Israel declares war on Hamas

[Firebot]

A good read on the opinion piece by David Paperny I just linked above

What we are seeing in Gaza is not Tikkun Olam. It is a Chillul Hashem – a desecration of God’s name. (Do I even believe in God? Most days I’m not sure. But I believe in humanity, and this is as profound a desecration as I have witnessed.)

The past 22 months have been an agony and a mind warp. I watch as women, men and children are killed by bombs, buried in rubble, shot dead awaiting aid or killed fetching water. I turn to the leaders of my community for guidance for leadership.

And what do I get? Condemnation of Oct. 7, 2023. Concern for the hostages. And, for the most part, utter silence on the suffering of Gaza.

The more we conflate the Israeli government with Israel, the more we conflate Israel with Jewry, the more those who abhor the actions of the Israeli government will blame Jews.

What would address this? Action on the part of Canadian and American Jewish leaders. In fairness, there are Jewish organizations speaking out. I salute them. I wish they were louder and we gave them the respect they deserve.

Major Jewish organizations won’t say this, so I will: Mark Carney, please demand action from Israel. The joint statement urging the end of the war and more aid was a good first step. Keep demanding an end to this murderous aid blockade – and back that demand up with the threat of economic sanctions.

I speak for myself, but I know I am not alone in feeling this way. There are other Canadian Jews – Zionists, even – who are aghast at what is unfolding and long for a community conversation. Many are rendered silent for fear of being labelled self-hating Jews or worse. There’s fear of fomenting antisemitism, that ever-present spectre.

I understand this silence. But I can no longer abide it. We are witnessing horrors, and have no choice but to speak out.

I still cling to the Jewish values I espoused as a youth. It is the state of Israel that has abandoned them.

Condemning Israel actions in Gaza isn't antisemitic in itself.

[MrButtons]

Ruh Roh (sorry if shared already)
https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/04/...pation-of-gaza

"We [will] implement (President) Trump's plan, it is a good plan and makes a difference, and it means something very simple, that the residents of Gaza who want to leave can leave," Netanyahu said, referring to a proposal floated by Trump of resettling all of Gaza's population in other countries.

[Looch City]

How could any sane person defend such a regime at this point?

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Looch City

How could any sane person defend such a regime at this point?

I have wondered to myself lately why those who were blanket defending Israel have abandoned the discussion entirely. I assume one may pop up and say they got tired of being told they were supporting genocide so they stopped participating but it has definitely been a noticeable change

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Looch City

How could any sane person defend such a regime at this point?

It ha been a while since any person here has defended the Israeli regime.

Even the most hawkish have fallen silent.

[activeStick]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1952557352093422065

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

It ha been a while since any person here has defended the Israeli regime.

Even the most hawkish have fallen silent.

Yeah no kidding, Beninho alone would do like 50 posts of genocide justification per day, did he get banned or grow a conscience?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by MrButtons

Ruh Roh (sorry if shared already)

https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/04/...pation-of-gaza

"Israel is another country. "


"No, not like that!"

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

Yeah no kidding, Beninho alone would do like 50 posts of genocide justification per day, did he get banned or grow a conscience?

In fairness to Beninho, there was an acknowledgement.

Originally Posted by Beninho

Completely fair comments. I have spent a good amount of time re-evaluating my own stance on this conflict and while I still disagree with certain language you and others use to describe what is taking place in Gaza I have no want for Israel to continue operating in Gaza and subjecting innocent Palestinians to awful conditions. I stay out of this thread as I feel uncomfortable with the current Israeli government and the direction Israel is taking as a country. I do not have much to add besides that but this situation really upsets me as it would be sad if my Israeli family members, who want this war to end and have actively protested Netanyahu for years, now have to be careful where they speak Hebrew and who they tell they are Israeli to when travelling abroad.