Hamas/Israeli Protests

What Hamas did in Israel is horrid. 1200 deaths. Hundreds of abductions. What Israel did in response was horrid. Many thousands have died. Many more thousands are homeless, without proper medical care, little food, and families torn apart by death and injury.  

Talking about the discrepancies in the first paragraph is about discussion, protesting, advocating and governance. The conversation, whether a wordy, academic discussion, or a thwarty foreign relations gambit, or a protest, is still a needed exchange of ideas. It is speech. It needs to be offered freely and heard as such. The format alone of the speech does not control the content.   

We all need to understand the messaging being shared. Hamas is wrong. The circumstances of the Palestinians are wrong. The attacks and threats in Israel is wrong. Israel’s management of the issues before and present, are wrong and often the cause of unsettled moments like the current situation. Both parties – Israel and Hamas – can do much to advance the issues toward a peaceful solution, or just the opposite. The latter is the status today. And has been the status for 75 years. Hideous reality. Also, hideous that both parties are responsible for this outcome. A much better outcome is possible if they both invest in the necessary work to achieve it. It will not come about without that investment. The United States cannot make it happen. It is not ours to do. Nor Russia’s, China’s, Iran, Iraq or Saudi Arabia. The Middle East is its own concern. It happens to affect the wellbeing of the entire global community. Sad but true. That is why so many have made voices in this matter.   

Being for or against any position does not mean you are being anti-Palestinian, anti-Israel, antisemitic, or anti-Islam. It doesn’t. Everyone who believes otherwise is anti-truth and anti-free speech. It is time we made this clear.   Identify the issue. Discuss it. Hear it. Work it. Solve the problem. Stop the political manipulation of antisemitism and free speech.  

Netanyahu is making the claim that protesting Israel's actions is antisemitism. That is pure nonsense. However, he is not speaking to the global community. Rather, he is speaking to his own political base. It works for him nationally. Globally, it should not stand a chance.

May 8, 2024

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