthom the amount of prayers to stop wars. I can only hang on to my hope and faith.
Amen to every word, Dan!
Amen.
I truly appreciate your words. Words based on a life-time of experience and some hands on knowledge of this latest iteration of Israel, a state carved out of other countries and displacing the Palestinians, from their homeland. Israel, under it’s current fascist leader, is not a sympathetic actor. I remember when I was 12 years old watching the films of the liberation of the death camps. It was not not so long after the end of WW2; I could not understand how such horrific events transpired. Then 50 plus years later, I saw the same sort of wretchedness happening in the US. Please continue to share your words of wisdom.