We come at this from so many directions so many origins, so much that we unconsciously carry. I will never not come from my block in Brooklyn, the mothers of two of our friends willing to show us their concentration camp tattoos, friends, one polish catholic, one Jewish. Nearly every dad a WW2 veteran, proud of yet damaged by that trauma.
New Yorkers, Americans though some with accents (most). (My dad)
Let’s follow our tradition of NYC unity of rich cultures that feed us, literally and culturally.
Praying in my humanism that no massacres occur anymore anywhere in the world.
You and I know we can get through anything, connected to one another.
I had a whole long paragraph in here about the unity in New York, as fractured as it seems sometimes. But what makes NYC so wonderful is its diversity and that's why the Mayor's speech touched me. NYC certainly is not perfect, but given the diversity and cramped quarters, the way New Yorkers manage to get along (most of the time) is nothing short of amazing. However, I didn't want to imply that as a negative towards Israel, so I took it out. Because Israel has so many other pressures surrounding it, and then there is the religious component....
Agree - on all points. I’m never not home when I’m there.
Israel is the focus now. As someone said earlier, dramatic things are about to happen. May they find a way through to persevere and overcome what is to come.
Oct 15, 2023·edited Oct 15, 2023Liked by Liza Donnelly
Liza, I am like you in that I have no dog in this fight and other than sadness for humanity I have nothing to offer. As usual, I can argue both sides. Israel has an impossible task ahead but based on their fragmented system of government, the outcome is unknown. Ali Velshi just got fired from MSNBC (he is a Muslim) by pointing out Palestinian abuse by Israel over the years. Harvard students are at each other's throats. Peace to all.
Liza, the part of this "disagreement" that fascinates me are the psychological tribal/religious aspects of human behavior. I have a tendency to try to fix things by understanding brutal behaviors. Of course, I am no good at it but that doesn't stop me. When emotions reach this level nothing makes sense. Seems everyone wants revenge based on the last violation. Leaves me with a dystopian humanity view. We need calm to prevail. I wish I saw it on the horizon. Peace to all.
I very much appreciate and understand your anxiety about the situation in Israel. What Hamas is doing is simply horrific. These are war crimes. They do not see humans. They only see enemies. On the other hand Netanyahu has behaved toward Palestinians in terribly ways. Violence begets violence. The United States has Trump promoting hatred against anyone that does not agree with him. Israel has Netanyahu who does the same thing. No group can be suppressed indefinitely. It has never worked in the past and it isn't going to work now. It's a terrifying situation all the way around. According to the news I am hearing, Netanyahu intends to totally clear Gaza in order to kill Hamas. He is willing to indiscriminately kill Palestinians. I am not for or against either group but uncontrolled violence against any group will require that group to defend itself in the hope of survival. This situation does not bode well for either group.
Well put. I know I said I have no right to an opinion in this, but I do think Netanyau is not a good leader for his country and has opressed Palestinians for many years and recently has attempted to hijack democracy (not sure where that issue about the court is now). I wish people would stop the violence.
You do have a right to an opinion on this. Injustice ignored allows injustice to continue. Netanyahu has moved his government far to the right. He ran again to run the government like Trump, to avoid prison after being indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud. Since 1980 he has been a close friend of Trump. Against international law Netanyahu has expanded Israel settlements in the occupied west bank. How long would any of us quietly accept being removed from our homes without compensation and the home given to our perceived enemy. Like Trump, Netanyahu needs to be held accountable for his racist leadership. The issue is Netanyahu, not the Israeli people.
Your drawing about the face of humanitarian unity is very moving. As others have said, you indeed speak for so many of us who are torn between what is right and what is not-and how difficult it is to tell the difference. We have to place our hope in the hands of a power greater than any of us that truth and humanity will prevail.
You speak for so many of us right now.
We come at this from so many directions so many origins, so much that we unconsciously carry. I will never not come from my block in Brooklyn, the mothers of two of our friends willing to show us their concentration camp tattoos, friends, one polish catholic, one Jewish. Nearly every dad a WW2 veteran, proud of yet damaged by that trauma.
New Yorkers, Americans though some with accents (most). (My dad)
Let’s follow our tradition of NYC unity of rich cultures that feed us, literally and culturally.
Praying in my humanism that no massacres occur anymore anywhere in the world.
You and I know we can get through anything, connected to one another.
I had a whole long paragraph in here about the unity in New York, as fractured as it seems sometimes. But what makes NYC so wonderful is its diversity and that's why the Mayor's speech touched me. NYC certainly is not perfect, but given the diversity and cramped quarters, the way New Yorkers manage to get along (most of the time) is nothing short of amazing. However, I didn't want to imply that as a negative towards Israel, so I took it out. Because Israel has so many other pressures surrounding it, and then there is the religious component....
Agree - on all points. I’m never not home when I’m there.
Israel is the focus now. As someone said earlier, dramatic things are about to happen. May they find a way through to persevere and overcome what is to come.
Liza, I am like you in that I have no dog in this fight and other than sadness for humanity I have nothing to offer. As usual, I can argue both sides. Israel has an impossible task ahead but based on their fragmented system of government, the outcome is unknown. Ali Velshi just got fired from MSNBC (he is a Muslim) by pointing out Palestinian abuse by Israel over the years. Harvard students are at each other's throats. Peace to all.
oh no, I didn't hear Ali Velshi got fired. I'll go find the details. Yes, well, people are really ramped up.
Liza, the part of this "disagreement" that fascinates me are the psychological tribal/religious aspects of human behavior. I have a tendency to try to fix things by understanding brutal behaviors. Of course, I am no good at it but that doesn't stop me. When emotions reach this level nothing makes sense. Seems everyone wants revenge based on the last violation. Leaves me with a dystopian humanity view. We need calm to prevail. I wish I saw it on the horizon. Peace to all.
I very much appreciate and understand your anxiety about the situation in Israel. What Hamas is doing is simply horrific. These are war crimes. They do not see humans. They only see enemies. On the other hand Netanyahu has behaved toward Palestinians in terribly ways. Violence begets violence. The United States has Trump promoting hatred against anyone that does not agree with him. Israel has Netanyahu who does the same thing. No group can be suppressed indefinitely. It has never worked in the past and it isn't going to work now. It's a terrifying situation all the way around. According to the news I am hearing, Netanyahu intends to totally clear Gaza in order to kill Hamas. He is willing to indiscriminately kill Palestinians. I am not for or against either group but uncontrolled violence against any group will require that group to defend itself in the hope of survival. This situation does not bode well for either group.
Well put. I know I said I have no right to an opinion in this, but I do think Netanyau is not a good leader for his country and has opressed Palestinians for many years and recently has attempted to hijack democracy (not sure where that issue about the court is now). I wish people would stop the violence.
My only comment is one that came from your illustration of the capitol the other day: "Sigh."
You do have a right to an opinion on this. Injustice ignored allows injustice to continue. Netanyahu has moved his government far to the right. He ran again to run the government like Trump, to avoid prison after being indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud. Since 1980 he has been a close friend of Trump. Against international law Netanyahu has expanded Israel settlements in the occupied west bank. How long would any of us quietly accept being removed from our homes without compensation and the home given to our perceived enemy. Like Trump, Netanyahu needs to be held accountable for his racist leadership. The issue is Netanyahu, not the Israeli people.
Exactly.
Beautiful drawing, Liza. Thank you.
Thank you.
🙏🏼
Your drawing about the face of humanitarian unity is very moving. As others have said, you indeed speak for so many of us who are torn between what is right and what is not-and how difficult it is to tell the difference. We have to place our hope in the hands of a power greater than any of us that truth and humanity will prevail.
Thank you. I hope that greater power does something soon.