[Sundaycommunity] Sundaycommunity] Fwd: Israel at War: Making sense of this week's news

Sat Jun 1 19:43:04 PDT 2024

Thk you, Helena, for sharing this JSpace article, and for sharing that such
a group is out there.  I appreciate Israel has a spectrum of views.  We
just wish more people were sympathetic with the JSpace perspective.

I want to say I am troubled with "Zionism".  It seems to be exclusionary.
I have read the Wikipedia article on it.  Zionism includes a doctrine for
"transfer" of Arab Palestinians (i.e. a euphemism for ethnic cleansing).
This is not good.  I know some Jewish people who are avowed non-Zionists.

I wonder if there is an evolved form of Zionism that is inclusive?  That
envisions a community of diversity?  Like we have in Canada.  Pls excuse my
ignorance.

These are very difficult times.

Best wishes.

Bill.

c 416-708-6677

On Sat, Jun 1, 2024 at 3:13 PM H. Burns via Sundaycommunity <
sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:

Thank you very much, Dean.  I find this article so important because it is
> an anguished Israeli critique of the Israeli government.
>
>
> Jspace also includes other articles for further reading that some of you
> appreciate.
> Helena
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 1, 2024, at 11:51, Dean Riley <riley234 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you for sharing this emotional and thought provoking article,
> Helena. And thank you for your bravery in declaring the leanings of your
> heart so decisively.  I hope and pray that this cease-fire will endure… and
> that it will lead everyone toward a mutually acceptable resolution to this
> tragic & devastating conflict!
>
> Dean.
>
> <image0.jpeg>
>
>
> On May 31, 2024, at 8:04 PM, H. W via Sundaycommunity <
> sundaycommunity at lists.integralshift.ca> wrote:
>
>  Today Joe Biden announced potential good news for a three phase
> resolution including an immediate ceasefire, a release of hostages, a
>  rebuilding of Gaza,  etc., etc. that you have likely heard on the news.
>
> I have decided to forward this article from Jspace Canada, of which I am a
> member, because it captures the anguish of Israeli liberals and captures
> the ‘heart‘ of the Zionist dream (with which I resonate).
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> *From:* JSpaceCanada <info at jspacecanada.ca>
> *Date:* May 31, 2024 at 18:26:53 EDT
> *To:* Helena Burnstein <helena.burnstein at sympatico.ca>
> *Subject:* *Israel at War: Making sense of this week's news*
>
> 
> Shabbat news and update round up
>  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
>
> DONATE NOW
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/donate?e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=1>
>
> Dear Helena,
>
> Israel's Channel 12 news *released a transcript
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=ufdZpdDRfZ5ZIVUnexxpOsqlQltC8D3Q7iwcEsx5lJZYeYcZ5rqXaHr2U3P43kqH9J5o1KI9saSwvuoh8LeQBslHcfHi-i5YxDGVMUYiJnhFlvzB582VTqDpDEyliun9---BQTdMLUIzf2xQ0E8K3XN4NMcbMWlRONgUTLAi618H86XL4H-hDy1oGgwK5GqTcNdQPjJmE_jF2BiE-zU0V_eEAcsTX4Q4FJj0Ml2MDrNitjwZxf-OWk9BtLs3QJl1JK_fFlbvPbNAykKG9x2mV4dzWI62czybEd9vUt1NFTA&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=2>*
> yesterday of a tense meeting between Israel's National Security Advisor,
> Tzachi Hanegbi, and members of the hostage families.
>
> After one of the hostage family members criticized Netanyahu for
> refurbishing his pool in Ceasarea during a war, Hanegbi replied "you have
> no right to have this much hatred and pain."
>
> When the participant replied that she does have the right, and retold her
> harrowing story of hiding from Hamas terrorists for 15 hours on October 7,
> Hanegbi simply replied "then go ahead and curse me."
>
> At this point, she left the room crying, and as another participant left
> to comfort her, Hanegbi retorted "are you also going to create drama?"
>
> The callousness of this government reaches new lows seemingly every day,
> this time also wading into misogyny with Hanegbi's "hysterical women"
> stereotypes, as if having a member of your family held hostage for almost
> eight months wouldn't make even the toughest of us completely hysterical.
>
> Hanegbi also admitted that "this government will not reach an agreement to
> finish the entire war for the return of the hostages." When a hostage
> family member replied "then we are doomed." Hanegbi replied "correct."
>
> This goes beyond just these politicians and this government. If the
> pro-democracy movement pre-October 7 was a battle for Israel's soul, what
> we are facing now is a battle for Israel's fundamental reason for being.
>
> Israel was created as a Jewish state, to provide safety for Jews, when
> history repeatedly told us that we are not safe in the diaspora. This
> promise, that we will be kept safe in Israel is not a promise that is to be
> stated once at the state's founding and then taken for granted. This is an
> active promise, it is work that must be done by the state's leaders every
> single day, to uphold the fundamental purpose of the state.
>
> It is clear that this government failed Israelis on this promise. It
> failed on October 7, when *Netanyahu ignored the security warnings
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=7G_TnAG6v_4jUyJcWqkwUzpkueoeG65wu1-ICr0BN8y2W-eRWVwKRCzw7uwZKq78RgWZnQNVhLqdy_mhLrsN4w&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=3>* he
> had received in the months prior. It failed when it put vengeance over the
> sanctity of life, by deprioritizing the release of the hostages. And it
> fails time and time again when, after promising equality for all its
> citizens, it *arrests and intimidates Palestinian citizens of Israel
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=tdADx8eKtARFyLkuoG3WvrkI4SqgXL_vKRovJWpRP0ehur5ezDsJR1zGDO7NsWOVuTkw1xulqXu5i734Jr67S7N85zKh8zUHT7VNSKR11WlL9bzGzUjPU-v8Yeov0GOpfQs3S2Z4JS7LlveghB1lkoPtojm7ogaAQlelEeW1vU4&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=4>*
> who dare show empathy for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
>
> Establishing statehood, gaining self-determination and sovereignty, was
> indeed the goal of Zionism. But if that was its only goal, then why do we
> still identify as Zionists? Why is this identity so crucial to us, and why
> is our relationship to the state, even as Jews in the diaspora so important
> to us 76 years after the goal of Zionism was achieved?
>
> It is because it is a movement of dreamers. It is a movement of Jews who
> believed, even in their darkest most disenfranchised moments, that they
> could create a better future for themselves. *In that is inspiration*. In
> that is what connects us to Zionism and tells us that it is not a movement
> that ends with the establishment of the state it is a movement that was
> reborn with the establishment of the state, and continues to evolve after
> all these years.
>
> It also showcases our accomplishments, chief among them no longer being
> powerless. Acquiring power, through statehood and government, is not
> synonymous with evil. In fact, once you have power, you can use it to
> empower those still without.
>
> Unfortunately, once again, the Netanyahu government has used its power
> mainly to destroy and disenfranchise. The world watched in horror on
> Tuesday as Gazans taking shelter in a refugee camp in Rafah were burned
> alive in a fire caused by an Israeli airstrike.
>
> Many Hasbara voices tried to *explain away
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=GA-QehPCvkLMsdyZvyooQlI9PXh8wz43JDnIfgZIVTPU6uVZHQVMlxFUYoiId1-osunCIsytdwfVsFKyexV9DQ&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=5>*
> or *justify
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=V3RK0bITQEe0DogD7ULWhd6asTr4PVVr1LRzcfKEp_lDt-GxuRKSscuhsyEjs_MP9tNSoMcm5DpNBQDkUiAN4Q&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=6>*
> this horror, offering excuses or rationales. But there is no excuse, no
> rationale for children, mothers, fathers, dying. There is no rationale for
> people who have already lost everything to lose even more. To not have your
> heart break by the devastation is to lose your humanity. And to not
> recognize the devastation caused by your misuse of power is to balk at the
> responsibility that comes with your power.
>
> Having to take responsibility is a privilege. It shows that you have
> agency and accountability, you are not powerless, you are not without
> representation.
>
> We hold so much tension in Judaism - the world was created just for me,
> but I am but dust and ashes. If I am not for me, who will be for me? But
> when I am for myself alone, what am I?
>
> And so here, once again, we hold this tension. We are scared, we are
> vulnerable, we feel fear. But we also have power, we have agency, and we
> can shape our destiny.
>
> A state was created for us. A state that promised to keep us safe. A state
> that is meant to use its power and sovereignty for good. If we blindly
> support the state unquestioningly, what are we?
>
> *In the Forward, why recognition of a Palestinian state does not "reward
> Hamas" and why American Jews should recognize a Palestinian state now.*
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=RZP2DqGq_HoVGefyzkYODzXXw48blSJZ_uyL8hy7McLzaeh7cD5Ihff0pz3aPKfNqlIZtMX_EoheEvPMLCaFWlaDPkxDPBVz5T2khqIREx7wmCdoRl5NMyZfg9D5l7u4&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=7>
>
> *Zack Beauchamp writes about the massacre in Rafah and how Israel's
> actions are not only slaughtering Palestinians, but destroying Israel in
> the process.*
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=8iY3u7fKlhcNkgGSgArBgGuLUsWicLsaFU01ZzZFdBdT-whHLsQcm2tPLF3PkJJ0_0VvFhwxOTuwEkYJN7V2sH5ODQw1Fkbz_IApy8yvY-otNWiM3003x5Do3UYsEIZ1&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=8>
>
> *The Guardian, in collaboration with +972 Magazine revealed the threats
> and intimidation from Israel against the International Criminal Court over
> the past nine years.*
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=lb-1d5MMiOH4-wVLfg66RGKrH7vMCw4_KaKKf6-f1TQ1-Ow42JT7D-aXJr98y6I1VrC7kuas88d2xCndImFCC-V4ZocZ2rgo0xuu8vHUleYG7GortTSftyEAxkJCUj4xH4cOXJKEMn6F7uEroDXYNg&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=9>
>
> *In Haaretz, Dahlia Scheindlin argues that the war will not end until
> Netanyahu and Israel can answer three stark but crucial questions.*
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=9qFujIoeyobCItbhgVcNfLtPpvPAXVozFLtZazbHGaDm-3Xaeis1r9ux95pKK5VxM1HTXGEn8ZNy_8ag0ihIL3HfplmZWU3kJ-78Q54aO0p8S24FFWdYePkBiwl-RXPv9ZYtNNlCgsWlhwX5QcFi8PMv3D2bjzW7XbROKCKiazaxcE5ARWTRZWKe6EJXfaHklPz7lCfTmys0qxOBYSP9YEzX6Y5eId32Wah0mVJoggVkbfuapTedXBQLcQ6guk_m&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=10>
>
> *Two Israeli academics who study fascism write about a new proposed law in
> Israel aimed at quashing dissent at universities, and what this says about
> the state of Israeli democracy.*
> <https://www.jspacecanada.ca/r?u=RZP2DqGq_HoVGefyzkYOD8l7ccVezJnI0O-hZB27-_axcaOlkZ0avQRVEY5KJl-nOqnlY4uQS0iqbPjLe2gcO2xuhSphFiYiMZqfnT47Ynshgo3Ayt7PVJwvLjtL8Cnz&e=e01a8ccbbbe0751f0a6034ddfd2979fa&utm_source=jspace&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=shabbatemail_may312024&n=11>
> JSpaceCanada
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