The Militarism of the State of Israel

Who, or what, does the militarism of the State of Israel serve? Anyone?

I argue not. I argue that this militarism serves no one. Not Israelis. Not Jews. Not Americans. Certainly not Palestinians.

Maybe you can argue that it serves the interests of US Imperialism in the Middle East. Maybe you can argue that it serves the interests of the military industrial complex (and associated interests.) But it does not.

This timeless quotation speaks to that:

"What is morally wrong can never be advantageous, even when it enables you to make some gain that you believe to be to your advantage." – Marcus Tullius Cicero (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC)

Militarism and violence truly serve no one. Militarism and violence, and hate, only serve the cause of destruction, and social and environmental degradation.

I support Israel. I support a Jewish homeland, and a refuge from a world that all too often targets people, or groups of people, based on differences. I am not against Israel. But Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people is unacceptable and intolerable. The subjugation, the systematic racism, the apartheid - a situation that can rightly be described as bordering on genocide - is totally unacceptable.

This situation is not only wrong for Palestinians. It is also wrong and harmful for Israelis.

If Israel wants peace, then it must treat Palestinians like human beings. Israel will have to afford Palestinian people the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings. It's really that simple.

The violence committed by Palestinians against Israelis is no more acceptable than the violence committed by Israelis against Palestinians. No more, and no less, acceptable. The difference is that Palestinians have been subjected, for decades now, to oppression, including but certainly not limited to forced re-locations, and all sorts of humiliating and harmful actions committed by the State of Israel. Palestinians act out in violence - they react - because they are so utterly oppressed and impoverished, they also act in a self-defense that I believe can rightly be argued as more legitimate than any such notion of self-defense by the State of Israel.

Yes, the situation is horrible. If it is to get better, both sides will have to be able to sit down across from each other at the same table. This can only happen if Israel is willing. Palestinians are willing to talk. Why isn't Israel?

Is it because the State of Israel is not willing to share land with Palestinians?

It is time for reconciliation on this matter. The subjugation of Palestinians by the Israelis and the State of Israel is intolerable. I will leave you with this quote that gets to the heart of social and environmental degradation:

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold (January 11, 1887 – April 21, 1948)

Peace be unto you.

We will all be served by a society and a culture which seeks justice, fairness, equity and equitableness. Let us work toward egalitarianism.

Counter fear, violence and hate — with love. Replace conquest with cooperation. Peace is the way. Be peace.