Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelekin
Because it's such a convoluted mess. A mess that goes back centuries for some. And quite frankly, most people don't know the actual history. It's a terrible issue where both countries spit half-truths, both countries do wrong by the Palestinian people, and no one gets any further ahead. When I grew up in the Jewish community, it almost felt like we needed to defend Israel because we knew the terrible history. The things that people living in these lands, and surrounding lands (Lebanon etc) wanted to do to eradicate the Israeli people was a real, actual threat. The problem now is that Israel believes that because it was like this for so long, that the second they let up, they'll be attacked, despite the fact the US and many countries would come to their aid right away. Then comes Netanyahu who completely makes every wrong move and turns Israel into a warmonger. No longer can you defend them because it doesn't matter anymore whether or not Lebanon or other countries would wipe them off the map. Now it is at a point where Netanyahu is trying to propagandize and lead a people to believe it needs to do the exact same thing as what's being done to them(this is supported by polls in Israel). So Israel, out of its' initial need for defense, is becoming the exact thing it tried so hard to fight off. And no longer does Israel care about the optics. All these things they claim - that they are truly trying to help the Palestinian people (once a claim they had proof for, including their attempts to give them vegetation), is completely undone by this leader's decisions.
Similar to how the Muslim world is being asked to stand up against extremism in its' ranks, so too must we be able to stand up against what has now become extremism in Israel. And we must be free to do this without worrying our own government will be watching us for it.
|
I think you make a good point but are really underestimating the continued threat of violence. Merely because there does not currently exist a threat that is likely to destroy Israel in the near future, does not mean they should not be vigilant.
Firstly, I the continued violence towards Israel is enough to elicit a military response from any country in the world. Would you tolerate the occasional missile into your backyard.
Secondly, groups like Hamas, ISIS, Hezbollah, etc.. are right on Israel's doorstep. No, they don't have the power to destroy Israel right now. However, who knows what they will become. They also most certainly have the power to perform a serious attack on Israeli civilians, if they ever let their guard down.
Your characterization of Israel being the only military aggressor right now is simply wrong. It seems as though your whole argument is based on the concept that Israel has an obligation to put themselves into a weakened position where they are at the mercy of a group like Hamas/ISIS or they aren't playing fair.