3 ms·

The Israeli conflict is only about land by default. Because if one or the other gives up, they have nowhere to live. Everything else is money and the stories we

The Israeli conflict is only about land by default. Because if one or the other gives up, they have nowhere to live. Everything else is money and the stories we tell ourselves and they tell themselves around procuring more of it. Money and power. If you put the existential threat part aside (which we should have after +70 years with all of our neighbors having fractured countries) the Israeli/Palestinian story is as pathetic as it gets being solely a money and power grab. And to think we still sends our sons and daughters to die for said grabbers of money and power under the guise of symbolism and idealism speaking it as we’re still a fresh new country.

leaflets2 4y ago
It's also about politicians and people in power, staying in power by keeping conflicts alive. For example, Netanyahu regularly bombing some important Hamas person in Gaza and Hamas then firing rockets, was good for Netanyahu's and the Hamas leaders' popularity (as far as I've understood). > only about land by default Hmm, I think to a somewhat large part, the conflicts are ways for the people in power to stay in power. What do you mean with "by default"? Have a look at The Dictators Handbok btw and try to see the world from the perspective of someone like Netanyahu or the Hamas leaders. How can they increase/keep their power and wealth, using the conflicts as tools. It's also tribalism ... Many things at the same time going on?
- danielschonfeld 4y ago
  I think we are saying the same here. Yes it’s 100% about keeping the conflict alive and thereby keeping your reins on power. By default I mean that before modern times, in the past, when the country was young it was about survival and hence about land and all the ideology and history stories we had around it. But those times have passed. Today we are a power house in the Middle East to be reckoned with. For now almost the last country standing with a functioning (funny I know) government in the area. We are not fighting for land. Our neighbors are powerless to give us another 1973. And yet we cling to the same stories and send our sons and daughters to do the dirty deeds of our (and their) politicians so they could keep their reins on power.

leaflets2 4y ago

It's also about politicians and people in power, staying in power by keeping conflicts alive. For example, Netanyahu regularly bombing some important Hamas person in Gaza and Hamas then firing rockets, was good for Netanyahu's and the Hamas leaders' popularity (as far as I've understood). > only about land by default Hmm, I think to a somewhat large part, the conflicts are ways for the people in power to stay in power. What do you mean with "by default"? Have a look at The Dictators Handbok btw and try to see the world from the perspective of someone like Netanyahu or the Hamas leaders. How can they increase/keep their power and wealth, using the conflicts as tools. It's also tribalism ... Many things at the same time going on?

danielschonfeld 4y ago
I think we are saying the same here. Yes it’s 100% about keeping the conflict alive and thereby keeping your reins on power. By default I mean that before modern times, in the past, when the country was young it was about survival and hence about land and all the ideology and history stories we had around it. But those times have passed. Today we are a power house in the Middle East to be reckoned with. For now almost the last country standing with a functioning (funny I know) government in the area. We are not fighting for land. Our neighbors are powerless to give us another 1973. And yet we cling to the same stories and send our sons and daughters to do the dirty deeds of our (and their) politicians so they could keep their reins on power.