We love you for standing up for Israel. While I disagree with much of what you wrote, I will always value your contribution to the Zionist project.
Second,
about the essay - I disagree with a lot here, but my biggest disagreement is about the term "Amalek."
Over the years, the term "Amalek" assumed a meaning different than the original, biblical one. In modern Jewish culture, "Amalek" is a metaphor for evil, not a call for "genocide."
However, Jews never contemplated the murder of Germans, right? right.
Amusingly, former Israeli Justice Michael Heshin, in language that became widely quoted in legal opinions, referred to illegal drugs as "Amalek." He wrote, "the total war (מלחמת חורמה) against drug offenders will continue. This is a difficult war and a long battle. The war on drugs is akin to Israel's war on Amalek.
Why do Jews keep using the term? Because it's a metaphor with a deep historical roots that folks use when they want to amplify a point. In other words - it's not supposed to be taken literally. Rather, it's a rhetorical device in Jewish culture.
Why do people distort the words of the Jews? Because they are ignorant and also antisemitic.
Thank you for this incisive analysis. I also agree with your conclusion: "Nonetheless, if no compromise is reached in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which can only be based on a two-state solution, mass murder may follow. Inevitably, it will be carried out by the stronger side."
Equating the likelihood of genocide by Israel and by the Palestinians is one of the key mistakes that led to Oct 7, albeit in the opposite way that this piece does. Exaggeration of reality is the problem. This piece isn’t didactic, it’s dangerous in that it is more likely to feed the Jewish genocide narrative as opposed to convince people of its dangers.
Regarding death tolls in Gaza, in March 2024, Netanyahu estimated a total of 28k at a time when the Gaza Health Ministry was saying 30k. I think there may be more of a dispute regarding who counts as a civilian vs. Hamas, but there wasn't much of a disagreement in total deaths even between the Israeli government and the Gaza Health Ministry at that time.
Benny,
First,
We love you for standing up for Israel. While I disagree with much of what you wrote, I will always value your contribution to the Zionist project.
Second,
about the essay - I disagree with a lot here, but my biggest disagreement is about the term "Amalek."
Over the years, the term "Amalek" assumed a meaning different than the original, biblical one. In modern Jewish culture, "Amalek" is a metaphor for evil, not a call for "genocide."
Jews have referred to the Nazis as Amalek (see: https://x.com/IsraeliPM_heb/status/1747184958567760015/photo/1).
However, Jews never contemplated the murder of Germans, right? right.
Amusingly, former Israeli Justice Michael Heshin, in language that became widely quoted in legal opinions, referred to illegal drugs as "Amalek." He wrote, "the total war (מלחמת חורמה) against drug offenders will continue. This is a difficult war and a long battle. The war on drugs is akin to Israel's war on Amalek.
source: https://www.nevo.co.il/psika_html/elyon/95049980.htm
Why do Jews keep using the term? Because it's a metaphor with a deep historical roots that folks use when they want to amplify a point. In other words - it's not supposed to be taken literally. Rather, it's a rhetorical device in Jewish culture.
Why do people distort the words of the Jews? Because they are ignorant and also antisemitic.
The most even handed analysis of the genocide question I’ve read.
Thank you for this incisive analysis. I also agree with your conclusion: "Nonetheless, if no compromise is reached in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which can only be based on a two-state solution, mass murder may follow. Inevitably, it will be carried out by the stronger side."
Equating the likelihood of genocide by Israel and by the Palestinians is one of the key mistakes that led to Oct 7, albeit in the opposite way that this piece does. Exaggeration of reality is the problem. This piece isn’t didactic, it’s dangerous in that it is more likely to feed the Jewish genocide narrative as opposed to convince people of its dangers.
Regarding death tolls in Gaza, in March 2024, Netanyahu estimated a total of 28k at a time when the Gaza Health Ministry was saying 30k. I think there may be more of a dispute regarding who counts as a civilian vs. Hamas, but there wasn't much of a disagreement in total deaths even between the Israeli government and the Gaza Health Ministry at that time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/us/politics/netanyahu-schumer-israel.html?searchResultPosition=3