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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

How To Respond?

117 replies

Oodiks · 09/01/2025 22:09

So, I met a really nice woman last week who helped me move house. She was terrific, drove a red pick-up truck and was brilliant helping me lug a load of stuff from my old house to my new house. We got along really well and shared lots of stories about ourselves while we worked. I suggested we meet for a coffee/tea as she works near me.

What's this got to do with the conflict in the ME I hear you ask...

She emailed me to suggest that we could meet for tea/coffee, or I could come to her house for a friendly social gathering of her 'Justice for Palestine' group and I don't know how to reply. It wasn't a topic we had discussed, but I am strongly pro-Israel (not Netanyahu in case you were wondering) and would find a 'Justice for Palestine' group quite challenging.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Arayofcalm · 14/01/2025 07:47

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SharonEllis · 14/01/2025 07:27

Arayofcalm · 14/01/2025 07:24

Read the thread.

Cant see anywhere in the thread where you articulate your definition of zionist.

Arayofcalm · 14/01/2025 07:24

Read the thread.

SharonEllis · 14/01/2025 06:30

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 22:55

I mean, we can keep going back and forth here.
I could then say i wonder how many of these people who identify as strong zionists, have been openly condemning Israel for indiscriminately murdering thousands of children and babies.

A zionist is just someone who supports the existence of the state of Israel. I thought everybody on this board believed in Israel's right exist. People come on here every day to condemn Israel. Are you using a different definition of zionist - or are you saying you don't think Israel should exist?

Martymcfly24 · 13/01/2025 23:02

Many people have been calling for Justice for Palestine for a lot longer than 15 months because the injustices against Palestinian civilians has been going on a lot longer that 15 months.

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 22:55

I mean, we can keep going back and forth here.
I could then say i wonder how many of these people who identify as strong zionists, have been openly condemning Israel for indiscriminately murdering thousands of children and babies.

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 22:52

Namechangedforgoodreasons · 13/01/2025 22:47

But many people don’t just want an end to the war and bloodshed, they want it on their terms. The quickest and surest way to end it would have been for the abducted hostages, especially the civilians, to be released very quickly. I wonder how many of those calling for "Justice for Palestine" have been calling for that for the past fifteen months.

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But many people don’t just want an end to the war and bloodshed, they want it on their terms.

This can be said for both sides.

Namechangedforgoodreasons · 13/01/2025 22:47

Arayofcalm · 10/01/2025 13:47

Agreed. I think it's incredibly callous to be so dismissive of those who just want an end to the war and bloodshed.

But many people don’t just want an end to the war and bloodshed, they want it on their terms. The quickest and surest way to end it would have been for the abducted hostages, especially the civilians, to be released very quickly. I wonder how many of those calling for "Justice for Palestine" have been calling for that for the past fifteen months.

Martymcfly24 · 13/01/2025 22:26

LinnettdeBelleforte · 13/01/2025 22:24

I agree. I think that people on this thread are being incredibly disingenuous by saying that all people calling for justice for Palestine condemn Hamas. They most certainly do not.

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No group of people are homogeneous.

Everyone I know condemns Hamas.

Clearly you know different people .

LinnettdeBelleforte · 13/01/2025 22:24

Oodiks · 13/01/2025 22:12

I would, yes, but others, less so.

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I agree. I think that people on this thread are being incredibly disingenuous by saying that all people calling for justice for Palestine condemn Hamas. They most certainly do not.

user243245346 · 13/01/2025 22:23

I would just say you're not interested. Some of those people can be quite fanatical

SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 22:16

Oodiks · 13/01/2025 22:12

I would, yes, but others, less so.

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Sadly.

Echobelly · 13/01/2025 22:14

Just say 'no thank you' if you're not interested. She's not going to hunt you down and force you to go!

I have to add I am Jewish and have found pro-Palestinian people do not bite 😜

Original poster
Oodiks · 13/01/2025 22:12

SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 20:07

You'd think wiping out Hamas was a prerequisite for justice for Palestine.

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I would, yes, but others, less so.

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Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 21:31

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SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 21:22

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 20:25

What makes you think the Justice for Palestinians group would not want the same?

Edited
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Try reading the thread.

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 20:27

Martymcfly24 · 13/01/2025 20:15

To be honest you should tell her. I am very proud of my beliefs and I would have enough faith in them to stand over them even in the face of disagreement.

Is a Bring Them Home event to support the hostages?, then I would attend if a friend asked.

You can be pro Palestine and anti Hamas obviously.

Exactly this. As I said previously, I can't imagine the responses on this board If someone posted that they were invited to an event for the hostages but they felt uncomfortable going because they were strongly pro-Palestine.

Arayofcalm · 13/01/2025 20:25

SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 20:07

You'd think wiping out Hamas was a prerequisite for justice for Palestine.

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What makes you think the Justice for Palestinians group would not want the same?

Martymcfly24 · 13/01/2025 20:15

To be honest you should tell her. I am very proud of my beliefs and I would have enough faith in them to stand over them even in the face of disagreement.

Is a Bring Them Home event to support the hostages?, then I would attend if a friend asked.

You can be pro Palestine and anti Hamas obviously.

SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 20:07

Oodiks · 13/01/2025 20:00

Who says I don't want justice for Palestine? I'd love to see Hamas wiped out entirely a new administration in place that would actually support their people instead of focusing on destroying Israel.

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You'd think wiping out Hamas was a prerequisite for justice for Palestine.

Original poster
Oodiks · 13/01/2025 20:05

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I think it happens because we are all reasonable people and don't necessarily bring up our political affiliations in casual conversation. In my instance we got along while working on a project together and neither of us brought up politics directly. As the majority of people in my area are 'pro-Palestinian' it's rational of her to assume that I will be too. That majority is also part of my discomfit in turning down her invitation too directly.

I'd be interested if the opposite happens, if any 'pro-Palestinians' have ever felt awkward about being invited to a Bring Them Home vigil, for instance.

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Original poster
Oodiks · 13/01/2025 20:00

movingtoreading · 13/01/2025 19:40

Just tell her you no that you are pro israel which meAns you don't want justice for palestine ! Problem solved she would not want to speak to you again anw 😅

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Who says I don't want justice for Palestine? I'd love to see Hamas wiped out entirely a new administration in place that would actually support their people instead of focusing on destroying Israel.

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Martymcfly24 · 13/01/2025 19:59

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movingtoreading · 13/01/2025 19:40

Oodiks · 09/01/2025 22:09

So, I met a really nice woman last week who helped me move house. She was terrific, drove a red pick-up truck and was brilliant helping me lug a load of stuff from my old house to my new house. We got along really well and shared lots of stories about ourselves while we worked. I suggested we meet for a coffee/tea as she works near me.

What's this got to do with the conflict in the ME I hear you ask...

She emailed me to suggest that we could meet for tea/coffee, or I could come to her house for a friendly social gathering of her 'Justice for Palestine' group and I don't know how to reply. It wasn't a topic we had discussed, but I am strongly pro-Israel (not Netanyahu in case you were wondering) and would find a 'Justice for Palestine' group quite challenging.

WWYD?

Just tell her you no that you are pro israel which meAns you don't want justice for palestine ! Problem solved she would not want to speak to you again anw 😅

Original poster
Oodiks · 13/01/2025 19:27

SharonEllis · 13/01/2025 18:54

Yes, just because some people gave a genuine connection & conviction doesn't mean it isn't very much a trend and identity for others. In fact some of the former get pretty fed up with the latter and they're right to.

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Indeed.

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