Whilst all of the things you write about Israel are true, the country, the military and high tech actor have a bit of a dark side too. It ain’t all honkey dorry. Just have a look at the Israeli developed spyware deployed to other countries with appealing human rights violations…
I spent years living in Israel (as a Gentile) and whilst I unequivocally support the Jewish people and the Israelis, I am well aware of the shadow side of the country and its institutions… tho that’s another story altogether.
All countries have light and shadow though, but especially the media / alt media has hyper focused on all things bad and ‘evil’ in relation to Israel.
Since you are Australian, I wonder why is it that Israel gets deligitimised at every corner and every turn, whilst a penal colony like Australia with a very clear history of ethnic and radical colonization, absolutely never gets delegitimised…? It wouldn’t cross people’s mind to question the existence of Australia or Canada for that matter. Ever. But Israel? Bloody hell how dare these Jews have their own existence!
Keep writing. If they hate you that much for saying positive things about Israel, you must be doing sth right!
Thank you Pebbles. I wonder the same thing about Aussies. I asked a similar question on Clementine Fords Instagram page about our own indigenous people and asked them when they were going to hand their land back to them. In response they did a deep dive on me and made a complaint to my work place claiming I was racist. 🤷🏼♀️ I also find it interesting that our plebiscite voted no around the same time as October 7. So it seemed to me again the obvious double standards placed on Israel. But hey, what do I know 😂
Yep. As an Israeli living in Oz and reading history like The Fatal Shore, I'm sure that the treatment of first nation people both in the past as well as today is the darkest stain on Australia's history, and there is a lot to do there.
That said - I still can't (and don't want to) defend Israel's civilian settling of the west bank. Even ignoring the moral arguments, it's detrimental to Israel's own survival and is only "justified" by messianic and vindictive agenda which I'll never buy into.
I agree with the Westbank Settlement issue. I mean if they had accepted statehood or actually had leaders that gave a shit about the people these things could be addressed without jihadist violence.
I think it’s important to listen to Dr Einat Wilf on the issue of the settlements, the wording around ‘occupation’, and military occupation / presence. She has the most clear-cut, no bullshit, no emotion just facts approach I have ever seen.
I think it’s fair to say that everyone wants the West Bank to be a haven of ‘good Palestinians’ - myself included - that you can happily live with as good neighbours and co-exist. Life taught me otherwise. And so I find myself between a rock and a hard place when the Kahanist take aim at the Palestinian farmers and villagers or when Smotrich et al expand their settlements once again, whilst being simultaneously acutely aware that plenty of them have no respect (forget love!) lost for the Israelis either - with or without settlements.
It comes down to the belief systems people hold, personal experiences and trauma never resolved. You can take a Jihadist out of Jenin but you can’t take Jenin and Jihad out of the Jihadist (unless there’s personal willpower and thorough psychological help). I wish Europeans would understand that already.
Gentile Zionist myself here! Great article! I recently wrote a paper about the 3 monotheistic religions and comparing them. It amazes me how many people have an opinion on this issue when they have done absolutely no critical thinking…….and they are ultimately supporting the oppressors…..blows my mind!
Thanks Angela. It seems that ignorance is lauded. People aren’t even willing to have a discourse. They just want to scream catchy slogans that they don’t understand.
You made me smile when I read about the desert blooming - no small feat these days, so thank you!
I knew culture and the arts are an inherent part of Israeli society but I didn’t know that fun-fact about museums and orchestras per capita. I learnt something there!
As you say, no country is perfect and we know Israel has her own flaws. But that zest for life, that utter joy overall, in the very air, well it’s intoxicating.
Compare that to those Israeli neighbors who are still mired in hate , prejudice and under developed countries. Perpetuating themselves as permanent victims of oppression.
You are my kind of “extremist”! Thank you and you are ALWAYS welcome at my home by that sea I refuse to be pushed into. Sending love from Netanya, 🇮🇱 💙💙💙💙
You are a gifted writer (you are clear and easy to read!) thoughtful person and display lots of wisdom. Well done! Your children are lucky to have a mom like you!!
This is exactly the opinion that a person should have who tries to study this country, its people, history, aspirations and contradictions in society, without tying it to some ideology, but accepting everything that happens from the point of view of basic human values. And the more you learn, the more you will be convinced of the correctness of your views, realizing that you are on the side you would like to be on in this life.
Did you know that Israel was given more land by the UN in 1948 when the Hashemite Jordanian royals wanted more for themselves and Winston Churchill was the one who drew that Eastern border dividing the land along the Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea etc. During the reign of King David, Israel was 3,800 square miles in size and King Solomon is said to have increased the size even more.
Apple computers were invented by Steve Jobs a Jew. The software used was his invention too. Microsoft (MS-DoS) was originally a “stolen product” by the infamous college dropout named Gates. He could never and cannot ever compete with Apple or Steve Jobs.
Most of the Nobel Prizes for inventions are held by Jewish people too.
Beautifully said! How did you come to this conclusion? As an American Jew Zionist I know most of these things and when people state these things I am like of course. But i guess most people are clueless about Israel and just spout things they see on TikTok? What do you think is the main misconception people have about Israel? Especially in Australia.
I was pretty clueless leading up to Oct 7. I’ve had Jewish friends but it was never even a thing. It just was. Then I started to see the disgusting backlash after October 7 so I have been on a fact finding mission since to learn more about the history and the conflict. I thought initially maybe I was wrong, but the more I learnt the more I saw Israel and her people as something quite special. I think people get caught up in the propaganda- which is quite overwhelming- but they are too lazy to go deeper and actually research the truth, research which information sources are credible and which aren’t. So they just jump on the bandwagon of their favourite musician or influencer and think, well if this is what they are saying, I’m with them. I see it as a responsibility that being someone who is fact based, and have moral clarity, that I do my best to spread truth.
Well done you bloody gentile you!
Whilst all of the things you write about Israel are true, the country, the military and high tech actor have a bit of a dark side too. It ain’t all honkey dorry. Just have a look at the Israeli developed spyware deployed to other countries with appealing human rights violations…
I spent years living in Israel (as a Gentile) and whilst I unequivocally support the Jewish people and the Israelis, I am well aware of the shadow side of the country and its institutions… tho that’s another story altogether.
All countries have light and shadow though, but especially the media / alt media has hyper focused on all things bad and ‘evil’ in relation to Israel.
Since you are Australian, I wonder why is it that Israel gets deligitimised at every corner and every turn, whilst a penal colony like Australia with a very clear history of ethnic and radical colonization, absolutely never gets delegitimised…? It wouldn’t cross people’s mind to question the existence of Australia or Canada for that matter. Ever. But Israel? Bloody hell how dare these Jews have their own existence!
Keep writing. If they hate you that much for saying positive things about Israel, you must be doing sth right!
Thank you Pebbles. I wonder the same thing about Aussies. I asked a similar question on Clementine Fords Instagram page about our own indigenous people and asked them when they were going to hand their land back to them. In response they did a deep dive on me and made a complaint to my work place claiming I was racist. 🤷🏼♀️ I also find it interesting that our plebiscite voted no around the same time as October 7. So it seemed to me again the obvious double standards placed on Israel. But hey, what do I know 😂
Yep. As an Israeli living in Oz and reading history like The Fatal Shore, I'm sure that the treatment of first nation people both in the past as well as today is the darkest stain on Australia's history, and there is a lot to do there.
That said - I still can't (and don't want to) defend Israel's civilian settling of the west bank. Even ignoring the moral arguments, it's detrimental to Israel's own survival and is only "justified" by messianic and vindictive agenda which I'll never buy into.
I agree with the Westbank Settlement issue. I mean if they had accepted statehood or actually had leaders that gave a shit about the people these things could be addressed without jihadist violence.
I think it’s important to listen to Dr Einat Wilf on the issue of the settlements, the wording around ‘occupation’, and military occupation / presence. She has the most clear-cut, no bullshit, no emotion just facts approach I have ever seen.
I think it’s fair to say that everyone wants the West Bank to be a haven of ‘good Palestinians’ - myself included - that you can happily live with as good neighbours and co-exist. Life taught me otherwise. And so I find myself between a rock and a hard place when the Kahanist take aim at the Palestinian farmers and villagers or when Smotrich et al expand their settlements once again, whilst being simultaneously acutely aware that plenty of them have no respect (forget love!) lost for the Israelis either - with or without settlements.
It comes down to the belief systems people hold, personal experiences and trauma never resolved. You can take a Jihadist out of Jenin but you can’t take Jenin and Jihad out of the Jihadist (unless there’s personal willpower and thorough psychological help). I wish Europeans would understand that already.
I was introduced to Dr Wilf through the Yasmine Mohammed podcast. She is very impressive!
I love Dr Wolf. She's one of the most eloquent speakers on Israel's behalf (or at least Israelis with similar opinion to mine)
Gentile Zionist myself here! Great article! I recently wrote a paper about the 3 monotheistic religions and comparing them. It amazes me how many people have an opinion on this issue when they have done absolutely no critical thinking…….and they are ultimately supporting the oppressors…..blows my mind!
Thanks Angela. It seems that ignorance is lauded. People aren’t even willing to have a discourse. They just want to scream catchy slogans that they don’t understand.
Kelli, what a great article!
You made me smile when I read about the desert blooming - no small feat these days, so thank you!
I knew culture and the arts are an inherent part of Israeli society but I didn’t know that fun-fact about museums and orchestras per capita. I learnt something there!
As you say, no country is perfect and we know Israel has her own flaws. But that zest for life, that utter joy overall, in the very air, well it’s intoxicating.
You conveyed that and I’m still smiling.
Thank you so much ☺️
Compare that to those Israeli neighbors who are still mired in hate , prejudice and under developed countries. Perpetuating themselves as permanent victims of oppression.
Exactly. I hope I made that point clearly 🙏🏻
Thanks for the research and the support, Kelli. You are brave. Here’s another cute little fact:
Israel becomes world leader in live donor kidney donations - WHO
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF Published: JANUARY 23, 2022 01:17
Updated: JANUARY 23, 2022 17:46
Thank you Liba 🤍🤍
You are my kind of “extremist”! Thank you and you are ALWAYS welcome at my home by that sea I refuse to be pushed into. Sending love from Netanya, 🇮🇱 💙💙💙💙
I will definitely take you up on that. Thank you. 🤍
I’ll take rational exuberance over irrational despondency any time. Thank you for the refreshing perspective.
Thank you for reading Kevin.
You are a gifted writer (you are clear and easy to read!) thoughtful person and display lots of wisdom. Well done! Your children are lucky to have a mom like you!!
Wow. Thank you Teresa. That means a lot 🙏🏻🤍
Thank you for being a pro Israel voice in a sea of otherwise. ✌ ♥ 💵 (peace, love and prosperity).
It is my honour and privilege 🙏🏻
My opinion about this essay:
This is exactly the opinion that a person should have who tries to study this country, its people, history, aspirations and contradictions in society, without tying it to some ideology, but accepting everything that happens from the point of view of basic human values. And the more you learn, the more you will be convinced of the correctness of your views, realizing that you are on the side you would like to be on in this life.
Thank you.
Thank you for writing such an incredible article that speaks so much truth! As a Jew I thank you and as a human I applaud you!
Thank you Deanna! 🙏🏻🤍
Great article with valid points.
Did you know that Israel was given more land by the UN in 1948 when the Hashemite Jordanian royals wanted more for themselves and Winston Churchill was the one who drew that Eastern border dividing the land along the Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea etc. During the reign of King David, Israel was 3,800 square miles in size and King Solomon is said to have increased the size even more.
Apple computers were invented by Steve Jobs a Jew. The software used was his invention too. Microsoft (MS-DoS) was originally a “stolen product” by the infamous college dropout named Gates. He could never and cannot ever compete with Apple or Steve Jobs.
Most of the Nobel Prizes for inventions are held by Jewish people too.
Nice commentary.
Excellent post. Thanks.
Thank you Rebekah 🙏🏻🤍
Beautifully said! How did you come to this conclusion? As an American Jew Zionist I know most of these things and when people state these things I am like of course. But i guess most people are clueless about Israel and just spout things they see on TikTok? What do you think is the main misconception people have about Israel? Especially in Australia.
I was pretty clueless leading up to Oct 7. I’ve had Jewish friends but it was never even a thing. It just was. Then I started to see the disgusting backlash after October 7 so I have been on a fact finding mission since to learn more about the history and the conflict. I thought initially maybe I was wrong, but the more I learnt the more I saw Israel and her people as something quite special. I think people get caught up in the propaganda- which is quite overwhelming- but they are too lazy to go deeper and actually research the truth, research which information sources are credible and which aren’t. So they just jump on the bandwagon of their favourite musician or influencer and think, well if this is what they are saying, I’m with them. I see it as a responsibility that being someone who is fact based, and have moral clarity, that I do my best to spread truth.
Great piece!
Thank you Michelle. 🙏🏻