Writing about the U.S. cultural and intellectual sectors, John Ganz nails what's going on amid much bewilderment.
... two groups exist in different social and epistemological worlds: the young and left grew up in a world where Israel is a villain, an occupier, colonial oppressor; the old and established have a different image of Israel, a carefully curated one no doubt, of Israel as brave little nation standing up against the odds, the refuge and redoubt of a persecuted people. This is the Israel, not of the occupation and Gaza and the wars since, say Lebanon in 1982, but the Israel of ’67 and ’73.
It is a stark contrast: neither side understands how the other could find the other’s chosen cause sympathetic in the slightest; after all, they are just clearly siding with butchers.
... across the board, the younger generation—particularly the cohort in that generation that creates words and images—does not much care for Israel. The traditional defenses and justifications are not working. And all the pressure campaigns, censures, and firings are likely to be counterproductive and just create more outrage.
Across the world and just about in every arena, Israel is losing the daily plebiscite of public opinion and therefore the war...
It's hard to see any plausible end but more death and destruction.
3 comments:
I cannot see supporting either side, both seem determined to kill the other. The residents of Gaza lost any moral ground when they made Hamas the defacto government of the territory and continue to allow and support constant attacks on Israel from within Gaza. Israel lost the moral battle with their treatment of Palestinians within Israel or the occupied territories.
It is clear the Israeli government has made the harsh calculation and is going to reduce Hamas and their infrastructure within Gaza City as much as possible, and that the civilian casualties are unavoidable in that goal due to the complete intermingling of civilian and military infrastructure. From a purely practical standpoint they cannot permit Hamas to retain the capabilities to repeat a similar attack. They are willing to endure the critisism from the world community to do this.
We are getting what appears to be reliable information that the leadership of Hamas made a similarly harsh calculation in planning and approving the attack. An attack planned to maximize casualties and targeting civilians. They felt their cause was fading, and that a bold attack would put them back in the news and back as an issue requiring attention from the world powers that might help them.
It is very clear that neither side considers anyone, Palestinian or Israeli, a non-combatant. In chosing champion either side you both forward their cause, and assume and share their rather numerous sins.
Well, that certainly settles everything. Guess you can go back to playing your video games with a clear conscience.
And insofar as we are able, it is always humane to work for less death and destruction. This may be futile, but must be attempted.
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