#796 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Wednesday November 15)
Good morning,
A little on Gaza and a little potpourri today…
EXISTENTIAL THREATS AND GENOCIDE
What is happening in Gaza is heartbreaking. As in the case of most wars, civilians are in harm’s way and are being killed. We use euphemisms like “collateral damage” because they are easier to process than “death” and “lives snuffed out.” I don’t want to debate the efficacy of fighting a battle in urban areas with heightened civilian casualties or whether Israel’s response to the Hamas massacres might be excessive. I’m more concerned today with the cavalier use of the term “genocide.”
Those protesting Israeli actions in Gaza throw around the word “genocide” as if it is Israeli government policy. Israel is not in the business of eradicating the Palestinian people. As much as the indignities of the checkpoints and the inability/unwillingness to resolve the conflict have existed for some 60 years, there was more than enough time for Israel to practice genocide if it chose to do so. They did not (though some settlers might be quite happy ethnically cleansing the West Bank).
Conversely, what Hamas did and what it purports is its mission can hardly be termed anything other than genocide. Certainly, the indiscriminate killing of civilians through the most horrific of attacks, while chanting “death to the Jews,” is genocidal in both its intent and its practice. And if one needs proof that the attacks in Israel were targeted murder, remember that a number of these “militants” filmed the carnage with cell phones and “Go Pro” cameras atop their helmets, calling their parents to boast of murders they committed. The reports from those who have seen these films share that they are more vile and brutal than can be reported with mere words. Hamas promised more of these attacks. They should be taken at their word.
INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN HARM’S WAY
As for the destruction of schools and hospitals in Gaza, such tragedies are an unfortunate byproduct of war. That said, they are unacceptable and great pains should be taken to avoid such events. It is a moral conundrum, as Hamas has positioned itself behind these non-military sites, daring Israel to attack. After an explosion at a hospital several weeks ago, Hamas immediately claimed that this was an Israeli attack. It was not. But it doesn’t matter who bombed the hospital in Gaza. The Arab world and the most ardent Hamas sympathizers are impervious to the facts. The “narrative” is that Israel is indiscriminate in its destruction of Gaza and, regardless of the actual perpetrator of this disaster, it will be blamed for all civilian lives lost.
I am troubled by the killing of innocent Palestinians. Who is responsible? Is it Hamas responsible, which cynically stations Palestinian civilians as shields (in particular, al-Shifa Hospital, which sits over tunnels and caverns of Hamas activities)? Is it the Israeli military that is attacking Hamas facilities and, thereby, killing civilians responsible? Are both? There has to be a better way to go after Hamas.
ANTISEMITISM FOLLOWS
The war of public relations is being won by Hamas, threatening continued international support for Israel in freeing the hostages and punishing the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Iranians are using the violence in Gaza as pretense for threatening the expansion of the conflict. Whatever your opinion of Israel’s response in Gaza, Israel is handing Iran a public relations opportunity and allowing it to characterize itself as acting as defender of Islam and innocent civilians.
As members of the Jewish diaspora, we are exposed. The Israeli response has allowed antisemitism, already rampant on the far right, to reassert itself on the left—amongst those who have seized upon the occupation as justification for conflation of Israeli government behavior and Jewish complicity. And with this, old antisemitic tropes are reemerging, protected by the idea that such falsehoods are protected as speech leveled against “the oppressor.”
One of the curious and disturbing byproducts of this anti-Jewish behavior is pro-Palestinian protesters at universities being filmed tearing down the photos of the kidnapped Israelis. In response to an inquiry when filmed, one young coed explained her actions by citing “Israel’s genocide.” These hostages, of course, are victims. Many of them chose to live near Gaza because of their desire to pursue peaceful relations with their Arab neighbors. It is hard to debate with stupid and/or hateful. Antisemitism will rise throughout the world as this all unfolds. It is bad for us all. It will be a bumpy road.
THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE CIVILIAN TRAGEDY IN GAZA
I believe Israel must institute periodic humanitarian pauses to allow the movement of civilians and the delivery of necessary aid.
But I also agree to what several readers have noted, namely, calls for Israeli restraint should be accompanied by demands for actions by Hamas. It is within the power of Hamas to reduce the civilian casualties in Gaza. Hamas could move out from civilian buildings and stop using human shields. And, more importantly, they could return the hostages in exchange for a cessation of hostilities.
THE TLAIB CENSURE
As much as I believe Representative Tlaib is misguided (although perhaps well-meaning), stating “facts” that are untrue, and supporting Hamas, I think the House of Representatives was wrong censuring her. Once we House embarks along the road of censuring any representative with whom the majority may disagree, any statement of opinion or political position is open game.
I really don’t understand why folks can’t seem to understand the concept of freedom of speech…
MEANWHILE, THERE IS THIS GREAT QUOTATION FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Mr. Trump’s rhetorical skills have long relied on a mix of brute force and a seemingly preternatural instinct for the imprecise. That beguiling combination — honed from a lifetime of real estate negotiations, New York tabloid backbiting and prime-time reality TV stardom — often means that voters hear what they want to hear from him.”
Have a great day,
Glenn