Mixed feelings are entirely understandable, given the subject matter!
But I'd push back on a couple of those things. I don't think these are "pro-Hamas" rallies. I know people who have joined them, including Jews, who despise Hamas more than anything. They just also want to see a ceasefire deal — and the hostages released.
Mixed feelings are entirely understandable, given the subject matter!
But I'd push back on a couple of those things. I don't think these are "pro-Hamas" rallies. I know people who have joined them, including Jews, who despise Hamas more than anything. They just also want to see a ceasefire deal — and the hostages released.
On the flipside, I also hear leftists insists that all rallies in support of Israel are "pro-killing Palestinian babies rallies." I think that's obscene, too. I don't think generalizing the views of the other side helps foster any kind of useful dialog. It would have been just as easy to call the anti-Vietnam War protesters "pro-Viet Cong" or the anti-Iraq War protesters "pro-al-Qaeda."
As for the "dark money" — one of the most common emails I get from readers is a request that I dig into the dark money behind a particular politician or movement. I can tell you, having done this for quite awhile, the dark money is almost never there. I've seen these protests, I was at this encampment: They're not rolling in the dough. Qatar has donated a bunch to American universities, yup, as has Israel! Those donations flow into the universities to fund programs and partnership that are (at least generally-speaking) disclosed. There's a whole long discussion to be had about the wisdom and ethics of that, but I don't think anyone winds up at their political position because of that money. There are those who argue that Israeli and Jewish support for Columbia is fomenting the administration's decision to send in the cops — I think that's as wrong as saying the protests are happening thanks to Qatari financing.
And, hey, I'm not going to argue with your feelings about the protesters. And I absolutely appreciate how offensive and troubling some of their rhetoric is — particularly when it glorifies Hamas. But I think we've also got to recognize that these students have wound up at these positions for a reason — and I don't think it can be chalked up to dark money. I think, at the worst end of things, they're listening to influencers and activists who are genuinely anti-Israel, who are actually anti-semitic, and who rationalize radical language. I think we have to accept that that's a domestic problem, not one of international money. (I say this about the rise of the far-right, as well.) If we want to de-radicalize people, and bring everyone back into something resembling a civil discourse, it's going to require a lot of work. Sending in the cops is only going to make that harder.
Thanks for reading! I do appreciate the comment. I think the more we can discuss, and disagree, reasonably, the better off we're all going to be.
It’s hard to believe that 16 million Jews are an issue and not the billions of Muslims, Christians. I’ve been reading a lot of books and articles plus my husband is Jewish but not religious. Jewish is not about necessarily religion it’s about indigenous to the land of Israel. Sadly, Palestine wants to wipe Israel off the map. I find it interesting that the people will protest against Israel but not for the hundreds of millions killed in Middle East and Africa nations by their own Islamic governments. I also think you are misled by the organizers of this protest movement. We can go on and on but this is how it started in 1939, Hitler was clever.
I don't think Jews are an issue — I don't think any religion is an issue! I think what happens in Israel and Palestine hits close to home for people, because so many people have ties to the region: Whether they're Jewish, Christian, or Muslim.
I think opting to make this about religion is a massive mistake. It was Arab governments who helped Israel shoot down Iranian rockets the other week. Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, in particular, have been working really hard to try and secure a deal to release the hostages — and disarm Hamas. You can also, absolutely, hate the actions of other governments: Whether it's Hamas, Fatah, Iran, etc.
But I think vilifying and demonizing a class of people here, whether they're Jewish or Muslim, is a real mistake.
I did a quick read of the article and went to pg 53 of the report (finances) to see that the funding comes mostly from the university, student members and small donations. As to the reporting they said the tents are high end but clearly the are not (check amazon for green tent you'll see then for $255USD and they went on about the organic food. We have no idea if donated and the organic makes sense for that age/political group. I just don't see the international ring angle and I have also looked through Warren Kinsella's material and also fail to see it.
Mixed feelings are entirely understandable, given the subject matter!
But I'd push back on a couple of those things. I don't think these are "pro-Hamas" rallies. I know people who have joined them, including Jews, who despise Hamas more than anything. They just also want to see a ceasefire deal — and the hostages released.
On the flipside, I also hear leftists insists that all rallies in support of Israel are "pro-killing Palestinian babies rallies." I think that's obscene, too. I don't think generalizing the views of the other side helps foster any kind of useful dialog. It would have been just as easy to call the anti-Vietnam War protesters "pro-Viet Cong" or the anti-Iraq War protesters "pro-al-Qaeda."
As for the "dark money" — one of the most common emails I get from readers is a request that I dig into the dark money behind a particular politician or movement. I can tell you, having done this for quite awhile, the dark money is almost never there. I've seen these protests, I was at this encampment: They're not rolling in the dough. Qatar has donated a bunch to American universities, yup, as has Israel! Those donations flow into the universities to fund programs and partnership that are (at least generally-speaking) disclosed. There's a whole long discussion to be had about the wisdom and ethics of that, but I don't think anyone winds up at their political position because of that money. There are those who argue that Israeli and Jewish support for Columbia is fomenting the administration's decision to send in the cops — I think that's as wrong as saying the protests are happening thanks to Qatari financing.
And, hey, I'm not going to argue with your feelings about the protesters. And I absolutely appreciate how offensive and troubling some of their rhetoric is — particularly when it glorifies Hamas. But I think we've also got to recognize that these students have wound up at these positions for a reason — and I don't think it can be chalked up to dark money. I think, at the worst end of things, they're listening to influencers and activists who are genuinely anti-Israel, who are actually anti-semitic, and who rationalize radical language. I think we have to accept that that's a domestic problem, not one of international money. (I say this about the rise of the far-right, as well.) If we want to de-radicalize people, and bring everyone back into something resembling a civil discourse, it's going to require a lot of work. Sending in the cops is only going to make that harder.
Thanks for reading! I do appreciate the comment. I think the more we can discuss, and disagree, reasonably, the better off we're all going to be.
It’s hard to believe that 16 million Jews are an issue and not the billions of Muslims, Christians. I’ve been reading a lot of books and articles plus my husband is Jewish but not religious. Jewish is not about necessarily religion it’s about indigenous to the land of Israel. Sadly, Palestine wants to wipe Israel off the map. I find it interesting that the people will protest against Israel but not for the hundreds of millions killed in Middle East and Africa nations by their own Islamic governments. I also think you are misled by the organizers of this protest movement. We can go on and on but this is how it started in 1939, Hitler was clever.
I don't think Jews are an issue — I don't think any religion is an issue! I think what happens in Israel and Palestine hits close to home for people, because so many people have ties to the region: Whether they're Jewish, Christian, or Muslim.
I think opting to make this about religion is a massive mistake. It was Arab governments who helped Israel shoot down Iranian rockets the other week. Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt, in particular, have been working really hard to try and secure a deal to release the hostages — and disarm Hamas. You can also, absolutely, hate the actions of other governments: Whether it's Hamas, Fatah, Iran, etc.
But I think vilifying and demonizing a class of people here, whether they're Jewish or Muslim, is a real mistake.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13363943/Pro-Palestine-group-Columbia-University-protests-funding-linked-Hamas.html
$3 million campus group with 250 chapters , this goes back years
I did a quick read of the article and went to pg 53 of the report (finances) to see that the funding comes mostly from the university, student members and small donations. As to the reporting they said the tents are high end but clearly the are not (check amazon for green tent you'll see then for $255USD and they went on about the organic food. We have no idea if donated and the organic makes sense for that age/political group. I just don't see the international ring angle and I have also looked through Warren Kinsella's material and also fail to see it.