But whom are we trying to convince? Lately I started to feel that I am talking to myself at the worst, and to other Jews (or those who sympathize with our plight) at the best, but are we reaching beyond the pale? I hope we do, but I am missing the signs…
Excellent article. I am currently in a letter exchange with a relative about this very subject—when did the conflict begin? I will send this article to him. He will skim through it, and in so many words he will say, “ Since when did facts matter?”
It is a lost cause to try to convince the fringe, but I do believe it helps our own clarity.
I just had a similar exchange with my only sibling yesterday morning, after I forwarded her another of Sheri Oz’s articles and a few others about the atrocities committed on Oct 7. Essentially the smug wench, who predictably takes the comfortable path of least effort or research, immediately blamed Israel for causing its own pain. At that point I blew up, reviewed some recent and ancient history including some Sheri had in here, told her off in various ways and ‘washed my hands’ of her. A phrase itself which comes from Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, dealing with thorny issues of governing indigenous Jews . Plus ca change…
I don’t want to wash my hands of him, but I just know that this is a person whom I can’t take seriously, and with whom I will (maybe) talk about the weather. Oh, even that brings out the fringe in people nowadays.
I don’t wash my hands of him. I also told my sister ‘I was done with her’. I used that phrase here merely to give an example of how, even in ordinary daily speech, people who will argue up and down that Israel is ‘occupying’ land it has no ‘historic’ right to, will accept speech without blinking which confirms the indigeneity of the Jews in that land
Unfortunately, the denials will continue because without the Jews; who will the “ progressive crowd “ have to protest. Facts are meaningless to these people, and believe Jews are a “ soft target.” Weirdly or not, I believe it’s become a form of socialization. As DEI fails, they need a cause.
You're wrong on knowing the future. The Jewish prophets including Joel, Zechariah, Amos, Isaiah Ezekiel ect. Lay it out succinctly and clearly. Here's Joel's prophecy that we see unfolding right now.
The Nations Judged
3 [a]“In those days and at that time,
when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations
and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.(modern day Jezreel Valley)
There I will put them on trial
for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." (America's fake peace, Two State Final Solution)
JOEL 3
My comment to a popular confused influencer who is pointing the finger at Israel for genocide against Hamas Islamic terrorist who have genocide of Jews and Israel in their Charter.
I don't get it Michael Yon.
By now you can see with both eyes wide open that Bully Empire USA's peace scam to weaken, control and restrain Israel was one big con job that only encouraged the death worship, and 72 virgins cult of the false prophet to exterminate Israel as THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING SINCE 1948 ?
Israe due to it's small size, the size of New Jersey is an easy target for bully empires and greedy Arabs who already have too much land to.pick on and abuse, isn't it.
The cowards know that the Jews won't cut their heads off like the bloodthirsty savages of Islam.
Let's compare Washington treatment of Turkey versus it's treatment of Israel. When President Bush sought to transit the US Military into it's failed Iraq War by way of Turkey they said NO !. The US backed down like a whipped puppy. NATO member Turkey hosts Hamas terrorists on America's terrorist list, and openly supports them and threatens Israel with war, but we don't hear a peep from Austin, Blinken or Biden. There are thousands of examples of evil, duplicitous acts I could give the comatose, but I'll suffice with 2 more. The treatment of Jonathan Pollard by Republicans and Democrats in the evil empire.... and lastly .... ""After the meeting, Roosevelt returned to Washington, where he lived just long enough to make one final address to Congress. He had, he said, “learned more (about Palestine and the Near East) by talking with Ibn Saud for five minutes than I could have learned in exchange of two or three dozen letters.” On Feb. 16, 1945, Roosevelt wrote to Eddy to say his meeting with the king was “so outstanding a success” as well as “a most interesting and stimulating experience." OIL.OIL.OIL $ American Greed. What many don't know is that the Muslim Saudi King was very concerned about Jews surviving the Shoah in Europe might return to Muslim turf and set up a new place to live. Roosevelt promised the King he would not allow an Israel. Not long after Roosevelt was dead. The big picture is God is in control and everyone who gets in His way has an expiration date even big bully empires like arrogant, evil USA. Israel needs to get a backbone, dump the worthless Israeli politicians who run to Washington instead of God and get ready for the fireworks.
When I was in graduate school at Penn State University in the 00s, I was discussing the Vietnam War with a fellow student.
To my surprise he said something like, "Ya know, we're still too close to that war and its social consequences to make a truly fair assessment."
I think that you're making a very important point.
When we see the beginnings of a story determines, at least in part, how we see the broader context.
Personally, I find myself looking at the conflict beginning with the death of Muhammad, the expansion of Islam, and the subjugation of Jews (and other dhimmis) as second and third-class non-citizens under the boot of Arab and Muslim imperial rule for 13 centuries until the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
I will simplify the situation. Those who demand a reboot need a button that will reboot only the Jewish state.
They are satisfied with the Roman expulsion of Jews, the Inquisition, the Pale of Settlement, shtettls and ghettos, gas chambers, pogroms. They are not satisfied with the part of history where Jews create their own state and defend it.
This has already been clearly and repeatedly voiced by the leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, the UN Secretary General, NYT, BBC, the Guardian and others.
But whom are we trying to convince? Lately I started to feel that I am talking to myself at the worst, and to other Jews (or those who sympathize with our plight) at the best, but are we reaching beyond the pale? I hope we do, but I am missing the signs…
We need never give up, I think. Somewhere sometime some particular way of putting things will touch someone
Spot on. *When* people begin their historic narrative reveals more than they realize. There are so many potential opening scenes! 😵💫
https://outofbabel.substack.com/p/the-story-now-playing-inside-your
Great minds. I originally wrote this piece in 2017.
Excellent article. I am currently in a letter exchange with a relative about this very subject—when did the conflict begin? I will send this article to him. He will skim through it, and in so many words he will say, “ Since when did facts matter?”
It is a lost cause to try to convince the fringe, but I do believe it helps our own clarity.
I just had a similar exchange with my only sibling yesterday morning, after I forwarded her another of Sheri Oz’s articles and a few others about the atrocities committed on Oct 7. Essentially the smug wench, who predictably takes the comfortable path of least effort or research, immediately blamed Israel for causing its own pain. At that point I blew up, reviewed some recent and ancient history including some Sheri had in here, told her off in various ways and ‘washed my hands’ of her. A phrase itself which comes from Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, dealing with thorny issues of governing indigenous Jews . Plus ca change…
I don’t want to wash my hands of him, but I just know that this is a person whom I can’t take seriously, and with whom I will (maybe) talk about the weather. Oh, even that brings out the fringe in people nowadays.
I don’t wash my hands of him. I also told my sister ‘I was done with her’. I used that phrase here merely to give an example of how, even in ordinary daily speech, people who will argue up and down that Israel is ‘occupying’ land it has no ‘historic’ right to, will accept speech without blinking which confirms the indigeneity of the Jews in that land
Unfortunately, the denials will continue because without the Jews; who will the “ progressive crowd “ have to protest. Facts are meaningless to these people, and believe Jews are a “ soft target.” Weirdly or not, I believe it’s become a form of socialization. As DEI fails, they need a cause.
Unfortunately, he’s Jewish. But in name only. Not culturally, religiously, and without any identification with Israel. Sad.
You're wrong on knowing the future. The Jewish prophets including Joel, Zechariah, Amos, Isaiah Ezekiel ect. Lay it out succinctly and clearly. Here's Joel's prophecy that we see unfolding right now.
The Nations Judged
3 [a]“In those days and at that time,
when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all nations
and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.(modern day Jezreel Valley)
There I will put them on trial
for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." (America's fake peace, Two State Final Solution)
JOEL 3
My comment to a popular confused influencer who is pointing the finger at Israel for genocide against Hamas Islamic terrorist who have genocide of Jews and Israel in their Charter.
I don't get it Michael Yon.
By now you can see with both eyes wide open that Bully Empire USA's peace scam to weaken, control and restrain Israel was one big con job that only encouraged the death worship, and 72 virgins cult of the false prophet to exterminate Israel as THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING SINCE 1948 ?
Israe due to it's small size, the size of New Jersey is an easy target for bully empires and greedy Arabs who already have too much land to.pick on and abuse, isn't it.
The cowards know that the Jews won't cut their heads off like the bloodthirsty savages of Islam.
Let's compare Washington treatment of Turkey versus it's treatment of Israel. When President Bush sought to transit the US Military into it's failed Iraq War by way of Turkey they said NO !. The US backed down like a whipped puppy. NATO member Turkey hosts Hamas terrorists on America's terrorist list, and openly supports them and threatens Israel with war, but we don't hear a peep from Austin, Blinken or Biden. There are thousands of examples of evil, duplicitous acts I could give the comatose, but I'll suffice with 2 more. The treatment of Jonathan Pollard by Republicans and Democrats in the evil empire.... and lastly .... ""After the meeting, Roosevelt returned to Washington, where he lived just long enough to make one final address to Congress. He had, he said, “learned more (about Palestine and the Near East) by talking with Ibn Saud for five minutes than I could have learned in exchange of two or three dozen letters.” On Feb. 16, 1945, Roosevelt wrote to Eddy to say his meeting with the king was “so outstanding a success” as well as “a most interesting and stimulating experience." OIL.OIL.OIL $ American Greed. What many don't know is that the Muslim Saudi King was very concerned about Jews surviving the Shoah in Europe might return to Muslim turf and set up a new place to live. Roosevelt promised the King he would not allow an Israel. Not long after Roosevelt was dead. The big picture is God is in control and everyone who gets in His way has an expiration date even big bully empires like arrogant, evil USA. Israel needs to get a backbone, dump the worthless Israeli politicians who run to Washington instead of God and get ready for the fireworks.
Israel's occupation escalates in Jerusalem 😆😭🤣
I can't stop smirking
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/global/un/israel-turning-unrwas-jerusalem-compound-into-1440-housing-units/2024/10/11/
I especially loved the last part.
When I was in graduate school at Penn State University in the 00s, I was discussing the Vietnam War with a fellow student.
To my surprise he said something like, "Ya know, we're still too close to that war and its social consequences to make a truly fair assessment."
I think that you're making a very important point.
When we see the beginnings of a story determines, at least in part, how we see the broader context.
Personally, I find myself looking at the conflict beginning with the death of Muhammad, the expansion of Islam, and the subjugation of Jews (and other dhimmis) as second and third-class non-citizens under the boot of Arab and Muslim imperial rule for 13 centuries until the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Wow.
So rare these days.
Sheri, you have packed so much into this lucid account of history and sentiment.
Thank you for sharing this solid foundation for thought and conversation.
Brilliant article Sheri. Thank you. Historical facts cannot be denied. Even the modern time facts (aliyahs) start around 1860's.
I will simplify the situation. Those who demand a reboot need a button that will reboot only the Jewish state.
They are satisfied with the Roman expulsion of Jews, the Inquisition, the Pale of Settlement, shtettls and ghettos, gas chambers, pogroms. They are not satisfied with the part of history where Jews create their own state and defend it.
This has already been clearly and repeatedly voiced by the leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, the UN Secretary General, NYT, BBC, the Guardian and others.
Almost no child in US public schools learns any history - or the ability to read history - or the ability to think about history - or how to read.
I cannot "like" this comment. That is awful.
Do the protestors in North America know that they are all settler-colonials? Why don't they go back where they came from?
An excellent historical encapsulation. Forwarding to several non-Jewish groups.