For many Palestinians, the desire to destroy Israel is stronger than the wish to build their own state. Not only is this bad news for Israel, but it's bad news for the Palestinians too.
I have zero sympathy for Palestinians. They have had over a hundred years to make peace with Zionists and every time they may have done that they have chosen total opposition to any Zionist aspirations. The latest duplicity coming out of the PA is like the duplicity of your conversation with Erekat. They are pathetic and dangerous and need to leave all Jewish territory west of the Jordan the sooner the better.
correct. there is no way to establish the real goal of the Islamist ideology: A Middle Eastern Caliphate first, then the rest of the world. Israel is the main obstacle standing in the way of the ME Caliphate.
We can’t forget that Muslims are required to practice Taqiyya. A lie to the infidel in order to protect Islam is not a sin in fact it is the opposite. Completely explains “innocent” civilian Gazan Arabs support of Hamas and gladly joining in the slaughter of 10/7.
There was no country that existed there before Israel. Palestine was a territory under British control. Arabs and Jews lived there. The Arabs REJECTED the partition of the land into a Jewish and an Arab state and instead warred against the Jews and lost. Too damn bad. The "palestinians" repeatedly rejected offers of statehood over the decades and continue to play victim to useful idiots like yourself. So, who the hell was the land "stolen" from. Don't tell me the "palestinians", a fake nationality invented by the KGB in the 1960's. Who the world refers to as the "palestinians" are descendants of Arab conquerors who actually were the people that stole the land from the Jews among many other empires which also stole the land from the Jews and drove them out. The "palestinians" speak Arabic, they are not a distinct ethnicity or nationality. On the other hand, the Kurds are a distinct ethnicity and nationality and thereby much more worthy of statehood and are occupied by Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Yet the world isn't clamoring for a Kurdish state. I have zero sympathy for the "palestinians".
Do you also hate America for what happened to the Native Indian Americans? Or the Australians for what happened to the Aboriginal People? No you don't, and because you don't you single out Jews, which makes you an Anti-Semite. Both of these Ethnic Groups suffered under White rule, but eventually became absorbed. When the Arab Palestinians drop demands for a 'State'-entity they will get democratic self-government in their own areas (Area A and Gaza) but without a 'State'-entity for Hamas to wage the Genocide they have sworn against the Jews of Israel, or borders to traffic Heavy Weapons across. By the way, The Jewish People are indigenous to The State of Israel because there have been Jews living there continuously for 3700 years. You are an Anti-Semite Mr Humphrey. I will not be replying to any more of your posts here.
Did anyone explain to Erekat that there is no right of return in international law once a person leaves a conflict zone and that refugee status cannot be handed down generationally? Once the person is born somewhere else they are not considered refugees of their parents original country by international law. I would have liked to hear how he discusses these issues. And what makes the Palestinians more important than any other people to think they can have rules jut apply to them.
The truth is, he is not a dove. He never was. He is a manipulator with the ultimate goal of destroying Israel. Time to open your eyes to the truth. There is no partner for peace among the palestinians, there never has been despite all the machinations and Oslo bullcrap (of course Oslo became defunct with the 2nd intifada but that is a discussion for a different time), and until they deradicalize their society there never will be peace.
You mean they must deradicalize their religion. Since the international rule about refugees contradicts the Islamic teaching on blood guilt and what to give to non-Muslims that soil the umma with their unwanted presence, international law must give way. Muslim migrants who have become German citizens openly proclaim that Germany will become an Islamic state, that rape of women who "dress like whores" will not be a crime, and Sharia would be imposed on all Germans. I used to think Muslims would eventually deradicalize the religion and take back all the nasty stuff that they were doing. I no longer do... and I expect more Islamic terrorism within the United States and Canada, not just Europe.
I say 'taqqiya' is a real problem. I would never trust the Gazan people, especially since many 'innocent' residents there took hostages as slaves and worse. I may feel that because some residents are mistreated by Hamas, that they should have tried to show empathy towards Jews and Israelis. With that being said, they go by their Quran and the belief that we are all to worship in their faith, or perish. Way before the creation of Israel, we were kicked out of, or worse, from places we once lived. For this reason, we can never let other societies, do to us what was done previously. We must not allow this hatred to infect our beautiful Israel, ever again. I will keep advocating as to why our country should remain ours. End of story.
Erekat’s proposed plan sounds nearly (exactly?) like the Clinton parameters. The ability to stay quiet while he claimed that they had never rejected a peace deal and the onus was all on Israel…wow.
As a non-denominational Christian woman I really have no real voice in this matter but I have opinions. First of all, semantics matter and in my vocabulary Palestine, Palestinians, West Bank do not exist rather Arabs defined by location as Gazan Arabs, Arabs in Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, etc. Changing the terms used is a small but not insignificant difference. In any area, country, territory with a Muslim majority practicing Sharia law I could not exist. Because of the liberation of Jerusalem in 1968, I was able to have free access to Christian sites. Today not so much.
Obviously I am not in favor of a 2 state solution. Gaza Arabs had the vote in 2005 when Israel left and they chose to be governed by Hamas terrorism. They are not my friends. Talk to the Arab nations abt Arab refugees. It is their responsibility to take on the re-education of their brothers. These opinions have gained more credit since
10/7/24 and with a new administration in the USA I fully expect 100% support for Israel. Hamas manipulation of hostage release only strengthens our resolve.
you are right on the money, Patricia. Exactly what I have been saying for a while now. Thank you for your support of Jews and Israel. I and most other Jews welcome and appreciate you.
I believe I was fortunate never to hear antisemitic comments as a child in the south. Perhaps my first awareness that Jews were hated came when my uncles returned after WWII. One in the 101st Airborne, wounded in ‘The Battle of the Bulge’ the other with Patton’s Army who survived the Bulge to go with Patton across Europe liberating the camps. He wrote to his mother about what he saw and she took his letter to the local paper where it was published on the front page. There were no syndicated papers in our rather insulated small town and news on radio was highly censored during the war. So obviously people were horrified and outraged. Although I was only 8 y/o at war’s end our enemies were known even to children.
As an adult I traveled alone to Israel for a month, joining separate tours of interest.There were many highlights but my first stop was newly liberated Jerusalem. Yad Vashem has been unforgettable. I did fall in love with Israeli’s and Israel and came home a confirmed supporter of Zionism. It’s only common sense.
I grew up in Georgia and I can tell you I not only heard horrific antisemitic things, but my brother and I--the only two Jews in the school--were physically beaten and tormented by other children. Only one teacher ever stood up for me being bullied; the rest stood by with tacit approval. I don't believe it is as bad as it was 50 years ago, but it was awful then. And, like the Gazans do--it was due to parents teaching their children to hate. One 8-year-old child came up to me at school one day and said, "My mom said to tell you that the only mistake Hitler made was he didn't get all of you." I had no idea what she was talking about, except her face was twisted with hatred. I asked her, "who is Hitler?" She didn't know, either. She only knew she was taught to hate me and to repeat what her mother told her to say to me. I have many stories like that.
It is so awful when children’s innocence is sullied by parental abuse. One of my relatives by marriage is from many generations of Hungarian Jews. Father as a child was hidden with his parents from Eichmann’s final round up of Budapest Jews and survived. My relative would regularly hear “Filthy Jews” spoken out loud on the tram. Coming to the U.S. was a dream come true and now we see Hamas demonstrations by American idiots who haven’t a clue. It boggles the mind. I pray to God that PDJT addresses antisemitism. The majority of Christians that I know today support Israel and truly believe it’s God given. I don’t hear antisemitic talk maybe bc I let my views be known. After one rare comment by a neighbor…”The Jews run Hollywood”, I replied, “Naturally since they created Hollywood at the start of the last century.” Crickets.
Later it seemed to make her more friendly. You can’t go along to get along. Nip those inferences in the bud.
Hands down, my religious Christian friends are the MOST supportive. They are the ones asking me how I'm feeling with all the antisemitism and everything going on, not my secular friends. That God we have their support; we need them!
that's pretty amazing if you write fifty years ago...when I was a kid. My mom from what is now poverty crime ridden E. St Louis was one of a very tiny Jewish community....she was excused from singing Christian songs at school by her mother's intervention....otherwise she related no stories as you write.
Different locations, different people. I know what it was like where I was, and I know there are places that weren't like that. Also, my brother and I had it extra bad because my father employed (at his store) Black people and treated them well, and treated Black customers like White customers (Blacks were often made to go to the back of the line to buy things if a White person got in line behind them). He called Black people "sir" and "ma'am" and our household help was allowed to come in through the FRONT door, which infuriated our neighbors. So we weren't just called Dirty Jews, we were also beaten up for being "N##ger-loving Jews."
This is why I don’t criticize actions by Israel that appear to be obstacles to peace (e.g., settlements, Jerusalem, etc,). Why should Israel give the Palestinians a de facto state when they have zero interest in negotiating in good faith on a real one?
Beautifully written and explained. Unfortunately it's hard to believe that Palestinian refugees' descendants would not choose to return to Isreal since their demand is, from the river to the sea.
It has become abundantly clear: IT IS NOT ABOUT LAND. Never was. The terrorists' Islamist ideology has been revealed to us over and over: The entire world must become Muslim, and infidels who do not convert die. The Jews are the first and most hated target for several reasons, including statements in the Quran, and the fact that Israel stands in the way of the Middle East Caliphate. Christians are also targeted. Muslims are slaughtering Hindus in Bangladesh as I write this. And the Sudan?--Muslim on Muslim slaughter to the ongoing tune of half a million and counting because of difference in ethnicity and ideology. (Just sayin'). Thus--giving land will only weaken Israel's security and not solve the attacks/hatred. Big big changes are in the works and a new Middle East is coming and those plans are starting to come into sharper focus. And it does not involve a separate state for the "Palestinians" --a state that they don't even want.
Hi Joel, excellent article. I in fact drafted a peace plan 5 years ago (modified slightly since) which addresses the problem of right of return. In essence, doing a sort of 'population exchange' -300,000 - 350,000 settlers to remain in place in the West Bank in exchange for a similar number of Palestinians to return to Israel. But BOTH sides to only have 'residency' status.
So Jews in the then Palestinian West Bank would vote in Israeli elections and Palestinian residents in Israel would vote in Palestinian elections - since that should be where both parties voting interests should be. This then bypasses the issue of massive Muslim immigration affecting Israeli elections. This is a very similar situation to the 2 million British residents in Spain, of which I was one years ago. We all voted in British national elections while resident in Spain.
This got good support from left-wing members in the Knesset, but the Palestinian side was deathly silent and unresponsive. I'll be publishing it here later in modified form, but could send you an advance copy if you like. It's something I think is worth pursuing again. Are subscribed to each other? That would make exchange of material easier.
To the Arab supremacism and Islamism embodied in the Palestine Cause, Jews with rights - and the sovereignty to preserve such rights - are anathema. Worse, that despicable, lowly, Jews should enforce such limitations on good Arabs or Muslims is a complete overturning of the "natural" order, and must be resisted at all costs. The ultimate goal of any Palestinian state is to return things to "normal".
Thus, the idea that a Palestinian state cannot have any Jews, goes directly to the heart of the matter. Any rights afforded to Jews are entirely at the whim of the generously munificent Arab/Muslim overlord; said state represents the ultimate power of Arabs/Muslims to control and take away Jewish rights.
Settlements - Jews owning property and running the municipality so Jews get municipal services - represent in microcosm the same problem as Israel.
This is why Jews entering the PA do so at risk of being lynched, why Jews cannot own property under PA law, why the only Jews in Gaza are those dragged there against their will. To the Palestinian collective, Hamas atrocities on Oct. 7th are a vivid and powerful demonstration of the "proper" place of the Jews, and thus are perfectly moral; which is why the PA has yet to issue any sort of condemnation of Oct. 7th.
More broadly, has a terrorist on his way to commit this or that evil act, ever asked themselves: perhaps his victims' rights ought not be violated?
As you noted, not all Palestinians subscribe to this supremacism. But individuals here are irrelevant; what matters is the collective and its attitudes, not those of the individual.
When 10,000 openly Jewish Jews live under Palestinian control in Ramallah and Gaza with the same safety and security as Arabs do in Tel Aviv and Ariel, we'll know the collective has changed. Until then, all the agreements and honeyed words are only tactical steps to denying Jewish rights.
I once had an Israeli Arab coworker, he never said he was Palestinian. He refused to use the term, he was born in Israel himself, but his grandparents were of Jordanian origin, as were so many who came to work in Israel at that time. He came to Finland through marriage. Yes, Israeli Arabs are peace loving, like many other Arabs, but to quote Jasher, who did not interfere in his life with politics, openly admitted that there is no community Palestinian, we are all Arabs.
The name Palestine comes from the Romans who gave it to the land from which the Jews were expelled due to continuous rebellions. The area has been called the land of Canaan since ancient times, where 12 tribes settled at the end of their journey from Egypt. Without taking any further stance on how the various tribes of that time fared and why, but history does not call them Palestinians. The Tanakh historical books give the causes and consequences, also for the existence of the Jews in the land of Canaan, which is also written in the Torah. But it is a completely different matter whether an individual trusts and believes in Jewish writings, what has been written before has only historically come true without any doubt. Why would I doubt that the writings about Jerusalem would come true, for those who are dividing Jerusalem, sooner or later judgments will come true for them too, I don't know if I will see it myself, but I hope not.
Thank you so much for your interesting article......since the rebirth of the nation of Israel, in 1948, these arabs (Palestinians) and the other Arab neighbors, started their war with Israel .....Two state solution with people who wants the destruction of our beautiful country .....and all the wars and after October 7th !!!!
"Jerusalem, borders, and settlements are contentious issues requiring compromise from both sides. Erekat acknowledged that Palestinians would need to make concessions on all three."
"As long as the entrenched narratives of violence and hatred remain prevalent in Palestinian society, and remain unchallenged or even supported by those claiming to stand in solidarity with Palestinians — the future will remain one of conflict and suffering."
Be it noted that the PA's Charter aligns with Hamas and Hezbollah's. Ereket would have been very familiar with the principles, motives, and plan of execution they advocate. Thus his representation to the young Israeli contingent about a willingness to negotiate peaceful co-existence is a text book example of Taqiyyah as authorized by no less an authority than the Koran itself.
The author of the article might label one calling out Ereket's inconsistency an extremist. However, consider the following: Ereket claims Jerusalem should be divided. Upon what basis do the Judean, Samarian, and Gazan Arabs have to a claim on Jerusalem? By religion? History? International and Customary International Law? Archeological evidence proving Palestinian national presence predating Jewish invader, colonial, settler, occupation? Or, is he pursuing a policy of incrementalism?
Funny, the author never asked Ereket that if the PA was sincere about its desire for a two state solution, why have they not to date rewritten their Charter to renounce the goal of "From the river to the sea"? Why have they not excise those chapters in their charter the justify violence (Intifada Now. Resistance by any means. Global Jihad.) as a legitimate means to the fulfillment of a "Free Palestine"?
Here’s a befuddlement: if Taqiyyah gives them a license to lie - why don’t they just change their charter? And now, having posed that question, how could they ever be trusted on anything?
Having thought a bit more, the ‘anything’ I was referring to was: written, re-written or resolved. Everything is a potential lie. That being the case, what is it about their Charter that makes it and keeps it so blatantly, stubbornly truthful? The answer to that question may be the key to unlocking this whole bloody conundrum.
The answer to both your replies is that the Charter is meant for internal consumption. It was written to appeal to the populace for their political support because it conforms to the populace's goal of obliterating those insolent, insufferable, accursed kufrs, the Jews per the instructions of the Koran.
The West are fed a different "interpretation" of the Charter, which they either accept because it fits in with their (naive) goal that a peaceful two state solution (never mind that the second state already exists and has since 1921) would solve all the Middle East's problems. Or, they don't want to acknowledge the unequivocal goals clearly articulated in the Charter because that would legitimize Israel's actions and her existence.
Thanks for your article. I agree with you, and I'm glad you pointed out the role of human rights organizations in deepening, lengthening, and entrenching the conflict by endorsing a legal narrative that requires Israel's destruction, thereby making compromise less likely if not impossible.
You can’t know any Palestinians because there’s no such thing. By calling the Arabs by their mythological name named after a British mandate FOR A JEWISH STATE which included all of Israel and what today is known as Jordan you are simply regurgitating their political Arabic supremacist agenda.
As Mossab Hassan Yousef said when asked by an Israeli woman: “How can we achieve peace with the Palestinians?”, “There will be no peace so long as you call them Palestinians.”
When the Arab world reabsorbs these Ex-Egyptians and ex-Jordanians there will only then be the hope for any lasting stability.
If I understood correctly from the title, then you want a Palestinian state to exist.
We will not discuss why now. Perhaps it is from your sense of justice that you believe that this will be "fair and right", perhaps it is a pragmatic calculation that this will create a peaceful coexistence of two peoples. I am not going to argue on this topic now (although I have many arguments for this). I just want to ask:
Do you consider it normal to create a 23rd Arab state, on a land where the Arabs are not the indigenous population, but came here as invaders and colonists, and since then have not tried to create their own state until the creation of a Jewish state on this land. Do you consider it a moral act to contribute to the creation of a state in which there is not the slightest sign of a democratic society, in which society is built on social, economic, gender and ethnic inequality, in which the corruption of the authoritarian government is connected with crime and terrorist organizations, in which the process of Islamist expansion of the most radical world movements is underway? Do you think the world needs this state? Will the world gain anything from its existence? Will it somehow bring humanity closer to something good or at least to hopes for something good?
I would be grateful for an honest and thoughtful answer.
I have zero sympathy for Palestinians. They have had over a hundred years to make peace with Zionists and every time they may have done that they have chosen total opposition to any Zionist aspirations. The latest duplicity coming out of the PA is like the duplicity of your conversation with Erekat. They are pathetic and dangerous and need to leave all Jewish territory west of the Jordan the sooner the better.
I believe they want a one state solution…one where Jews and Christians do not exist.
correct. there is no way to establish the real goal of the Islamist ideology: A Middle Eastern Caliphate first, then the rest of the world. Israel is the main obstacle standing in the way of the ME Caliphate.
We can’t forget that Muslims are required to practice Taqiyya. A lie to the infidel in order to protect Islam is not a sin in fact it is the opposite. Completely explains “innocent” civilian Gazan Arabs support of Hamas and gladly joining in the slaughter of 10/7.
I have zero sympathy for the Zionists. They stole a country using lethal force and then gas light the world when the dispossessed resist! FFS!
There was no country that existed there before Israel. Palestine was a territory under British control. Arabs and Jews lived there. The Arabs REJECTED the partition of the land into a Jewish and an Arab state and instead warred against the Jews and lost. Too damn bad. The "palestinians" repeatedly rejected offers of statehood over the decades and continue to play victim to useful idiots like yourself. So, who the hell was the land "stolen" from. Don't tell me the "palestinians", a fake nationality invented by the KGB in the 1960's. Who the world refers to as the "palestinians" are descendants of Arab conquerors who actually were the people that stole the land from the Jews among many other empires which also stole the land from the Jews and drove them out. The "palestinians" speak Arabic, they are not a distinct ethnicity or nationality. On the other hand, the Kurds are a distinct ethnicity and nationality and thereby much more worthy of statehood and are occupied by Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Yet the world isn't clamoring for a Kurdish state. I have zero sympathy for the "palestinians".
Nigel Humphrey is a hater.
I used the words in the article. Does your response mean that you accept the author is a, 'hater'?
Thank you Ryan for proving my point.
You are very welcome racist Nigel Humphrey happy to call out your racist Jew Hate.
Do you also hate America for what happened to the Native Indian Americans? Or the Australians for what happened to the Aboriginal People? No you don't, and because you don't you single out Jews, which makes you an Anti-Semite. Both of these Ethnic Groups suffered under White rule, but eventually became absorbed. When the Arab Palestinians drop demands for a 'State'-entity they will get democratic self-government in their own areas (Area A and Gaza) but without a 'State'-entity for Hamas to wage the Genocide they have sworn against the Jews of Israel, or borders to traffic Heavy Weapons across. By the way, The Jewish People are indigenous to The State of Israel because there have been Jews living there continuously for 3700 years. You are an Anti-Semite Mr Humphrey. I will not be replying to any more of your posts here.
Good. You don't know your own history.
Amen
Did anyone explain to Erekat that there is no right of return in international law once a person leaves a conflict zone and that refugee status cannot be handed down generationally? Once the person is born somewhere else they are not considered refugees of their parents original country by international law. I would have liked to hear how he discusses these issues. And what makes the Palestinians more important than any other people to think they can have rules jut apply to them.
The truth is, he is not a dove. He never was. He is a manipulator with the ultimate goal of destroying Israel. Time to open your eyes to the truth. There is no partner for peace among the palestinians, there never has been despite all the machinations and Oslo bullcrap (of course Oslo became defunct with the 2nd intifada but that is a discussion for a different time), and until they deradicalize their society there never will be peace.
You mean they must deradicalize their religion. Since the international rule about refugees contradicts the Islamic teaching on blood guilt and what to give to non-Muslims that soil the umma with their unwanted presence, international law must give way. Muslim migrants who have become German citizens openly proclaim that Germany will become an Islamic state, that rape of women who "dress like whores" will not be a crime, and Sharia would be imposed on all Germans. I used to think Muslims would eventually deradicalize the religion and take back all the nasty stuff that they were doing. I no longer do... and I expect more Islamic terrorism within the United States and Canada, not just Europe.
I say 'taqqiya' is a real problem. I would never trust the Gazan people, especially since many 'innocent' residents there took hostages as slaves and worse. I may feel that because some residents are mistreated by Hamas, that they should have tried to show empathy towards Jews and Israelis. With that being said, they go by their Quran and the belief that we are all to worship in their faith, or perish. Way before the creation of Israel, we were kicked out of, or worse, from places we once lived. For this reason, we can never let other societies, do to us what was done previously. We must not allow this hatred to infect our beautiful Israel, ever again. I will keep advocating as to why our country should remain ours. End of story.
Erekat’s proposed plan sounds nearly (exactly?) like the Clinton parameters. The ability to stay quiet while he claimed that they had never rejected a peace deal and the onus was all on Israel…wow.
Exactly
As a non-denominational Christian woman I really have no real voice in this matter but I have opinions. First of all, semantics matter and in my vocabulary Palestine, Palestinians, West Bank do not exist rather Arabs defined by location as Gazan Arabs, Arabs in Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, etc. Changing the terms used is a small but not insignificant difference. In any area, country, territory with a Muslim majority practicing Sharia law I could not exist. Because of the liberation of Jerusalem in 1968, I was able to have free access to Christian sites. Today not so much.
Obviously I am not in favor of a 2 state solution. Gaza Arabs had the vote in 2005 when Israel left and they chose to be governed by Hamas terrorism. They are not my friends. Talk to the Arab nations abt Arab refugees. It is their responsibility to take on the re-education of their brothers. These opinions have gained more credit since
10/7/24 and with a new administration in the USA I fully expect 100% support for Israel. Hamas manipulation of hostage release only strengthens our resolve.
you are right on the money, Patricia. Exactly what I have been saying for a while now. Thank you for your support of Jews and Israel. I and most other Jews welcome and appreciate you.
I believe I was fortunate never to hear antisemitic comments as a child in the south. Perhaps my first awareness that Jews were hated came when my uncles returned after WWII. One in the 101st Airborne, wounded in ‘The Battle of the Bulge’ the other with Patton’s Army who survived the Bulge to go with Patton across Europe liberating the camps. He wrote to his mother about what he saw and she took his letter to the local paper where it was published on the front page. There were no syndicated papers in our rather insulated small town and news on radio was highly censored during the war. So obviously people were horrified and outraged. Although I was only 8 y/o at war’s end our enemies were known even to children.
As an adult I traveled alone to Israel for a month, joining separate tours of interest.There were many highlights but my first stop was newly liberated Jerusalem. Yad Vashem has been unforgettable. I did fall in love with Israeli’s and Israel and came home a confirmed supporter of Zionism. It’s only common sense.
I grew up in Georgia and I can tell you I not only heard horrific antisemitic things, but my brother and I--the only two Jews in the school--were physically beaten and tormented by other children. Only one teacher ever stood up for me being bullied; the rest stood by with tacit approval. I don't believe it is as bad as it was 50 years ago, but it was awful then. And, like the Gazans do--it was due to parents teaching their children to hate. One 8-year-old child came up to me at school one day and said, "My mom said to tell you that the only mistake Hitler made was he didn't get all of you." I had no idea what she was talking about, except her face was twisted with hatred. I asked her, "who is Hitler?" She didn't know, either. She only knew she was taught to hate me and to repeat what her mother told her to say to me. I have many stories like that.
It is so awful when children’s innocence is sullied by parental abuse. One of my relatives by marriage is from many generations of Hungarian Jews. Father as a child was hidden with his parents from Eichmann’s final round up of Budapest Jews and survived. My relative would regularly hear “Filthy Jews” spoken out loud on the tram. Coming to the U.S. was a dream come true and now we see Hamas demonstrations by American idiots who haven’t a clue. It boggles the mind. I pray to God that PDJT addresses antisemitism. The majority of Christians that I know today support Israel and truly believe it’s God given. I don’t hear antisemitic talk maybe bc I let my views be known. After one rare comment by a neighbor…”The Jews run Hollywood”, I replied, “Naturally since they created Hollywood at the start of the last century.” Crickets.
Later it seemed to make her more friendly. You can’t go along to get along. Nip those inferences in the bud.
Hands down, my religious Christian friends are the MOST supportive. They are the ones asking me how I'm feeling with all the antisemitism and everything going on, not my secular friends. That God we have their support; we need them!
Dana, I am thrilled that PDJT within the last few days is formally addressing antisemitism. Yay for us! What do you think of the legislation?
that's pretty amazing if you write fifty years ago...when I was a kid. My mom from what is now poverty crime ridden E. St Louis was one of a very tiny Jewish community....she was excused from singing Christian songs at school by her mother's intervention....otherwise she related no stories as you write.
Different locations, different people. I know what it was like where I was, and I know there are places that weren't like that. Also, my brother and I had it extra bad because my father employed (at his store) Black people and treated them well, and treated Black customers like White customers (Blacks were often made to go to the back of the line to buy things if a White person got in line behind them). He called Black people "sir" and "ma'am" and our household help was allowed to come in through the FRONT door, which infuriated our neighbors. So we weren't just called Dirty Jews, we were also beaten up for being "N##ger-loving Jews."
This is why I don’t criticize actions by Israel that appear to be obstacles to peace (e.g., settlements, Jerusalem, etc,). Why should Israel give the Palestinians a de facto state when they have zero interest in negotiating in good faith on a real one?
Beautifully written and explained. Unfortunately it's hard to believe that Palestinian refugees' descendants would not choose to return to Isreal since their demand is, from the river to the sea.
It has become abundantly clear: IT IS NOT ABOUT LAND. Never was. The terrorists' Islamist ideology has been revealed to us over and over: The entire world must become Muslim, and infidels who do not convert die. The Jews are the first and most hated target for several reasons, including statements in the Quran, and the fact that Israel stands in the way of the Middle East Caliphate. Christians are also targeted. Muslims are slaughtering Hindus in Bangladesh as I write this. And the Sudan?--Muslim on Muslim slaughter to the ongoing tune of half a million and counting because of difference in ethnicity and ideology. (Just sayin'). Thus--giving land will only weaken Israel's security and not solve the attacks/hatred. Big big changes are in the works and a new Middle East is coming and those plans are starting to come into sharper focus. And it does not involve a separate state for the "Palestinians" --a state that they don't even want.
Hi Joel, excellent article. I in fact drafted a peace plan 5 years ago (modified slightly since) which addresses the problem of right of return. In essence, doing a sort of 'population exchange' -300,000 - 350,000 settlers to remain in place in the West Bank in exchange for a similar number of Palestinians to return to Israel. But BOTH sides to only have 'residency' status.
So Jews in the then Palestinian West Bank would vote in Israeli elections and Palestinian residents in Israel would vote in Palestinian elections - since that should be where both parties voting interests should be. This then bypasses the issue of massive Muslim immigration affecting Israeli elections. This is a very similar situation to the 2 million British residents in Spain, of which I was one years ago. We all voted in British national elections while resident in Spain.
This got good support from left-wing members in the Knesset, but the Palestinian side was deathly silent and unresponsive. I'll be publishing it here later in modified form, but could send you an advance copy if you like. It's something I think is worth pursuing again. Are subscribed to each other? That would make exchange of material easier.
All Best, John M.
You, like many others, misunderstand what the conflict is fundamentally about.
The Palestine Cause rejects Israel because the Palestinian collective sees Jews as Satanic https://palwatch.org/page/34385 human-waste https://palwatch.org/page/34709 apes and pigs https://palwatch.org/page/35032 , and has no compunctions about publicly and vocally saying so.
Israel exists to preserve Jewish individual, communal and national rights; to prevent Jews from being "constant objects of oppression and intolerance" https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1854/03/28.htm .
To the Arab supremacism and Islamism embodied in the Palestine Cause, Jews with rights - and the sovereignty to preserve such rights - are anathema. Worse, that despicable, lowly, Jews should enforce such limitations on good Arabs or Muslims is a complete overturning of the "natural" order, and must be resisted at all costs. The ultimate goal of any Palestinian state is to return things to "normal".
Thus, the idea that a Palestinian state cannot have any Jews, goes directly to the heart of the matter. Any rights afforded to Jews are entirely at the whim of the generously munificent Arab/Muslim overlord; said state represents the ultimate power of Arabs/Muslims to control and take away Jewish rights.
Settlements - Jews owning property and running the municipality so Jews get municipal services - represent in microcosm the same problem as Israel.
This is why Jews entering the PA do so at risk of being lynched, why Jews cannot own property under PA law, why the only Jews in Gaza are those dragged there against their will. To the Palestinian collective, Hamas atrocities on Oct. 7th are a vivid and powerful demonstration of the "proper" place of the Jews, and thus are perfectly moral; which is why the PA has yet to issue any sort of condemnation of Oct. 7th.
More broadly, has a terrorist on his way to commit this or that evil act, ever asked themselves: perhaps his victims' rights ought not be violated?
As you noted, not all Palestinians subscribe to this supremacism. But individuals here are irrelevant; what matters is the collective and its attitudes, not those of the individual.
When 10,000 openly Jewish Jews live under Palestinian control in Ramallah and Gaza with the same safety and security as Arabs do in Tel Aviv and Ariel, we'll know the collective has changed. Until then, all the agreements and honeyed words are only tactical steps to denying Jewish rights.
I once had an Israeli Arab coworker, he never said he was Palestinian. He refused to use the term, he was born in Israel himself, but his grandparents were of Jordanian origin, as were so many who came to work in Israel at that time. He came to Finland through marriage. Yes, Israeli Arabs are peace loving, like many other Arabs, but to quote Jasher, who did not interfere in his life with politics, openly admitted that there is no community Palestinian, we are all Arabs.
The name Palestine comes from the Romans who gave it to the land from which the Jews were expelled due to continuous rebellions. The area has been called the land of Canaan since ancient times, where 12 tribes settled at the end of their journey from Egypt. Without taking any further stance on how the various tribes of that time fared and why, but history does not call them Palestinians. The Tanakh historical books give the causes and consequences, also for the existence of the Jews in the land of Canaan, which is also written in the Torah. But it is a completely different matter whether an individual trusts and believes in Jewish writings, what has been written before has only historically come true without any doubt. Why would I doubt that the writings about Jerusalem would come true, for those who are dividing Jerusalem, sooner or later judgments will come true for them too, I don't know if I will see it myself, but I hope not.
Thank you so much for your interesting article......since the rebirth of the nation of Israel, in 1948, these arabs (Palestinians) and the other Arab neighbors, started their war with Israel .....Two state solution with people who wants the destruction of our beautiful country .....and all the wars and after October 7th !!!!
"Jerusalem, borders, and settlements are contentious issues requiring compromise from both sides. Erekat acknowledged that Palestinians would need to make concessions on all three."
"As long as the entrenched narratives of violence and hatred remain prevalent in Palestinian society, and remain unchallenged or even supported by those claiming to stand in solidarity with Palestinians — the future will remain one of conflict and suffering."
Be it noted that the PA's Charter aligns with Hamas and Hezbollah's. Ereket would have been very familiar with the principles, motives, and plan of execution they advocate. Thus his representation to the young Israeli contingent about a willingness to negotiate peaceful co-existence is a text book example of Taqiyyah as authorized by no less an authority than the Koran itself.
The author of the article might label one calling out Ereket's inconsistency an extremist. However, consider the following: Ereket claims Jerusalem should be divided. Upon what basis do the Judean, Samarian, and Gazan Arabs have to a claim on Jerusalem? By religion? History? International and Customary International Law? Archeological evidence proving Palestinian national presence predating Jewish invader, colonial, settler, occupation? Or, is he pursuing a policy of incrementalism?
Funny, the author never asked Ereket that if the PA was sincere about its desire for a two state solution, why have they not to date rewritten their Charter to renounce the goal of "From the river to the sea"? Why have they not excise those chapters in their charter the justify violence (Intifada Now. Resistance by any means. Global Jihad.) as a legitimate means to the fulfillment of a "Free Palestine"?
Here’s a befuddlement: if Taqiyyah gives them a license to lie - why don’t they just change their charter? And now, having posed that question, how could they ever be trusted on anything?
Having thought a bit more, the ‘anything’ I was referring to was: written, re-written or resolved. Everything is a potential lie. That being the case, what is it about their Charter that makes it and keeps it so blatantly, stubbornly truthful? The answer to that question may be the key to unlocking this whole bloody conundrum.
The answer to both your replies is that the Charter is meant for internal consumption. It was written to appeal to the populace for their political support because it conforms to the populace's goal of obliterating those insolent, insufferable, accursed kufrs, the Jews per the instructions of the Koran.
The West are fed a different "interpretation" of the Charter, which they either accept because it fits in with their (naive) goal that a peaceful two state solution (never mind that the second state already exists and has since 1921) would solve all the Middle East's problems. Or, they don't want to acknowledge the unequivocal goals clearly articulated in the Charter because that would legitimize Israel's actions and her existence.
Thanks for your article. I agree with you, and I'm glad you pointed out the role of human rights organizations in deepening, lengthening, and entrenching the conflict by endorsing a legal narrative that requires Israel's destruction, thereby making compromise less likely if not impossible.
You can’t know any Palestinians because there’s no such thing. By calling the Arabs by their mythological name named after a British mandate FOR A JEWISH STATE which included all of Israel and what today is known as Jordan you are simply regurgitating their political Arabic supremacist agenda.
As Mossab Hassan Yousef said when asked by an Israeli woman: “How can we achieve peace with the Palestinians?”, “There will be no peace so long as you call them Palestinians.”
When the Arab world reabsorbs these Ex-Egyptians and ex-Jordanians there will only then be the hope for any lasting stability.
If I understood correctly from the title, then you want a Palestinian state to exist.
We will not discuss why now. Perhaps it is from your sense of justice that you believe that this will be "fair and right", perhaps it is a pragmatic calculation that this will create a peaceful coexistence of two peoples. I am not going to argue on this topic now (although I have many arguments for this). I just want to ask:
Do you consider it normal to create a 23rd Arab state, on a land where the Arabs are not the indigenous population, but came here as invaders and colonists, and since then have not tried to create their own state until the creation of a Jewish state on this land. Do you consider it a moral act to contribute to the creation of a state in which there is not the slightest sign of a democratic society, in which society is built on social, economic, gender and ethnic inequality, in which the corruption of the authoritarian government is connected with crime and terrorist organizations, in which the process of Islamist expansion of the most radical world movements is underway? Do you think the world needs this state? Will the world gain anything from its existence? Will it somehow bring humanity closer to something good or at least to hopes for something good?
I would be grateful for an honest and thoughtful answer.