The idea that you can split the difference with adversaries is common (I think) among the saner members of society. Thanks for reminding us that the world is rich with ravers who are all or nothing types. With that in mind It’s hard to believe anyone would want to assist Iran in any way, especially with the development of nuclear capability. I wouldn’t trust that regime with anything more powerful than AAA batteries.
Either you don't believe what Bibi and company were doing in 2023 was and arguably still is engaging in a slow motion coup, or you think it's ok to talk to someone who was / arguably is, consciously or unconsciously or accidentally-on-purpose, playing a part in that effort.
Either way I'm having a lot of trouble bringing myself to listen to this. I admit my emotional intuition is getting in the way of what I would otherwise see as steady ethical practice in communicating online, but I genuinely wonder what your perspective is on this kind of thing.
This you? “ A lot of "spiritual" advice is encouraging people to lose the plot. Live in the moment, let go of your ego, don't requite everything to make sense... “
Good advice. As are the many comments on your feed about challenging students and ourselves to think. Be uncomfortable. Not sure if it’s your Twitter feed I was just looking at but if it was h th en I think you’ve got it!
If you have any question as to what my perspective is then I suggest you listen to / read any one of the many things I’ve written and produced on the topics of judicial reform and leadership of Netanyahu during the last two years. I have been anything but shy about my views. But the notion that because I disagree with someone on many points and issues does not, to me, mean that we cannot engage. I think that it is critical that we try to engage. I have spoken with thousands of people who support the Netanyahu govt and to a person they reject the idea of a coup. They think they’re saving the country. I disagree. W every fibre of my being. But, u see, for those of us living here, with everything in our lives invested, we have to find a way to break through the iron walls. We are stuck together. And it just got way worse for israel. The world -through the ICC - has criminalized this country. My spears are sharpening for that war now.
That threat is the most potent of all. To turn us into a pariah nation. A nation of criminals led by criminals.
There are many ways to manage judicial reform and other repugnant policy efforts of this government. But not speaking to them is not among them.
If we don’t find a way to get through this then Israel is done. For real. That’s what I think. I think we are over the precipice. Way over. And we must do many things differently.
Like many Israelis….i am finding my way through this never ending and deepening crisis. We live in a highly pressurized environment. We have to find a way. Cuz if we don’t….
I will speak with anyone in order to try to better understand. If journalists and writers spoke only with those w whom they agreed we would live in a state of deep ignorance. I trust that response is helpful.
99% of the time I’m against “no-platforming”, though there are edge cases, eg channel 12 interviewing Ziv Sukkot the evening of the break-in / protest / riot at the base that he was a part of. So hopefully I’ll work up the patience to listen to this.
Setting that aside, I really think, notwithstanding the ICC and Justin Trudeau being godawful, that Israel is far less likely to cease to exist - even if it gets the full 80s South Africa treatment from the rest of the world - than it is to becoming a theocratic society and state along the Hungary-turkey-Iran continuum, with negative consequences that are - I would guess - far harder to reverse than the world turning on Israel. It does have nukes, It's also quietly a tech and economic powerhouse tied in to many investment portfolios etc (including those universities that refuse to divest) and - cold comfort but it's still true - fashions do eventually change.
There are calls coming from both outside and inside the house, and they feed each other. But the inside one actually is more dangerous to Israel’s future. And I don’t think the Jewish diaspora is capable of dealing with this possibility.
I'm going to zoom in on your final paragraph - which is what the comment builds towards. I agree with you - on much of what you say. I have felt that the existential dilemma facing Israel is very real......I think that with the election of Trump and the Trump effect we are already seeing - that that threat is somewhat alleviated.....in the short term. Straight geopolitics. I expect that Trump 2.0 will target Iran much more aggressively and effectively than he did during his first term. And that will have profound consequences on the world order.
I am a creature of the Diaspora and Israel - having resided her for more than a decade now. I really do understand both environments quite intimately. And they each try to bridge the gaps......but there is a chasm between them. Agree fully that the domestic political issues are the greatest threat to Israel.....and our enemies understand that better than we seem to. Based on my interactions with Diaspora leadership......I do not think that they "get it". As in - get in in their kishkas. And there seems to be this sense in Diaspora communities that they'll somehow slip through this mess more or less untouched.....particularly among the wealthy and those who perceive themselves to be powerful. Everyone needs an intensive history refresher. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Really appreciate the engagement.
Thank you for introducing Gadi Taub to us. Here's hoping that a Trump Netanyahu alliance
may help to bring peace and stability to Israel and the region. Continue to provide us with news
and views which we don't get anywhere else.
H&S
Thanks for the feedback, H and S. I really appreciate your loyalty and attention. Glad you continue to find the offerings of value.
The idea that you can split the difference with adversaries is common (I think) among the saner members of society. Thanks for reminding us that the world is rich with ravers who are all or nothing types. With that in mind It’s hard to believe anyone would want to assist Iran in any way, especially with the development of nuclear capability. I wouldn’t trust that regime with anything more powerful than AAA batteries.
Either you don't believe what Bibi and company were doing in 2023 was and arguably still is engaging in a slow motion coup, or you think it's ok to talk to someone who was / arguably is, consciously or unconsciously or accidentally-on-purpose, playing a part in that effort.
Either way I'm having a lot of trouble bringing myself to listen to this. I admit my emotional intuition is getting in the way of what I would otherwise see as steady ethical practice in communicating online, but I genuinely wonder what your perspective is on this kind of thing.
This you? “ A lot of "spiritual" advice is encouraging people to lose the plot. Live in the moment, let go of your ego, don't requite everything to make sense... “
Good advice. As are the many comments on your feed about challenging students and ourselves to think. Be uncomfortable. Not sure if it’s your Twitter feed I was just looking at but if it was h th en I think you’ve got it!
If you have any question as to what my perspective is then I suggest you listen to / read any one of the many things I’ve written and produced on the topics of judicial reform and leadership of Netanyahu during the last two years. I have been anything but shy about my views. But the notion that because I disagree with someone on many points and issues does not, to me, mean that we cannot engage. I think that it is critical that we try to engage. I have spoken with thousands of people who support the Netanyahu govt and to a person they reject the idea of a coup. They think they’re saving the country. I disagree. W every fibre of my being. But, u see, for those of us living here, with everything in our lives invested, we have to find a way to break through the iron walls. We are stuck together. And it just got way worse for israel. The world -through the ICC - has criminalized this country. My spears are sharpening for that war now.
That threat is the most potent of all. To turn us into a pariah nation. A nation of criminals led by criminals.
There are many ways to manage judicial reform and other repugnant policy efforts of this government. But not speaking to them is not among them.
If we don’t find a way to get through this then Israel is done. For real. That’s what I think. I think we are over the precipice. Way over. And we must do many things differently.
Like many Israelis….i am finding my way through this never ending and deepening crisis. We live in a highly pressurized environment. We have to find a way. Cuz if we don’t….
I will speak with anyone in order to try to better understand. If journalists and writers spoke only with those w whom they agreed we would live in a state of deep ignorance. I trust that response is helpful.
99% of the time I’m against “no-platforming”, though there are edge cases, eg channel 12 interviewing Ziv Sukkot the evening of the break-in / protest / riot at the base that he was a part of. So hopefully I’ll work up the patience to listen to this.
Setting that aside, I really think, notwithstanding the ICC and Justin Trudeau being godawful, that Israel is far less likely to cease to exist - even if it gets the full 80s South Africa treatment from the rest of the world - than it is to becoming a theocratic society and state along the Hungary-turkey-Iran continuum, with negative consequences that are - I would guess - far harder to reverse than the world turning on Israel. It does have nukes, It's also quietly a tech and economic powerhouse tied in to many investment portfolios etc (including those universities that refuse to divest) and - cold comfort but it's still true - fashions do eventually change.
There are calls coming from both outside and inside the house, and they feed each other. But the inside one actually is more dangerous to Israel’s future. And I don’t think the Jewish diaspora is capable of dealing with this possibility.
I'm going to zoom in on your final paragraph - which is what the comment builds towards. I agree with you - on much of what you say. I have felt that the existential dilemma facing Israel is very real......I think that with the election of Trump and the Trump effect we are already seeing - that that threat is somewhat alleviated.....in the short term. Straight geopolitics. I expect that Trump 2.0 will target Iran much more aggressively and effectively than he did during his first term. And that will have profound consequences on the world order.
I am a creature of the Diaspora and Israel - having resided her for more than a decade now. I really do understand both environments quite intimately. And they each try to bridge the gaps......but there is a chasm between them. Agree fully that the domestic political issues are the greatest threat to Israel.....and our enemies understand that better than we seem to. Based on my interactions with Diaspora leadership......I do not think that they "get it". As in - get in in their kishkas. And there seems to be this sense in Diaspora communities that they'll somehow slip through this mess more or less untouched.....particularly among the wealthy and those who perceive themselves to be powerful. Everyone needs an intensive history refresher. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Really appreciate the engagement.