It Comes from The Heart (not the brain)
Knowledge
Can Be Dangerous!
My father,
Imanuel Marx, meant well. He was a
mathematics professor at Purdue University and we lived near its campus in West
Lafayette, Indiana. In his “world”
intellect and book learning was All Important.
Feelings were never discussed.
This didn’t help my emotional maturation!
My world
changed significantly with his death Friday, November 13th, 1964 –
when I was 13 years old – of stomach cancer.
The Barnes
and Noble store in El Cerrito, California’s lease expires at the end of
2024. All books are 25% off list – due
to the store’s impending closure.
I discovered
the sale a few weeks ago. Normally, I
shop at two historic local stores:
Marcus Books (Black/liberation) and Moe’s – a huge, great store.
I initiated
a conversation with a man wearing a Kippah (Yarmulke). I mentioned that he might like James
McBride’s The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store”. The
man reacted negatively to my “Defend Palestine” t-shirt. He stated that I was supporting the killing
of worldwide Jews.
I waited in
line to purchase my single book, while his wife, daughter, and he purchased
roughly 20-25 books. I noted that McBride’s
book was B & N’s “book of the year” (see my review:
https://www.georgemarx.org/2023/09/the-heaven-earth-grocery-store.html )
His wife then
spoke up, informing me/us that the book gave a distorted view of some Jewish (cultural)
life.
I learned
through further questions that the man is a professor of Judaic Studies at The
University of California, Berkeley. He
clearly is “intelligent”.
I indicated
to him that he would/should trust his wife, over me! Our conversation was over.
Our learning
from books generally reflects our core ideological perspectives. As an “eclectic radical”, my reading aids my
growth. Though I read occasional books
that contradict my core beliefs related to the Palestinian People, I still have
my biases. We all do!
Israel –
Palestine – Ukraine – North Korea – China – Putin +++ bring up strong feelings among
many. Currently, excluding Gaza and
Hamas, strong feelings are common amongst people angry at Putin and China. Often I hear and strong caring for the
Ukrainian People.
When one
brings up something – that hits a nerve with another individual, “sparks can
fly”. Speaking of potential Negotiations
between Ukraine and Russia, brings anger from many. The anger may be at the speaker and/or
Putin. There is no question that Putin is “evil”. His paranoia around Ukraine does, however,
have some “rational” part to it. For
decades the USSR had “The Communist Bloc” providing a buffer between it and The
West. Ukraine completes the
“encirclement” of Russia. NATO is not “neutral”.
When one
brings up such issues, feelings, rather than rational discourse
is the primary reaction. It is no
accident that we have concern for a primarily white people, who
seemingly are more “like us” than the BIPOC of countries like Sudan.
Our
corporate weapons producers profit from war.
War is used for propaganda. It is always “the evil ones” against “us
good guys”. A just peace is rarely
valued by those in power!
Reading the
history of Israel and Palestine from a variety of sources, I’m left with a lot
of question marks (at best)! There
seems a historical narrative that values a part of “Jewish history” from a LONG
time ago. It describes why Jews have a
“right” to the land within The Middle East.
I find it
difficult to find serious concern among nearly all politicians for the
Palestinian People, Arabs in general, as well as Muslims. Looking at the recent past, as well as currently,
it is difficult to ignore the power and ideals of “Christians’ ” support of
Israel.
Pastor John
Hagee, now 84 years old, is a prime example!
I would refer others to the following websites (directly connected with
him): Christians United for Israel (https://cufi.org/) and Hagee Ministries (https://www.jhm.org/). From the latter: In
his timely resource, Why Christians Should Support Israel, Pastor John
Hagee lays out the scripture-based case, arming you with truth in these
perilous times. , Over the years, Hagee Ministries has
given more than $100 million toward humanitarian causes in
Israel. and:
Pastor
Hagee is the founder and National Chairman of Christians United for Israel
(CUFI), a grass-roots organization which has grown to become the largest
Christian pro-Israel group in the United States with over 10 million
members that speak as one voice on behalf of Israel. and
John
Hagee was recognized by the state of Israel on its 70th Anniversary as one of
the 70 greatest contributors to Israel since statehood. He was also invited by
U.S. Ambassador David Friedman to give the benediction at the opening of the
U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
John Hagee
has faced a lot of controversy related to his statements and core beliefs
related to Israel and Jews. I would
refer others to: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/divisive-pastor-john-hagee-criticism-role-march-israel-rcna125346 - related to his speaking in support
of Israel at a “Pro-Israel Rally” in Washington, D.C. after October 7, 2023.
The core
“Christian belief” of Hagee and “Christian Zionists” in allyship with their
beliefs (often Evangelical Christians, though not all of them) are based upon
the belief that when Jesus is “comes back” those who have not taken Jesus
Christ as “their savior” will face – not so politely put: “total genocide”.
The numbers
of “Christians” and the money that they raise dwarf Jewish support. This is particularly noticeable as one looks
at its “core support”. Donations of some
“super rich” (nearly always Jews) – such as Sheldon Adelson and his wife (now
widow) counter the dollars raised in part.
If one were
to seek “objectivity” and “facts”, as opposed to “emotions” and “feelings”, one
might choose to look at the establishment of Israel in some specific ways. Objectively, one might, for example, look at
a history of Zionism.
In looking
at Zionism, one would look at its beginnings in the late 1800’s in Western and
Central Europe. Facts about The
Ottoman Empire and the native population, “immigrant population” and other
relevant “data” is not challenging to compile.
The Balfour
Declaration in 1917, the Peace Treaty of Versailles, and the subsequent
“dividing” of the Middle East between Great Britain and France are important.
Inevitably
one moves towards the rise of Hitler, particularly pre-1933 Germany, 1933, and
the period of 1933-1945 are all highly relevant. Great Britain, The League of Nations, the
movement towards and into World War II and similar are not that complicated to
review.
More
problematic is when we delves into the feelings related to Anti-Semitism. Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia
all are extremely important. In doing
this one generally sees “historic
Israel”, the subjective experiences of the native Palestinan People, “Arabs”,
the role of oil, the Suez Canal and many other factors. How we see such people/things greatly impacts
how one may view things.
--
I would
seriously ask what right Theodor Hertzl had in seeking a Jewish State in
Palestine? What similar precedents
exist for “going back home” elsewhere in the world? Do we similarly say that Native People have
rights to takeover major, if not total, control of: The United States, Canada or Australia, for
example?
What right
did Lord Balfour, the British Government and The League of Nations have to promise
a “home” in The Middle East primarily for the Jews of Eastern and Western
Europe? The United States
(understandably) denied The Russian leadership a “right” to arm the Cuba of
Fidel Castro in the early 1960’s.
It seems
relevant to understand Why the elites and governments of Western European
nations supported the creation of a Jewish State in Palestine. They had a “Jewish Problem” – clearly! Some, if not most, Jews were perceived as
potentially questioning their leadership.
Exporting – “The
Jewish Problem” – was a clear answer.
If a Jewish State was created in the Middle East, Jews could be
encouraged and/or pressured to move to this (new) state. Jews out of Europe – could be “out of mind”.
I would note
that Israel today is a “strategic ally” of the United States. Israel has been valued for its intelligence
service – The Mossad. It is also
important because the oil of Saudi Arabia and the smaller “Oil Sheikdoms” – are
important in keeping gasoline costs in the U.S. relatively low in comparison
with other “Western” countries. The
oil – will be gone within the next 10-20 years.
The U.S. is
likely to be as loyal to Israel as it has been to “strategic allies” like
Saddam Hussein (against the Iranian leadership), Panama, Nicaragua and more –
e.g. not at all!.
Munther
Isaac is a Palestinian Christian pastor and theologian. He now pastors the
Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the Lutheran Church in
Beit Sahour. He is also the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and is
the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint
conferences. Munther is passionate about issues related to the Palestinian
theology. ( https://bethbc.edu/Faculty/munther-isaac/
)
Dr. Gunther
Isaac spoke this evening in a local church.
His words were passionate and clear!
He spoke of the Genocide of Gaza, noting multiple times “16,000 children’s
bodies” in a War broadcast live by both sides. He spoke of the relative apathy of most
mainstream Christians in Western Europe and the United States.
Dr. Isaac spoke
of how Zionism is racism. He explained
this carefully noting that Jewish lives are important and Palestinian deaths
are minimized or even ignored. He
explained how all lives are sacred. He spoke
of non-violence – as the way to move forward.
Isaac also
spoke of how while he condemned the killings of families and children on
October 7th, the politicians and major media ignore the past 76
years of apartheid – murder – oppression of the Palestinian People.
Gunther
Isaac has a deep heart! He spoke of
taking things one day at a time – moving forward. He spoke of a complete hopelessness existing
until The United States stops arming Israel.
He spoke of the profits – of the arms manufacturers in the U.S. pushing war
– and more war. Isaac spoke of Settler
Colonialism. He spoke of the needs for
bottom up – involvement of people of faith and the leadership of faith based
institutions in pushing forward in our efforts.
--
Gunther Isaac
is Not a terrorist! Most Palestinians
are Not Terrorists! Christian
Palestinians are not in opposition to Moslem Palestinians. Isaac spoke clearly of how:
1. A lasting ceasefire is necessary
And
2. An end to the Apartheid State of Israel
is necessary.
Gunther Isaac
spoke of how the issue now is NOT:
1. A Two-State Solution
Or
2. A single – Democratic State
Kamala Harris
– is speaking locally tomorrow at a fundraiser in San Francisco. When asked what he would say to her, he
spoke of reminding her of how as a Black Woman racism has impacted her. He hopes that she will understand or learn
that racism posits that Jews Matter – and Palestinians don’t – due to (similar)
racism.
--
He
said: IF there is a lasting ceasefire –
a cessation of hostilities and an end to the Superiority of the Jews of Israel –
under “the law”,
Then: a
lasting peace will be worked out. It won’t
be extremely complicated to create a just peace for all (then). The details will evolve through negotiations
(then).
I hope that we are listening!
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