The situation in Israel and Gaza torments decent people of every ethnicity.
The murderous rampage of Hamas terrorists creates rage and despair among Jews everywhere, not just in Israel. Is there no place Jews can ever be safe?
The relentless coldhearted siege of Gaza resulting in the needless deaths of civilians is heartbreaking. The Gazan civilians are twice victims – betrayed by Hamas (which hoards its fuel to use launching rockets) and blamed by the Israeli government for sheltering Hamas, which uses them as human shields, deliberately building their war tunnels beneath schools, hospitals and homes.
The basic truth of moral dilemmas is this: Decisions between good and evil are easy. Decisions between two goods are harder, but solvable. Decisions between two evils are impossible. What is Israel supposed to/allowed to do? Whatever this rotten fascist Israeli government does will harm normal democracy-loving Israelis and normal Gazans who just want a normal life. Do nothing? Leave Hamas standing and stronger than ever, subjecting Gazans to their corrupt rule and Israelis to their terror? Pummel Hamas into the ground despite their very successful strategy of hiding behind civilians, and taking those civilians down along with Hamas? Try to make some sort of deal with Hamas, which is committed to the expulsion of Jews from the area? Really? You want us to deal with people who want to make the Middle East judenrein?
Well, actually, that’s what the Netanyahu government did, in essence. That didn’t seem to end well, either.
So that’s why I haven’t said much. I don’t have answers. None of the answers people of good will are suggesting have any chance of success – and I’m defining success as a decent life for Israelis in Israel and for Palestinians in an independent Palestine. Each side needs to clean its own house. Palestinians need to get rid of the corrupt organization terrorizing both Gazans and Israelis. Israelis have to get rid of the corrupt government that supports a non-democratic theocracy. A decent country should have no use for idolaters who value land over people, or those who are horrifyingly willing to become like those who oppressed Jews over the ages, denying the humanity of the other. I don’t know how or even if that is possible in the middle of a war.
And there’s one more reason I’ve been quiet. I don’t know whom I can trust; I don’t know who will listen and engage forthrightly and with good will; I don’t know who isn’t so consumed with rage at one side or the other that they can’t believe that anyone can care about both.