Postcript A bit of History

 "The idea that we could control the course of our life through rational choices is as absurd as a fish trying to control the ocean in which it swims."  Elif Shafak  "A fool sees another man's downfall as a topic of discussion. But a wise man sees it as a warning to himself." George Bernhard Shaw.  "If you never met the devil along your way, just know you are both heading the same destination."  Ubuntu Proverb.                                          There is much talk about Israelian right to defence itself, does this right not exist for Palestinians? For all I know Israel is the best and most modern equipped army of the world and they sold a lot of  "already successfully tested" weapons.  Nevertheless US /Joe Biden appear to feel they need more. When an elephant is at war with a mouse (somebody famous used this comparison, not sure who) then I have problems supporting the elephant even though I like elephants. Israelian refusal to allow the delivery of fuel, electrity e. g. badly needed by hospitals (in one alone  pre-mature 50 babies will die once the hospital runs out of fuel, needed for generaturs, doctors advised ) may well constitude a war crime. UN stated that at least 100 daily trucks of aid (food, water, medicine, plus fuel) are badly needed, what is presently allowed is "a drop in the ocean."  Aprox. 3000 Palestinian children, including babies, have already died, as well as 29 Palestinian journalists and 19 employees of an UN aid organisation. An orthodox Christian Church has been hit, where refugees were expecting to receive save shelter. 18 died, including 1 baby. An UNRWA school was bombed, leaving 6 dead. The international rules for protection of civilians are pretty much ignored in the most densely populated area in the world. One million people, including children, old, handicapped, sick, pregnant women are told to leave, when there is no safe way to leave and no safe place to go to. The Gaza Strip is quite small, only 41 km long, but can that be an excuse to kill so many civilians? Israel says Hamas hides behind civilians and even in hospitals and they absolutely need to crash Hamas.... those who want to support Israel unconditionally seem to believe that " eliminating Hamas" takes first pirority, over protection of civilians. When Antonio Guterres secretary-general of the United Nations, stated the need to protect civilians and to abide by international humanitarian laws, which are clearly violated, and  that one must also understand that Palestinians suffered 56 years of depressing occupation..... he remained one of the few voices with empathy for both sides. The Israelian minister of foreign affairs condemned this statement (is it a crime to criticize Israel, no matter what they do?),  demanded Guterres resignationand and called Hamas the New Nazis. Is this the latest fashion? I remember Putin telling Russians that they must free the Ukraine of New Nazis. Anyhow, I strongly believe that without that evil Hitler and the horrible holocaust committed by Nazis, Israel would be a different country. Scientists say that what parents and grandparents experienced leaves marks on their grandchildren's brain. This terrible feeling of being defenceless several try to overcome by committing atrocities themselves, (a phenom not unknown in psychology)  in my opinion Palestinians are "the Jews" of the Israelian government, many settlers and other parts of the society. By the way, collective punishment was a Nazi method, they called it "Sippenhaft." They also knew the importance of manipulating public opinion. One could get the impression that not only the whole Jewish population in Israel, but also the Jews living in other countries fully support Netanyahu and his actions. Fortunately this is not the case. "Not in my name" - European Jews condemn Israel's war in Gaza. They don't want to be the human shield of the state. The "Jewish voice for peace" petition calls for an immediate end to Israeli attack on Gaza. They don't believe that "Jewish supremacy" can achieve peace.      A different world is possible. Let us not forget the great Uri Avnery, writer, journalst, politian (member of the Knesset 1965 - 74, 1979 - 1981) founder of the Gush Shalom Peace Movement, veteran of the 1948 Palestine war. Uri Avnery received the Sokolov Award, Right Livelihood Award, Bruno Kreisky Price for Services to Human Rights, he was the founder of the Israeli Council for Israelian-Palestinian Peace. Born in Beckum (Germany) on 10.09.23, this Ray of Light passed away in August 2018. - In America students (e. g. Harvard University) demonstrated for Palestine. One should think in a democracy it is okay, freedom of expression, but their names were blacklisted, meaning they will face in future problems finding jobs equivalent to their academic education. "Brave new world." 

A bit of History

 "The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak the truth." Seneca  "Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil." Thomas Mann   "When you destroy someone's life with lies, take it as a loan, it will come back to you with interest." Mercy Guinita.                                          I remember a time when Israel/ Sharon advised that Yessar Arafat prevents peace with Palestinians, he must be deported. Bruno Kreisky, Socialist, Jew and chancellor of Austria, replied: " If you ask Arafat to show the grave of his father, he will say:" No problem, I can show you the grave of my father, my grandfather, my great grandfather, and so on. " If you ask Sharon to show the grave of his father, he will have to travel to Russia." Bruno Kreisky also stated that he is the only European head of state whom Golda Meir can't blackmail. Several Jews would love to call him an antisemitic as he criticizes the Israelian politics. Golda Meir said:" Following the Holocaust we can now do whatever we like, no one has the right to criticize us."  Listening to statements from various heads of state and several European citizens I sadly miss empathy and knowledge concerning Palestine, or mentioning the constant violations of International laws by the occupation force. When I was approx. 10 years old I heard that Israel created a flowering landscape where before only a kind of dessert existed. Later on I learned that Israel destroyed and flattened Palestinian villages, made the population flee through terror, and planted trees to hide the truth. The other day I was shocked to hear the CDU politian Latschek in a discussion repeat what I heard as a child. No one corrected him. Going further back in history, when Israelian terrorists blew up the King David Hotel, at the time the Head Quarter of the British Army, they killed 91 officers. Begin's photo appeared on a poster as a "wanted terrorist." The British government decided to withdraw from Palestine earlier than planned as the situation seemed to be unmanageable. They further decided (for reasons I can not understand) to leave behind their weapons and other army equipment. So the first killings of Palestinians started even before the British army's withdrawal was completed. Many Palestinians fearing for their lives left their fully furnished houses, just kept the key, hoping to be able to return one day. These houses Israel then offered to jewish immigrants from various countries, no explanations, but some wondered what happened to the original owners. - It seems to me that not many citizens in Europe and America are aware that about half the Palestinian population consists of children, many under the age of 5. The director of "Save the Children Fund" pointed out that a survey carried out last year brought to light that 4 of 5 Palestinian children suffer mentally. Hardly surprising in view of the conditions under which they are forced to live, experiencing that even their home is not a save place, Israelian forces and settlers being allowed to humiliate their parents and other family members, being helpless when subjected to often practiced collective punishments (e. g. complete distruction of houses belonging to big families). Liberal Israelians don't want an Apartheid State, they don't support rasism against Moslems, Christians and other religions, they fear Netanyahu destroys their Democracy. "Breaking the Silence" is, by the way, an interesting Documentary by Israelian ex army members, reservists, shocked how Palestinians were treated by members of the forces.