Israel and Palestine (I'm praying for both)

65) There are no good answers after the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. I also can't ignore the (Israel-made) humanitarian crisis in Gaza

17th of October, 10:00 PM EST

The fog of war has many casualties. As an American, I’m so lucky to live in a bubble, where I would never expect a random act of extremism to just eliminate a hospital building with hundreds of people instantly perishing.

Yet, that’s the reality in Gaza, right now. I’m horrified and heart-broken. I’m also terrified of the consequences of all this blood-shed. (After blast kills hundreds at Gaza hospital, Hamas and Israel trade blame as rage spreads in region) .

And here I am sitting as a coward, scared to even publish a piece that is a prayer for Israel and Palestine, out of fear of criticism from militants on both sides… Well, obviously time waits for no one.

Originally drafted October 15 & October 16th 2023:

I was and still am horrified by the terrorist attack by Hamas that left over 1400 Israelis’ murdered. I was also incredibly dismayed by peoples instant reactions, sympathetic to Palestine, without any mention to all the lives in Israel that were brutally taken away from us.  

To campaign for Palestine so soon after the worst terrorist attacks in Israeli history (seemingly devoid of any feeling towards the 1400 plus fallen Jewish civilians), sows even more division that we do not need. Not only that, but it makes the “Free Palestine” people indistinguishable from the very thing they claim to be campaigning against. And that is violence, and death against innocent people.

Now, as an educated Jewish American, I was taught about the horrors of the Holocaust, where six million of my ancestors were murdered at the hands of Nazis. Yet, I’m confused as to why we Jewish people either didn’t know or didn’t care that the Gaza Strip has been an open air prison for many years now, confining millions of Palestinians to a small strip of land with virtually no way out. (Gaza: Israel’s ‘Open-Air Prison’ at 15).

There’s a certain cruelty to life that now so much more attention is being brought to the very harsh conditions that people live under in the Gaza Strip. While we still mourn the hundreds upon hundreds of innocent Israeli lives lost in a senseless act of terror, by a group (Hamas) that unfortunately is an outgrowth of the worst elements of Palestinian society.

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I am aware that even prior to October 08, 2023, the Gaza Strip already had a high death rate in relation to much of the world; But, now it has spiked exponentially since the outbreak of this war. (Gaza Strip suffers deadliest day in 15 years after Hamas attack).

I’m also knowledgeable to the fact that that pre-October 7th 2023, for many years the Gaza Strip was only getting rations of electricity and water each day. (The Occupation of Water).

I also am fully aware that all those rations of water and electricity are completely cut off now. (UN shelters in Gaza run out of water as doctors fear patients in ‘high danger’ as Israeli ground offensive looms).

*The terrorist attack in Israel is horrifying and harrowing, and I’m disgusted by it. The continuous humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is horrifying and harrowing and I’m disgusted by it. 

*I can hold both these views simultaneously and still call myself a proud Jewish American man.

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I sincerely “Pray for Peace in the Middle East” - https://embraceme.org/our-prayers/israel-palestine-urgent-prayer-for-peace 

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With the unfolding of events, and the almost certain start of an imminent ground war, I think that it unfortunately serves too many international actors' interest in helping perpetuate the chaos in this region. For example, the Iranian government at one point in the not too distant past, openly said that they want to see Israel completely wiped off the world map. (When Iran Says ‘Death to Israel,’ It Means It).

For so many people that I know, this crisis hits so close to home. I know many people that are angry and confused by this. There are those who want to see the flattening of the Gaza strip. Even though most of the Palestinians living in Gaza have no affiliation with “Hamas”, except being confined in the same squalor space as them. (What is Hamas, and what’s happening in Israel and Gaza? A really simple guide).

My home base of the NYC Area, is home to the largest population of Jewish people in the world…yes even bigger than Israel;  (New York - Largest Jewish colony outside Israel). In New York there is certainly a tremendous feeling of patriotism and rallying around the flag for Israel.

My biggest question however is - At what cost is Israel willing to go to all out war against Hamas?

There are still 150 hostages being held by Hamas as we speak. (Here’s why any Israeli attempt to rescue the 150 hostages in Gaza will be ‘brutal’ and painful).

Matt Taibbi wrote about how the news and media is now designed to promote hate. Well, the last time I recalled this much geo-political division in our American body-politics, was during the start and continuation of the Iraq War.  (Hate Inc.)

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I pray that the better angels of our nature will prevail.  I pray that America’s Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and other world diplomats can help find an off-ramp to a truly dire and bloody situation. (Israel-Hamas War: Diplomats Race to Ease Gaza Crisis Amid Fears of Spreading Conflict).

I pray that there can be a new found focus on creating workability between Israel and Palestine, as opposed to pretending and wishing things away. (The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The Danger of ‘No Solution’ Messaging).

Or we can  just continue to ignore this situation (yet, again) once things finally settle (however many months or years that might take), until we reach another tremendous boiling point we are at now. (The US has ignored the hopelessness of the Israel-Palestine conflict for too long).

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I realize my sharing and posting on this matter, probably leaves much to be desired, with way too many unanswerable questions. I made it a point to put hyperlinks throughout this post, with historical texts, as well as current articles, from reporters who are on the ground, experiencing this geo-political nightmare, first-hand.

I know that aside from the people in the middle of this horrendous blood-bath, this crisis is really impacting people on a truly profound level. 

My personal wish is for a little less call for arms and a lot more working together towards finding solutions to (what now feels like) an impossible situation. I am certainly invested in this conflict and following it closely in a way I never have before. I can’t say I’m necessarily optimistic, but, I am hopeful…

October 17, 2023 10:08 PM EST

At least I was, before the latest bombing (What can Biden’s Israel visit accomplish after Gaza hospital bombing?).

Signing off.

Joshua Pressman Jacobs 

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PS - For the record, I have actively gone out of my way not to see the harrowing images or videos. I’m desperately holding onto my humanity in this. I’m still doing all I can to be a functional, productive human-being, so I can effectively teach my students, parent my kids, and manage the care of my elderly father.  I’m not telling you what to do, but social media in some areas is not doing the world favors by perpetuating this, or propagating images and videos of this. 

October 17, 2023 10:10 PM EST

Honestly, I just don’t know anymore.

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For a chronological list of the sources I used/cited, here they are in order of appearance (1-16)