Unreservedly I ask for the release of all hostages as well as a ceasefire Jena. Absolutely. I can’t imagine what it’s like for them and their families. Beyond heartbreaking.
I read your article Jena. Beautiful and yes it was beyond evil what Hamas did in butchering the innocent civilians. And appropriate to remember that Hamas butchered the innocent.
But now it is beyond evil what Israel is doing with the complicity of the US government and the arms industry. Speaking out against the Israeli right wing government is not anti Jewish. Many Jewish people and even holocaust survivors are against it. Imagine over 11000 people slaughtered 5000 children and almost 3000 women! I can’t believe that this is not totally revenge.
I agree that being critical of the Israeli government is not intrinsically anti-Jewish. And Netanyahu is unhinged and dangerous to Palestinians AND to Israel.
Unfortunately, in a more real-life sense (as opposed to the theory of it) for many people there seems to be little or no distinction, as is evidenced by an explosion of antisemitism worldwide. There are absolutely no adequate words for the horror of the deaths in Gaza, just as there are no adequate words for the fact that babies and elders – including peace activists - are being held hostage in Hamas tunnels.
I am afraid this situation will only continue to escalate if we can't find ways to communicate that go beyond moral and political certainty. I myself have neither. Yes, many Jews and Holocaust survivors are calling for a ceasefire. Others are asking, what then? How will Israel protect itself from Hamas repeating 10/7 again (and again and again), as its leaders have explicitly promised they will?
It is an excruciating situation and I don't claim to have any answers. But I do believe that if you are calling for a ceasefire, it would be helpful and meaningful if you are *also* calling for a release of the hostages and an end to Hamas.
Unreservedly I ask for the release of all hostages as well as a ceasefire Jena. Absolutely. I can’t imagine what it’s like for them and their families. Beyond heartbreaking.
Love you fellow Schwartz, and admire you writing in the face of all this horror and dread and grief.
I read your article Jena. Beautiful and yes it was beyond evil what Hamas did in butchering the innocent civilians. And appropriate to remember that Hamas butchered the innocent.
But now it is beyond evil what Israel is doing with the complicity of the US government and the arms industry. Speaking out against the Israeli right wing government is not anti Jewish. Many Jewish people and even holocaust survivors are against it. Imagine over 11000 people slaughtered 5000 children and almost 3000 women! I can’t believe that this is not totally revenge.
Anne, thank you for your comment.
I agree that being critical of the Israeli government is not intrinsically anti-Jewish. And Netanyahu is unhinged and dangerous to Palestinians AND to Israel.
Unfortunately, in a more real-life sense (as opposed to the theory of it) for many people there seems to be little or no distinction, as is evidenced by an explosion of antisemitism worldwide. There are absolutely no adequate words for the horror of the deaths in Gaza, just as there are no adequate words for the fact that babies and elders – including peace activists - are being held hostage in Hamas tunnels.
I am afraid this situation will only continue to escalate if we can't find ways to communicate that go beyond moral and political certainty. I myself have neither. Yes, many Jews and Holocaust survivors are calling for a ceasefire. Others are asking, what then? How will Israel protect itself from Hamas repeating 10/7 again (and again and again), as its leaders have explicitly promised they will?
It is an excruciating situation and I don't claim to have any answers. But I do believe that if you are calling for a ceasefire, it would be helpful and meaningful if you are *also* calling for a release of the hostages and an end to Hamas.