Israel, Iran and the US - Distinguishing Between Critics of US or Israeli Policy and Haters of Israel

A few more off-the-cuff Thoughts!

Without repeating what I wrote last week “Israel, Iran and the US - A few off-the-cuff thoughts;” a few additional points about the current and ongoing debate about Israel.

To state the object: I reject and denounce the hatred of Israel one sees all over social media - although like most supporters of Israel, I don’t necessarily disagree with every criticism of Israel.

At least with respect to haters from people from that part of the world - and those whose “roots” might come from that part of the world; one can perhaps somewhat-understand their thinking.

But when it comes to people in North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand who do not have family connections to the Middle East. Then that visceral hatred becomes more interesting; and perhaps raises questions about the motivations of at least some of them. (Now were they to evince the same degree of concern for peoples’ well being and human rights around the World; or even for people from that same part of the World when Israel is not involved; that would be one thing. But clearly in most cases; they don’t. It’s only the Jewish State which evokes such hatred. And advocacy for its complete elimination. (An urging that is made for no other existing country. And an obvious-absence of concern for half-the-world’s Jews.)

Anyone on social media will have seen and perhaps experienced the hatred from various commentators. As though policide or ethnocide is acceptible. And the disparagement of Israelis as belonging in that part of the World. The hate is shameful. And it should be responded to - even if some of the people one responds to, react by seeking to block your participation! Guess it says something about them.

Among Jews: There is obviously a big difference between those Jews who are pro-Israel, but feel Israel should act differently. Those Jews who don’t feel any strong (or attachement to or interest in Israel - but are not focused on being Anti-Israel. And those who devote much of their online lives to attacking Israel. We could all list a few of those in that last group. I’ll leave for another occasion a closer look at those Jews - or those Jews, with Jewish roots who express such hatred towards Israel and work so hard to bring about the destruction of the Jewish State. (I did write briefly on the issue of such people - especially those bring up their Judaism in an effort to give their views further Legitimacy. (See “As A Jew”)

Much has been written about changes in the Democratic Party and among Progressives regarding Israel. So views on that side of the spectrum, regarding the US, Israel and Iran are not such a surprise. But the wish and goal that Iran not have a nuclear weapon remains rather widespread (although among some haters, that hope doesn’t seem shared!) And there is also the practival debate over whether there was an Iranian nuclear threat and whether it was being resolved in negotiations (or had been resolved with JCPOA).

When it comes to the current debate in the United States on the right, regarding Iran. Among those skeptical or opposing direct US military action; there are different views and different motivations. There are those who are not hostile to Israel - many are sympathetic towards Israel and wish Israel well - but feel US policy should be to stay uninvolved especially with respect to direct military engagement. (And such a worldview applies not just to Israel. But with respect to much U.S. Foreign involvement.)

At the same time there are clearly on Social media, those who hate Israel and hate supporters of Israel (not to speak of those who go far beyond that) and are willing to engage in any “Dual Loyalty” or “Israel First” calumnies (as of course do quite some number on the left).

Ironically there are many who are not of the American right, who despise them and their views on other issues. But praise them on this. And of course for many of those “new allies’; they are coming from a pro-Arab and/or pro-Iran perspective - some even from a “Blame America First” perspective. And they will use any issue to attack Israel or defend the Palestinians or Iran or Hezbollah etc. Even if they don’t identify themselves as such.

To be continued! Shabbat Shalom!

See my other Substack pieces on this subject

Advocating the Destruction of Israel (Continued)

Weaponizing Hate

HATE - The Literal Demonization of Israel

Relitigating The Existence of Israel - The Increasing Advocacy of the Eradication of Israel

And a couple of my pieces on this subject in the Times of Israel

‘KAPOS’ – Stop Using the Term ‘Kapo’ to Denounce Fellow Jews

Anti-Israel Activism: How it was. What it’s become – Part I