If we're going to oversimplify, we can also point out that Bob's ancestors not only settled the land, they build the building, the community and the culture, for which they were despised by a series of invaders and from which they were repeatedly expelled. Because one takes back what is theirs, it doesn't mean they aren't entitled to it.
I detest many of the things the state of Israel does -- the settlements, bombing/invading Lebanon, evictions -- but please remember they do it with the complete backing of the United States government and under the glaring, often murderous hatred of their nearest neighbors. You might be right, Israel shouldn't be there, perhaps it should have been destroyed long ago. The only reason it exists is because the people who live there know the world does not run on love and continue to fight very hard for it to be there. So in effect, if you are against the state of Israel's existence, I think you are, in fact, against its people. Put the shoe on the other foot, how do you feel when haters want to see the United States removed in some way from the world? Is that not not aimed at the people of the United States? Irregardless of our politics or ethics?
As far as peace in the Middle East including Israel goes, now that the United States has gone sane again, perhaps our government can pick up where Bill Clinton left off. It wasn't a great start and Rabin's assassination was a huge setback, but at least the effort was in the right direction. The last eight years have done a terrific amount of damage in the Middle East. It will take a while to undo, but now that our President isn't fighting Gog and Magog in Iraq any longer, perhaps sense and sanity can return to the U.S.'s Middle East policies. You want to do something for the Palestinians, start writing to your Congresspeople and Senators about what your tax dollars are paying for. Doctor Without Borders are also working with the Palestinian Territories. Wishing Israel away does less good for the Palestinians than sending a letter to D.C. or a check to DWB.
And, lastly, about the Jews existing: the state of Israel was founded because modern Jews realized that without a nation state, another Holocaust was and is inevitable. I believe this is true.
I'm pulling you off my friends list, Jenny, because I can't bear to see things like this. I'm sure you understand.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-08-08 06:47 am (UTC)I detest many of the things the state of Israel does -- the settlements, bombing/invading Lebanon, evictions -- but please remember they do it with the complete backing of the United States government and under the glaring, often murderous hatred of their nearest neighbors. You might be right, Israel shouldn't be there, perhaps it should have been destroyed long ago. The only reason it exists is because the people who live there know the world does not run on love and continue to fight very hard for it to be there. So in effect, if you are against the state of Israel's existence, I think you are, in fact, against its people. Put the shoe on the other foot, how do you feel when haters want to see the United States removed in some way from the world? Is that not not aimed at the people of the United States? Irregardless of our politics or ethics?
As far as peace in the Middle East including Israel goes, now that the United States has gone sane again, perhaps our government can pick up where Bill Clinton left off. It wasn't a great start and Rabin's assassination was a huge setback, but at least the effort was in the right direction. The last eight years have done a terrific amount of damage in the Middle East. It will take a while to undo, but now that our President isn't fighting Gog and Magog in Iraq any longer, perhaps sense and sanity can return to the U.S.'s Middle East policies. You want to do something for the Palestinians, start writing to your Congresspeople and Senators about what your tax dollars are paying for. Doctor Without Borders are also working with the Palestinian Territories. Wishing Israel away does less good for the Palestinians than sending a letter to D.C. or a check to DWB.
And, lastly, about the Jews existing: the state of Israel was founded because modern Jews realized that without a nation state, another Holocaust was and is inevitable. I believe this is true.
I'm pulling you off my friends list, Jenny, because I can't bear to see things like this. I'm sure you understand.