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.
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.
When you say “those who demand a reboot” I assumed you were including Muslims, but you say “they are satisfied with….” and you include the Inquisition in your list.
I’m not disagreeing with your general point - just saying that the Inquisition didn’t just target Jews.
I think it’s pretty obvious NO ONE targeted by the Inquisition is okay with it. Therefore saying Muslims didn’t like it is stating the obvious. However the difference is, Muslims has Muslim lands to escape to — so they had a safety net. Jews had nothing like that — no safety net.
Take my word for it as a cosmologist (amateur, but for this you don’t need a pro): the human story in the Middle East, and on Earth, will end at some point.
I cannot "like" this comment. That is awful.
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.
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.
You think Muslims are okay with the inquisition?
Nope. And they have made it clear that they would like to reclaim Spain for Islam.
You might want to edit your post then.
Why? I didn't include every single event that occured around the globe.
When you say “those who demand a reboot” I assumed you were including Muslims, but you say “they are satisfied with….” and you include the Inquisition in your list.
I’m not disagreeing with your general point - just saying that the Inquisition didn’t just target Jews.
I was not referring to Muslims but to ALL those who think Israel is occupying land to which she has no right. Actually,
I think it’s pretty obvious NO ONE targeted by the Inquisition is okay with it. Therefore saying Muslims didn’t like it is stating the obvious. However the difference is, Muslims has Muslim lands to escape to — so they had a safety net. Jews had nothing like that — no safety net.
Wow
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.
https://youtu.be/nSMrNZSruHM?feature=shared
Take my word for it as a cosmologist (amateur, but for this you don’t need a pro): the human story in the Middle East, and on Earth, will end at some point.
The Earth will end at some point.
Sheri you have so lost this argument and you can't see it!
Everything you b say drives more nails into the future of Israel.