Vrubel

@Nivsch Absolutely right, It's more for myself. I know shit and enjoy writing about history and Israel, standing up for truth is also important but it's definitely a trap to get sucked into useless back-and-forths with what could be 17-year-olds on the internet. Also, I am spiritually regrounding myself, after 7/10 is was too angry and emotional, and even though I support and see the necessity of the total elimination of Hamas the peace dream should win out in the end.

I am not going to entertain your flimsy and speculative theories about Jewish culture and religion. It's also not that relevant, furthermore I never really grew up with Jewish culture. It was more of a mix of Russian culture and Western principles. Also, everything your mind touches gets mushed into your narrow narrative so why should I even bother? The Jews were mostly dirt-poor pioneers from Eastern Europe and refugees from the Middle East. The Middle Eastern Jews were kicked out by the Arabs and lived in refugee camps before being absorbed and fully integrated into Israeli society. European Jews only had a majority in the land for around 30 years. Israel is very much so a Middle Eastern country. Jews don't have some old country or "motherland" they can return to. Israel is the motherland and old country. There is no second Israel. That's why Israelis are so motivated and uncompromising in the defense of their land that they genuinely and deeply love. Back in the day, it was a relatively sparsely populated land under Ottoman and later British rule, it was never a "Palestinian" country, there was no centralized government or sovereignty over their land. The land itself was mostly owned by rich Lebanese (who sold it to Jews). The Palestinian national identity didn't exist. First came the Zionist pioneers and as a reaction the Palestinian national identity was developed. Do the Palestinians have the right to their land? absolutely, simply because they live there. But did they also start wars that made them lose out on more of the land: Absolutely. I know it's an Israeli cliche but if you dig into the ground anywhere in Israel you'll find Jewish artifacts, this is true. Jews are native to the land. As opposed to Palestinians, Jews actually held sovereignty in the land before being kicked out after the 'Great Jewish Revolt' into the Diaspora and coming back 2000 years later. But even all the historical knowledge aside (so you won't accuse me of using Putin tactics, though I am being 100% truthful). There are two truths side by side: The Palestinians have the right to the land and so do the Jews. For different but equally legitimate reasons. Even though during WW2 the main Palestinian leader was a Nazi sympathetic to Hitler, it's true that Palestinians had nothing to do with the Holocaust or earlier persecution of Jews in Europe. But it is the force and poetry of history that has brought the Jews back to their ancient homeland. It's an universal Karma and I understand why the Palestinians feel wronged by that. But such is reality. The world is not all rainbow and sunshine, Jews know this starkly well. Cut your losses and make peace. Palestinians can take comfort in that Arabs still live in Israel and partake in the democratic system. Like-wise I think Jewish settlers can also take comfort in simply living on their biblical heartland even though it might fall under Palestinian sovereignty under any future peace deal.

Dont you find it lowkey racist? I do not want to sound rude but I did some research about it and it seems they glorify treating Jews better than Gentiles and do not see all equal before God. Also they glorify and support genocide against their enemies (Amalek seed). I read this from a Jewish author actually. I am just asking here, I do not claim to be an expert on the area. I know some people that dislike Jews because they say "they see us as lesser". I am sure even if Israel was gone as an entity Jews would be fine. Europe spoils them these days so they would fare well. Also they seem to be educated and tons of connections. I dont know why they chose the Middle East to settle in. That is basically looking for trouble. Settling in USA or some island would be far better for them. Ignorant and irrelevant. Definitely not, I can see when somebody has legitimate criticism or is just being mindlessly ugly, demonizing and obsessed. But yeah as I explained with the Owen Jones example you can only be effective in protecting the best interest of Palestinians if you come to the insight of... "Wait... Israelis are actually very respectable people with the legitimate and deep human right to live on their land and defend it from those that want to harm them as the potential for barbarity of their enemies is so great." "I am still against Israeli devilry but will speak out about in a way that respects both peoples and without demonization otherwise I am essentially forfeiting my claim that I am supportive of peace and justice."

As an objective observation of toxic stage green you speak truthfully here. But Anti-Semitism has not been on a religious basis for a very long time. Anti-semitism evolves with whatever the current hivemind of the time is. I am Jewish but I am not at all attached to the Jewish religion (though I have a healthy respect for it and definitely can see the beauty in it). But I am attached to Israel, because Israel stands for the survival of the Jewish people. And what do modern extreme left anti-semites love to hate and demonize? ... Exactly! He is exceptionally stupid but a great example of the self-defeatism inherent in the free-palestine hivemind: He praises and romanticizes the Houthis for standing up for the suffering people of Gaza. But what is the Houthi motto? Death to Jews, Death to Israel, etc. And what happens if you bring death to Jews? ...Palestinians in Gaza that suffer.

I never said anything about Stage Green being anti-Semitic. I currently live in a largely stage green environment in Europe so I know the nuances, the good, the bad and the ugly. Extreme toxic stage green can definitely be anti-Semitic. Also, the whole free-Palestine hivemind is heavily blue and red with suckered-in green people. I just cannot stress enough how mindless and self-defeating the whole movement is, c'mon isn't that obvious!? Furthermore, I know stage-green people that are sympathetic to Israel because they are thoughtful complicated people that don't mush the world into a narrow narrative. I would say that within Israeli society I am very stage green, general atmosphere of compassion and issues like gay rights and minority rights. But when dealing with outside enemies such as Hamas I am all stage blue underlined with Western democratic principles. I said I was for two states. It just seems to as the most realistic solution though it must be approached extremely carefully to not compromise on security. The Gaza pull-out was basically a two-state solution in miniature but it ended up backfiring for everyone involved. For sure, but it is complicated because the potential for barbarity from the Palestinians/Arabs is enormous so Israel has to take security measures against that. Also, the day-to-day live of Palestinians in peacetime time is objectively not that bad and in relative wealth and sovereignty.

Being sympathetic-to and justifying Hamas is called Genocidal anti-Semitism. You're not that but that's an extremely low bar. Widespread anti-Semitism is nothing new just in general. I am definitely biased but I also integrate legitimate Palestinian positions and grievances. Ultimately peace is the solution. I am not attached to the two-state solution but I don't see anything better knowing both peoples. However now is not the time because first Hamas should be removed. I am attached to the naked survival of (the) Jewish people, this can only be done through Israel. Also, I have a healthy understanding of how survival works in the Middle East.

@Karmadhi You seem hellbound on a narrow narrative. This makes it impossible for you to be truthful and within integrity to any redeemable values you might hold. It's obvious to anyone who doesn't share your extreme bias that you're beyond reason and mentally cornered.

I am just aware of the fire under Israel's feet, it is most definitely existential. 1400 killed, kidnapped and tortured is obviously horrific enough to have the stark need to eliminate Hamas. Israel now needs to eliminate Hamas. The Palestinians will continue to live in Gaza and they'll get the opportunity to pursue their political agenda in a non-violent, non-genocidal manner. Irrelevant, Israel has to repopulate the attacked kibbutz villages, Those people cannot come back if Hamas is still in power. This is just one example, more generally speaking: Israel can't exist next to Hamas. At the end of the day what gives Israel its right to exist is its strength and ability to defend its citizens. I have seen how manipulative and determined anti-Israel propaganda is. They will hate Israel whether it's white or black, doesn't matter, they will always find something. Jew hatred is nothing new and Israel's security takes precedence over anti-semitism abroad because Israel is the homeland of Jews. If Jews don't feel safe abroad they can move to Israel or another country with less or no anti-semitism. And yes Israel stands for the survival of the Jewish people so being hateful of Israel and having a demonized view of Israelis is anti-semitic. Excuse my hyperbolism but the whole "river to the sea" movement is basically the 21st-century version of the Nazi brown shirts. Maybe even more mindless because they didn't have the pretense of standing up for "human rights" let alone the delusion that they have some moral high ground. If you stand for human rights you also stand for the rights of the Uighurs, Rohingya and Assyrians but you don't give a fuck about them because there are no Jews involved. Having said that: Legitimate criticism and for example being against settlements is totally fine and understandable. It's all about from what place you're coming from.

Deceitful mushmind propaganda. If you were to watch the full NYT interview with that woman you'll see she is very intelligent and reflective. They just took one excerpt in total bad faith, hyperbolized it, mushed it into their narrative, and ran with it like Forest Gump.

Yes, strength is respected in the East. not even the Middle East but just East. Sadat said: As long as Israel is strong she shall exist. And he was the president of Egypt. With the 7/10 attack life got desanctified. Now collective survival and considerations take precedence over individual ones. As unfortunate as civilian casualties are they are unavoidable with such an enemy within such an environment. I also ask the question that if you have cheered on 7/10, that is surely a form of complicity as well. A form of self-dehumanization. For those who are truly innocent, I feel sorry and hope they'll get a beautiful and peaceful Gaza after the war. Btw Gaza was genuinely a beautiful city. Relative to the region, Egypt and for example Pakistan and even Latin America it was normal. If only they had decent government.

I think Hamas can be genuinely removed from power. It doesn't matter how many terrorists the misery of war will produce amongst the Arabs there. If they are unable to hold power and organize themselves they will be unable to do much damage. Ideally, Gaza will be policed by a coalition of moderate Arab countries, I am also not against the "pathway to two-state solution" in exchange for normalization with Saudi. But it must include rock-solid ironclad security guarantees for Israel otherwise it's no use. Also, it must not be seen as a concession due to 7.10. So Hamas/Iran must not benefit from it at all.

He had balls of steel. Nothing wrong with his brain either. He was a strong personality that definitely could do some damage to the corruption in the system. I have no doubt about that. I bet Putin knew that too, If he was just some schmuck he would still be alive.

Hamas are no mosquitoes, rockets vs Iron Dome are mosquitoes but not 7.10. A better analogy would be a tumor that has to be painfully removed. That was the entire strategy before 7/10. There was the deadly assumption that Hamas would get attached to their wealth and governing Gaza, in other words, become rational players. After 7/10 they have to be removed for starkly obvious reasons. Every innocent killed is one too many if he was truly innocent. But what is the alternative? It's also silly how people see Hamas as some kind of child with no responsibility. This is true in the sense they are unable to hold responsibility but then that is gaslighted fully onto Israel which is a form of perversion equivalent of putting the blame on Britain for starting WW2.

Irrelevant, Hamas would gladly commit a Holocaust, obviously at some point, they had to confront soldiers.

For me personally, I always feel a very unique kind of fear before a trip. My soul can intuit that something radical is about to happen and it is as if I already took a tiny dose before even taking it at all. I use that state to get solemn and be loving and forgiving towards myself. I bet it's the same solemness a prisoner feels right before his execution.

@shree It's normal to feel fear before a trip as it is normal for a soldier to feel fear just before a battle. For the come-up phase try lying down comfortably with arms stretched open. Relax, surrender, positive self-loving self-talk. Focus on deeply breathing.

@Rafael Thundercat He was a genius, one in a million.

Nobody is risking their life for "standing up" against tech giants. Elon has his corks and weak points but he has undeniably done a lot of good. What's up with the black-and-white thinking nowadays? Look up Giordano Bruno if you want to idealize a true principled martyr.

For the less refined and cultured(;

I have this incredible insightful video about medieval Gothic sculpture. Note the natural evolution and that Gothic gets replaced once it has reached its pinnacle.

I am not anti-Arab or anti-Islam. I had some tears in my eyes hearing the news of the rescued hostages, it was really uplifting to have that good news. At the same time, I also painfully realize many young Israeli soldiers died who had their whole life before them. So there is definitely a bias here but the hostages deserve special status. Regarding Palestinian causalities, I in a sense agree with Biden that it is over the top. But what else can Israel do, it must defeat Hamas completely and not leave some organized battalions in Rafah, which makes perfect sense from the military POV. Hamas started this war and royally screwed over their people. That's an undeniable fact. Don't take it personally. Anti-Israel hive minds are incredibly unintellectual and self-defeating in nature. When it comes to understanding Russia. You must factor in the rash opportunism, overconfidence and Paranoia that went into his decision to invade. While technically you can "understand" his invasion that doesn't mean shit if it was based for a large degree on delusion and paranoia. Also, the ill-intent and blatant aggression even atrocities toward Ukrainians is not exactly an "understandable" thing. Yeah, you can also understand why Hitler invaded Poland and gaslight Britain for declaring or provoking WW2. That would be really perverse and a total dishonor. Because there is a clear difference in the development and morality of Russians and Israelis. It is just that Israel is forced to fight a war in an environment that will inevitably produce a lot of civilian casualties. Israel has to clear out hospitals, schools and UN buildings because they are soaked in Hamas infrastructure and fighters. Russia bombs hospitals as a blatant attempt to simply bring pain to Ukrainians in the hope it will demoralize them. Israel constantly warns civilians to evacuate certain areas and by doing so gives up on certain military advantages like the element of surprise. I am emotionally and intellectually involved in both wars, you're just emotionally involved. Which is fine but it closes you off to some good things and opens you up to a whole rabbit hole of bad and ugly things.

“Hoarding” is a money management strategy not a way of making money. This strategy is vulnerable to inflation, try at least to invest a portion of your hoarded money on the stock market. Also there is nothing wrong to use money to enjoy and enrich your life.

That's not a fair assessment. You just mush in everything into your narrative damn the nuances and genuine understanding, no surprises here. Ireland is exceptionally reactionary and dogmatic due to their history which leads them to do stupid things like humiliate little Irish hostage girl and other cringe and shameful things. Scandinavian countries are different they will naturally be more naive due to their wealth, small populations and being located in a very developed and safe region of the world. However, I do believe Sweden and Denmark have a more pro-Israel government. For most countries (also Spain and Belgium) it comes down to where the pendulum has swung at the moment. Spanish and Belgian opposition are more understanding and supportive of Israel.

@Mesopotamian There is nothing wrong with working for or with your parents if your father has a business for example. However, you still have to EARN money and not be a leech. More importantly, develop yourself and your skills.

@zazen Pampering and romanticizing "violent resistance" produces situations like the one we are seeing now.