Reading, then thinking, then speaking, then listening.

I, like many of you have been looking on in horror at the scenario unfolding in Israel in the last few days. I also have been recoiling from the anti-Israel press and opinion that seems to be flooding the place. If those who read and believe these headlines could even know how many people – ordinary you and me kind of people – within Israel who want nothing but peace, and who are equally mortified at the actions of the last few days, they would perhaps change their tunes quick smart.

I welcome debate, though deplore antisemitism as a way out of a discussion.
When we debate, we listen and learn from each other.

To instantly knee-jerk to news that Israel fired a weapon as “well, they’re in the wrong” is as naive and one dimensional as trying to sum up the deplorable situation with Australia’s indigenous population by saying,”…they should all just get jobs”.

You’re trying to sum up and simplify centuries of conflict and an impossibly complicated situation on both sides with a single racially-biased phrase.

I’m here to tell ya, it ain’t that easy.

So before you form a concrete opinion (which may look suspiciously like something you read on a headline on a news website in between checking eBay auctions and your facebook/twitter), slap a McCain insta-meal in the microwave and then settle down for an evening of telly congratulating yourself on a job well done (before going back to same facebook/twitter and writing something that you may not quite appreciate the gravity of), may I take a few moments to explain one particular point of view so that you may perhaps (if you’re interested) better understand how many concessions both morally and ideologically one must contemplate to start to understand the situation and form an opinion.

The old saying goes, you have to live for something or you’ll die for nothing.

I married a girl from a rough (international) neighbourhood, and I’ve come to love her country and its people like my own. It is a country full of contradictions and my loyalties are as equally difficult to comprehend as the country itself.

So in the interests of living for something, I’d like to take a few moments of your time to explain where I am on these difficult issues.

I’m pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian at the same time. Try that one on for starters.

I’m for the IDF but against a number of their policies (and certainly decisions in the last few days).

I’m for two-states and for autonomy and also for protection of the civilian population on both sides – and the measures that need to be taken to ensure that protection.

I’m for a right to self-defence and also for proportionate responses.

Man I suck to have at dinner parties, I’m all over the place when it comes to this.

I’m against scapegoating on both sides, I’m against the delegitimization of Israel, and I’m for resettling the settlers.
I’m for clear divisions in East Jerusalem that are respected and upheld, and for the building codes to be equal among the population.

I’m against International Double standards against Israel, but I’m for accountability of Israel.

Israel as a country seems expected to play by Western Rules, yet the people they’re playing against are playing a completely different sport altogether.

I honestly believe that many people just get negative on Israel because it’s easy to do. It’s easier than actually reading up about the history of the place, and understanding how difficult the solution to the problems there are.

I fear that casual deligitimization of this wonderful country will lead to no-one being there to stop them when the bad guys who want to destroy Israel come for you too.

I also truly believe that we can get it right, and that we as a world can figure out a way for the whole team there to live in peace with each other and enjoy their lives.
I truly believe this. Call me naive, however I’d rather be an optimist than a pessimist – no matter how bad it looks.

For a start – read “Israel’s Wars” by Ahron Bregman. A very frank and open account that details precisely the political and military decisions (however questionable, as the author also points out) that led to Gaza being a part of Israel and also the creation of the West Bank. The book also covers how the Israeli population’s opinion at large struggles often with the policies of their governments in times of crisis.

When you read this book (and I’m still searching for an alternate view – as I just finished reading it myself) you will see that it’s just not that simple as saying “well they’re wrong, and they’re right”.

I welcome your comments, however I’m hoping we can discuss opposing opinions and not degenerate into uni-student pamphlet hand-out shouty points of view.

I hope you can understand by what I’ve written that I am open minded about a lot of things, and also have NO CLUE how to solve them.

Talking with, listening to and understanding each other is a place to start.

If we stand nose to nose and shout at each other, we all lose.

Peace and love and good Karma upon you all.