Great conversation! And I appreciate the responses to the comments from last week.
I can understand the hesitation of using the word 'genocide' as this is not the Holocaust. I am glad there is recognition of the extreme aggression taking place and speaking for me, that is enough. The world sees what is happening regardless of how we describe it.
Speaking on the power of words- we should also refrain from the "beheading of babies" and "rape of hostages" phrases as both of those claims have been retracted by Israeli and American officials/politicians.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia and racism will continue to be at the center of this conversation as this war unfortunately rages on. I do think some of the anger and frustration put on Pro-Palestinian individuals is misdirected. The vast majority want more of a 2-state solution and do not support elimination of Israel. On the other hand, the verbiage used by Netanyahu, Israel's politicians and military officials is a driving force of anitsemitism across the globe. They continue to use genocidal language in the name of a Jewish state, even misquoting and misusing the Torah. Combine that with the absolute despicable actions of the IDF that they video themselves and post on social media for us all to see (tik tok dancing on graves, kicking families in the West Bank out of their homes and eating their food while mocking them completely, and bragging about bombing UN schools while sitting in the rubble...the list goes on) and we can recognize why people attach these actions and words to all Jewish people, especially those who are supporters of Israel. I am not excusing antisemitism. We need to recognize where the feelings are coming from so, we can address, correct and find positive ways to move forward.
I so appreciate both of you and this discussion. And Jason: idolatry may be an old-fashioned world but it is indeed an ongoing challenge for each of us!
Great conversation! And I appreciate the responses to the comments from last week.
I can understand the hesitation of using the word 'genocide' as this is not the Holocaust. I am glad there is recognition of the extreme aggression taking place and speaking for me, that is enough. The world sees what is happening regardless of how we describe it.
Speaking on the power of words- we should also refrain from the "beheading of babies" and "rape of hostages" phrases as both of those claims have been retracted by Israeli and American officials/politicians.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia and racism will continue to be at the center of this conversation as this war unfortunately rages on. I do think some of the anger and frustration put on Pro-Palestinian individuals is misdirected. The vast majority want more of a 2-state solution and do not support elimination of Israel. On the other hand, the verbiage used by Netanyahu, Israel's politicians and military officials is a driving force of anitsemitism across the globe. They continue to use genocidal language in the name of a Jewish state, even misquoting and misusing the Torah. Combine that with the absolute despicable actions of the IDF that they video themselves and post on social media for us all to see (tik tok dancing on graves, kicking families in the West Bank out of their homes and eating their food while mocking them completely, and bragging about bombing UN schools while sitting in the rubble...the list goes on) and we can recognize why people attach these actions and words to all Jewish people, especially those who are supporters of Israel. I am not excusing antisemitism. We need to recognize where the feelings are coming from so, we can address, correct and find positive ways to move forward.
I so appreciate both of you and this discussion. And Jason: idolatry may be an old-fashioned world but it is indeed an ongoing challenge for each of us!
Thank you Jason and Rabbi Edelheit! This is a marvelous conversation to be let in on. Thank you for this opportunity.