Enough! Already! (... and mythic diversions)

[tcpip]

The Israeli invasion of Gaza continues, with the number of civilian deaths rising dramatically. Claims that Israel has been using cluster bombs and white phosphorus. Two UN schools are bombed killing forty, just after UN ambulances were hit killing paramedics. The definition of a 'terrorist' and a 'valid target'seems to get a bit rubbery according to the IDF. In contrast, Australian Jews denounce the invasion. A former Israeli soldier, and now Oxford professor, has come to some hard conclusions as a result of the invasion. Avaaz (a remarkably effective group) has a cease-fire petition, which I urge all to sign and pass on. Also, go vote for Prof. Juan Cole's 'blog Informed Comment as Best Middle East or Africa 'Blog.

I sometimes find myself drawn into this discussion and over the years have found myself increasingly in support of the "one (democratic, secular) state solution". The partition of Palestine was perhaps the worst early decision made by the United Nations and was not supported by any neighbouring state or by the former colonial power. Under such circumstances it is hardly surprising that there have been seemingly endless violence and wars as a consequence. Resolving the issue would involve ending the pseudo-soveriegnity (as Hannah Arendt put it) of a Jewish state in favour of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Apart from applying laws equally over what it is currently Israel and the occupied territories, it would involvd ending existing discriminatory institutions and laws (e.g., Knesset Election Law, the control of the Israel Land Administration by the Jewish National Fund, the Law of Return, Nationality Law etc) would have to be abolished in favour of secular alternatives. Of course, having such considered opinions does attract detractors; dear readers, I present you my own troll from Tel Aviv.

Have engaged in a few mythic diversions of late. Last Sunday's RuneQuest Prax game included defeating the witch-queen of disease and visiting a moment of the non-sequential reality that is the Godtime. darknova666's character jumped between misfortune and elation on several occassions in the scenario. On a further Gloranthan theme I've introduced The Crimson Bat in my HeroQuest pbem. Have also extracted and modified the review of Pathfinder from the latest issue of RPG Review (issue #3 already has three articles, awesome!) to submit to RPG.net. On an oddly related topic, on Sunday week I'm presenting on "A Unitarian-Univeralist View of the Economic Crisis" - how's that related? Afterwards we're playing Credo: The Game of Duelling Dogmas, which is attracting some interest from members of the congregation.

Comments

[anivair.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about this conflict lately and the more I read the more I cannot support israel. I don't know if I like thinking that, as much of my family are American Jews and they support Israel without a thought, but what they're doing is just wrong and the only reason this war is still going on is because we're paying for it.

I think that the democratic secular nation is the only solution that might work, because then both groups will have access to jerusalem. Honestly, whichever side loses that place is going to believe they lost and that'll be the end of it. unless you can clone the city, there will be no peace with a 2 state solution, sadly.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

There is a very real sense that American Jews are absolutely critical in resolving the problem of the Levant. As long as they give unquestioning support to Israel, conflict in inevitable.

As you correctly say, Jerusalem is a linchpin. The Palestinians will never be happy with any state created for them that does not include at least East Jerusalem as a capital. It is as important to them as it is to Jews and Christians.

Dammit, I want to build the third temple there. And make it a Unitarian-Universalist temple. For theocrats, that would be the apocalypse!

[anivair.livejournal.com]

Sadly, a lot of this conflict breaks down to the fact that Americans neither like nor respect (nor understand) faiths outside the christian world. It's a shame.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

One of these days I'll have to sit down and do some serious study on how this happened. Especially given how forthright the founders were in promoting a secular constitution with freedom of religion. It perplexes me, but my knowledge of U.S. history isn't that great.

[anivair.livejournal.com]

Well, it happened because our founders were great guys who were surrounded by religious nuts. Being religiously tolerant at the time meant accepting all types of Christians. And yes, some of them would have accepted other faiths, but most of the population would not.

But I think it actually came later. it seems to me (from a cursory study) that groups that came here later brought religious intolerance with them and it stuck.