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It is very easy not to see the glimmers so I am going to share two:
1. This excellent and powerful essay by writer and documentary maker Phil Craig apologizing to 'Eddy' a survivor of Belsen for allowing anti-Semitism to spread. thecritic.co.uk/dear-ed…
2. The October Declaration which has been spearheaded by Toby Young of the Free Speech …
It is very easy not to see the glimmers so I am going to share two:
1. This excellent and powerful essay by writer and documentary maker Phil Craig apologizing to 'Eddy' a survivor of Belsen for allowing anti-Semitism to spread. https://thecritic.co.uk/dear-eddy/
2. The October Declaration which has been spearheaded by Toby Young of the Free Speech Union and is a declaration about standing with British Jews. Started on Monday, it now has over 50,000 signatories including former PMs Boris Johnson and Liz Truss as well as actors like Tom Conti. It is certainly worth a read to see where people like me stand -- not whispering where no can hear but saying loudly and proudly -- I stand with British Jews and condemn all forms of anti-Semitism wherever it occurs in the world. https://britishfriendsofisrael.org/
Laura Dodsworth was one of the organizers of the October declaration. Sadly, on her Substack, the comments about the declaration were extremely negative and anti Semitic to the point where she had to add a note in the comments. One step forward, two steps back?
The October Declaration is a start. It is not the end. Badenoch's comments yesterday were also good. Public services have to do more to foster good relations. https://twitter.com/KemiBadenoch/status/1717236624390508652
Some of it has to be education. For example, taking the time to read Whispered in Gaza and to learn about what the conditions are like for women and the ordinary Gazan under Hamas, something I suspect many people are in blissful ignorance about. So yes, free Palestine...from the totalitarian regime that is Hamas and its repressive ideology.
It's not easy to see the glimmers. I'm grateful whenever I see them. But I came to the conclusion last night--after seeing far more people expressing hatred of Israel and Jews than the number speaking up against that hatred--that I'm going to have to take a break from Twitter.
The bad guys are beginning to win the war for hearts and minds. Despite the fact that I've read the book and know how it ends, watching it happen right in front of my eyes is shocking, disturbing, and heartrending.
I am you, Celia. I, too, feel it in my heart and mind. I’m glad that I gave up most social media shortly after the 2020 election when I noticed that all the “good” and “kind” people I knew were behaving like f*cking savages. (I’m probably being too harsh on savages.) I’ve been telling my bunny-mate for years that this is a terrible time to live in, way worse than the ’60s...
Virtual hugs CM.
What has impressed my consciousness is the degree to which the primary source of the madness in the US is the educational system. The poll numbers of Gen Z are stunning:
“...the Harvard-Harris poll revealed that 51 percent of 18 to 24 year olds said Hamas's violence against Israeli civilians was justified, while just 49 percent don't think so.”
“Here's where things get... strange. In the same poll, 62 percent of young respondents agree that what Hamas did to Israel was "genocidal." So, a hefty chunk of young people in this country believe that genocide against Israeli civilians is justified.”
https://www.newsweek.com/insane-number-gen-zers-support-hamass-slaughter-innocent-israelis-opinion-1837422
But those same people also say that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is “genocidal”. So maybe this is just an age cohort that throws around the word “genocide” like they’re saying “hello”?
I stopped looking at Twitter a year after it started. It's a wasteland full of mental patients that would get punched in the face 30 years ago if they said what they say to peoples faces.
You're not wrong. But for the past couple of years, Twitter has been the only outlet I have for sharing my rage against what I see being done to our society.
I understand. You have to get it out somewhere, I really despise Twitter because it became the left wing hive mind. I loved when Elon bought it and the left freaked out., Was very satisfying watching all of that. Even if it fails, I will be happy.
Some have pointed out that if Elon had not bought Twitter and dismantled the government-"requested" censorship system, it is likely that we would not have learned the details of the horrors the happened on 10/7.
It is not dismantled. Far from it. The Twitter files just unequivocally confirmed its existence.
Stepping away from twitter is a good idea. And yes there is a distinct and determined campaign. One has to ask quo bono? and the answer is the men of violence from Hamas who are backed by Iran. It is well funded and has been in the works for a long time.
Any ceasefire should come from Hamas and should begin with all hostages being unconditionally released. Why should Israel forego its right to defend itself with Hamas giving nothing in return? Giving Hamas a bloody nose as Biden called it in 2021 did not work.
It is up to Egypt to set up any humanitarian corridor. They can do it. There are two countries which border Gaza. One of which is at war with Gaza. They don't want to because they don't want a long term refuge camp in the Sinai which already has immense problems.
The humanitarian aid should go to the ordinary citizens, rather than being stockpiled by Hamas.
Israel has the legal right and obligation to defend itself. A return to the military stalemate which preceded 7/10 will only make another 7/10 inevitable. And right now, that appears to be what certain people think should happen. All I can see is more blood shed and destruction unless Hamas is destroyed.
Well said.
And in defending herself Israel's goal is not vengeance, but rather deterrence.
And then there was Douglas Murray's brave and stirring London speech, where he declared "I am a Jew."
Great call, Bruce. Could not agree more. Very moving, particularly "If they come for the Israelis, then I am an Israeli. If they come for the Zionists, then I am a Zionist. If they come for the Jews, then I am a Jew." If you haven't seen it already, do yourself a favor and look it up
It was reminiscent of the heroic stand of Sgt. Roddie Edmonds who, when ordered by the Nazi POW camp to single out the American prisoners who were Jewish, replied "we're all Jews." Thereby saving hundreds of his fellow American soldiers.