Like it’s a slap in the face to the victims of October 7
Given the speed with which the marches would organised, some on October 8th, I absolutely thought they were a symbolic slap in the face, yes, well more a kick in the stomach, really. To not even pause to hold in mind the October 7th victims. That immediate turning away of faces from the Israeli victims spoke volumes. The fact that so many cannot see the offence in this, speaks volumes.
But now, having seen and heard more of the marches and their supporters, I do think the marches are deliberately partisan and polarising. These marches are solidly for one side and one side only. And people at them are marching alongside people who actively celebrate the attacks. Marching alongside people who tear down hostage posters. Marching alongside people who deny Israelis were victims as ' the oppressed cannot be the oppressor'. Marching alongside those who will absolutely on principle not attend Sundays march against anti-Semitism ( I suspect that is most of the marchers). The more I have seen of this the more I cannot support anyone who knowingly marches alongside this. Because to do so, gives credence to it.
Here is what the marches would have be like for me to support them:
To actively and deliberately hold in mind Israeli victims to and for the speakers to be clear on this.
To encourage those remembering and supporting Israeli victims, with banners to that effect, to attend. So welcoming those with ' Bring back the hostages banners.'
To actively ban anyone encouraging hatred of Israel, anti-Israeli sentiment or anti-Jewish sentiment. So that the focus is on Palestinian lives rather than encouraging more division and hatred.
But they are not like that are they? They are not like that at all.