In my last post I suggested that despite the clarity of good versus evil in the Hamas massacre there will be folks who see gray. It is difficult to understand. Propaganda is already countering the horrific butchery by claiming Palestine as victim and Isreal as aggressor facade. After 75 years most of the once intransigent Arab nations have given up on the elimination of Isreal. However, the old river to the sea slogan is still being stoked to keep the people of Palestine down while blaming Isreal. 300 miles of tunnels to protect the Mucky-Mucks? No above ground bunkers for the women, children and elderly who will die during a counter-offensive to a Hamas attack. Of course, hospitals, food and water would be better than bunkers or tunnels; especially if bunkers were not needed unless you attack and provoke a response. Use your noggins boys. Read history. Get in a position to form your own view of current events such as the October 7th attack.
Maybe start in the late 19th century. Papa skips over 1000s of years after many Jews dispersed from Cannan/Judea. In the 1800’s things were getting bad for Jews in Europe. Perhaps read about the persecution illustrated by the “Dreyfus Affair” in France. When things were going bad for the Jews around that time an idea sprang up that a homeland back in old Palestine might be just what the doctor ordered. Often seen as the start of Zionism. Like all ideas it started to perk along.
Palestine/Gaza/West Bank etc had been under Ottoman rule for about 400 years by then. No need for this posting to go back to all the other empires/Poo-Bahs who ruled the area for 1000s of years. Just know that there wasn’t a defined area known as a nation of Palistine. Jews AND Arabs both lived in that area. Usually under the foot of some boss. Along came World War One. Turkey was on the losing side. What to do with its domains? There had been talk within Allied circles of a Jewish homeland. The British were to over see Palastine. (Mandate) Its foreign secretary wrote a letter in support of a Jewish homeland. 1917 Balfour Declaration. That text made it into League Of Nations codification in 1923. Great Britain was to be responsible for establishing terms/conditions/timing of such a homeland. Things not only moved slow but the League itself was less than efficient.
Of course, its greatest failure was in not meeting its founding purpose; to stop another world war. I trust you know what World War Two meant for all Jews in Europe. Hitler and the Holocaust. In history the idea of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration and WWII resulted in many Jews going to Palestine where in 1948 Isreal was created as an independent nation by action of the United Nations. So too was there to be a nation for the Arabs of Palastine. Thus, the word partition. The US immediately recognized the new country. Arab nations immediately waged war. None wanted any part of the two state partition. Only Isreal accepted the concept. There were additional major wars in 1967 and 1973. There often were skirmishes near the borders over the years. Isreal has at times taken additional land/buffer for protection. One such area was taken from Eygypt after a war. That was Gaza. Most of the Gaza population are called Palestinians. Isreal has moved in and out of various territories after fighting off attacks. In addition to tamping down sources of future attacks they have to administer the territory. Headaches plus the crazies lob rockets into Isreal every so often. What a way to live. Isreal left Gaza most recently around 2005. The Palestinians elected Hamas to lead. Hamas has led them to poverty and they are used as fodder against Isreal. When propaganda tries to convince you that Hamas represents freedom fighters against occupiers; read history. (No additional election since 2006. No need; lots of opposing politicians just thrown off roof tops etc.)
The overall issues are said to be complicated. Seventy-five years have passed since Isreal was created. One side is still in a 1948 mindset. It’s clear they are unhappy with decisions made 75 years ago. Perhaps it is time to get over it. How long can you pick at a scab? It seems logical that if you start a war your people will get hurt by your actions. Claiming life is complicated does not justify murder/rape/pillage. Gearing up a propaganda machine doesn’t wash away blood. Nor does it change what is simple. Live with the decisions that the civilized world made under the UN banner. Make the best of Palistine not the worst. And, if given a second chance perhaps choose a goverment of non-butchers to represent you. (The West Bank is represented by a Palistian Authority that is itself going on about twenty years after its election to a four year term.)
More history: After WWII Japan and Germany were “occupied” for about seven years so that the damage done by their murderous leaders could be reversed. Decent countries today. It is estimated that Palistinians still would vote for Hamas if elections are held soon. It might be a good idea for the passage of time to cool down 75 years of indoctrinated hate towards Isreal/Jews. BTW: Papa often cites movies as another basis of memory. Look for films “I Accuse” and “Exodus.” The first has backgound of Dreyfus and the second 1948’s establishment of a Jewish state.