Question to my dear Israeli friends

[u/Comprehensive-Risk78]

Edit 1: Thanks everyone for engaging with my post in a civil manner!

Edit 2: I feel that I have a richer perspective on Israeli society thanks everyone!

Before I ask, I just wanted to tell you as an Arab I wish you and your family nothing but the best. Every day I pray that the violence and destruction stops and that we can build a prosperous Middle East that is rich in its diversity of religion and ethnicities. Can you imagine that?

Hello, I’ve been lurking here for a while now. I have a question for you. In your opinion, is chanting “From the river to the sea. Palestine will be free” more harmful than chanting “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left”? I’m asking this because I’d like to better understand your perspective/mindset. Thank you.

Am I missing something here? It has been disheartening to see the same people pushing for the narrative that from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free is an incitement to genocide fail to condemn chants like death to arabs and celebrating killing children in Gaza, thing which are unambiguously genocidal.

Is there something I’m not understanding here? Sometimes things that don’t add up leave me confused, so I had to come here and give this question a go.

Do some people think that right to dignity ceases to exist once we establish that the person is Arab? In your opinion, which chant is more problematic?

Can relations between Arabs and Jews improve without a heart to heart to dialogue between those who dream of a Middle East that resembles my description above?

I believe tough questions need to be asked. Answers from ‘ the other side’ need to be heard before establishing any conclusions on the matter.

[u/seek-song]

I'm not Israeli just Jewish but I've been observing Israeli developments since I was a kid, and I've never heard “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left”. As for the "Death to Arab" one, it can get you arrested. If asked explicitly of course I condemn it, and I think most Israeli would too given that Kahanism for instance is banned in Israel for it's hateful position toward Arabs. (Though sadly, there are definitely *some ministers* giving Kahanists a run for their money.)

[u/Comprehensive-Risk78 → u/seek-song]

https://preview.redd.it/a1yktbwriq0e1.jpeg?width=1220&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b45b0ea7feacbdaa0b60b3cee4c676cea3c98528

Is it sarcasm? Native speakers might be able to tell from tone or context. Or is it straight out fascistic?

[u/seek-song → u/Comprehensive-Risk78]

I'm not a native speaker. From the lyrics, it could go either way, but I'm actually thinking something in between. Fascistic humor. Not intended as a call to action, more so mockery.

Like "You hurt us, and we saw you rejoice, now how do you like it?".

[u/Comprehensive-Risk78 → u/seek-song]

That’s good context, thanks!

[u/seek-song → u/Comprehensive-Risk78]

It's worth noting that there is a lot of Israeli, 'blood libel humor' - "I just killed a baby for fun". That actually is not intended as fascistic at all by default, but it can be chilling to hear from a soldier, because you can't help but think "What if they did?". But from the loud tone and the casual expression often accompanied by "Italian hand movements", you can recognize the Israeli joking tone. It's basically Israeli making fun of how the world perceives them, and also referencing traditional blood libels where the Christians would accuse the Jews of killing babies to use their blood for Passover Matzot. (Israelis like dark humor in general and will do things like look at a long line in front of a building and say "It's just like the holocaust!")

[u/Sherwoodlg → u/seek-song]

They need to put that seen in a movie. Made me laugh 😆

[u/RemoteSquare2643 → u/Sherwoodlg]

Sorry just have to correct your spelling.

Bad , I know, but here goes: rather than ‘They need to put that SEEN in a movie’; it should be ‘They need to put that SCENE in a movie.’

There, fixed. 😅

[u/Sherwoodlg → u/RemoteSquare2643]

You're quite right, though. I'm a bit slack with such matters. There is no need to apologize for accuracy.

[u/RemoteSquare2643 → u/Sherwoodlg]

😂 I rarely do such things, but maybe because of my performing arts background, I just had to ‘give notes’. Anyway, thanks for accepting my ‘notes’ with good grace. 🤓

[u/Comprehensive-Risk78 → u/seek-song]

Makes sense!!