Before I get to the main body of the diary, last night I was watching the news and an Israeli mother was burying her son, he had died in Khan Yunis. Unfortunately, I did not catch her name, and just a few words in English, “this hatred must stop”, the pain in her voice resonated with me, the same pain and words heard from mothers in Gaza—my condolences to them all.
This hatred must stop.
Despite all attempts to distort the truth and create false symmetry, political violence in Israel continues to be unidirectional – by the right against the left. There isn't enough room on the wall for all the writing on it and all the warnings this threat provides, which always materializes: Right-wing incitement kills. It's just a matter of time.
Nobody in the US can be surprised by this.
Saturday night's perpetrator was Haim Sirotkin, a 52-year-old soccer coach, who ran over protesters in Tel Aviv as they were demonstrating against the government and in favor of freeing the hostages. Five of them suffered moderate to light injuries. At his bail hearing, he claimed his gas pedal jammed, and he never intended to run over anyone. But what appears to have gotten stuck, in his head, is the incitement and division sowed by right-wing leaders.
Ah the pedal jammed, happens all the time.
Communications Minister Miri Regev provided an excellent example. Admittedly, she condemned the incident, but only so she could go on to spread a blood libel about those protesting against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She considers them the aggressors, and Netanyahu the victim. "I condemn violence from any side – this serious car-ramming incident tonight, the demonstrators who attack the security forces, and also those who tried to break into the prime minister's house with burning torches," she tweeted.
It is such a MAGA piece of reasoning, the victims are the perpetrators.
One thing about wingnuts is that they are consistent no matter where they are.
The I/P conflict resembles the Irish Problem in so many ways, not necessarily the conflict but the possible solution.
Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist
Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for women to be recognised for their roles in bringing peace.
A co-founder of the Women’s Coalition political party and delegate at the multiparty talks that drove forward Northern Ireland’s peace process in the 1990s, she was also elected to the first regional power-sharing assemblies that were established by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Perhaps or maybe there comes a time when Palestinian and Israeli women can come together and peace can break out, of course, the men will take the credit, they always do
Potential peacemakers in Israel and Palestine
Women Wage Peace Latest news letter www.womenwagepeace.org.il/...
Women of the Sun www.instagram.com/…
Standing Together www.standing-together.org/…
H/T to Keestone and Eccaba in the comments for reminding me.
Just a thought.