Even if most people would not invoke the commandment to destroy Amalek today, there are certainly those, like Rabbi Riemer, who have ventured to do so. And there has been no dearth of similar, violent invocations in reference to the Palestinians, as well. For example, Benzi Lieberman, the chairman of the Council of Settlements said in no uncertain terms: “The Palestinians are Amalek! We will destroy them. We won’t kill them all. But we will destroy their ability to think as a nation. We will destroy Palestinian nationalism.”
The general consensus among today’s Jewish community seems to be that our energies can and must be used to stop the perpetuation of genocidal activity occurring throughout the world, to become agents for peace, and to dismiss any contemporary comparisons to the biblical paradigm. But clearly there are difficult texts and teaching that remain in our tradition that must be remembered and reckoned with.
Right, so if this is the consensus (although there is reason to believe it is), then this occupation of Gaza should have been condemned and stopped months ago by Jewish organizations everywhere, hand in hand with peace groups, humanitarian organizations like MSF, Palestinian groups. The level of suppression of media and protest happening from Israeli and Jewish organizations show a level of complicity in the elected right-wing level governments actions, and only a handful of brave Jewish groups and rabbis have publicly spoken out against it.
That’s a fair question. Sign onto the open letters produced by various peace and humanitarian organizations.
Put out advertisements and advocacy in support of a ceasefire. Pressure local, state/provincial, federal governments to restrict your nation’s support to the Israeli government. Push local and national theistic organizations co-ordinate a message for peace and compassion for the displaced and hungry, end violence and bring aid to their fellow Palestinian Semite.
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org I do believe the large majority of Jews worldwide care for peace and humanitarian compassion. They should be upset and revolt at letting the current Israeli government tarnish their culture and religion in vain, at the cost of thousands of innocent lives. They should support BDS (and in Canada)
We do need to separate the anger towards Israel with anything with Judaism. The issue is that Israeli government, various Israeli organizations and the most moral army in the world are tying themselves to Judaism to excuse heinous acts of violence.
None of that will stop a genocide that Netanyahu is dedicated to seeing to completion. The only person who can stop this genocide is Netanyahu. And none of those organizations will help there.
Humbly, I disagree. The U.S. Department of State has been in lock-step with Netanyahu’s wants and needs to conduct this genocide. It has vetoed a ceasefire resolution multiple times. American uniforms, American vehicles, American arms are delivered to and used by the IDF. Domestic pressure in the US will have an effect.
Restricting deliveries of such tools to conduct genocide will hamper Netanyahu’s ability to conduct the mission, which can be advocated for by people and organizations anywhere.
If we care for a rules-based order in the world, if the majority of a religion’s followers believe in the compassionate core of their religion, we can show it, even if it wouldn’t materially affect how Netanyahu conducts his genocide.
This will have an effect (in stopping Israel’s actions).
I can edit it to more directly address how to stop it if this satisfies you, but continuing a conversation of the particular words I use or do not will not be productive for either of us. Thank you for the conversation.
Have to condemn Riemer & Lieberman here…
How’d you interpret the last two paragraphs?
Right, so if this is the consensus (although there is reason to believe it is), then this occupation of Gaza should have been condemned and stopped months ago by Jewish organizations everywhere, hand in hand with peace groups, humanitarian organizations like MSF, Palestinian groups. The level of suppression of media and protest happening from Israeli and Jewish organizations show a level of complicity in the elected right-wing level governments actions, and only a handful of brave Jewish groups and rabbis have publicly spoken out against it.
How do you propose those organizations do that? Go to Gaza and start shooting at IDF troops?
That’s a fair question. Sign onto the open letters produced by various peace and humanitarian organizations.
Put out advertisements and advocacy in support of a ceasefire. Pressure local, state/provincial, federal governments to restrict your nation’s support to the Israeli government. Push local and national theistic organizations co-ordinate a message for peace and compassion for the displaced and hungry, end violence and bring aid to their fellow Palestinian Semite.
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org I do believe the large majority of Jews worldwide care for peace and humanitarian compassion. They should be upset and revolt at letting the current Israeli government tarnish their culture and religion in vain, at the cost of thousands of innocent lives. They should support BDS (and in Canada)
We do need to separate the anger towards Israel with anything with Judaism. The issue is that Israeli government, various Israeli organizations and the most moral army in the world are tying themselves to Judaism to excuse heinous acts of violence.
None of that will stop a genocide that Netanyahu is dedicated to seeing to completion. The only person who can stop this genocide is Netanyahu. And none of those organizations will help there.
Humbly, I disagree. The U.S. Department of State has been in lock-step with Netanyahu’s wants and needs to conduct this genocide. It has vetoed a ceasefire resolution multiple times. American uniforms, American vehicles, American arms are delivered to and used by the IDF. Domestic pressure in the US will have an effect.
Restricting deliveries of such tools to conduct genocide will hamper Netanyahu’s ability to conduct the mission, which can be advocated for by people and organizations anywhere.
Other countries, including Canada believing every damn word coming from the IDF without question while being slow to corroborate other information is something that needs to change. Cities like Chicago have come out with an official stance in support of Palestine, other cities can too.
If we care for a rules-based order in the world, if the majority of a religion’s followers believe in the compassionate core of their religion, we can show it, even if it wouldn’t materially affect how Netanyahu conducts his genocide.
You said stop it, not have an effect. Those are very different.
I can edit it to more directly address how to stop it if this satisfies you, but continuing a conversation of the particular words I use or do not will not be productive for either of us. Thank you for the conversation.