Accurately stated. All of the expressions mean "kill the Jews". I've said it before and I'll say it again: They don't want us there (Israel). The violence and venality of the protests in the West show conclusively that they don't want us here, either.
You are right. They are wrong. If they are too obtuse to see it, then asking them or expaling to them won't do any good. May be they are of an experiential learning type. Maybe they would like to travel to Gaza and live there for a bit.
That is my dream! I'd especially love to see the people from the groups I devoted most of my life to advocating for who now call me a pink washer and shut me out go to Gaza and see how the Palestinians welcome LGBT people like them.
I appreciate what you're feeling: having traveled a bit the past few years, I became aware of the rising heat whenever I saw these scrawlings. I then realized a few things: lovely mural aside, most of the graffiti always looks like it was written by a crazy person (ahem), and two, the power of a sharpie marker goes a long way. So I travel with a large black sharpie and a LOT of pro-Israel, pro-Jewish stickers. I'm just saying, it feels gooood to put a sticker on top of their nonsense.
You could argue I'm being juvenile. I would agree (gleefully).
Yes. Triggering is too mild an expression to describe how a Jewish person feels at seeing these words/flags/keffiyehs/watermelons. It is a deeply visceral fear, anger and nausea
You mentioned "return to the negotiating table..."
How long is that idea valid for?
It's been decades now of an unrepentant Palestinian nation that is explicitly dedicated to Israel's destruction. As you have noted in your piece that the Palestinian cause is well supported world wide.
At what point is the idea of coexistence expired?
You know, after the Nazis, the Germans in Eastern Europe were expelled. All 14 million of them.
That is not necessarily the right move in the Israel Palestine conflict but all options should be on the table. It doesn't seem that the Palestinian cause is heading for peace. In fact I believe that just as the crusaders and before them the Byzantines and Romans wanted Palestine, the Europeans of today largely want Palestine, at least free of Jewish sovereignty.
You are rights to put "pro-Palestinian" in scoff-quotes. The Palestinians are victims of their so-called supporters, who are doing what the Hamas wants them to do and are exploiting the Palestinians in order to experience the pleasures of antisemitism. This person has some useful advice: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGWZdvNPtlC/?igsh=MnJoajJpdHQ1OHd3
Well said, as always. I feel the same on the rare occasions I see this filth where I live. One thing to notice also is how much of the “Free Palestine” propaganda is graffiti and detritus as you accurately describe it. This mob knows nothing but to deface, destroy and trash. It’s a direct reflection of who they are. While they unfortunately have “legitimate” allies in elected and official positions around the world, the essence of “Free Palestine” is making the world as disgusting as their ideology.
What you describe is what I have faced in Portland, Oregon daily since October 7th. I like your recommendation and I also have a theory. Prior to October 7th Jews in Oregon and Washington State, where I was a college professor (across the river in Vancouver, WA) we had to deal with police who belonged to white supremacist organizations and gave protection to groups like the Proud Boys. Marchers chanted "kill the Jews" and "Hitler was right!" Jewish professors got death threat phone calls and notes from neo-Nazis. White liberals rarely stood up for us, but at least they expressed sympathy. A former friend who became vehemently anti-Jewish told me that he had felt a lot of grief and shame about the way he was raised to despise Jews but when he "learned" that the Holocaust was a myth created by Jews to make the world pity us so that we could steal with impunity, that we controlled the world's economies, the media, and government, that there were no Jews indigenous to the Middle East we were all descended from Eastern European converts, and that Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinians, he could finally feel good again about his own Aryan heritage and the things he was taught as a child. This is why I say there is no difference between neo-Nazis and pro-Palestinians, it's like trying to find a difference between Hitler and Stalin.
There is a great deal of depressing ideas to digest here ... but the one sarcastic retort to the line of argument that always comes to mind when people suggest Jews use their "lachrymose history" to gain sympathy is simply this ...
How's that working out for them? Where's the pity, sympathy or even the remotest empathy?
As I say above, some people in the PNW do show sympathy when Jews are attacked, but very few. The following is more typical: In 2017, a former student whom I thought was a friend got into an argument with me on Facebook because I posted about my experiences living downtown in Portland, Oregon where neo-Nazi groups, emboldened by Trump's support for the Unite the Right March, began marching and demonstrating in favor of another genocide against Jews. In answer to my asking why Progressives did nothing to help or protect us, he said that as long as Israel "persecuted" the Palestinians and "occupied their land" (by which he meant Israel), Jews must expect to be attacked physically and maybe killed. I pointed out that he didn't say this about Chinese Americans, that if they didn't make China stop bothering Taiwan they should expect to be beaten or killed by white Americans like him. He said that was different because Jews try to make white people feel sorry for them. Then he told me that all Jews controlled not only Israel but the economy and the the media. I blocked him, but I think he's a typical Oregonian who identifies as a Progressive, I have heard similar things about 100x.
Your " friend" did not just go down the rabbit hole, he quickly descended down the sewer hole, without the manhole cover on. I actually think that people like this always harboured these feelings. Just now they have strength in numbers, and when they express themselves in this manner, they do so with the knowledge that no one or almost no one will call them out on it.
Seemingly Jew Bashing, Jew Hate, is once again in vogue, world wide since October 7th.
Even though, as you point out, not one Muslim majority country exists in which its religious minorities are treated with respect (let alone as equals), and that makes any argument that the “from the river to the sea” slogan is aspirational kumbaya disingenuously detached from reality.
I think the real question for such people is then to ask them why that chant translated into Arabic is “from the water to the water, Palestine is Arab”? This realization might surprise those among the protesters who are being manipulated. And, as most thoughtful people resent being played for a fool or otherwise taken advantage of, they might well begin to question a lot of other “information” they’ve been given by their erstwhile allies.
That was my experience traveling there, too. I recommend going from Milano to Riva and taking the ferries to visit famous little towns, like "fair Verona," on Lake Garda.
Good article. As yourself, I'm not Jewish. But having researched the history, taking an unbiased view that naturally swung to pro Israeli. It's a no brainer to anyone who appreciates freedom and democracy. As opposed to Islamic suppression, totalitarian governments abuse of women and minorities etc. Why on earth would anyone in the West support such ideology is anyone's guess. The Palinstines, the ones that support the destruction of Israel, which has much support from Gazians, can wollow in their misery. It's their culture, the imbedded hate towards the Jewish people that revolts me. And if that's the case, I have no sympathy for the plight that Gazians find themselves in. All self inflicted. A mind reset is required to instill compassion, tolerance and understanding. But that wont happen.
Accurately stated. All of the expressions mean "kill the Jews". I've said it before and I'll say it again: They don't want us there (Israel). The violence and venality of the protests in the West show conclusively that they don't want us here, either.
So, where exactly can/should we go?
(Yes, my question is rhetorical)
Well said, Pat
You are right. They are wrong. If they are too obtuse to see it, then asking them or expaling to them won't do any good. May be they are of an experiential learning type. Maybe they would like to travel to Gaza and live there for a bit.
That is my dream! I'd especially love to see the people from the groups I devoted most of my life to advocating for who now call me a pink washer and shut me out go to Gaza and see how the Palestinians welcome LGBT people like them.
I appreciate what you're feeling: having traveled a bit the past few years, I became aware of the rising heat whenever I saw these scrawlings. I then realized a few things: lovely mural aside, most of the graffiti always looks like it was written by a crazy person (ahem), and two, the power of a sharpie marker goes a long way. So I travel with a large black sharpie and a LOT of pro-Israel, pro-Jewish stickers. I'm just saying, it feels gooood to put a sticker on top of their nonsense.
You could argue I'm being juvenile. I would agree (gleefully).
https://www.hatikvahcollective.org/
I do this, too!
Very cool resource — thanks for posting.
Yes. Triggering is too mild an expression to describe how a Jewish person feels at seeing these words/flags/keffiyehs/watermelons. It is a deeply visceral fear, anger and nausea
You mentioned "return to the negotiating table..."
How long is that idea valid for?
It's been decades now of an unrepentant Palestinian nation that is explicitly dedicated to Israel's destruction. As you have noted in your piece that the Palestinian cause is well supported world wide.
At what point is the idea of coexistence expired?
You know, after the Nazis, the Germans in Eastern Europe were expelled. All 14 million of them.
That is not necessarily the right move in the Israel Palestine conflict but all options should be on the table. It doesn't seem that the Palestinian cause is heading for peace. In fact I believe that just as the crusaders and before them the Byzantines and Romans wanted Palestine, the Europeans of today largely want Palestine, at least free of Jewish sovereignty.
Vaporize the Intifada!
You are rights to put "pro-Palestinian" in scoff-quotes. The Palestinians are victims of their so-called supporters, who are doing what the Hamas wants them to do and are exploiting the Palestinians in order to experience the pleasures of antisemitism. This person has some useful advice: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGWZdvNPtlC/?igsh=MnJoajJpdHQ1OHd3
What a touching statement.
Well said, as always. I feel the same on the rare occasions I see this filth where I live. One thing to notice also is how much of the “Free Palestine” propaganda is graffiti and detritus as you accurately describe it. This mob knows nothing but to deface, destroy and trash. It’s a direct reflection of who they are. While they unfortunately have “legitimate” allies in elected and official positions around the world, the essence of “Free Palestine” is making the world as disgusting as their ideology.
What you describe is what I have faced in Portland, Oregon daily since October 7th. I like your recommendation and I also have a theory. Prior to October 7th Jews in Oregon and Washington State, where I was a college professor (across the river in Vancouver, WA) we had to deal with police who belonged to white supremacist organizations and gave protection to groups like the Proud Boys. Marchers chanted "kill the Jews" and "Hitler was right!" Jewish professors got death threat phone calls and notes from neo-Nazis. White liberals rarely stood up for us, but at least they expressed sympathy. A former friend who became vehemently anti-Jewish told me that he had felt a lot of grief and shame about the way he was raised to despise Jews but when he "learned" that the Holocaust was a myth created by Jews to make the world pity us so that we could steal with impunity, that we controlled the world's economies, the media, and government, that there were no Jews indigenous to the Middle East we were all descended from Eastern European converts, and that Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinians, he could finally feel good again about his own Aryan heritage and the things he was taught as a child. This is why I say there is no difference between neo-Nazis and pro-Palestinians, it's like trying to find a difference between Hitler and Stalin.
There is a great deal of depressing ideas to digest here ... but the one sarcastic retort to the line of argument that always comes to mind when people suggest Jews use their "lachrymose history" to gain sympathy is simply this ...
How's that working out for them? Where's the pity, sympathy or even the remotest empathy?
As I say above, some people in the PNW do show sympathy when Jews are attacked, but very few. The following is more typical: In 2017, a former student whom I thought was a friend got into an argument with me on Facebook because I posted about my experiences living downtown in Portland, Oregon where neo-Nazi groups, emboldened by Trump's support for the Unite the Right March, began marching and demonstrating in favor of another genocide against Jews. In answer to my asking why Progressives did nothing to help or protect us, he said that as long as Israel "persecuted" the Palestinians and "occupied their land" (by which he meant Israel), Jews must expect to be attacked physically and maybe killed. I pointed out that he didn't say this about Chinese Americans, that if they didn't make China stop bothering Taiwan they should expect to be beaten or killed by white Americans like him. He said that was different because Jews try to make white people feel sorry for them. Then he told me that all Jews controlled not only Israel but the economy and the the media. I blocked him, but I think he's a typical Oregonian who identifies as a Progressive, I have heard similar things about 100x.
Your " friend" did not just go down the rabbit hole, he quickly descended down the sewer hole, without the manhole cover on. I actually think that people like this always harboured these feelings. Just now they have strength in numbers, and when they express themselves in this manner, they do so with the knowledge that no one or almost no one will call them out on it.
Seemingly Jew Bashing, Jew Hate, is once again in vogue, world wide since October 7th.
Even though, as you point out, not one Muslim majority country exists in which its religious minorities are treated with respect (let alone as equals), and that makes any argument that the “from the river to the sea” slogan is aspirational kumbaya disingenuously detached from reality.
I think the real question for such people is then to ask them why that chant translated into Arabic is “from the water to the water, Palestine is Arab”? This realization might surprise those among the protesters who are being manipulated. And, as most thoughtful people resent being played for a fool or otherwise taken advantage of, they might well begin to question a lot of other “information” they’ve been given by their erstwhile allies.
Pat, your nuanced and thoughtful understanding always increases and informs my understanding. Thank you.
Thank you so much Kathy.
Northern Italy is much nicer and supportive of Israel. Stay away from the south.
That was my experience traveling there, too. I recommend going from Milano to Riva and taking the ferries to visit famous little towns, like "fair Verona," on Lake Garda.
Are you fully booked up in Israel them, Pat?
Hahaha. Pretty busy!
They don’t want a “two state solution”. They want a “no Jew state solution”.
Good article. As yourself, I'm not Jewish. But having researched the history, taking an unbiased view that naturally swung to pro Israeli. It's a no brainer to anyone who appreciates freedom and democracy. As opposed to Islamic suppression, totalitarian governments abuse of women and minorities etc. Why on earth would anyone in the West support such ideology is anyone's guess. The Palinstines, the ones that support the destruction of Israel, which has much support from Gazians, can wollow in their misery. It's their culture, the imbedded hate towards the Jewish people that revolts me. And if that's the case, I have no sympathy for the plight that Gazians find themselves in. All self inflicted. A mind reset is required to instill compassion, tolerance and understanding. But that wont happen.