I am no Fareed Zakaria, but I am going to share my views on two subjects, Gaza and the turmoil on American Universities, because why should only local law enforcement have rocks and bottles filled with urine be thrown at them?
You are making ENTIRELY reasonable suggestions - I'm sure that will rile all sorts of people up because logic and reason have been sorely lacking in our public discussions.
Comment 3: Thanks. Sometimes in conversation with friends, I suggest that the solution will not only need a scalpel, but also surgical tweezers. I've been to Israel, have friends and family there, have been to the border regions, including near Gaza. I was there the summer that Israel brought their last two settlement colonies out of Gaza. I've been to South Africa, and the overlap with apartheid is evident to me. Our friends and family members have been in streets demanding Bibi GO NOW ever since his "court restructuring" BS.
Had some of this conversation with a neighbor...I asked if they understood the complexity of the history of the region and had they ever heard of the Ottoman Empire and how the Balfour Resolution of colonial Britain actually started this mess in 1918? Of course they hadn't.
I don't think I made much headway but I did try to explain that 1) neither side is really interested in stopping the bloodshed at this point because it serves each of their opposing purposes, 2) including other Arab nations in the negotiations takes time, yes, but it will lead to a longer lasting solution and only diplomacy - which Biden and Blinken are really working hard on - can achieve this, and 3) Netanyahu is a Putinesque tyrant and the people of Israel are the ones who have to get him out of power, not the US. Also, Israel is an ally with whom we have treaties and CONTRACTS we are legally obligated to fulfill so negating such contracts is not possible right now without concessions from Bibi and that just ain't gonna happen. Personally, I'd like to see us slow-walk those arms deliveries, but...
In addition, I said protests are vital for people to express their views, as long as they don't devolve into violence. I've been to my share of protests in my life and plan to continue to do so into my dotage; while I think some of these kids might be misguided and uninformed and manipulated by forces they don't understand, I support them peacefully making their voices heard.
The neighbor's facial expression told me I don't think I'll be invited to dinner any time soon, but I'm good with that.
The U.S. and the U.N. must rollback the 1947 plan, admit failure, and let the Israelites and Palestinians form an agreement that separates the two states, with no occupations and clear borders. The world has no doubt by now that the plan has always been a failure.
Excellent article. You hit the nail on the head with, "That the entire modern Middle East remains divided into arbitrary borders and divisions that were created by colonial powers that did not respect the tribalism of the people they conquered?."
There will be no 'solution' until we (the planet) deal honestly with this trauma. IMHO of course.
Comment #3: Many people, especially young folks, say they can't vote for President Biden now because he's supporting Israel and participating in the destruction of Gaza. They seem to want the perfect candidate to be on the ballot or they just won't vote or vote for Trump. Seriously? Do they have any idea the abysmal effect on this country of another Trump presidence? It's way too similar to the riots in Chicago in 1968 that led to a Nixon victory over Humphrey. That victory led to the prolonging of the Vietnam war by many years. If Biden loses to Trump in November, there goes any hope for Gaza, any hope for Ukraine surviving, abortion will likely be banned nationwide, environmental laws will be repealed, voting rights curtailed, round ups and incarceration of millions of our neighbors, who might be here illegally. Yes, Biden is old, but he's not senile, and when his term is up, he will leave office willingly and Constitutionally. Trump is already showing signs of dementia; would he leave at the end of his term? Judging by the past example, it's doubtful.
I am so glad to have found someone who sees the possibilities. Netanyahu must step down or be voted out. Only then can a peaceful, equitable solution be found. It
Your first comments are exactly how I feel about the Hamas /Israel situation. One one thing the media misses is that Hamas knew what response to October 7th would be and is using the innocent Palastinian as human shields as well as the Israel hostages.
I agree with all your comments. Unfortunately, this war in Gaza is polarizing our country. Biden is trying to stay as neutral as possible, while the other "candidate" is trying to stir up events as much as possible. I only hope rational thoughts will prevail, especially with those who are protesting.
Understanding of the problem. Read the history of Palestine before you judge — the greatest injustice of our lives is taking place. My tax money is killing and starving innocents. A shameful tragedy.
Your comments reflect my conflicted feelings about this entire disaster. My first thought was that Hamas knew what would happen when they attacked Israel on October 7. They had been planning it for over a year, as I understand, and made it deliberately horrific by their egregious assaults on women and children, as well as the taking of hostages. Israel responded harshly, as Hamas knew they would. Perhaps Hamas was worried about the rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabria, and that triggered their attack. Hamas has always been bent on revenge and destruction, and instead of spending the years they've been in power trying to make life better for their people in Gaza, they chose to build tunnels and plot attacks. Now the people of Gaza are playing the price. The horror of October 7 has faded, and now we are bombarded daily with scenes of death and destruction in Gaza. The longer Israel keeps this up, the more the world's nascent Anti-Semitism will come to the forefront. Isn't that what Hamas has wanted all along? From the beginning of his first term in office, Netanyahu has only made things worse. Now he has a cabinet that is abetting him. He doesn't want to compromise, even to bring the hostages home; he continues to wage war in every effort to keep from having to stand trial for his corruption. I can see why the students are demonstating & they should be allowed to do so, but without causing damage. That is their right as citizens of this country. I must say, as an old person, I would much rather see peaceful sit-ins, with signs and speeches, and workshops/discussions reflecting all sides of this conundrum. Thanks for reading my way-too-long epistle.
Damn Right what I’ve been saying all along. If BB wasn’t in charge this might not be the brutal mess it now is with no end in sight! Hamas started this, Palestine have been gaslighted to support them , not unlike Trump Cult followers , and Israel will end it… but not with BB as the leader! 2 state is the only solution . And America has forgotten there are still American Hostages !
You are making ENTIRELY reasonable suggestions - I'm sure that will rile all sorts of people up because logic and reason have been sorely lacking in our public discussions.
Comment 3: Thanks. Sometimes in conversation with friends, I suggest that the solution will not only need a scalpel, but also surgical tweezers. I've been to Israel, have friends and family there, have been to the border regions, including near Gaza. I was there the summer that Israel brought their last two settlement colonies out of Gaza. I've been to South Africa, and the overlap with apartheid is evident to me. Our friends and family members have been in streets demanding Bibi GO NOW ever since his "court restructuring" BS.
Had some of this conversation with a neighbor...I asked if they understood the complexity of the history of the region and had they ever heard of the Ottoman Empire and how the Balfour Resolution of colonial Britain actually started this mess in 1918? Of course they hadn't.
I don't think I made much headway but I did try to explain that 1) neither side is really interested in stopping the bloodshed at this point because it serves each of their opposing purposes, 2) including other Arab nations in the negotiations takes time, yes, but it will lead to a longer lasting solution and only diplomacy - which Biden and Blinken are really working hard on - can achieve this, and 3) Netanyahu is a Putinesque tyrant and the people of Israel are the ones who have to get him out of power, not the US. Also, Israel is an ally with whom we have treaties and CONTRACTS we are legally obligated to fulfill so negating such contracts is not possible right now without concessions from Bibi and that just ain't gonna happen. Personally, I'd like to see us slow-walk those arms deliveries, but...
In addition, I said protests are vital for people to express their views, as long as they don't devolve into violence. I've been to my share of protests in my life and plan to continue to do so into my dotage; while I think some of these kids might be misguided and uninformed and manipulated by forces they don't understand, I support them peacefully making their voices heard.
The neighbor's facial expression told me I don't think I'll be invited to dinner any time soon, but I'm good with that.
My sister, you and I are not defeated by futility :-)
Cheers, Jude! Mahalo for the education. Mine is sadly lacking… I tend to close my eyes and ears to the horrors out there!
Fitz, well-thought out! Thanks for the breath of sanity! XO
The U.S. and the U.N. must rollback the 1947 plan, admit failure, and let the Israelites and Palestinians form an agreement that separates the two states, with no occupations and clear borders. The world has no doubt by now that the plan has always been a failure.
Excellent article. You hit the nail on the head with, "That the entire modern Middle East remains divided into arbitrary borders and divisions that were created by colonial powers that did not respect the tribalism of the people they conquered?."
There will be no 'solution' until we (the planet) deal honestly with this trauma. IMHO of course.
Comment #3: Many people, especially young folks, say they can't vote for President Biden now because he's supporting Israel and participating in the destruction of Gaza. They seem to want the perfect candidate to be on the ballot or they just won't vote or vote for Trump. Seriously? Do they have any idea the abysmal effect on this country of another Trump presidence? It's way too similar to the riots in Chicago in 1968 that led to a Nixon victory over Humphrey. That victory led to the prolonging of the Vietnam war by many years. If Biden loses to Trump in November, there goes any hope for Gaza, any hope for Ukraine surviving, abortion will likely be banned nationwide, environmental laws will be repealed, voting rights curtailed, round ups and incarceration of millions of our neighbors, who might be here illegally. Yes, Biden is old, but he's not senile, and when his term is up, he will leave office willingly and Constitutionally. Trump is already showing signs of dementia; would he leave at the end of his term? Judging by the past example, it's doubtful.
I am so glad to have found someone who sees the possibilities. Netanyahu must step down or be voted out. Only then can a peaceful, equitable solution be found. It
IS possible.
Your first comments are exactly how I feel about the Hamas /Israel situation. One one thing the media misses is that Hamas knew what response to October 7th would be and is using the innocent Palastinian as human shields as well as the Israel hostages.
Bingo. After living and working in the middle east (Oman) during the Ray-gun years and learning a lot, I too think this is the only way forward.
Comment 2: I'm 8 years older than you and I'm still with you.
LOL! Age is a case of "Mind over Matter! If you don't MIND, it doesn't MATTER! (I'm 93!)
Thanks!
I agree with all your comments. Unfortunately, this war in Gaza is polarizing our country. Biden is trying to stay as neutral as possible, while the other "candidate" is trying to stir up events as much as possible. I only hope rational thoughts will prevail, especially with those who are protesting.
Safe moderate view shows a shallow
Understanding of the problem. Read the history of Palestine before you judge — the greatest injustice of our lives is taking place. My tax money is killing and starving innocents. A shameful tragedy.
Your comments reflect my conflicted feelings about this entire disaster. My first thought was that Hamas knew what would happen when they attacked Israel on October 7. They had been planning it for over a year, as I understand, and made it deliberately horrific by their egregious assaults on women and children, as well as the taking of hostages. Israel responded harshly, as Hamas knew they would. Perhaps Hamas was worried about the rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabria, and that triggered their attack. Hamas has always been bent on revenge and destruction, and instead of spending the years they've been in power trying to make life better for their people in Gaza, they chose to build tunnels and plot attacks. Now the people of Gaza are playing the price. The horror of October 7 has faded, and now we are bombarded daily with scenes of death and destruction in Gaza. The longer Israel keeps this up, the more the world's nascent Anti-Semitism will come to the forefront. Isn't that what Hamas has wanted all along? From the beginning of his first term in office, Netanyahu has only made things worse. Now he has a cabinet that is abetting him. He doesn't want to compromise, even to bring the hostages home; he continues to wage war in every effort to keep from having to stand trial for his corruption. I can see why the students are demonstating & they should be allowed to do so, but without causing damage. That is their right as citizens of this country. I must say, as an old person, I would much rather see peaceful sit-ins, with signs and speeches, and workshops/discussions reflecting all sides of this conundrum. Thanks for reading my way-too-long epistle.
Absolutely, the solution must be created cooperatively for anything even approaching peace to occur. More comments later.
Damn Right what I’ve been saying all along. If BB wasn’t in charge this might not be the brutal mess it now is with no end in sight! Hamas started this, Palestine have been gaslighted to support them , not unlike Trump Cult followers , and Israel will end it… but not with BB as the leader! 2 state is the only solution . And America has forgotten there are still American Hostages !