Elan Burman’s Post

Looking at Gaza, protests, and perceptions of the other on Pesach (Passover) A Passover Reflection on Protest, Palestine, and Empathy https://lnkd.in/dp9hdBmU

#Israel #Palestine #Antisemitism #NewYorkCity #Queens #CommunityUnity LA Pro-Hamas Pogrom is Now Coming to New York City Organized by the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation and Al-Awda, a protest targeting the sale of Israeli property is set to take place in Queens, New York City. The demonstration echoes last month's violent protest outside a synagogue in Los Angeles, raising concerns within the community. The Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, Al-Awda, and the Palestine Right to Return Coalition have promoted the upcoming protest on social media, calling for an end to Israel's settler-colonial project and expansion goals. The use of the inverted red triangle, a symbol associated with Hamas, has sparked attention and controversy, symbolizing violence and Hamas' targets in propaganda. Located in the densely Jewish neighborhood of Kew Garden Hills, the protest is close to numerous synagogues, mainly Orthodox. This event follows a recent violent anti-Israel demonstration at Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles, where protesters engaged in physical altercations and targeted Jewish-owned businesses. Amid escalating tensions and antisemitic incidents globally, it is essential to prioritize peaceful dialogue and condemn violence. The rise in antisemitism, particularly following Hamas' attacks in Israel, underscores the importance of fostering understanding and unity in diverse communities. #Israel #Palestine #Antisemitism #NewYorkCity #Queens #PeacefulProtest #CommunityUnity

‘On one clip, a protester can be heard shouting: 'We will continue to occupy these streets every day of the week, no matter how many police… until Zionism no longer exists in the Middle East because Zionism is a racist ideology.'’ So if life becomes so unpleasant for Jews, where will they go? Perhaps, where they are best supported and protected - the State of Israel. If there’s a genuine belief that Zionism is the source of all the problems in the Middle East and there’s a commitment to humanity, one would expect several detailed non-Zionist solutions (showing costs, benefits and risks) to be cited at these protests. These are not forthcoming. What I sense is simply yobbish provocation - a desire for a ‘beatdown’ with Jews wherever they are. (Personally, I have yet to come across a knowledgeable and intellectually curious anti-Zionist). The absurdity of anti-Zionism intimidating British Jews is that it encourages them to leave and swell the ranks of Israeli citizenry.

Knowledge is power.

For me, this has been one of the most destructive (globally) and dangerous (to global Jewry) that the Israeli government has done over the last 8 months. They (knowingly) weaponized slandering individuals with “antisemitism” long before 7 Oct, but as they severely miscalculated the PR damage that would be done by committing genocide (they thought they could hide it…thank you TikTok) this became the go to slur…to the point that it is not only meaningless, but gives cover to actual antisemites. Part of the myth of Israel is that “without Israel, Jews are unsafe”. This has been used to justify crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians for decades. Whether it is irony or tragic hubris (or both) the slandering of internationally respected organizations, students, any person of conscience speaking up…and most shamefully the tens of thousands of Jews around the world leading and organizing demonstrations against genocide as “Hamas” or “antisemitic” has the dual destructive impact of both harming Jews by taking away any power of being called antisemitic, and slandering Jewish people (which is actually antisemitic). It is such a shameful tragedy…shameful because it could have been avoided but was intentionally chosen as a tactic and a tragedy because of the literal decades of education (and there still needs to be WAY more education) on awareness and stomping out antisemitism. The Israeli government sucks. Zionism was once labeled as a racist ideology…we are seeing why that it is now.

Can we agree that bringing hate to the protest doesn't serve anyone? Can't we get on the same team about ending violence and death of innocent people? In the tumultuous landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, amidst the cacophony of voices clamoring for justice, one truth remains undeniable: innocent lives are being lost, and the pain reverberates across all factions. From pro-Israeli advocates to pro-Palestinian activists, from students to community members, each bears witness to the unimaginable sorrow and heartache inflicted by this ongoing strife. But amidst this sea of grief, there lies a flicker of hope—a common desire among many to end the cycle of violence and bring about a lasting peace. It is a desire born not out of political allegiance or ideological fervor, but out of a shared humanity, a recognition of the sanctity of life that transcends national borders and cultural divides. Yet, despite this shared yearning for peace, we find ourselves mired in a seemingly endless cycle of hostility and animosity. Too often, our righteous outrage and anger blind us to the suffering of others, leading us to compromise our values in the name of retaliation and retribution. We become entrenched in our own narratives, unable to see beyond the confines of our own perspective. We struggle because of the intensity of emotions, fear, and anger, coupled with group dynamics and narratives of victimhood, which make it seemingly impossible to see beyond our own grief and suffering to acknowledge the humanity in others during conflicts. In the midst of our despair, there lies an opportunity—a chance to come together, to bridge the divides that separate us, and to find common ground in our shared humanity. It is a chance to reclaim our shared humanity, acknowledge the pain and suffering experienced by all, and work together towards a hopeful future. As residents of the United States, we are uniquely positioned to lead by example—to show the world that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable differences, we can come together as one community to heal and transform. We can start by having the courageous conversations needed to confront our own biases and prejudices, to challenge the narratives that divide us, and to build bridges of understanding and empathy. From these dialogues, we can begin to forge solutions that honor the dignity and humanity of all those affected by the conflict. We can work towards creating a world where every life is valued, diverse voices are heard, and where peace is viewed as a reasonable and tangible reality. The road ahead is not easy, and the path to reconciliation may be long and fraught with challenges. But if we stand together, if we refuse to be divided by hate and fear, then there is no limit to what we can achieve. Together, let us rise above the fray, transcend our differences, and build a future where peace reigns supreme.

And what freedom are they trying to gain by doing this?!?

Aaron Bushnell said and wrote prior to ending his life in protests: "I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal." "Many of us like to ask ourselves, 'What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?' The answer is you're doing it. Right now." "I will no longer be complicit in genocide. Free Palestine" Aaron commited self-immolation - reminiscent of the buddhist monk, Thích Quảng Đức, who did the same during the Vietnam war. His act of protest was on the front page of papers in almost every country the next day which became a tipping point for global awareness. A personal note from me: I would never, ever encourage anyone to take such an action. I think it's horrific Aaron AND Thích Quảng Đức both felt that was what they needed to do to get the world to make these insane military operations stop. The US congress and current president bear all the responsibility for putting such a terrible burden on Aaron, and billions of people around the world who feel helpless to stop this primitive, senseless mass murder in service to imaginary superiority and a socipathic U.S. empire. In truth the holy land is for all humankind. All land is holy land. And all of humanity belongs everywhere, with equal rights every person, regardless of religion or ethnicity. This is so basic it should be obvious. It's well passed the time for us, especially those of us who know better, to stop voting in people like Joe Biden as the only alternative to maniacs like Trump. As the chair of the foreign relations committee at the time, Joe Biden not only voted for but promoted the Iraq war and helped spread the lies about WMDs. Biden bears tremendous responsibility for giving Bush Jr authorization to invade Iraq. Another massacre masquerading as a war. This man has always been a warmonger, a habitual liar, and a representative of the old boys club whose religion is empire building. The lesser of two evils is still evil and what is happening now is pure evil. And the intersection of all that needs fixing with America. With one phone call a US president could condition military and financial support with the basic universal conditions for human rights. Palestine should be free, for all the people who for generations have lived on that land. Reparations should be paid to those pushed and driven from their homes. And all religions should be welcome. This should be the very least as a precondition for US support. It should be our policy here at home as well. If you have a moment to call and / or write your congressperson and the president, please do. And let's vote for better candidates in the primaries. It all helps. Matthew Cooke