My very simple thoughts on the Gaza Strip conflict
On Facebook, friends post updates about the conflict. An equal number from both sides. I've received emails and seen articles from both sides' perspectives.
I'm a Jew. I'm sensitive to anything biting of anti-Semitism. I understand our history.
I'm highly liberal. Many comrades see this as colonization. The casualities are unequal, etc.
As I see it:
There are too many thousands of people involved in the decision making on both sides to presume singular motivations or singular righteousness.
I am certain there are Israelis who are in it to defend themselves, who feel they are oppressed, who are in it to take a stand against anti-Semitism, to overthrow what they see as terrorist organizations.
I am certain there are Israelis who are racist against Palestinians, who desire expansion, who want to show their might.
I am certain there are Palestinians who are in it to defend themselves, who feel they are oppressed, who are in it to take a stand against unfair policies, to overthrow what they see as a colonizing government.
I am certain there are Palestinians who are anti-Semitic, who desire the annihilation of the Jewish state, who want to show their might.
I am certain there are people on both sides who want none of any of this. I am certain there were people who were neutral on both sides but were killed; and also those who had loved ones killed and then changed became non-neutral.
I am certain both sides have committed atrocities, intentionally or no.
I am certain that it is very rare that there is a war that does not go like this. Rarely does one side not believe that they have a right to what is being disputed.
I think the UK, and France, and Japan, and Brazil and Argentina and Mexico and New Zealand and even China and Russia and Kazakhstan - and it should be noted, EGYPT - have the right idea, calling for the halt of hostilities for both sides. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_reaction_to_the_2008%E2%80%932009_Israel%E2%80%93Gaza_conflict.png)
I don't care which side is right, or if either side is right, or if "right" exists. It might just be the way I look at the world, the outlook I try to cultivate as a writer. Call it relativism, or humanism, or pacifism. But regardless of outcome, I denounce the whole thing.
I'm a Jew. I'm sensitive to anything biting of anti-Semitism. I understand our history.
I'm highly liberal. Many comrades see this as colonization. The casualities are unequal, etc.
As I see it:
There are too many thousands of people involved in the decision making on both sides to presume singular motivations or singular righteousness.
I am certain there are Israelis who are in it to defend themselves, who feel they are oppressed, who are in it to take a stand against anti-Semitism, to overthrow what they see as terrorist organizations.
I am certain there are Israelis who are racist against Palestinians, who desire expansion, who want to show their might.
I am certain there are Palestinians who are in it to defend themselves, who feel they are oppressed, who are in it to take a stand against unfair policies, to overthrow what they see as a colonizing government.
I am certain there are Palestinians who are anti-Semitic, who desire the annihilation of the Jewish state, who want to show their might.
I am certain there are people on both sides who want none of any of this. I am certain there were people who were neutral on both sides but were killed; and also those who had loved ones killed and then changed became non-neutral.
I am certain both sides have committed atrocities, intentionally or no.
I am certain that it is very rare that there is a war that does not go like this. Rarely does one side not believe that they have a right to what is being disputed.
I think the UK, and France, and Japan, and Brazil and Argentina and Mexico and New Zealand and even China and Russia and Kazakhstan - and it should be noted, EGYPT - have the right idea, calling for the halt of hostilities for both sides. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_reaction_to_the_2008%E2%80%932009_Israel%E2%80%93Gaza_conflict.png)
I don't care which side is right, or if either side is right, or if "right" exists. It might just be the way I look at the world, the outlook I try to cultivate as a writer. Call it relativism, or humanism, or pacifism. But regardless of outcome, I denounce the whole thing.