To be clear

Post Reply New Topic

anti-Zionism is the belief that the Jewish state shouldn't exist. Simply by that definition, it is inherently antisemitic.

Anti-Zionism isn't "criticism of Israel". Defending anti-Zionism on that basis is unfounded. You are entitled to your beliefs but please own your prejudices.

I don't know details of IDF battle plans, however I don't believe the IDF conducts missions into Gaza with the sole purpose of killing as many civilians as possible.

To be clear, I happen to hold the following opinions regarding the situation in the Middle East.

Hamas wanted the war in Gaza to happen. They attacked Israel on 7 October with the intent of starting that war. Having said that, I believe Binyamin Netanyahu shares some of the blame, but I'm not going to focus on that aspect of the situation.

Hamas leaders don't privately regret the loss of Palestinian life and general suffering in Gaza. To them, the dead are martyrs who contribute to their long-term goal which is annihilation of Israel.

I don't know details of IDF battle plans, however I don't believe the IDF conducts missions into Gaza with the sole purpose of killing as many civilians as possible. They are actually fighting Hamas, however the war is never reported that way except possibly in blatantly pro-Israel news media. Instead, it is being reported as equivalent to the genocide in Rwanda. I think the characterization of the war as a program of genocide is deceitful and misleading. I don't hold Israel responsible for genocide of any sort and any sort of argument predicated on the "fact" of genocide in Gaza is based on an unfounded supposition. Having sad that, I think the war is awful and I accept the premise that civilian deaths and suffering could be lessened. But if that's the case, I would blame Netanyahu and his clique rather than blame Israel as a nation or Zionism as a "philosophy".

anti-Zionism is the belief that the Jewish state shouldn't exist. Simply by that definition, it is inherently antisemitic.

Anti-Zionism isn't "criticism of Israel". Defending anti-Zionism on that basis is unfounded. You are entitled to your beliefs but please own your prejudices.

Iran has a decades-long animosity towards Israel. Setting aside their reasons, it is clear that Iran is actively supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and without that support, those two organizations wouldn't have the limitless resources on which they continue to draw to wage war on Israel. So Iran does have a lot of responsibility for the bloodshed.

I am expressing these views. I won't attempt point-by-point rebuttals of others' views. I'm not going to be able to change anyone else's opinion.

There's something deeply ironic about useful idiots for Israel criticizing anyone on the basis of being useful idiots of the pro-Palestinian movement.

My brother in Christ, please look at yourself in the mirror and develop some self-awareness before you embarrass yourself like that.

I for one believe that it's possible to be disgusted by disgusting acts committed on both sides. However, Israel is in a much stronger position to end the conflict by permitting the people of the occupied areas to have the basic necessities to conduct their lives without fear of settlers coming in and stealing their land.

That would awefully nice of them.. to permit them to go back home . To whose Land ..??

I for one believe that it's possible to be disgusted by disgusting acts committed on both sides. However, Israel is in a much stronger position to end the conflict by permitting the people of the occupied areas to have the basic necessities to conduct their lives without fear of settlers coming in and stealing their land.

I agree that it's possible to be disgusted by actions on both sides.

I also agree with your however.

I'd also say it's unfair to compare people defending themselves from being abused with the abuser, especially when the abuser has a large network of flying monkeys who run cover whenever they're engaged in abuse and when their abuse is heavily subsidized by those same flying monkeys.

anti-Zionism is the belief that the Jewish state shouldn't exist. Simply by that definition, it is inherently antisemitic.