Total number of comments: 10 (since 2011-03-28 12:01:59)
rjcrawford33
I am a freelance writer living in the French Alps. I write about business for the most part (CSR, design, innovation). Though I long thought of myself as a moderate conservative, I find that the debate in the US has moved so far to the right that I am beginning to think that I am on the left.
Eloquently written, but from my anecdotal observation, I do not think it is true in any demographically measurable sense.
The sad truth is that dialogue beyond an exceedingly restricted range - i.e. the premise that Israel and Zionism CANNOT BE IN THE WRONG - is impossible. That means that the only possible avenue in the long term is violent and complete destruction, a path that Israel itself has created.
There is no doubt that Israel is headed from self-destruction. It is a sad fact. But look at the US and its right wing nut cases. Could be the same there.
Charon, you're spot on.
I disagree with you longlive, but am glad to see a dissenting voice here ready for debate.
Despite Mohammed Suliman's despair, I enjoyed his irony.
While I agree with RObert, I wish there were more critical voices of his view here. It seems that this blog is preaching to the convinced, not dialoguing.
It is a peculiar mix of corruption and indoctrination.
While recently in Israel, I was struck by the incredible amount of young Americans there, most of whom I would assume are Jewish. You hear them around Jerusalem, meet them while climbing Masada's Snake Trail, and find yourself sitting next to them on Tel Aviv beaches. To a one, and I talked to many of them, they count themselves as bi-national, a potent mix of religious belief, nationalism, and militarism. This too is indoctrination. In Jerusalem, there were scores of young Americans selling t-shirts to "thank the Israeli Army".
I was recently in Israel for the first time. This is a depressing and realistic assessment, in my view. The Israelis will not negotiate while they are in a position of strength, but will have far fewer options when they no longer are.
It is a sad psychological fact that we often treat others the way we were treated. That is what has happened in Israel with these people: you see the protestor ignore the most pertinent question, i.e. that the Jews were ejected from pre-WWII Europe for the same reasons.
In becoming a state for the rejected and unincluded, Israel has created its own diaspora of the rejected and unincluded.
The anti-semitism charge is a way to stop debate, hence change. I agree that it must be given up to advance peaceful solutions, but even my good friends - Jewish supporters of Israel - refuse to listen to any criticism whatsoever about Israel's policies and conduct. Truly, the dialogue is stalled.