Month: November 2024

The Israeli-Hamas War is now the longest open war that Israel has fought in my lifetime. Normally what we have observed  goes as follows: a group of terrorists makes an offensive move on Israel → Israel declares war → the world condemns Israel every day they’re at war → the war ends in a few months → the western news media moves on, and the general public forgets about Israel/Palestine until the next war starts, thus beginning the cycle all over again.

When this particular war broke out, I knew to expect a repeat of the cycle above. But because of a variety of factors, the length of it being one of them, it’s become truly next-level. For the first few weeks after October 7th, I told myself, Israel’s wars always end in a few months. They would never fight a war longer than necessary. That was obviously just my brain attempting to protect me from trauma. When my cousin in Israel predicted the war would likely go on for at least a year—because it would take at least that amount of time to dismantle Hamas—my first thought was “I cannot deal with the media coverage of this conflict and the accompanying responses from stupid people for over a year.” Well, here we are. We’re still dealing with it.

For the first few months, it all made sense—after all, Israel had suffered the worst attack since its founding, and they couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. When they did successfully negotiate for the return of over 100 hostages in November 2023, it looked like things were moving in the right direction. Since then, I think that most of us can agree (if in hindsight) that Israel continued its ground invasion of Gaza without a well-thought-out plan. In short, Bibi exploited the panic and the trauma of the worst day for Jews since 1945 to convince his allies that “destroying Hamas” was a realistic goal of the war.

Can Hamas really be eliminated under the current plan (asking this seriously, not rhetorically)? Even if the IDF kills all of the active fighters, there is now an entire generation of children (half of Gaza’s population is under 18) who just watched Israel flatten their entire territory.  That would probably be enough to radicalize them, but Hamas (through the UNRWA) runs schools where children are indoctrinated into jihadism, and promised 72  virgins if they suffer martyrdom for the “holy cause.”

The IDF took precautions to minimize civilian deaths and to keep them alive. Is there some kind of major intervention planned post-war to convince Gazans not to hate the Zionist entity anymore, and thus not want to replace the dead militants? Is that all part of the Build Back Gaza Better plan?

When the news broke of the discovery of the six hostages—one being American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents spoke at the DNC—who endured 11 months of hell only to be executed by their captors, that was the point for me that this war became impossible to justify. Clearly, Hamas is not close to being destroyed if they were still able to shoot their abductees in the head after 11 months of war. Its continuation was going to bring nothing but grief and trauma to add on to the carnage of October 7th. Securing the release of the hostages needed to be the main focus from Day 1. But getting the hostages back was never Bibi’s priority, and we all know it.

Since it began, the effects of this war have felt like weights that I have carried around with me 24/7. I watched other American Jews take down their mezuzot and omit their outdoor Chanukah decorations out of fear of what outsiders might do. I watched my alma mater, a place I once loved, spiral downward into a cesspool of antisemitism and hate. I have watched all kinds of news outlets, both mainstream and fringe, report copious misinformation to their audiences of millions because they believe as “journalists,” they have a duty to “speak for the oppressed.” I have seen Israel, a tiny country representing our minuscule religious minority, become the center of this bizarre global morality play in which the Jews are the “white oppressors” and the Arabs the “marginalized POC.”

This war began because of Hamas’s actions and Israel’s security failures on October 7th. It’s not Israel’s fault that Western audiences and media outlets are over-focusing on this conflict. It’s not Israel’s fault that antisemitism has exploded in the West. But it’s the continuation with no exit strategy that enables it all to fester. The longer this war continues, the worse all of what I’ve described above becomes. It’s not fair, but it’s the way it is.

None of what I’ve gone through compares in scale to what many Israelis experienced and continue to experience as the multiple wars on Israel’s borders drag on. I fully acknowledge that watching increased antisemitism and dealing with online trolls pales in comparison to being displaced from home or seeing loved ones murdered.

My Israeli cousins say that what we are experiencing in the diaspora is collateral damage from a war that Hamas started, so we all “just need to deal with it” while Israel fights it. I don’t take any of it personally—I can imagine there’s frustration in hearing the complaints of fellow Jews who have never experienced war directly. But I would also like to point out: we diaspora Jews did not choose Netanyahu to run Israel, yet we are all living with the consequences of his government’s decision-making. It would be nice—and I don’t say this to be mean, just honest—if more Jews living in Israel acknowledged this fact.

Often, when I write about this conflict, the anti-Israel types try to shame me for “not caring about Palestinians enough.” I hope one thing is clear: I express my anger and fear about the war because it’s Israel and Jews I care about most. It is my belief that an indefinite continuation of the Israel-Hamas War undermines us fundamentally as a people.

I’ve heard Golda Meir quoted a lot in the last year. One of her most famous lines is, “if we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, or being alive with a bad image, we’d rather be alive and have the bad image.” But we are loath to acknowledge that the Israel of Golda Meir has gone the way of the USA of FDR. Those days of selfless leadership are gone, and they’re never coming back. Narcissism is now the overarching theme throughout the West, and it’s seeped into our ability to select our leaders. We now put people in democratically elected positions who will happily keep a war going—a war that endangers the lives of millions, many of their own people—if it means they get to stay in power and avoid prison.

Thus was the genius of the Hamas psychopaths who carried out the atrocities of October 7th. They created an impossible situation for Israel, the world’s Jews, and for Progressives like me. Israel’s survival will ensure that Hamas does not win the ground war. But as of now, Hamas appears to have won a significant PR battle, which we may call Operation Destroy the Global Left.

Oh, Palestine. That mythical land filled with unicorns and dragons, right? Wait, no? It’s supposed to be a real place with a real history? Well, let me burst your bubble, my dear readers. The truth is, Palestine is not a real place. And no, this is not some conspiracy theory. But keep reading, and you’ll see why.

First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room. The term “Palestinian” was not even a thing until the late 1960s. That’s right, folks. The identity of “Palestinian” is less than 70 years old. I mean, seriously? The dinosaurs roamed the earth longer than this so-called “Palestinian” identity has existed. So, where were these people before 1968? Probably too busy trying to come up with a cool name for themselves.

But let’s dig a little deeper, shall we? Many people like to claim that there is an “occupation” or “apartheid” happening in this nonexistent place called Palestine. Let me tell you, as someone who has lived in Israel, that is just plain nonsense. There is no occupation, no apartheid, and certainly no genocide happening within the post-1967 boundaries of Israel. I mean, have you seen the beach in Tel Aviv? It’s practically a utopia.

And here’s another fun fact for you. The area known as the “West Bank,” which is often associated with Palestine, was actually under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967. That’s right, not even the neighboring Arab countries recognized this so-called “Palestinian” land. It was only after Israel won the Six-Day War in 1967 that the West Bank fell under Israeli control. And let’s be real, if any other country had won a war, they would have kept the land too.

Now, some of you may argue that there is a historical connection between the territory and the Palestinian people. But let’s not forget that the land of Israel has been home to numerous different civilizations throughout history. From the Canaanites to the Romans to the Ottomans, this place has seen it all. So, claiming it as solely Palestinian land is like saying my neighbor’s cat owns my backyard because it likes to sunbathe there.

So, why do people continue to perpetuate this idea of a Palestinian country? Well, it’s quite simple. It’s fashionable. Yes, you heard that right. Just like how bell-bottoms and scrunchies were all the rage at some point, the “Palestinian” identity has become trendy. And what better way to get attention and sympathy than by claiming your land is being occupied and your people are being oppressed? It’s a marketing ploy, people.

In conclusion, Palestine may be a popular term thrown around by some, but the truth is, it’s not a real place with a real history. The identity of “Palestinian” is relatively new, and there is no occupation, apartheid, or genocide happening in the post-1967 boundaries of Israel. So, let’s put this myth to rest and focus on more important issues, like why pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza. Now that’s a debate worth having.

Palestine? More like, Fakestine. That’s right, folks, it’s time to bust the myth that Palestine is a real place with a real history. I know, I know, some people may have their conspiracy theories and emotional attachments to this “land,” but let’s face it, it’s all just a trendy fashion statement.

First things first, let’s clear up some common misconceptions. You may have heard about the so-called “occupation,” “apartheid,” and “genocide” happening within the borders of Israel. But here’s the thing, these are just buzzwords thrown around by people who clearly have no idea what they’re talking about. In fact, there is no evidence of any of these things happening within the post-1967 boundaries of Israel. So, let’s put that rumor to rest, shall we?

Now, let’s get to the root of the issue, Palestine itself. The truth is, Palestine as a distinct state or nation has never existed. That’s right, I said it. It’s all a figment of someone’s imagination. Many people claim that Palestine has a rich history and culture, but the reality is, there is no solid evidence to back this up.

But didn’t Palestine have a place on the map? Well, sort of. You see, back in ancient times, the area referred to as Palestine was a region that encompassed parts of modern-day Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. It was never a designated nation with a distinct identity. It wasn’t until the 20^th century that this name was used to refer specifically to the land of Israel. And even then, it was mainly used as a geographical term, not a political one.

So, where did this whole “Palestinian” identity come from? The truth is, it’s a relatively new concept that only gained popularity in the late 1960s. It was around this time that the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed, and suddenly, everyone wanted to be a “Palestinian.” It became a symbol of resistance and rebellion, and being a “Palestinian” was seen as cool and edgy. It’s like the hipster trend, but with a political twist.

But let’s not forget, Israel has had a continuous presence in the land for thousands of years. It has a well-documented history and ties to the land, unlike this so-called “Palestinian” identity. The Jewish people have been living in the land of Israel for centuries, and there is no denying their connection to it.

So, what’s the big deal, you may ask? Well, the problem is that this fabricated identity of “Palestinian” has been used as a tool to delegitimize and demonize Israel. It’s a way for certain groups to push their agenda and paint Israel as the “oppressor.” But the fact is, the land belongs to Israel, and it always has.

In conclusion, calling Palestine a “real” place with a “real” history is just plain wrong. It’s time to stop buying into this fashionable, made-up identity and start acknowledging the facts. Israel is a real country with a real history, and it’s time to give credit where credit is due. Let’s put an end to this charade and embrace the truth. It’s time to say goodbye to Fakestine and hello to the real deal.

Palestine, Palestine, Palestine. It’s a word that we often hear in the news and in heated political debates. But have you ever stopped to think about whether Palestine is actually a real place with a real history? Well, I hate to break it to you, but Palestine is about as real as a unicorn riding a rainbow.

Now, before you come at me with pitchforks and torches, hear me out. I’m not saying that the land, culture, and people commonly associated with “Palestine” don’t exist. Of course, they do. But the problem is, the term “Palestine” itself is nothing but a trendy label that only became fashionable in the late 1960s.

Yes, you read that right. 1968. As in, less than 60 years ago. Before that, the land that is now known as “Palestine” was just a random piece of land that was constantly being fought over by various empires and kingdoms. The people living there didn’t identify as “Palestinians,” they were just a mix of different ethnic and religious groups.

So where did this whole “Palestinian” thing come from? Well, it all started with a little organization called the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). They were formed to represent the interests of Palestinian Arabs and to fight for their right to self-determination. And what better way to rally support than to create a catchy identity?

And so, the term “Palestinian” was born. It became the buzzword of the Arab world and suddenly, everyone wanted to identify as Palestinian. It was like being a part of a cool, exclusive club. But let’s not forget, this was all a marketing ploy by the PLO. They wanted to create a strong national identity and garner sympathy from the international community.

But the truth is, there was never a “Palestinian” nation or state in history. The land was always a part of different empires and kingdoms, from the ancient Egyptians to the Ottoman Empire. And even when the British took control of the land after World War I, they never called it Palestine. They called it the British Mandate for Palestine.

And let’s not forget that Israel, which is often seen as the oppressor of the so-called “Palestinian people,” has a much longer and established history in the land. The Jewish people have a deep connection to the land and the city of Jerusalem, whereas the identity of “Palestinian” was created out of thin air in the 20th century.

So, there you have it. The truth about Palestine. It’s not a real place with a real history. It’s just a trendy label that was created for political purposes. But hey, if you still want to identify as “Palestinian,” go right ahead. Just know that you’re basically rocking a hipster identity that only became cool less than 60 years ago.