Why are there so many Hamas apologists on here?

[hlthe2b]

145. Marius25, it pains me that you meet supportive comments with as much disdain as you do those that

Last edited Thu Oct 12, 2023, 09:44 AM - Edit history (4)

(edited for typos, grammar, punctuation)

you feel are not meeting your very specific and measured criteria for adequate Hamas disdain. I thought I had made some progress relating to you a day or so ago, but now it seems not.

Those who most want to comfort those on DU most in pain, reassure, and express support are held to an impossible standard. It must be absolute, using the only words found "acceptable" down to the order of words and even grammar necessary, and can never express concern about what would potentially come even if the most measured and cautious response is undertaken by Israel and its allies--and thus planned for. The area is and has long been a powder keg. One might think such concerns could be expressed without being twisted into support for Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah, or antisemitism. But the latter is what is happening on DU. As Pres. Biden said in his eloquent, very Israel-supportive speech (and later Sec. Blinken yesterday) observed that after stressing the most robust support for Israel against Hamas--there is likewise the need to caution about what is acceptable in war and what is not. That is not a withdrawal of support. It is an observation that the horror of what has occurred will and has quite expectedly incited discussion of "a no-holds-barred" response. Thus, the Biden admin is working behind the scenes directly with Israel and Egypt to find some solution to prevent innocent Palestinians--especially the children--from being collateral damage and to find an evacuation solution. That is not anti-Israel/pro-Hamas. That is pro-humanity. That is not to in any way allow this effort to replicate the horror on innocent civilians that Hamas has committed on Israel. There can be no false equivalency and that requires following the long agreed-upon rules of war--even while Hamas will not. Yet some here would accuse the Biden administration of being pro-Hamas as a result because not 100% of their effort is being directed at a decimating no-holds-barred Gaza-destroying response.

I have considerable depression myself over what has happened and nightmares over the reported horrors--especially those coming from the abducted or missing or dead victim's families in interviews. I can only imagine that compounded for some of our Jewish DUers. But the failure of some to recognize that the vast majority of DUers are on the side of Israelis and America's Jews and horrified by Hamas-- and the constant accusations toward the very people who are-- is unbelievably divisive at a time when we should all be pulling together. If the support offered is not directed in the way you'd like then offer ways in concrete ways in which it could be (e.g., charitable organizations for the victims; petitions, or phone campaigns for political officials seemingly reticent to offer support to Israel needed, or concrete steps to be taken to address risks domestically from antisemitic White Nationalists and others). Or you can continue to scour DU for the rare inappropriate comments that were (and should be) ignored as the likely trolling efforts they largely are. But, these internal attacks on DUers as a whole and concerted efforts to perceive slights where they are not intended as overt disloyalty or support of Hamas need to stop. I'm sorry if that is harsh, but I believe some tough love is needed now. And that is what is being offered.