I’m utterly floored by it all. Israel’s duplicity is beyond doubt. This is a long-term catastrophe for Israel, America, Iran and American Jews in particular.
Make no apologies. I have expressed this view as have others once seeing the blind destruction of life, limb, and property vis-a-vis American military support to Netanyahu. What amazes me and upsets me to the point of anger is hearing from Jews who have favored this utter destruction as a desired goal for all of those in Israel and for Jews around the world. It is especially mind-boggling to hear a medical colleague and Jew tell me that I have thrown Israel under the bus by being critical of what has happened in Gaza. That is fucking bullshit and reflects an incredible lack of vision, if not blatant stupidity. However, that particular colleague was one of the more inept ones I have come across as a physician in the course of my lifetime, so at least he is consistent: inept in Medicine and Inept in Understanding the Value of Life.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when? — Rabbi Hillel - (30 BC-9AD)
The parallels between two nations, both having Presidents that prioritize (putting it mildly) power over humanity, are clear. Trump and Netanyahu will do just about anything to stay in power. Both are Ahabs that lack an empathy gene and who see human life and Nature as "nichivo," nothing, a trivial. Women, children, elders-- cares? That's their mental set. My name is Strum, it was Sztrum. My mothers maiden name was Hamburski. Both from Poland, with my father's family from Galicia near the Ukraine border. My DNA is predominantly Ashkenazi but with added Sephardic and Ukrainian heritage. Much of my mother's ancestors (and mine) who were teachers, scholars, etc. died in Auschwitz-Berkenau, Chelmno or elsewhere. I would have been one of those if not for my grandparents immigration to the US.
Trump is about Deals. Everything is a fucking deal. Our POTUS is a conman, grifter and was well-known in NY circles from back in the 80s along with Giuliani. Read Wayne Barrett's books that are intensely researched about the corrupt Trump family- a Father and Son story.
What Trump did to enable Netanyahu in the wholesale destruction of life and property in Gaza is monstrous. My hatred of anything Nazi is so deeply entrenched and I cannot conceive of how any Palestinian who lost a loved one would feel other than enraged, wanting retribution. And, our POTUS supplied the weaponry without restriction not solely to protect Israel and its people but to blitz the life out of everything in Gaza.
The alternative could have been tried first.
⫸ Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out Hamas. If you hide those in Hamas or abet them in any way your life will not be our concern. You will likely die. But we are here to liberate your country from the terrorism that is Hamas. Then Israel sends in its tactical ground forces and sees what occurs, and acts based on how the vast majority of the civilian population acts.
You do not murder for expediency's sake. That is not how real Jews think or behave.
Do not equate Netanyahu with the totality of the Israeli citizenry, as you would similarly not equate Americans like me with Trump-- a thing I detest as a symbol of death and destruction.
The pathetic thing is the realization that many in the world and many in the US do not see the enormity in missing this distinction. Do not confuse a despicable leader as being representative of the people.
The real Jew is not different in any way from the authentic Christian, the Christ. The real Jew loves thy neighbor as thyself. We can thank some of those in organized religion for creating differences, for setting people apart. So we have now many who do not see the absurdity of anti-Semitism, although Jesus, the Holy Family, John the Baptist, the Apostles, were all born Jewish, lived Jewish, and died Jewish. This is what humanity or human unity is supposed to be. Not looking for differences and fighting to death over them. But, as an observer and a keen one, for 80 plus years, I am never surprised at the stupidity of the human species.
A minority of such ignorant people and their ability to effect disastrous changes in the course of humanity is the major pockmark of Homo sapiens.
I agree with everything you say here, and so well at that. Thank you. We must seek to unite against evil, and evil people. The only evil truly evil people I can identify here are trump and netanyahu.
Lincoln said this with "A house divided cannot stand."
And, would you believe it, some great quotes from JK Rowling:
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." — Albus Dumbledore (written by J.K. Rowling) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. The ability of insane acts of random violence to spread discord and enmity is very great. We can fight such madness only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of us have suffered directly at the hands of darkness. Many families have been torn asunder. The time has come when we should remember that we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy." — paraphrased from JK Rowling: Harry Potter (July 2000) and the Goblet of Fire- page 723-4 of the hard copy
What is important in these Substack commentaries is often not so much the voice of the Substack writer, but the comments made by their readers and their interaction. It is the latter that I find most ingratiating and most rewarding.
I’m a proud Jew, Mike, and I agree with every word that you posted.
Yes and yes - with "friends" like these the Jewish people - and the Israeli nation for that matter - need no enemies.
Me too. Fully agree.
Same. Heartbroken but same.
It’s such a tragic, heartbreaking situation, being wrought by two war criminals to try to keep themselves out of prison, where they both belong.
I’m utterly floored by it all. Israel’s duplicity is beyond doubt. This is a long-term catastrophe for Israel, America, Iran and American Jews in particular.
I would argue that Israel has no more right to exist than Palestine.
Would you also argue that it has no less right to exist than Palestine?
Yes I would.
I was hoping you’d say this.
If the nations that don’t recognize Israel’s right to exist change their positions, then there’s a basis for an enduring peace.
Depends where
Make no apologies. I have expressed this view as have others once seeing the blind destruction of life, limb, and property vis-a-vis American military support to Netanyahu. What amazes me and upsets me to the point of anger is hearing from Jews who have favored this utter destruction as a desired goal for all of those in Israel and for Jews around the world. It is especially mind-boggling to hear a medical colleague and Jew tell me that I have thrown Israel under the bus by being critical of what has happened in Gaza. That is fucking bullshit and reflects an incredible lack of vision, if not blatant stupidity. However, that particular colleague was one of the more inept ones I have come across as a physician in the course of my lifetime, so at least he is consistent: inept in Medicine and Inept in Understanding the Value of Life.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when? — Rabbi Hillel - (30 BC-9AD)
The parallels between two nations, both having Presidents that prioritize (putting it mildly) power over humanity, are clear. Trump and Netanyahu will do just about anything to stay in power. Both are Ahabs that lack an empathy gene and who see human life and Nature as "nichivo," nothing, a trivial. Women, children, elders-- cares? That's their mental set. My name is Strum, it was Sztrum. My mothers maiden name was Hamburski. Both from Poland, with my father's family from Galicia near the Ukraine border. My DNA is predominantly Ashkenazi but with added Sephardic and Ukrainian heritage. Much of my mother's ancestors (and mine) who were teachers, scholars, etc. died in Auschwitz-Berkenau, Chelmno or elsewhere. I would have been one of those if not for my grandparents immigration to the US.
Trump is about Deals. Everything is a fucking deal. Our POTUS is a conman, grifter and was well-known in NY circles from back in the 80s along with Giuliani. Read Wayne Barrett's books that are intensely researched about the corrupt Trump family- a Father and Son story.
What Trump did to enable Netanyahu in the wholesale destruction of life and property in Gaza is monstrous. My hatred of anything Nazi is so deeply entrenched and I cannot conceive of how any Palestinian who lost a loved one would feel other than enraged, wanting retribution. And, our POTUS supplied the weaponry without restriction not solely to protect Israel and its people but to blitz the life out of everything in Gaza.
The alternative could have been tried first.
⫸ Leaflets dropped by Israel informing all Palestinians that we, Israel, will send in ground forces to wipe out Hamas. If you hide those in Hamas or abet them in any way your life will not be our concern. You will likely die. But we are here to liberate your country from the terrorism that is Hamas. Then Israel sends in its tactical ground forces and sees what occurs, and acts based on how the vast majority of the civilian population acts.
You do not murder for expediency's sake. That is not how real Jews think or behave.
Do not equate Netanyahu with the totality of the Israeli citizenry, as you would similarly not equate Americans like me with Trump-- a thing I detest as a symbol of death and destruction.
The pathetic thing is the realization that many in the world and many in the US do not see the enormity in missing this distinction. Do not confuse a despicable leader as being representative of the people.
The real Jew is not different in any way from the authentic Christian, the Christ. The real Jew loves thy neighbor as thyself. We can thank some of those in organized religion for creating differences, for setting people apart. So we have now many who do not see the absurdity of anti-Semitism, although Jesus, the Holy Family, John the Baptist, the Apostles, were all born Jewish, lived Jewish, and died Jewish. This is what humanity or human unity is supposed to be. Not looking for differences and fighting to death over them. But, as an observer and a keen one, for 80 plus years, I am never surprised at the stupidity of the human species.
A minority of such ignorant people and their ability to effect disastrous changes in the course of humanity is the major pockmark of Homo sapiens.
I agree with everything you say here, and so well at that. Thank you. We must seek to unite against evil, and evil people. The only evil truly evil people I can identify here are trump and netanyahu.
Lincoln said this with "A house divided cannot stand."
And, would you believe it, some great quotes from JK Rowling:
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy." — Albus Dumbledore (written by J.K. Rowling) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. The ability of insane acts of random violence to spread discord and enmity is very great. We can fight such madness only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of us have suffered directly at the hands of darkness. Many families have been torn asunder. The time has come when we should remember that we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy." — paraphrased from JK Rowling: Harry Potter (July 2000) and the Goblet of Fire- page 723-4 of the hard copy
What is important in these Substack commentaries is often not so much the voice of the Substack writer, but the comments made by their readers and their interaction. It is the latter that I find most ingratiating and most rewarding.
Cosign. I'm also looking at AIPAC with a jaundiced eye. My BFF is Jewish as is my sister (converted) and BIL. They feel the same way.
I agree 100%.
Perfectly said. I fully agree. Any rhethoric to justify this war is smoke in the eyes.
Completely agree.
Thank you