(Pardon my haste this morning. I am replying without having read the entire thread.)
The thing is this. Israeli may well win a war with its neighbors, and by doing so destroy the finest elements of Jewish culture. If we continue down the road we are on (and if the Isralis win militarily) we may see a Jewish State that is unworthy of the name.
Already too many Israelis have embraced an extreme form of racism. Already it is a rude place (ever been?). I like American jews just fine, but gee Israel is a whole 'nohter animal!
I am not proposing a solution, only pointing out that a military solution may not work.
Would anything else work? I dunno.
Yeah, we’re rude. We’re also pushy, informal, arrogant and very, very proud. Thing is, that’s what most Europeans say about Americans, and what most Americans say about New Yorkers; so I think we’re in pretty good company. BTW, what do you consider the “finer elements of Jewish culture”?
As for racism - Israelis are no more racists than any other nation in a state of war, and much less than most (if you don’t believe me, check out some WW2-era Warner Brothers cartoons). Not developing feelings of irrational haterd when people are trying to blow you up on a daily basis is possible - but it sure as hell isn’t easy. As as Israeli, I can assure you that my nations policies are not motivated by racism. Paranoia, yes. But not racism.