How to talk to Israel supporters
JVL Introduction
We’re all very good at talking to ourselves and to others who are already convinced. But we all too often regard those who disagree as beyond reach.
Particularly those who currently support Israel in its war on Gaza.
Peter Beinart is exemplary in showing, week after week, in The Beinart Notebook how to relate to the assumptions of those he often fundamentally disagrees with. Most of us are bad at it.
Now Alex McDonald’s When They Speak Israel, reviewed here by Steve Grant, explains to all of us how to engage. His basic assumption is that while some Zionists are dyed-in-the-wool racists or ethnonationalists, most are not. They sincerely believe they oppose racism but have been taught that support for Israel is justified — if not a solemn moral duty.
We all know it is possible to change. So many of us, both Jewish and non-Jewish, were brought up to support plucky little Israel before we came to see through the hasbara fog.
Our task is to help others make the same journey and McDonald’s book is a helpful guide.
RK
This article was originally published by Mondoweiss on Mon 2 Oct 2023. Read the original here.
Dispelling the hasbara fog
A new guide seeks to disarm and counter “Israelspeak,” the web of misleading cliches and tropes that have driven Zionist narratives deep into the American consciousness.
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This approach also works best within the framework of a continuing respectful, listening relationship with the “other” on ALL subjects …
Of course, we KNEW that already. But how difficult it is to practise it!!!
It’s the Socratic method.
Very interesting, and a very useful approach.
I guess many of us just get angry and annoyed – and don’t want to give the time to listen. But, I can see that is not helpful. Will try Alex McDonald’s way.
To support a regime that kills women and children for whatever reason is inhumane.
The bat that the Israelis have hit the whole world with for so long ( the holocaust) should at least make them stop and think. But no they who suffered in camps and had everything taken from them Chiose To Forget. They are now the Natzis killing innocents not soldiers. They use their scripture for an excuse but their reasoning is against everything God set down in the 10 Commandments.If you support them you are directly going Against your own loving and forgiving God. He will not shine his light on you. You will be swept from the earth as dust.
Sorry did I misunderstand the title of this page. I wanted to talk to the American supporters of Israel’s campaign.