Exceptional essay! Revives my faith in the world and people to see there are folk, such as Kelli, who see things clearly and express themselves so well.
Lack of critical reasoning has led to people simply repeating propaganda slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free”. Hitler in Mein Kampf was correct to keep it as simple as possible when designing propaganda “ for the masses”. Goebbels helped with saying that if one repeats a lie often enough, the lie becomes the truth. This is what anti Israel protesters are doing today.
Everything is a bit more complicated. Beautiful-sounding slogans, well-known cliches and lies repeated many times are the initial level of anti-Israeli propaganda. Those people who have critical thinking, but do not have sufficient knowledge, are processed in a more sophisticated way. For those who simply "want to know more" or "want to understand what is going on" there is an industry of anti-Israeli "research", pseudo-historical dissertations, pseudo-philosophical and pseudo-social studies. There are thousands, and tens of thousands of them, and they have been conducted for decades. All social networks, search engines will gladly give you reposts, links and interpretations of these "ideas" and "researchers". In addition, the information space is clogged with information noise and garbage, against which even a person with critical thinking will choose the first more logical version out of twenty false ones, which will also be false, just more plausible than nineteen others. And it seems to a person that he made the choice himself, although no one presented it to him.
Social networks amplify this effect many times over.
When I talk to people who have been brainwashed by anti-Israeli propaganda, I immediately see the results of brainwashing. Conversation with recognizable cliches and slogans, the same phrases and arguments, links to the same, usually unknown and marginal "researchers", links and reposts to bloggers who also only share and distribute information, but do not create the content themselves. These are members of a sect. As soon as you start telling them facts that contradict their worldview, they begin to ignore them, change the topic of conversation, blame the interlocutor. And the funniest thing is that they accuse the interlocutors of what they themselves are subject to. In brainwashed.
So true Viktor. Its very hard to explain this to people without sounding like a conspiracy theorist, but Anti-semitism is so institutionalised that it is easy to find confirming data if you want to hate Israel
We need more public conversation about the billions Islamic nations have poured into US universities. The influence that money has had was clearly shown in the twisted and hateful virtual signaling sit-ins this past year.
I marvel at what Israel has achieved despite the fact it's had to watch its back, front and all sides for every second of every day since 1948. Imagine what could have been done if it hadn't had to devote such a huge proportion of its GDP to defending itself from fanatics bent on its destruction.
Any ideas how to get through to captured young adults? Avoiding the topic with my daughter feels wrong, yet it sounds like presenting facts just doesn't work.
That is the million dollar question. Unfortunately they are much more influenced by their friends than us at this stage of their development. Other than visiting the Middle East and Israel I’m not sure there is a lot you can do. If you try to show them the truth they will rebel, and not believe you anyway. That is what is so tragic about a whole new generation being taught to hate the Jews.
Outstanding Kelli brilliantly researched and written👍🏻..Seems I learn something from you every time you post. Visiting Israel is definitely on my hit list, sooner rather than later. Thank you😊👏🏻👏🏻
There is a less known fact that most mainstream public is not aware of - the supposedly moderate Mahmoud Abbas has a "PHD" in what is effectively an attempt to blame Zionists for the Holocaust. How do you negotiate peace with people who have a fundamentally inaccurate view of reality. The PLO insiders are incapable of delivering any future for their own people let alone peace to Israelis. What about the outsiders?
Many countries who have wokened from dictatorships have an external diaspora return to rebuild or assist recovery. The Western Arab & Palestinian community has plenty of capacity to play such a role if they wanted to. People like Edward Said for example. But they choose to use their abilities and political sway to keep fighting a war lost in 1948 instead.
Thank you for this essay. It's greatly appreciated.
Sadly, the Nazis did not end with the end of WWII. They transferred, directly, the philosophy to the Islamists. For example, in November of 1941, Amin al-Husseini, the
Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem met with foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and with Hitler himself. Other middle east leaders were also involved with Hitler.
I just read your piece again, Kelli, and you are so right! It pains a person to read what Israel has had to go through over the last 75 years. And yet: what did they achieve, despite the colossal cost of defending their territory. An amazing people in a harsh corner of the planet. They deserve every person’s admiration rather than all the hatred that mindless people aim at them. Keep up your excellent analyses and writing!
While the essence of you article was the spread of anti-Israel propaganda, your opening paragraph pointed out what is a challenge and a duty of the modern nation of Israel. David Ben Gurion, citing the prophet Isaiah, said that one the tasks of the state was to be a "Light unto the nations."
As you noted Israel is a multi-ethnic democratic society. Its second largest demographic is Arabs. How do you treat a minority that is of the same ethnicity of those surrounding you who have vowed to destroy you?
What Israel has done that is an example to the world is to grant them equal rights and equal opportunities in education and politics. They have not demanded loyalty tests, such as serving in the army - because that would have required them to fight against those who are literally their brothers. As a result, Israeli Arabs participate in the political and economic and even the entertainment spheres of society. Some even volunteer to serve in armed forces.
Another large minority is the Druze, who serve in the government and the military. Like the Arabs, they are permitted to preserve their unique identities, all the while having opportunities to participate in society at large, even as they are cognizant that they are living in a Jewish state.
This is one of the strengths of Israel - that it can find a way to grant rights to all its citizens even under the most stressful of political circumstances. It is a lesson from which other multiethnic nations, especially in the developing world, could benefit.
There are still so few people who realize that they are under the terrible threat of this islamic ideology born in 1928 with the Luslim brotherhood in Egypt with Hassan al Banah , with islamism having already gangrened all layers of democratic societies. I am just as terrified as you are
Exceptional essay! Revives my faith in the world and people to see there are folk, such as Kelli, who see things clearly and express themselves so well.
Thank you so much Steve. It’s sad that what is crystal clear to us, isn’t to others, but I will keep trying!
It will be Thanksgiving day in about four hours here, and I want to let you know that I'm thankful for your work🧡
That’s means a lot. Thank you 🙏🏻 ☺️
Not Jewish, but I've been there. "Friends of the IDF" is a US 501(c)(3) organization that anyone can donate to.
Thank you Albert
Lack of critical reasoning has led to people simply repeating propaganda slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free”. Hitler in Mein Kampf was correct to keep it as simple as possible when designing propaganda “ for the masses”. Goebbels helped with saying that if one repeats a lie often enough, the lie becomes the truth. This is what anti Israel protesters are doing today.
And they think they are so very clever but they are being manipulated. It’s very frustrating
Everything is a bit more complicated. Beautiful-sounding slogans, well-known cliches and lies repeated many times are the initial level of anti-Israeli propaganda. Those people who have critical thinking, but do not have sufficient knowledge, are processed in a more sophisticated way. For those who simply "want to know more" or "want to understand what is going on" there is an industry of anti-Israeli "research", pseudo-historical dissertations, pseudo-philosophical and pseudo-social studies. There are thousands, and tens of thousands of them, and they have been conducted for decades. All social networks, search engines will gladly give you reposts, links and interpretations of these "ideas" and "researchers". In addition, the information space is clogged with information noise and garbage, against which even a person with critical thinking will choose the first more logical version out of twenty false ones, which will also be false, just more plausible than nineteen others. And it seems to a person that he made the choice himself, although no one presented it to him.
Social networks amplify this effect many times over.
When I talk to people who have been brainwashed by anti-Israeli propaganda, I immediately see the results of brainwashing. Conversation with recognizable cliches and slogans, the same phrases and arguments, links to the same, usually unknown and marginal "researchers", links and reposts to bloggers who also only share and distribute information, but do not create the content themselves. These are members of a sect. As soon as you start telling them facts that contradict their worldview, they begin to ignore them, change the topic of conversation, blame the interlocutor. And the funniest thing is that they accuse the interlocutors of what they themselves are subject to. In brainwashed.
So true Viktor. Its very hard to explain this to people without sounding like a conspiracy theorist, but Anti-semitism is so institutionalised that it is easy to find confirming data if you want to hate Israel
We need more public conversation about the billions Islamic nations have poured into US universities. The influence that money has had was clearly shown in the twisted and hateful virtual signaling sit-ins this past year.
By the sounds of it Trump is on it.
Victor, you have delved into the morass and clarified the situation skillfully.
Great, concise essay, thank you.
Thank you Lucy.
I marvel at what Israel has achieved despite the fact it's had to watch its back, front and all sides for every second of every day since 1948. Imagine what could have been done if it hadn't had to devote such a huge proportion of its GDP to defending itself from fanatics bent on its destruction.
Exactly. And look at what Gaza and The West Bank have achieved despite billions In aid- nothing.
Any ideas how to get through to captured young adults? Avoiding the topic with my daughter feels wrong, yet it sounds like presenting facts just doesn't work.
That is the million dollar question. Unfortunately they are much more influenced by their friends than us at this stage of their development. Other than visiting the Middle East and Israel I’m not sure there is a lot you can do. If you try to show them the truth they will rebel, and not believe you anyway. That is what is so tragic about a whole new generation being taught to hate the Jews.
Outstanding Kelli brilliantly researched and written👍🏻..Seems I learn something from you every time you post. Visiting Israel is definitely on my hit list, sooner rather than later. Thank you😊👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much Martin! That really means so much. Nothing worse than writing to an empty audience. I appreciate you.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support. It means a great deal to me.
My absolute pleasure Ian. Thank you for reading. 🙏🏻
There is a less known fact that most mainstream public is not aware of - the supposedly moderate Mahmoud Abbas has a "PHD" in what is effectively an attempt to blame Zionists for the Holocaust. How do you negotiate peace with people who have a fundamentally inaccurate view of reality. The PLO insiders are incapable of delivering any future for their own people let alone peace to Israelis. What about the outsiders?
Many countries who have wokened from dictatorships have an external diaspora return to rebuild or assist recovery. The Western Arab & Palestinian community has plenty of capacity to play such a role if they wanted to. People like Edward Said for example. But they choose to use their abilities and political sway to keep fighting a war lost in 1948 instead.
Thank you for this essay. It's greatly appreciated.
Sadly, the Nazis did not end with the end of WWII. They transferred, directly, the philosophy to the Islamists. For example, in November of 1941, Amin al-Husseini, the
Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem met with foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and with Hitler himself. Other middle east leaders were also involved with Hitler.
Thank you. Yes you are right.
I just read your piece again, Kelli, and you are so right! It pains a person to read what Israel has had to go through over the last 75 years. And yet: what did they achieve, despite the colossal cost of defending their territory. An amazing people in a harsh corner of the planet. They deserve every person’s admiration rather than all the hatred that mindless people aim at them. Keep up your excellent analyses and writing!
While the essence of you article was the spread of anti-Israel propaganda, your opening paragraph pointed out what is a challenge and a duty of the modern nation of Israel. David Ben Gurion, citing the prophet Isaiah, said that one the tasks of the state was to be a "Light unto the nations."
As you noted Israel is a multi-ethnic democratic society. Its second largest demographic is Arabs. How do you treat a minority that is of the same ethnicity of those surrounding you who have vowed to destroy you?
What Israel has done that is an example to the world is to grant them equal rights and equal opportunities in education and politics. They have not demanded loyalty tests, such as serving in the army - because that would have required them to fight against those who are literally their brothers. As a result, Israeli Arabs participate in the political and economic and even the entertainment spheres of society. Some even volunteer to serve in armed forces.
Another large minority is the Druze, who serve in the government and the military. Like the Arabs, they are permitted to preserve their unique identities, all the while having opportunities to participate in society at large, even as they are cognizant that they are living in a Jewish state.
This is one of the strengths of Israel - that it can find a way to grant rights to all its citizens even under the most stressful of political circumstances. It is a lesson from which other multiethnic nations, especially in the developing world, could benefit.
There are still so few people who realize that they are under the terrible threat of this islamic ideology born in 1928 with the Luslim brotherhood in Egypt with Hassan al Banah , with islamism having already gangrened all layers of democratic societies. I am just as terrified as you are
Where's the article about Belgium??
Another excellent essay, Kelli. Many thanks again for fighting the good fight and standing up with those of us on this side of history.