WDSmart

I'm sorry you characterize at least some of my postings as "a rapid fire of toxic extremist Israel demonization." I did not intend them to be so. I did intend them to be a counterbalance to what I consider "a rapid-fire of toxic extremist Israel rationalization." Like I've said before, I'm really not on one side or the other and hope both sides will soon come together with an agreement of a ceasefire, exchange of hostages/prisoners, and a beginning of serious negotiations on a two-state solution.

Yes, I agree. I am an "American" (born and raised in the USA). Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I saw lots of racism practiced - and sexism and homophobia, etc. I never really participated in any of that, and now, I believe I am generally free of it.

I'm not a racist. I judge and classify people based on their actions.

Why idiocy? I said it was primarily about race. Here is an interesting article on how the Nazis determined if someone was "Jewish." Mischling Test - Wikipedia

I don't think there were many "Jews" living in Germany in that era that did not practice Judaism. My "level of ignorance" on this subject is the belief that the Nazis believed the Jews were both an inferior race and one which accumulated wealth and used it to enslave others.

"If Zionism is racism as you think then Palestinian nationalism is racist too." Yes! I do. I think both sides in this conflict are racists and anti- the other's religion.

Racism is racism despite any attempt to rationalize it.

Thanks. I was wondering whether you viewed it as racism or something against Judaism, the religion. The term "Jew" is used both to describe someone who is Hebrew and someone who practices Judaism. The term "antisemite" has been reduced it its definition over the years to only mean "anti-Hebrew/Jewish." Originally, it meant anti-Semite, and "Semite" refers to both Arabs and Hebrews.

I've never heard that before. I have heard that those classed as US Residents who are not citizens can receive SS benefits. But in any event, I don't intend to abandon my US citizenship.

Why are there racists? Why are there homophobes? So, you won't answer my question but ask two of your own? I will answer them. - There are racists because some people believe their race is superior to all others. - There are homophobes because some people believe in religions that vilify homosexuality, and some, I think, are homophobic because they are afraid of their own homosexual feelings. Now, will you answer my original question? "Why do you think there are such people as those you describe as "antisemite"?

I'm not back in the USA because I enjoy living here in Thailand. All other US citizens can do what they want to do - stay or go. I won't revoke my US citizenship because I would lose my Social Security retirement benefits. I'm posting my opinions on current events on this Forum. And I generally do what I "should" be doing to the best of my ability.

Jews were NOT indigenous to that land. If you believe the Torah and the New Testament, they migrated there from Egypt over 2,000 years ago. It was then called Canaan. They then forcibly took control of the land from the Canaanites, from whom the modern-day Palestinians were descended. As for the more modern (and better documented) era, In 1947, just before the UN established the state of Israel from the land that was then called "Palestine," it was only 30% Hebrew/Jewish. In just a year after the UN established the state of Isreal, and due to the rapid immigration of Jews from all over the world, it was 82%. Today, in 2024, that land is 73% Jewish. Jewish & Non-Jewish Population of Israel/Palestine (1517-Present) (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)

Australia is calling and says "Hello" Heard you mention White European settlers stealing homes of the indigenous people and Australia asks what you want and can they be of any assistance Yes! My home country, the USA, did just that same. It wasn't right then, and it's not right now. How could you think any differently?

You just own goaled. No Zionism. No Israel. You want to kill Zionism means you want to end Israel. Yes we all can and should despise Netanyahu but any Israeli leader from left to right is going to be a Zionist. Edited 1 hour ago by Jingthing My definition of a Zionist is as above, with the addition of one word - "only." That would make it "a movement for the development and protection of only a Jewish nation in what is now Israel."

Par for the course. Not just here. @Jingthing and @300sd, Although I don't claim to be one myself, I'd like to ask you both, why do you think there are such people as those you describe as "antisemite"?

That list of countries was not meant to be "examples of Democracy and unfettered freedom of press and human rights." It was a list of countries that have accused Isreal of abuse, including rape, of Palestinian women.

According to the online Oxford Language dictionary, Zionism is: "a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel." Do you have a different definition of it?

What astounds me is people like you who appear to believe this is such a one-sided, black-and-white issue. I often speak out in support of Palestine because there are so many on this Forum who ONLY support Israel. I end up having to support Palestine to make sure there is some balance. In truth, I support neither. I would just like to see them settle their differences and set up some system where they could live in peace, but I don't see one side as "evil" and the other as "good." Let me quote you two things you said above, which, to me, are examples of this one-sided thinking. First, you say, "IMO only a person who also holds the belief of Hamas, being the total destruction and remnoval of all Jews, can state things in their favour." Then, you say, "Israel will not stop the war until they have destroyed all of Hamas and their supporters." Isn't this just saying the same thing, saying that both sides are being led by ultra-right-wing, nationalistic fanatics (Hamas and Zionists) who will not stop until the other side is completely wiped out - a one-state solution? That's what it looks like to me, and if this is what you meant, then I agree with you. But, the solution will involve overthrowing the leadership of those radical factions so a ceasefire, exchange of hostages/prisoners, and negotiations on a two-state solution can begin in earnest.

Wrong. Read my post again and stop making things up. I reread your post. I think my response was appropriate. If by "making things up," you mean "expressing my opinion" or "drawing my own conclusions," I will have to warn you that I will not stop doing that.

I edited my post. This is off topic. I don't know how Zionism and Hamas could be "off topic" in any discussion concerning atrocities committed during the war in Gaza. The goals and tactics of both Zionism and Hamas have led to the commission of these.

No, Zionism is alive and well. One of the most prominent examples of this is Israel's PM, Netanyahu.

Silly post. No Zionism means no Israel. Duh. "No Zionism" means the possibility of a permanent ceasefire, a return of all hostages, a release of all prisoners, and, most importantly, negotiations to establish a two-state solution. That would not mean "no Israel." That would also not mean "no Palestine." That would mean each group could live in and control their own state. It would also have to include "No Hamas" also.

You only deal with the "facts" that support your alternative reality... "Countries that have condemned Israel's role as a perpetrator of state-sponsored terrorism or state terrorism include Bolivia, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen." Israel and state-sponsored terrorism - Wikipedia Which list of states do you think is more in the position to know because of their own worry about the topic and their geographical location to the conflict?

Actually, I think it is you that is in an "alternative reality." For some reason, you think all this is black and white, and you think Israel is always on the right side, doing the right thing, and never, ever doing anything wrong. That is DEFINITELY an "alternative reality." 😞 Israel and state-sponsored terrorism - Wikipedia

I refer to Hamas as a "militant organization." They do use terrorist tactics. So does Israel from time to time, but I don't refer to the IDF as "terrorists." Period.