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As I watch the college students’ protests supporting Hamas and the Palestinians, I am filled with revulsion. Given their attacks not just on Israel, but on all Jews, I take their actions personally. I wonder, if they could find a way to “eliminate” me, would they try? Then my rational mind kicks in and I realize that I’m not really in any danger. Or am I being naive?
I’ve always been compelled to understand why people think and act as they do. As Dennis Prager says, he’s more interested in understanding than agreement (although that is not totally true for me as these protests continue). So here are my thoughts on what is going on.
Protestors Back the Underdogs—Hamas has done an excellent job of creating the perception that they are the victims of Israeli oppression. The fact that they have had opportunities to improve their circumstances, particularly when Israel evacuated the area, is meaningless to their advocates. That they took over successful Israeli businesses and destroyed them instead of building on them doesn’t seem to matter.
Protestors Fear Being Ostracized—Many if not most of these students have little purposeful going on in their lives. They’ve been indoctrinated by the university, and dread the possibility of being excluded because they don’t accept the current dogma. Call it the “hive mind” mentality, if you wish. It provides them with a community, a false sense of safety and acceptance.
Protestors Refuse to Acknowledge the Hamas Mission—A protestor might say, if Hamas was formed to destroy Israel and the Jews, they were only fighting back against oppression. They saw no other way to achieve their freedom and autonomy. The protestors assume they must provide at least moral support to these people.
Protestors Ignore their Acts of Terrorism—If Hamas has shot rockets into civilian Israel, it is justified; they are helpless against their oppressors, and they feel obliged to act on their anger and frustration. Israel has earned their hatred and violence.
Protestors Deny the Mass Murders—Even though in this day and age the protestors could learn the truth with the available technology, they insist that the mass murders didn’t take place on October 7. Hamas itself videotaped their violent, senseless and immoral actions to show the world their defiance of Israel. The killing of babies and burning of bodies were celebrated by their troops. That doesn’t seem to matter to the protestors.
Protestors Ignore the Taking of Hostages—I don’t know the reason for this one for a fact, but I suspect they simply disregard this information. But if any of them do know about these actions, they likely blame those who are captured: the Israelis have it coming to them, and if others were captured and killed—well, you know, collateral damage. Besides, those visiting Israel must be supporters of Israel and they deserve our disdain.
* * * *
The willingness of the protestors to go along with this savagery, based on lies and myths, is very disturbing. These actions show that the students and the Left are prepared to support the Palestinians mindlessly, and condemn the Jews, wherever they are. I wonder what they would say to me, about me, if they knew I was Jewish. Would I, too, be an oppressor? Would I be guilty due to my support of Israel?
Should I too be vanquished? Or killed?
Discussion (53)
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You're too understanding. They just hate the Jooows.
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I've bolded the part I think is true and drives the protests, probably along with much contained before this in your post. Mindlessly is the key word and since our government, academia, and media are filled with lies, myths, and disinformation, along with a substantial contribution of mindlessness as well, this is hardly a surprise.
I think the disappearance of mandatory military service has led to much of the mindset as well. Only the silents and the boomers actually have lived that experience and the current numbers on disqualification from service because of obesity tell a story.
You and Jews around the world are supported in your humanity and religious beliefs and endeavors by Christians everywhere.
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I wouldn't be too confident of that. Not just of the Chrisitan label, anyway. You're probably right about actual Christians. But those "Christian" churches flying rainbow flags etc, not so much.
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OK, true Christians then.
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I think that military service has a chance to make a sobering impact. And I know that Christians support me, and it's a great comfort. Thanks, Bob.
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