Tonight, a 7 pm, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) (702 N 22d St, Allentown, PA) will host a vigil to demonstrate that we stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Israel in the wake of a shocking terrorist attack from Hamas that occurred over the weekend.
It is unclear at this point how many innocent civilians have been killed in what certainly seems like a brutal and indiscriminate attack that even included 260 young ravers at a music festival held dangerously close to Gaza. Numerous hostages from countries all over the world have been seen. A murdered woman's semi-naked body was paraded through the streets as though she was a trophy. One visitor from Philly reports seeing people raped and decapitated.
It's certainly understandable that Israel's defense minister would refer to these actions as the work of "human animals."
Unfortunately, Israel is positioned to itself engage in the very atrocities we all rightly condemn. Blasting Gaza to rubble will kill innocents. So will cutting off food, water and electricity. Rather than creating more terrorists by killing and maiming innocent children, Israel should devote its resources to apprehending those responsible for these atrocities. Iran has denied involvement, just as it denies supplying drones to Russia. Iran has unquestionably funded and armed Hamas for years, and should suffer the consequences. Not with the murder of innocent civilians, but attacks at the state sponsors of this terrorism.
The only way to deal with these lunatics is to wipe the bastards off the face of the earth. When the U.S. dropped a nuclear bomb on Japan they didn't just kill the enemy They also killed innocents.
ReplyDeleteHorrific events. Prayers to all. Like all things in the age of social media, conspiracy theories are already out there. The first one heard was since Israel has th best intelligence service in the world, it is hard to imagine they had no clue this was being planned. Ther PM is in poetical trouble and there are major divisions in Israel over his polices. So of course, there is the suspicion of a "wag the dog" conspiracy to unite Israel behind the PM and finally destroy the Hamas. At times I can be skeptical of things, but this seems too far out. The loss of life and more to come makes it seem implausible. Pray for peace!.
ReplyDelete^ Billion to Iran--everything Biden does is bad for America.
ReplyDelete2 points
DeleteThe money has not been distributed to Iran .it is being held and it must be approved for any purchases.
They have begun investigating trump's giving of Israel iron dome defense secrets to Russia in 2017. So there's that.
Biden opened up the flood gates !
DeleteAny possibility of a return of Trump to the presidency is the worst case to retain our democracy.
DeleteHa ha! There were no wars in Europe or the Middle East when Trump was President. Biden's weak and incoherent foreign policy and his coziness with Iran set up this conflict.
DeleteLet’s not ignore actions of our own government in facilitating these kinds of attacks through ignorant decisions. The atrocities happening in Israel required funding and materials in the hands of the invaders. America is now more vulnerable to similar events in our own cities. Our Members in Congress have not done enough to address this looming problem.
ReplyDeleteAnd when those responsible hide behind "innocent" civilians in apartment buildings and next to schools and hospitals, what magical weapon are the Israelis supposed to use?
ReplyDeleteI bet those young girls who had the bad judgement to dance so close to Gaza were also wearing short skirts, so yeah, there fault, right?
Right now, I wish our American border had been more secure over the past couple years. I believe we have Jihadists now in every community. Of course, we ALL support the plight of innocent people in Israel and every other nation.
ReplyDeleteSo much in one short post, but I'll try to keep it brief.
ReplyDeleteFirst, how very democrat of you to look for a way to avoid having those directly responsible for the violence avoid swift justice. Any deaths in Gaza that result from an Israeli counter-offensive are on the hands of those who committed the atrocities of the last few days. I would say that any innocents in Gaza can avoid further bloodshed by apprehending those responsible and turning them over to the Israelis immediately. That would also include the hostages that Hamas is holding there.
I've heard the same tired argument all my life about "creating more terrorists". You know what creates more terrorists? Allowing them to act without punishment and continue to exist in the same space that the truly innocent do.
You say: "Iran should suffer the consequences." I say I agree, but who is going to make them suffer? Certainly not from the Biden Administration that just released the funds to Iran that helped pay for the bloodshed in Israel.
As to those who will attend the vigil tonight, I would hope that they also examine their own voting history. The West End of Allentown, and the Jews in the West End of Allentown, vote reliably democrat. Many have likely voted for the President that (to reiterate), recently released the funds to Iran that paid for the attacks. They continually vote for a democrat party that has outspoken supporters of Hamas among their ranks. Why would any voter continue to excuse such actions? Where are the calls to have those supporting Hamas expelled from the democrat party?
I say get the bastards that did the actual killing, and get the bastards that funded and armed them. It's not a choice between one or the other. We can (and should) do both.
Israelis, better than the citizens of most countries, are well aware of the "final solution" and the Holocaust that ensued. I get the anger at what happened, but references to entire communities as "human animals," as Israel's defense minister did, is just as revolting as what Nazis said about Jews. Depriving the citizens of Gaza of food, water and electricity while penning them in is going to kill innocent people. This is like the holodomor that Stalin imposed on innocent Ukrainians. Israel is better than this. We are better than this.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not fault the participants of the rave bc they wore short skirts, if they did. I merely pointed out it was dangerously close to Gaza, which it was. For some reason, the border area had far fewer troops than is the norm.
I understand we used nukes in Japan. That was probably a war crime, to be honest. But it saved the lived of hundreds of thousands of American troops. Here, I do not see how the possible destruction of innocent children in Gaza will save hundreds of thousands of Israeli lives. It is instead pure revenge and disproportionate to what happened. It will create thousands of more terrorists. My hope is that Israelis instead focus on the HAMAS leadership. If this was funded by Iran, I could see a proportionate response there as well.
Don't get me wrong. Those involved must pay. But let's not make this tragedy worse.
"Depriving the citizens of Gaza of food, water and electricity while penning them in is going to kill innocent people."
ReplyDeleteWho is keeping innocent women and children in Gaza? The very Hamas terrorists that are hiding behind them.
If anything happens to someone any innocents in Gaza, it's at the hands of Hamas, not Israel.
Bernie =Clueless (Israel should devote it’s resources to apprehending those responsible without blasting Gaza ).Einstein could not figure this puzzle, blood is on the Democrats (voting for Biden, having Obama run the country behind the scenes and freeing up cash for the Iranians as he his barbecue is his priority).
DeleteIts simply gross and moronic for ANYONE from either party to try and get a political "win" from this horrible tragedy, and how I do love the message board opinions of such esteemed foreign policy experts posting here.
ReplyDeleteBiden gave Iran billions! Trump told Putin who told Iran who told Hamas! STFU...
Read books, learn history, understand the motivations of all the various cultures in the middle east. The endless spewing of talking points you've picked up from your favorite news site isn't the reason this massive loss of life happened.
Yeah its bidens fault
ReplyDeletehttps://www.politifact.com/article/2023/oct/09/the-us-freed-6-billion-in-iranian-money-did-it/
"...but references to entire communities as "human animals," as Israel's defense minister did, is just as revolting as what Nazis said about Jews."
ReplyDeleteYou know what I find more revolting than what the Nazis SAID about Jews? How about what the Nazis actually DID to them?
We've had decades of appeasement of Hamas (and Hezbollah), and all it got Israel was continuous rocket attacks, and increasing terrorism culminating with what happened over the last few days.
Do we really want Israel to continue to ignore acts of war, until THEY are eliminated? That's where things are headed. While that seems to be the policy supported by the democrat party in this country, it's not the right course to follow.
I don't think people in this country would accept a SINGLE rocket attack on the U.S. launched from Mexico or Canada, but then I see what's going on at our southern border and have to wonder if I'm wrong about that.
Stop the appeasement, and do what is necessary. Eliminate the threat. Israel can't have peace with people who don't believe the Jewish people should even exist. It's time to acknowledge that.
The only “appeasement” is how we’ve allowed the Israelis to conduct ethnic cleansing and mass genocide for so long.
DeleteYou sit there on your comfy couch and not once consider how bad must it be for Palestinians when some of them have chosen to DIE than to live in the abhorrent conditions that Israel has provided for them.
You don’t know what’s it’s like for Palestinians and are just repeating the propaganda fed to you by US news outlets. Try to be empathetic and understand the years of abuse under the oppressive Israeli regime that has become far more fascist and even more tyrannical in the last few years.
The stink of Trump is all over this. You can access multiple sources regarding this easily.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/world/middleeast/israel-trump-classified-intelligence-russia.html
I understand Netanyahu’s call for Gaza residents to "leave now," but that's difficult when Israel has penned them in. I understand IDF has provided instructions on some evacuation routes. "[T]he operations of terrorist organizations have forced the IDF to act against them in the area where you live. The IDF is not interested in hurting you or your families. Therefore, in order to preserve your safety, you must leave your place of residence.” If IDF permits people to leave along these routes, then I'd agree the response is proportionate. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-instructs-gazans-on-evacuation-routes-while-many-find-shelter-in-unrwa-schools/
ReplyDeleteI commend Israel for giving all persons living in Gaza 48 hours to exit that city. That was the humane way to handle the upcoming response to Hamas. Certainly, there would be innocents killed by Israel. That can’t be avoided in war.
ReplyDelete9:03 AM made excellent observations. For some reason, the Jewish people in America don’t seem to view things like to Jews living in Israel. Horrifying actions like we’ve seen in Israel ARE all Implemented under the guidance and direction of politicians. In this country politicians are chosen by the citizen’s votes (at least that’s what we are told). In other nations, monster despots take control by killing others.
We really should be paying more attention to how our local members in state and federal government vote on issues that affect our own feeling of security in America. I am no fan of Susan Wild, who I expect to be at the vigil. Her voting pattern suggests a greater need for reflection.
didn't this happen in warsaw in 45
ReplyDeleteOnce again, we have smooth-brained MAGAts attempting to center themselves in a conversation that they know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re just regurgitating the propaganda that American media is brainwashing you to believe about this conflict, you need to shut your gingervitis mouth and sit on your hands.
The situation in the middle east is far more complicated and nuanced than your trilobite brains can handle.
The blood-lust expressed by some in these comments is disgusting. Have some self-awareness and humility, people.
ReplyDelete"I understand Netanyahu’s call for Gaza residents to "leave now," but that's difficult when Israel has penned them in."
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Gaza share a border with Egypt? They could get out that way, except the Egyptians don't want them either.
I’d like to give a big shout out to the patriots on this blog who celebrate the forth of July and all the violence associated with the American Revolution, but condemn the Palestinians for fighting for their freedom.
ReplyDeleteYou my friends, are the real hypocrites…
I don't believe that American Revolutionaries hunted down and murdered innocent men, women, and children. Or raping and beheading them. Stupid attempt at moral equivalency.
DeleteAn even bigger shout out goes to this single-cell organism who believes the propaganda that the American revolution was a docile conflict.
DeleteRead “Scars of Independence: America's Violent Birth” by Holger Hoock for context.
Point being that you’re all hypocrites with an astounding unawareness to your own double standards.
Go evolve somewhere else Neanderthal…
I held my nose and voted for this idiot Biden because I can't stand Trump. He has been a complete disaster for this country! From losing the Crimea back when he was vice president, to the afghan pullout debacle, he's been terrible on foreign policy. Now you have China eyeing up Taiwan, North Korea is starting to saber rattle, and of course, the despicable acts of Hamas terrorists who are backed by Iran. There is never a justification for beheading babies, burning people alive, and attacking innocents at a music festival, Never! Please let AOC and the other socialist clowns know that.
ReplyDeleteAt home we have a wide open border, runaway inflation, crime ridden cities, sky high interest rates and mortgage rates. Runaway debt and deficits. Household median income is down $4,000 a year from 2019 when inflation is factored in. Please people, anybody but Trump or Biden.
Our unsecured southern border in the US is violated every day. Thousands of undocumented young men flood into this country every day. How many are possible terrorists? If you like to think that 9-11 was the last terrorist attack on America, I Hope you are right, but I fear you may be wrong.
ReplyDeleteWE have no idea how many of these young men and teens have crossed but it is easily in the thousands. We have no idea where they are or what they are doing. I pray for Israel, but I also pray for America to wake up and secure our border.
9.43
ReplyDelete"Stop the appeasement, and do what is necessary. Eliminate the threat. Israel can't have peace with people who don't believe the Jewish people should even exist. It's time to acknowledge that."
So genocide is on the table?
A major ground war in Iran?
Should Israel pop a nuke in Iran?
As it is the US is putting a carrier group in dangerous waters.
Should the US stop the Iranian's selling crude oil?
Is everybody onboard for large gas price hikes to make them pay?
If the IDF goes in and kills everyone (eliminating the threat) does the US still support Israel?
Talk is easy action has a cost.
These are the results of a failed bi-partisan policy to blindly support The Racist state of Israel. When you kick a dog enough he is going to bite back. You can dehumanize the people of Palestine all yo want America is involved in on going War crimes.
ReplyDelete7:05 AM
ReplyDeleteI think even Neanderthals understand the difference between non-docile and barbaric, even if you superior intellect doesn't. But if you have any documented history showing that American revolutionaries beheaded babies and raped teen-age girls as a tactical tool of war, please share.
Interesting though that you feel going back 250 years to excuse Hamas behavior is a cogent argument. Most people need to go back to Medieval times to try to understand the behavior of Hamas and the Ayatollahs.
I find it even more amusing that you, as an American, who sit on your white privilege, on stolen land, have the audacity to call any group of people “barbaric” when your very own ancestors committed atrocities to the Native indigenous people of this land, and let’s not even get into our role in transatlantic slave trade.
DeleteLike seriously, shut your fucking smug mouth, you don’t know a thing about living under this current fascist Israeli regime. I literally have family over there.
My favorite Amazon review of Holger Hoock's book:
ReplyDelete"The author discloses that he's a German-born British-educated academic who's taught on both sides of the Atlantic, and I don't doubt that: This book is fully imbued with the all of the condescending presumptions, false equivalencies, and offensive anti-American judgments that abound on college campuses on both sides of the Atlantic."
Yep.
"My favorite Amazon review of Holger Hoock's book:
ReplyDelete"The author discloses that he's a German-born British-educated academic who's taught on both sides of the Atlantic, and I don't doubt that: This book is fully imbued with the all of the condescending presumptions, false equivalencies, and offensive anti-American judgments that abound on college campuses on both sides of the Atlantic."
Yep."
This is brilliant. Made my day
11.21
ReplyDelete"But if you have any documented history showing that American revolutionaries beheaded babies and raped teen-age girls as a tactical tool of war, please share."
try
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnadenhutten_massacre#:~:text=The%20Gnadenhutten%20massacre%2C%20also%20known,of%20Gnadenhutten%2C%20Ohio%20Country%2C%20during
"Before murdering them, the American soldiers "dragged the women and girls out into the snow and systematically raped them."[10] As they were being killed, the Moravians sang "hymns and spoke words of encouragement and consolation one to another until they were all slain".[11] Believing in nonresistance, they pleaded for their lives to be spared, but did not fight back against their persecutors."
It has nothing to do with Hamas actions or today's Americans yet history is history and a PA militia did commit barbaric acts.
Yep, a war atrocity by a bunch of drunken militiamen. And correct, nothing to do with what Hamas did.
ReplyDeleteThis is what colonizers do, dismiss the concerns of the oppressed while making trivial excuses for their violent behavior against them. Your gaslighting isn’t working anymore
DeleteNo other Muslim nation supports the Palestinians until such time that they can leverage Palestinian conflict with Israel, to justify their own hatred of Israelis and Jews.
ReplyDeleteNot a single oil rich middle eastern country lifts a finger to improve living conditions in Gaza or the West Bank.
But they’ll smuggle them weapons to kill Israeli citizens.
If your neighbor stood at your fence and told you repeatedly that he wanted to kill you and your family, would you invite him to dinner?
ReplyDeleteHelp him shovel his driveway or cut his grass?
That’s Israel’s dilemma.
If your neighbor stormed into your house at gunpoint, confined you to live outside in the doghouse, and gave you leftover scraps to eat. Would he be your best friend?
DeleteThat’s the Palestinians dilemma.
No, Israel has been attempting to justify its violence against the Palestinian people for decades, making up fairytales like the hiding behind children, the rape of children which is complete propaganda and have all been debunked. Americans need to get their news elsewhere because imperialist forces all own and control the media in this country.
ReplyDelete"If your neighbor stormed into your house at gunpoint, confined you to live outside in the doghouse, and gave you leftover scraps to eat. Would he be your best friend?"
ReplyDeleteThe analogy is only accurate if I and the rest of the neighborhood advocated killing the said neighbor and his family for years, attacked their house on multiple occasions, and absolutely refused every attempted solution that would allow them to exist in the neighborhood