Hamas are the bad guys in this. Full stop.

[calimary]

79. Thank you. I kinda knew that but you presented it beautifully, and reminded me of a few things.

Last edited Thu Oct 12, 2023, 07:02 PM - Edit history (1)

And I think I keep asking, not only to hear people's reasons for it or explanations against it, but to try to expose the totally incomprehensible rationales of some of the details you mentioned. So much of it seems, at least to me, a matter of being really adamant about cutting off your own nose to spite your face because maybe you think the view of it'll offend people you don't like.

But there are many aspects and fine points that I genuinely don't understand. And btw, I spent 14 years in Catholic school (including pre-kinder and kindergarten), and in two states that were geographically and ideologically some distance from each other. None of those nuns and lay teachers brought up anything anti-Semitic involving what limited studies we had of the Jewish state. For me that continued through college - no racism, no weirdness about other religions or skin colors or anything. And even in those early days, very little sexism when that term wasn't widely used or recognized. Or maybe I just went to a university where things were more highly-evolved, especially for that time (early 70s). It took me a long time to wrap my brain around what anti-Semitism was. And while I know WHAT it is, I don't know WHY it is.

I just don't get it. I still don't get it. Maybe because of the effort I put in, on myself, trying to get over holding grudges. Especially the stupid and ancient ones. It's hard when it involves certain people, and I fight myself on it, constantly. Your last several paragraphs really nail it.

Many historical factors (and many many falsehoods) painted targets on Jewish people for persecution.

I personally think that the Israeli Government has done a lot of harm to the Palestinian people and of course there is historical animosity between the groups since the creation of the State of Israel.

I think that what Hamas did is horrific, and has no justification. I think that some people are equating Hamas' attacks with the suffering and conditions in Palestine. Like I said, the ultra-conservative governments in Israel over the last few decades have certainly helped to create conditions of suffering for the Palestinian people, but that doesn't justify Hamas attacking civilians and taking hostages.

Some people have a deep seeded and irrational hatred of Jewish people which is likely driving their views on this situation.

"Irrational" sure nails it.