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Antisemitism and Israel                                                                   #242

By Hank Silverberg


You probably read or heard something about Israel's military move into the city of Jenin on the West Bank. That city includes one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps, and there's no dispute that Hamas and other terrorist groups operate there. 

The Israeli government described it as a 

 counterattack on a command center for those who have been launching attacks in Israel from Jenin. The Israeli attack included airstrikes and ground troops in one of Israel's largest military actions in a West Bank city in two decades. 

At least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier died in the two days of fighting.

The reasons for the attack are complex. Hamas and other groups, mostly financed by Iran, are notorious for hiding their operations amidst the innocent civilian population making most counterattacks problematic for Israel.  Civilians often get caught in the crossfire. 

This time the Israeli government made an attempt to explain the operation and its target. It was a large underground weapons manufacturing facility in Jenin that supplies material to make the rockets that are often fired into Israel. 

Israel attacks Jenin in biggest West Bank incursion in 20 years | Palestinian territories | The Guardian


For once the Israeli government did a professional job in explaining why they moved troops into Jenin, something they have often failed to do in the past. 

Unfortunately, no one seems to hear it. 

What concerns me most though, is the reaction such Israeli incursions create in the rest of the world. Such raids are often followed by a rash of antisemitism in Europe and the United States. Those on the left who have solidarity with the average Palestinian launch their anger against Jews everywhere. This is an irrational response that seems unable to separate the reality of the Middle East from a need to place blame on someone. 

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups in the mid-east are heavily financed and encouraged by Iran, and it is there that the blame lies.  

I am of the firm belief that if Iran was not in the political picture, Palestinians and Jews could live peacefully together side by side with both prospering.  

Those left-wing activists who worry about the long-suffering Palestinians need to place the blame for the violence where it belongs--at the feet of the Islamic Republic of Iran.         


We've Got Trouble 

How much do you know about 

politics? Are you comfortable talking about it with other people? A poll conducted in May by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy says a large majority of Americans (75%) endorse Democracy, but only 16% feel they can talk about politics with anyone.  

About 64 % say they can NOT talk about politics with some people, and 13% say they specifically avoid discussions about politics completely. 

In other words, two thirds of all Americans self- censor themselves among co-workers or family when it comes to discussions about politics. 

Poll: Majority of Americans embrace democracy, but most self-censor political speech | MPR News


Even though they don't talk about politics, only 3% of Democrats and 5% of Republicans say they are uninterested in politics. That number jumps to 16% among Independents.

What's the most surprising answer on this poll? This one: 25% of Americans who responded do not think Democracy is the best form of government. 


Moving Out!

Have you moved lately?  There are some interesting statistics on state-to-state migration for 2021 during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

The U.S. Census Bureau says 7.9 million people moved between states in 2021, up from 7.4 million in 2019. 

You would think with more people working at home during the pandemic, many people might move out of the big city to the far suburbs or rural areas. And indeed, highly populated states like California, Texas and Florida did have the highest state-to-state flow. 

Most people who moved out of California for example, headed for Texas, the largest flow between any two states, while most of the people moving out of Florida headed to neighboring Georgia. 

Some other general observations from the Census figures show most of those moving to Florida came from New York, but the largest flow out of New York moved to New Jersey. 


These moves not only have an impact on the work force but could also play into the 2024 presidential race. 

There will be a lot of analysis now to determine if blue states go more blue and red states go more red. But it appears most out-of-state moves came from northeastern states or those in the west, with the south and mid-west gaining population. You can check out the link for greater detail.

Going With the Flow: State-to-State Migration (census.gov)


Isn't This Un-American?

I am not very fond of homeowner associations. 

(The flag outside my home 
last Memorial Day)
Your home is your castle, and some of the HOAs can be ridiculous on rules with such things as the color of your front door or the length of your grass. But the one I heard about this week goes way beyond community enhancement, tidiness or bans on parking on the grass.  

People buying 43 new homes in a new North Carolina neighborhood will be REQUIRED to fly the U.S. flag in front of their homes at ALL TIMES. 

The developer, Brock Fankhauser, says he's not aligned with any political party or any political candidates, but he just wants his new community, called Gastonia, to be "where patriotism lives."  

The community is designed for residents 55 and older. 

Yes, the people who buy the homes will know about this rule, so there's no deception or anything. But somehow, to me, forcing someone to fly "The Stars and Stripes" is just as bad as forcing someone to burn it. 

    A North Carolina developer is selling parcels of land to 'patriots' and will require them to fly the American flag (msn.com)

When I bought my current house, it came with a flagpole and a flag the neighbors told me the previous owner had been flying steadily with no respite for over a decade. It was faded and was frayed at the end. The first thing I did was take it down and give it a proper burial. 

I put a flag up on certain holidays, like July 4th, Labor Day and Election Day. But that is my preference, not a mandate. Being forced to do so, even if you sign up for it, just doesn't seem like the American thing to do. As I have written here before in past blogs, patriotism--love of country--is expressed in many ways besides flying the flag. 

I won't be visiting Gastonia any time in the future. It seems a bit creepy to me. 


Dumbest Quote of The Week!

I couldn't find a dumb quote this week from anyone but Donald Trump, and since most of what comes out of his mouth is gobbledygook, I decided not to bore you with it. The holiday kind of got in the way of my search. I am sure I will find a dumb quote in the coming week.  

(Your comments and suggestions for this blog are welcome, see comment section below)  


 My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes. 


                                                 
You can purchase Communications and Public Speaking Trends in the 21st Century at these two links: 


or straight from the Publisher at:  



My other recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at:

HankSilverberg@gmail.com  for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)                       

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796




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