This post was clear, well-stated, well-documented and much needed.
There seems to be a lot of pressure out there to choose one side or another and, once you have chosen that side, to ignore not just the humanity of the other side, but any verifiable claims they might make.
Yes, the Israeli press shows a lot more diversity of opinion than the American press. I've made this point repeatedly to people over the years. Check out Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post, +972 Magazine, etc., all available online. I worked with a guy who had dual Israeli/American citizenship and this was a favorite rant of his. He talked about how much the American press self-censors, which partly nullifies the free speech rights we have here (this would've been about 15 years ago).
Myself, I'm a Northern European mutt (so says 23&me), but I have in-laws on both sides of this. I was discussing the forced dichotomy with my sister back around November of '23, saying: why don't we shift the axis of the dichotomy and put the line between Israelis and Palestinians who want peace and those who want to fight to the bitter end (The Onion covered this last alternative brilliantly https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9qErRFYVX64)
The pressure to choose sides—especially in ways that erase nuance, history, and basic humanity—is both exhausting and corrosive. Your idea of “shifting the axis” is exactly the kind of reframe we need more of: not Israelis vs. Palestinians, but peace-seekers vs. power-seekers, across borders. And yes, The Onion nailed it with tragic precision.
I’m also really grateful you mentioned the diversity of opinion within the Israeli press. Haaretz, +972, and others are invaluable for reminding us that dissent, skepticism, and solidarity are alive even under duress. It’s sobering, though, how often American discourse fails to reflect that same complexity.
The links you shared are excellent, and I appreciate you bringing in the broader geopolitical context too—especially the disturbing affinities among global strongmen. Trump, Netanyahu, Orbán… it’s no accident that their stories are entwined through shared consultants, shared tactics, and often shared enemies.
Thank you again for reading and for taking the time to write such a rich reply. I hope you’ll keep sharing your perspective—it adds so much to the conversation.
This post was clear, well-stated, well-documented and much needed.
There seems to be a lot of pressure out there to choose one side or another and, once you have chosen that side, to ignore not just the humanity of the other side, but any verifiable claims they might make.
Yes, the Israeli press shows a lot more diversity of opinion than the American press. I've made this point repeatedly to people over the years. Check out Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post, +972 Magazine, etc., all available online. I worked with a guy who had dual Israeli/American citizenship and this was a favorite rant of his. He talked about how much the American press self-censors, which partly nullifies the free speech rights we have here (this would've been about 15 years ago).
Myself, I'm a Northern European mutt (so says 23&me), but I have in-laws on both sides of this. I was discussing the forced dichotomy with my sister back around November of '23, saying: why don't we shift the axis of the dichotomy and put the line between Israelis and Palestinians who want peace and those who want to fight to the bitter end (The Onion covered this last alternative brilliantly https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9qErRFYVX64)
I see the new era of populist enthusiasm for authoritarians as part of this picture, too. I don't think Trump cares what kind of Semite you are, but Mafia Don would like to forge an alliance with Mafia Bibi, felon to felon. (Are you familiar with the way MAGA is connected to Netanyahu via Orbán? Interesting story: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hnsgrassegger/george-soros-conspiracy-finkelstein-birnbaum-orban-netanyahu )
The pressure to choose sides—especially in ways that erase nuance, history, and basic humanity—is both exhausting and corrosive. Your idea of “shifting the axis” is exactly the kind of reframe we need more of: not Israelis vs. Palestinians, but peace-seekers vs. power-seekers, across borders. And yes, The Onion nailed it with tragic precision.
I’m also really grateful you mentioned the diversity of opinion within the Israeli press. Haaretz, +972, and others are invaluable for reminding us that dissent, skepticism, and solidarity are alive even under duress. It’s sobering, though, how often American discourse fails to reflect that same complexity.
The links you shared are excellent, and I appreciate you bringing in the broader geopolitical context too—especially the disturbing affinities among global strongmen. Trump, Netanyahu, Orbán… it’s no accident that their stories are entwined through shared consultants, shared tactics, and often shared enemies.
Thank you again for reading and for taking the time to write such a rich reply. I hope you’ll keep sharing your perspective—it adds so much to the conversation.