Believable, genuine writing. Stay strong, keep refining your craft and know that many many of us here in America, Jewish & gentile, support Israel with our whole heart. Having been there a few times, I know the love of it. I know the fragility of it. Thank you for your words and your reminder. Am Yisrael Chai.
My family and I are with you every step of the way! Beautiful writing. No one would believe it was written by such a young woman. Kol Hakavod! May you and all of Am Yisrael be safe and may there be peace.
Can we make sure that President Trump gets to read this? That way we won’t hear anymore of “Both countries are in the wrong. I am mad at both countries. I am ready to blah blah blah…” Iran is going to pretend to make peace while they restart their program of nuclear armament.
Aviva is an amazing young lady. And I have family in Israel, so while my life may be peaceful, I care passionately about what happens. Keep Aviva writing for us, please; I want her take on things.
"But across oceans, we’re still connected. We are allies."
Israel does not need "allies" across the ocean but in the region. Israel cannot summon the U.S. every time it finds itself threatened by its neighbors. The whole point of the Abraham Accords was to open dialogue and relations between Israel and liberal Arab states in the region.
Yes, Iran is a threat to Israel and Sunni Arab neighbors, but not to the U.S. Frankly, we do not have a dog in this fight, certainly for any long-term nation-building among feuding Muslims. Yes, the author is correct, we can hit the snooze button and ignore this mess, which has simmered for millennia (longer, for sure, than the U.S. has existed).
Israel has the option to fight for its existence in a region where they are outnumbered by resentful Arabs and Iranians. But the U.S. is not Israel's attack dog yanked around by Netanyahu and his coalition of right-wing extremists. I resent that Netanyahu is Trump's alarm clock.
It means that the "Little Satan" next door is more likely the real target. This is a Holy War over the control of Jerusalem between Shia and Sunni Muslims. The U.S. is targeted simply because we enabled Israel to embed 'Western heretics' (Jews and Christians) in the Holy Land.
As we speak, the U.S. (and the West) remains secular with little concern about 'magical rocks' and millennia-old religious and racial feuds. The U.S. is not Israel's attack dog. Washington, D.C. is a long, long way from Tehran.
Here is a more extensive analysis of the Iranian Islamist motives in the region. Capturing Jerusalem is the motive for Iranian interference. I prefer not to get caught between two apocalyptic religious fanatics. The U.S. has no dog in this fight.
The US “has no dog” in a fight between good and evil? I vehemently disagree - that kind of thinking is a betrayal of the good and a sanction of the evil. No, it does not mean we are obligated to jump in and physically fight for the good in any and every conflict - but it does mean we do not imply moral equivalence between the two by declaring there’s no basis for us taking sides. The Iranian regime stones gays, “honor kills” rape victims, and treats women as livestock. The Israelis mostly respect and protect individual rights, are tolerant of “alternative lifestyles”, and treat women as human beings. If you can’t take sides in the face of that alternative, your moral compass is severely compromised.
Sure, the U.S. can support "good" over "evil", and I have no fantasies about the evils of radical Islam, but I also have no illusions about radical Judaism.
Yes, Israel generally adheres to Western liberal values, but it exists in a predominantly Muslim environment, both cultures having a long history of trauma. While I empathize, I have not (nor care to) walk in the shoes of either the Israelis or Muslims in the region. The U.S. didn't inflict the pain, nor can it fix it. It is time for both Israel is its Arab neighbors to fledge and find their own ways through this. It cannot be imposed from the outside without riling all sorts of anti-colonialist sentiments.
I am no fan of Islam, but, frankly, not very keen on any Abrahamic polarized worldview that sees everything as "right" or "wrong". News Flash... there is no "God's Chosen People." We are all simply flawed humans playing the cards dealt to us. If Israelis want to continue to live in MENA, they need to figure out how to coexist with their neighbors. If not, genocide is the only solution, and there are simply more of them than there are of you.
If you attempt to slaughter your way out, the rest of the world will abandon you, as is occurring now. Israel has peered into the Abyss, and it has stared back. This is beyond moralizing and occupies that gray zone the Eastern philosophies call the "middle zone", the bardo of emptiness between "good" and "evil." There is no immaculate innocence, only the gray zone of human struggle. Israel gets no free pass and is nothing special. Live with that realization. It makes a good mantra.
I suspect you do not speak Arabic, and know little about the Muslim Brotherhood or its goals.
Islamism is a religio-fascist death cult that seeks to create a worldwide caliphate free of Jews and Christians. They repeatedly say that first they will come for the Saturday people and then the Sunday people.
Yes, and what is your solution other than genocide? Israel also has a messianic racist Haredi problem domestically who share similar fascist ideologies.
You are all being so polite but John is nothing other than an antisemite....plain and simple regardless of his "intellectual" responses....it is so clear if you see through his bullsh-t!!! As a Jew we see it clearly...fancy arguments do not hide it from those of us who see through the "Johns" in this world
As a Jew, everybody is an antisemite even other Jews who disagree with you. The epitaph has become meaningless. One can criticize the actions of the state of Israel without giving a damn about Jews.
This exactly hits me in the craw. I love my friends abroad who check in. Noted. I love my circle of cousins, family, and wider acquaintances who sincerely want to stay close, to hang on to our updates, who even if temporarily away are getting the Home Command Alerts. But, exactly like this talented young writer said, if you are not here living it, it is not you.
Allies are important, no question, and we wish you no harm, but honestly following the Wall Street Journal or whatever other paper you choose, is not the same. Don't send me a copy.
I have street cred. And until you have experienced this in a collective national bleary-eyed sleep-deprived and heart-pounding way to see interceptions and booms overhead, your street, your hood; you don't.
Brilliant-eager for more from this young and perceptive writer. Kol ha kavod! Wishing her, her family, and all of Israel security and peace.
We all need to read this and to feel this, to even begin to understand what our Israeli brothers and sisters are going through.
Believable, genuine writing. Stay strong, keep refining your craft and know that many many of us here in America, Jewish & gentile, support Israel with our whole heart. Having been there a few times, I know the love of it. I know the fragility of it. Thank you for your words and your reminder. Am Yisrael Chai.
My family and I are with you every step of the way! Beautiful writing. No one would believe it was written by such a young woman. Kol Hakavod! May you and all of Am Yisrael be safe and may there be peace.
So many in the West don’t have a clue.
Keep writing young lady. We need to hear your voice. Be well and be safe.
Can we make sure that President Trump gets to read this? That way we won’t hear anymore of “Both countries are in the wrong. I am mad at both countries. I am ready to blah blah blah…” Iran is going to pretend to make peace while they restart their program of nuclear armament.
Very true, unfotunately they will try as soon as they can.
This voice is crying out for humanity in a world where there is hardly any humanity to be found.
Stay strong, young child; you are a Jewish child. Only the strong survive in this inhumane world.
But also know, that you are not alone; there are many who feel for you and pray for you and love you.
Francoise Furstnethal
Aviva is an amazing young lady. And I have family in Israel, so while my life may be peaceful, I care passionately about what happens. Keep Aviva writing for us, please; I want her take on things.
"But across oceans, we’re still connected. We are allies."
Israel does not need "allies" across the ocean but in the region. Israel cannot summon the U.S. every time it finds itself threatened by its neighbors. The whole point of the Abraham Accords was to open dialogue and relations between Israel and liberal Arab states in the region.
Yes, Iran is a threat to Israel and Sunni Arab neighbors, but not to the U.S. Frankly, we do not have a dog in this fight, certainly for any long-term nation-building among feuding Muslims. Yes, the author is correct, we can hit the snooze button and ignore this mess, which has simmered for millennia (longer, for sure, than the U.S. has existed).
Israel has the option to fight for its existence in a region where they are outnumbered by resentful Arabs and Iranians. But the U.S. is not Israel's attack dog yanked around by Netanyahu and his coalition of right-wing extremists. I resent that Netanyahu is Trump's alarm clock.
The “great Satan” most certainly has a dog in this fight. And if you don’t think so, sir, you are wrong. What do you think death to America means?
It means that the "Little Satan" next door is more likely the real target. This is a Holy War over the control of Jerusalem between Shia and Sunni Muslims. The U.S. is targeted simply because we enabled Israel to embed 'Western heretics' (Jews and Christians) in the Holy Land.
As we speak, the U.S. (and the West) remains secular with little concern about 'magical rocks' and millennia-old religious and racial feuds. The U.S. is not Israel's attack dog. Washington, D.C. is a long, long way from Tehran.
Oh. Okay. That cleared it all up for me. Thank you so much….
Here is a more extensive analysis of the Iranian Islamist motives in the region. Capturing Jerusalem is the motive for Iranian interference. I prefer not to get caught between two apocalyptic religious fanatics. The U.S. has no dog in this fight.
https://johnhardman.substack.com/p/israel-iran-war-second-nekba
The US “has no dog” in a fight between good and evil? I vehemently disagree - that kind of thinking is a betrayal of the good and a sanction of the evil. No, it does not mean we are obligated to jump in and physically fight for the good in any and every conflict - but it does mean we do not imply moral equivalence between the two by declaring there’s no basis for us taking sides. The Iranian regime stones gays, “honor kills” rape victims, and treats women as livestock. The Israelis mostly respect and protect individual rights, are tolerant of “alternative lifestyles”, and treat women as human beings. If you can’t take sides in the face of that alternative, your moral compass is severely compromised.
Sure, the U.S. can support "good" over "evil", and I have no fantasies about the evils of radical Islam, but I also have no illusions about radical Judaism.
Yes, Israel generally adheres to Western liberal values, but it exists in a predominantly Muslim environment, both cultures having a long history of trauma. While I empathize, I have not (nor care to) walk in the shoes of either the Israelis or Muslims in the region. The U.S. didn't inflict the pain, nor can it fix it. It is time for both Israel is its Arab neighbors to fledge and find their own ways through this. It cannot be imposed from the outside without riling all sorts of anti-colonialist sentiments.
I am no fan of Islam, but, frankly, not very keen on any Abrahamic polarized worldview that sees everything as "right" or "wrong". News Flash... there is no "God's Chosen People." We are all simply flawed humans playing the cards dealt to us. If Israelis want to continue to live in MENA, they need to figure out how to coexist with their neighbors. If not, genocide is the only solution, and there are simply more of them than there are of you.
If you attempt to slaughter your way out, the rest of the world will abandon you, as is occurring now. Israel has peered into the Abyss, and it has stared back. This is beyond moralizing and occupies that gray zone the Eastern philosophies call the "middle zone", the bardo of emptiness between "good" and "evil." There is no immaculate innocence, only the gray zone of human struggle. Israel gets no free pass and is nothing special. Live with that realization. It makes a good mantra.
I suspect you do not speak Arabic, and know little about the Muslim Brotherhood or its goals.
Islamism is a religio-fascist death cult that seeks to create a worldwide caliphate free of Jews and Christians. They repeatedly say that first they will come for the Saturday people and then the Sunday people.
Yes, and what is your solution other than genocide? Israel also has a messianic racist Haredi problem domestically who share similar fascist ideologies.
You are all being so polite but John is nothing other than an antisemite....plain and simple regardless of his "intellectual" responses....it is so clear if you see through his bullsh-t!!! As a Jew we see it clearly...fancy arguments do not hide it from those of us who see through the "Johns" in this world
As a Jew, everybody is an antisemite even other Jews who disagree with you. The epitaph has become meaningless. One can criticize the actions of the state of Israel without giving a damn about Jews.
never said a Jew could not be antisemitic....we just plain call you a self-hating Jew....plenty of you around unfortunately
Gee, I wonder why? It seems Netanyahu’s “charm offensive” is not working.
Wonderfully written. Aviva, you’ve managed to capture the feeling of our nation and share it with the world. Thank you!
victim complex so boring
Gotta get the Ayatolla.
Thank you for sharing this! Prayers for everyone's safety.
This exactly hits me in the craw. I love my friends abroad who check in. Noted. I love my circle of cousins, family, and wider acquaintances who sincerely want to stay close, to hang on to our updates, who even if temporarily away are getting the Home Command Alerts. But, exactly like this talented young writer said, if you are not here living it, it is not you.
Allies are important, no question, and we wish you no harm, but honestly following the Wall Street Journal or whatever other paper you choose, is not the same. Don't send me a copy.
I have street cred. And until you have experienced this in a collective national bleary-eyed sleep-deprived and heart-pounding way to see interceptions and booms overhead, your street, your hood; you don't.