I was riding the 'Bart' (train) to spend a day in the city. And while on there sitting in front of me were a couple of middle-aged women holding picket signs on their way to a protest against Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip. Some african american homeless drunkard asked about their signs and the middle aged women responded saying that what Israel was doing to the people of Gaza was a 'homicide' and a 'massacre'. A large and humble looking woman sitting next tom me opposed her beliefs, saying that Israel's actions are only reactions to the numerous attacks they've received from people of Gaza. More people joined in the fun of argument and I quietly observed what their beliefs and reasons were. Most of them demonizing Israel. At some point, the Gaza sided majority of the people cornered themselves with their points and constantly humiliating this woman with a different opinion. And the following words spilled out of one of the middle-aged, sign wielding broads:
"Your opinion is a minority now!"
I couldn't contain myself and spoke out, responding with.
"That doesn't mean you're right."
There was a silence span of about 5 seconds in everyone who was arguing and listening. That silence was broken by the same middle-aged woman.
"Yes it does!" [I died a little inside, seeing how ridiculous people can be.]
She continued...
"Israel is supplied with more guns, missiles, and weapons than Gaza. It's unfair for Israel to attack them. We're rooting for 'the little guy'."
I replied.
"Equalizing the fight isn't going to stop it. That will only make the endless pendulum of war continue."
Anyways. I kinda went back to listening mode because there was no use trying to let these people realize that in war there is no hero team and villain team, there's just two sides of the coin. And being extreme about it is no where near fixing the problem. It's just throwing more wood to the fire. That's what fuels wars, two extreme opposing sides. These people's demands were for Israel to basically give in. But once they give in, the Gaza will take over Israel, then Israel will be the victims, etc. Again, pendulum.
I believe that the root of the problem is the United States. Simply because in the 1950's the world felt sorry for the Jews because they were victims. The Jews said that their reason for being persecuted was because they had no home country. So the U.S. did them a favor and pushed aside some Middle eastern countries (literally) to make room for Israel, which happened to be located in the dead center of 3 different religion's promised land.
Now, people are saying it was unfair for the Jews to have 'taken' that land. I put 'taken' in quotations because it wasn't stolen, it was negotiated by the oh so great U.N. Asking for the Jews to leave now is like some prick telling you to get out of the house you reasonably moved into because it was their great great grandfather's. So kicking the Jews out is not a solution. Period. The only solution is the one that should have been known had to be dealt with one way or another when this settlement was made. Like a pack of stray dogs over an old box of chinese food in a dark alley, fight for it.
I have an Israeli friend who was nearly killed and lost a few people close to his family because of suicide bombers in Tel Aviv. His brother is in the Israeli army and has to patrol the wall that divides Israel from Gaza and kills numerous approaching attackers every other week. So these people who complain about Israel mercilessly attacking Gaza have no idea what they are talking about. Because for all I know, Israel has been dealing with the situation very politically correct, but more importantly, defensive. While Gaza has been nothing but offensive. Like in basketball, a good defense makes a good offense.
Israel is protecting their home, however it is they might have gotten it. It sickens me how people are demonizing them. It shows how there aren't villains, they are picked, picked by radicals who have nothing better to do.
At the protest I walked by and saw a bunch of people with the israeli flag, and replacing the Star of David was a Nazi Swastika. It sickened me how people lost touch of that symbol so much that they had the guts to misuse it like so. That symbol was the epitome of how humans live among and believe in the biggest contradictions.
Sad, but true. America forgets that the majority of the U.S. voted for the war 'Against Terror" at first. Maybe they regret it now. But their first impulse was to bite back after 9-11. Israel is just doing just the same, biting back. Except they are biting back to truly protect their home. Because the little guys, which people forget, are the Israelis. doesn't matter how many missiles and Jets they have. Israel is a cowboy cut steak in a pit of starving angry bums.
I believe that these people's protests are just their own way for shouting at their insecurity for ever deciding to go into the Iraq War. Israel just fits the mold.
The large and humble looking woman said something to me that I will never forget. And today it never felt more apparent.
"The radicals have taken over."
-HVH
tehslaphappy
I R OFFENDERED
AlmightyHans
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