Repost: Zack Rothbart, “Everyone knows about Herzl. Is it time for Max Nordau, the intermarried father of Zionism, to get his due?”
He also coined the term “Muscular Judaism” — a redefinition of what it meant to be a Jew in the modern world; a critical shift away from the traditionally insular, “meek” Jewish archetype devoted solely to religious and intellectual pursuits. The “Muscular Jew” in theory and practice was necessary in order for a modern Jewish state to be established.
Repost: Silvan Shalom, "A fence built for peace"
The general assembly request recalls the famous observation of Abba Eban that "if Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions".
Repost: Emma Goldman, "On Zionism"
I have been taught that the land should belong to those who till the soil. With all of his deep-seated sympathies with the Arabs, our comrade cannot possibly deny that the Jews in Palestine have tilled the soil. Tens of thousands of them, young and deeply devout idealists, have flocked to Palestine, there to till the soil under the most trying pioneer conditions. They have reclaimed wastelands and have turned them into fertile fields and blooming gardens.
#freepalestine means the exact opposite of "Never Again"
Any dictatatoral act — compared to Nazis.
Being asked to wear a mask — compared to Nazi policy.
Israel defending against terrorism — compared to Nazis… while the same accusers say, ‘Hitler was right.’
Nazi comparisons have lost all meaning.
Repost: Sam Harris, "Islam and the Future of Liberalism"
There is a sense today that we are all obligated to repeat, “This does not represent all Muslims!” Sam actually specfies who is and is not an Islamist, only for the likes of Ben Affleck to insist he really means, “Kill the extremists!” Strawman arguments are a common defense against real criticism of organized religion.
Repost: List of Levant-area Massacre of Jews before 1948
622 – 627: ethnic cleansing of Jews from Mecca and Medina, (Jewish boys publicly inspected for pubic hair. if they had any, they were executed); 629: 1st Alexandria Massacres, Egypt; 622 – 634: extermination of the 14 Arabian Jewish tribes; 822 – 861: Islamic empire passes law that Jews must wear yellow stars…
No Parity in Death
There is no parity in death.
Minimizing death should always be the goal for ethicists. But when it comes to Jews, this is quickly looked past. To over privlidged, racist celebrities like John Oliver, Dua Lipa, AOC and the Squad, it is easy to complain that there are less Israelis dead than Palestinians. It is harder to praise the overall reduction of deaths. Especially since their goal is parity, and thus more death.
Meta Jews
I noticed that I was spending more and more time on social media, but my reasons for joining in the first place had escaped me. Finding an event for the weekend, turned to trying to educate bigots, which turned into pointless arguments and name calling. Which leads to this post.