Gaza Strip

Antisemitism On College Campuses Alarming!

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The Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip has created a new wave of antisemitism on American college campuses.

It has caused threats and dangers to American Jewish students, and has led to massive demonstrations and sitins on campuses, as well as blockages of traffic in New York City and elsewhere.

The House Republicans have exploited this issue, condemning university Presidents who have, in many cases, been slow to take any action.

But it has also led to criticism at Columbia University, who has banned various student groups and expelled some students, and cracked down on “academic freedom’ of some college professors.

This whole situation is very awkward in so many ways, with no easy solution, but to have student groups promoting hate and desire to destroy Israel’s right to exist, and to threaten all American Jews, is unacceptable.

College professors have the responsibility to promote dialogue, not to advocate for hate and division in any controversy, as they are perceived as role models for students.

So debate and discussion with a professor being the moderator is the only proper role, and the purpose should be to bring the temperature down and promote interaction without taking away the safety and security and basic rights of all concerned!

The Likelihood Of Further US Engagement In Overseas Conflicts

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This author and blogger has the sense of foreboding, that the United States will soon become more involved in overseas conflicts in a more direct manner.

The Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Gaza Conflict are escalating dangerously, and both represent major problems for American foreign policy.

Attempting to promote more military aid to Ukraine has been a struggle, and the sense is that Russia is emboldened by the inability of the US being able to promote more aid to Ukraine, ironically likely insuring a wider conflict.

Russia is likely to attempt to expand the war against former Soviet Union held areas before 1989—Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. This would bring the US and NATO into a wider conflict.

The Israel-Gaza conflict is likely to escalate with Iranian involvement, and will put America into the cross hairs of supporting a right wing Israeli government, which has shown no concern about human rights in its war on Hamas, sadly making the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to suffer massive loss of civilians.

All that these two conflicts are doing is complicating Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign.

One would expect that there could be wider war soon, against all desires, and if that happens, as sad as that is, it would help insure Joe Biden’s victory, despite vehement anger of many, as no President has ever lost an election for another term in a time of war!

Israel-Hamas War A Nightmare Scenario For Joe Biden Campaign!

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The Israel-Hamas War, now six months old, has seen the death of 1,200 Israelis and 33,000 Gazan Palestinians.

More than 100 hostages of the 240 originally kidnapped on October 7 remain in Gaza, and famine is spreading in the Gaza Strip.

There seems to be no end to the bloodshed and hostage situation, and the war has divided the Democratic Party, with the left wing progressives condemning the war’s continuation, and Joe Biden being unsuccessful in influencing the strategy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

So as a result, many American Jews are angry at Biden for bringing pressure on Israel, while Arab-Muslim Americans are angry that Biden has not done more to stop the carnage.

And many Israelis are furious at Netanyahu for failure to negotiate the release of the remaining hostages.

The idea that Republicans and Donald Trump would have a better alternative that would win over the Jewish population and the Arab-Muslim population in the upcoming Presidential Election of 2024 is to believe in fairy tales.

However, if either group sits on their hands and stays home, it would dramatically undermine the Joe Biden campaign, and likely help Donald Trump to win.

Michigan, And Arab-Muslim Americans In 2024 Presidential Election

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The state of Michigan, and particularly the area of Detroit and Dearborn, has a large Arab-Muslim population, and is one of the “swing” states in Presidential elections!

Understandably, they are upset over the Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip, and have indicated their abandonment of Joe Biden and the Democrats in the recent Michigan Presidential Primary.

But the problem is that the election of Donald Trump would not be favorable to the Arab-Muslim population.

So it is a question of accepting reality, and the hope that Arab-Muslims in Michigan and elsewhere will, reluctantly, support Biden as the “lesser of two evils”.

Such is politics, as there is a binary choice, and to vote for a third party or stay home is totally counterproductive!

the 15 electoral votes of Michigan may be the deciding state in the Presidential Election of 2024, so the burden is heavy on the Arab-Muslim population there, and throughout other states and cities that have a notable population that could have an effect on the political future!

The states of New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California have more Muslims than Michigan, but they are all reliably Democratic states, while Michigan is a crucial swing state, so all attention will be paid to that state in November!

Complexities of Israel-Hamas War Complicate American Politics Going Into 2024!

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The Israel-Hamas War after nine weeks is complicating American politics going into 2024!

Joe Biden has been very supportive of Israel, even with more than 17,000 plus deaths in the Gaza Strip caused by the Israeli offensive against the terrorist group, Hamas, which killed about 1,200 Israelis on October 7, the greatest loss of Jewish lives since the Nazi Holocaust in World War II.

There were righteous anger and desire on the part of Israel to destroy Hamas, but now it has become a massive Holocaust of the loss of so many Palestinians who are simply “stuck” in a war zone they cannot escape.

And the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for failing to insure Israeli citizens safety, with the shocking lapses in intelligence and security.

And Netanyahu refuses to plan for a “two state solution”, which ultimately needs to happen.

But right now, there is such hatred and division in the midst of massive deaths on both sides, and it has caused widespread antisemitism and Islamophobia in America, and complicates politics in America as we go into an election year!

Historic Divide Among American Jews On Israel-Hamas War

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A stunning development has occurred in the American Jewish community, as they divide over the proper response of Israel to the October 7 Hamas Massacre of 1,400 Israelis and some foreigners.

Originally, there was unity about the outrage of the worst loss of Jewish life since the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.

But Israel’s decision to invade the Gaza Strip and wage full scale war against Hamas has led to a bitter division within Jewish families and within generations.

Many younger American Jews are critical of the right wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu, and are calling for a cease fire despite the intention of Hamas to destroy Israel and kill all Jews worldwide.

Pro Palestinian sentiment, as they now become the victims of Hamas, is widespread.

Most American Jews of the older generations are much more supportive of Israel’s war strategy, but even within families, there are bitter division, something one could not have imagined.

Horrifying Division In America Over The Israel-Gaza Tragedy!

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The shocking Hamas attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip last weekend has caused horrifying division in America over the Israel-Gaza tragedy!

We have seen some young American Jews in law schools and universities denounce Israel, causing a split among American Jews.

We have seen Arab Americans in colleges and universities, and in major American cities, march and demonstrate against American Jews and Israel, and there have been reports of physical assaults by Arab Americans and Israeli supporters against each other, requiring more law enforcement buildup in major urban centers.

There is growing fear of open bloodshed and loss of life occurring as the upcoming invasion of Gaza City by the Israelis begins in the coming days, as Israel has made it clear it will stop at no restraints to destroy Hamas and its terrorist network.

In so doing, Israel may be engaged in the future in violation of international law and basic human rights, and likely to cause massive death and destruction of a captive population which has nowhere to go, and large numbers not supportive of the Hamas terrorism.

Massive loss of life in the Middle East is feared, and already, Israel’s loss of life from the dastardly attack on October 7 and since is the equivalent of 10 September 11’s, as if 30,000 had been killed on September 11, 2001, instead of 3,000!

The war could expand to include all of the nations of the Middle East, including the villainous Iran, and with possible supportive backing by other rivals of the United States and Israel, including Russia and North Korea!

Those who are pessimistic see a gloomy future, and the thoughts of an expanded war make some imagine that we might be on the cusp of World War III!

Israel-Hamas Crisis The Most Significant News Event Of 2023!

Ronald 15 Comments

The shocking invasion by Hamas of Israel by air, land, and sea on October 7 will go down in history as the most significant news event of 2023!

The danger to world peace is massive, as it is becoming clear that Iran’s extremist government is behind the planning and operation of this terrorist action.

There will be a massive ground operation into Gaza City in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Defense Forces that will make civilians living in that location feel they are in a living hell, where many will lose their lives.

Already, there are reports of at least 700 Israelis killed, 400-500 Palestinians killed, and thousands of wounded on both sides, as well as an estimate of at least one hundred Israelis kidnapped and held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

The United States and the civilized world have condemned this horrendous set of circumstances, but antisemites across the globe are hailing the surprise invasion, catching the Israeli Defense forces off guard, and demonstrating that the Iron Dome defense system has flaws that allowed for blunders in intelligence gathering.

This is a exisential crisis for the survival of Israel, a nation which just celebrated its 75th anniversary, and with the prospect of a long, drawn out war without any certainty of its long range outcome.

It is known that some Americans and other foreign nationals were killed, wounded, or captured by Hamas, and the question of how to secure the release of all hostages is a nightmarish situation.

There is no doubt that this international crisis will have an effect on American politics in the coming year, with only 13 months until the Presidential Election Of 2024.

It also brings to mind the danger of Donald Trump, who has been loose and easy in sharing intelligence information since leaving office, and is reckless in a way that undermines American national security short term and long term.

As things now stand, it seems clear that the best alternative for the Republican Party is Nikki Haley, with her prior experience as United Nations Ambassador, and her comparatively moderate rhetoric.

But to believe that the MAGA Republican cancer will be able to be overwhelmed is an issue one has to have major doubts can occur!

So the strong leadership of Joe Biden is to be supported in all ways possible in a crisis that can be perceived as one of the greatest in recent history!

Another Shocking Event: 9/11 For Israel, Threatens Survival And Stability In Middle East!

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In a stunning week, where the Speaker of the House of Representatives was repudiated for the first time in American history, now, shockingly, Israel faces issues of its survival and stability after the totally unexpected intelligence failure which led to sustained attacks by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, from the Gaza Strip.

This is the greatest tragedy since a half century ago, when at the same time on the calendar, there was the Yom Kippur War between Israel, Egypt, and Syria.

The loss of life, the number of wounded, and the shock of Israelis being taken captive, has stunned everyone who thought that Israel never had its national security and safety to be in danger.

Of course, the United States supports Israel in this crisis, but it does not take away from the reality that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is an extremist right wing government, which as I write, has apparently rejected the idea of a government of national unity, with the purpose of disposing of the most extremist right wing Orthodox Jewish religious elements in the government coalition.

There could be a massive war crime in the Gaza Strip, leading to the death of thousands of civilians who have nowhere to escape the potential bloodshed as Israel works to punish and destroy Hamas and the terrorist threat to Israel’s future.

This is a time of mourning, and of prayers required, that somehow, the developing tragedy will not lead to a massive loss of life unmatched in Middle East history!

And without a stable House of Representatives and an installed Speaker, the US government is faced with the crisis of having problems helping Israel, as well as Ukraine, in what has now become two major foreign policy crises faced by President Joe Biden!

Important To Have A US Ambassador To Israel Who Can Promote Middle East Peace

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The position of being US Ambassador to Israel becomes ever more important after the recent 11 day war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

Antisemitism is rising in America and around the world, due to the harsh Israeli attacks in the past two weeks, justifiable as a self defense tactic against Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, but still causing grief for Israel even among many younger American Jews.

Someone who knows the Middle East well, and could do the job of pressuring Israel toward negotiations for a two state solution, promoting what President Joe Biden wants and thinks is essential for Middle East peace long term, is the goal.

And former South Florida Congressman Robert Wexler could be the person to do it, and is supposedly on the short list for the position.

Wexler has been the President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center For Middle East Peace since he left the Congress in 2010. It is an American Non Profit Advocacy Group that works with leaders and policy makers in the United States and the Middle East to help reach a just and comprehensive peace that will bring an end to the Arab-Israeli Middle East conflict. Meetings, travel, conferences, workshops, and diplomatic exchanges further the mission of this group.