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PJ Alexander's avatar

As I read, I can't help but think that we have failed in our teaching of history, here in Canada. The Social Studies I grew up with did literally nothing to provide me with context to understand the general history of the Levant, or of this conflict. I did not learn some context until college, and through my own readings of experienced journalists. Into that lack of historical context drops unreliable reporting, social media frenzy, abundant conspiracy theories, and the desire of young and old people alike to feel like they are 'doing something.' The human impulse to do something is honourable. The lack of discernment around information sources is concerning.

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CoolPro's avatar

Thank you for this article.

The perspectives shared by the protesters at the 'pro-Palestinian' rally reveals a parallel to, and inevitable progression, of Chris Selley's wise observation (often quoted by Matt):

“The Liberals genuinely believe they are the kind of people who’d never do the thing they are currently doing.”

Similarly, revealed by Adam's interviews with the protesters, to varying degrees they sincerely believe that the events of October 7th:

a) never happened at all; or

b) happened but were carried out by Israel as a false flag operation; or

b) happened and were carried out by Hamas, but were completely or partially justified; and/or

c) happened and were carried out by Hamas, but were exaggerated by Israel.

Supporters of Hamas and/or the Palestinian single state cause can, will, and do deny objective reality, because they CHOOSE TO BELIEVE they themselves are good, compassionate people supporting the noble, innocent, oppressed Palestinian victims. They also CHOOSE TO BELIEVE that Israel/The Jews are the evil oppressors that need to be stopped/vanquished/eradicated.

The really tragic, horrifying thing is that many of these protesters are closer than they think to being willing to hurt or even kill Jews themselves, given the chance, out of their warped, distorted sense of moral justification. At the minimum, nearly everyone protesting believes that Israel/The Jews deserve the suffering they've endured to date, or will endure in the future.

One could legitimately argue there are some supporters of Israel who also live in varying degrees of this self-deluding mental state; flipping the above descriptions around to fit their narrative.

The reality is this is a horrific and historic blood feud without any real parallel in our world, with objective atrocities committed again and again on both sides for centuries. There really are no good guys or bad guys, there are only less worse guys - ON BOTH SIDES. From my perspective, the Israeli/Jewish side appears to be (by far) the lesser of the two evils, but that is not the same as saying that everything they've done to the Palestinian people is justified. Less bad is still awful.

It is my solemn wish and prayer that this current ceasefire Trump is shamelessly taking credit for will lead to a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.

My historical knowledge and current observations tell me this will not be the case. The hate on both sides remains focused and intense, and they are only biding time to reload and rebuild their arsenals to renew hostilities until the entire region is laid to waste, littered with the bodies of Jewish & Palestinian men, women, and children. If this were not so, I would be eternally thankful.

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