Wajahat Gilani’s Post

Dartmouth demonstrates role of dialogue in democracies in defusing dichotomies https://lnkd.in/gTvpc5Mc

JVP & PARCEO: On Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and Dangerous Conflations In recent and older discussions on Israeli policies of oppression, occupation and apartheid, we often see a conflation of accusations about antisemitism and criticism towards the Israeli policies, but also how that criticism sometimes indeed results in forms of antisemitism. This brief explainer by JVP and PARCEO is a very useful and important one. https://wp.me/p4VMMx-3Du

So, instead of condemning and screaming, let’s come up with the worst-case-scenario strategy for the children stuck in Rafah. What can be done and what is going to have to be done if an all-out military assault on Rafah commences and around 600.000. children are going to be faced with a potential demise? This seems like a major human trafficking operation to me. We must prevent as many psychopaths from preying on these children as possible. When it comes to coping with trauma, it might be already too late for some of the children. They are scarred for life. But, at least they are alive. I don’t like the word hope. Or thoughts and prayers. Or expressing deep concern. I understand they are used a lot in international relations but it’s best not to use them at all when so many children are facing death. There are moments when – instead of using such tragicomical cliches – one ought to take action and help or shut up. Easier said than done in a world where so many self-absorbed fools are convinced they are entitled to an opinion and the world must stop and bend to their will. No, the world won’t bend to your will, unless you’re God. Even having to clarify that boggles the mind. https://lnkd.in/d2Wn-r-M

The proof is in the pudding! The two-state solution sounds good. That however went up in the smoke of the grenades, weapon fire, and hate that was inflicted on innocent civilians. IF this massacre was conceptualized and brought to fruition from the neighboring Gaza- independent since 2005, then the 2StateShip has sailed and sunk! The chronology of action and consequence is important. Conveniently forgetting that hostages of all ages were dragged out of Israel and the pretense of humanitarian compassion for Gazan civilians who WILL NOT evacuate is disingenuous, empty, and insulting. Ignoring the steps to save hospital patients, at the expense of a fight for survival is misinformation at its best. But that is what the majority of print and digital media has become! On whose "back" is a ceasefire being pushed? Does anyone care what it suggests and what will ensue thereafter? The U.S. Southern border has been an invitation to all type and strata of ethnicities. It was a choice and it has a price tag. Israel has worked for peaceful co-existence and they've been presented with the Chamas and Hezbollah price tag. Notwithstanding that, Israel will advocate for their civilians' viability and safety. Rather than pontificate and opine about Israel, perhaps the pundits should evaluate where our coming-of-age students stand and what hate and chaos they feel entitled to express and inflict. A clue- follow the liberal educators who confuse laissez-faire attitudes of conditional inclusivity to kindness and richness of life fabric.

American Aids with No Strings Attached May Hurt Israel I agree with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (US Should Consider Attaching Strings to Israel Aid, Murphy Says (msn.com)) on this point. Earlier we had Senator Bernie Sanders and Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, both saying the same thing. I also find out today that "More than half of all U.S. Jews belong to the two long-dominant branches of American Judaism: 37% identify as Reform and 17% as Conservative. Roughly one-in-ten (9%) describe themselves as Orthodox." "One-third of Jewish adults (32%) do not identify with any particular stream or institutional branch of Judaism."(https://lnkd.in/g_pDtT39) Although 58% of all Jewish Adults felt very much or somewhat emotionally attached to Israel, Orthodox (82%) and Conservative (78%) Jewish adults are far more likely than those who identify as Reform (58%) to feel this way. When it comes to whether God gave the land that is now Israel to the Jewish people, the vast majority of Orthodox Jews (87%) say yes, compared with only 46% of Conservative Jews and 26% Reform Jews. Finally, Reform Jews had the lowest proportion (34%) strongly opposing against the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) led by the Palestinians, compared with 51% of Conservative and 65% Orthodox Jews. The same Reform Jews also had the lowest percentage (28%) agreeing that Israel government is making sincere efforts toward peace, compared with 45% Conservative and 59% Orthodox Jews. An earlier Pew Center report in 2016 (https://lnkd.in/gWpbTvgC) tells us that "While Israeli Jews are skeptical that Israel and an independent Palestinian state can peacefully coexist, most American Jews are optimistic that a two-state solution is possible. On the controversial issue of the continued building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the prevailing view among Israeli Jews is that settlements help the security of Israel. By contrast, American Jews are more likely to say the settlements hurt Israel’s own security." I want to add a point to the discussion that the US "unconditional" support of Israel may hurt the country more than help it, in the sense that they know the US will always stand by them no matter what, which adds to the fact that the US is the only superpower in the world. According to Times of Israel (https://lnkd.in/gfjY-rjq), "The General Assembly approved 15 anti-Israel resolutions last year, versus 13 resolutions criticizing other countries, according to a tally by the pro-Israel monitoring group UN Watch." Like I said yesterday, unconditional support of any country is unlikely to go well with international justice. A better approach is to always have a justice string attached to the US stance anytime.

In recent events, Hamas extended care to an Israeli hostage and her pet, showcasing a humane gesture amid conflict. Contrastingly, a Palestinian man released from Israeli prison emerged with deep emotional scars, trauma, and visible signs of torture. This stark juxtaposition prompts reflection: do these contrasting outcomes illustrate a fundamental disparity in treatment and empathy? The contrast highlights broader humanitarian and justice issues that demand global attention and ethical introspection. As we navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, it's crucial to advocate for equitable treatment and respect for human rights in all circumstances. Let's foster dialogue and actions that promote understanding, compassion, and fairness for all individuals affected by conflict.

Many students and teachers are back to school tomorrow. For schools looking for a resource to support the understanding and learning about the tragedy we are witnessing in Israel-Palestine, Dr Gabor Mate’s recent video, and book recommendations are excellent, all referenced in the link below. As we go back to school in the UK, Muslim and Jewish students and teachers in particular are likely feeling very sad, vulnerable, angry, disillusioned, scared, withdrawn and weary. I cannot speak for fellow teachers, students and parents, but I would just urge for kindness, support and safety to be amplified in schools and in classrooms. I think we’ll find Muslims and Jewish communities in this country feeling very similar and able to empathise with one another. There will be anger and disagreement, of course. However, behind that, I think (and I hope) we all want the same thing: a ceasefire. Gillian Keegan’s letter to schools and colleges about the recent events in Israel-Palestine left me, as a once Muslim teacher, feeling completely othered. I felt utterly betrayed by it. A profession I once regarded as my safe space feels like a place I can’t really return. The letter in many ways fuels Islamophobia, whataboutisms and further marginalises Muslim communities and people showing solidarity with Palestinians. With Islamophobia Awareness Month and Hannukah coming up in November and December, it’s important that schools and workplaces create a culture of belonging and a culture to show Muslim and Jewish voices that they matter - and that they are safe. Schools and workplaces can absolutely support and hold space for Jewish AND Muslim communities. There has been an increase in Antisemitism and Islamophobia and forgetting one does not prevent the other. Instead, it just amplifies it. Hoping and praying for a ceasefire and peace. https://lnkd.in/eM7Qg9GB