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Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden
Psychology, Medicine, Science, Politics, Oppression, Integrity, Philosophy, Jews -- For those who like their news and truths frank and sharp

1001 Palestinian Nights

How a peace activist tells us stories

Read this interview. The less you know about Israel, the more you’ll be impressed. Especially Jews not trained in hasbara because we’re so naïve.

Then, read the following great number of points that show clearly that the sweet-talking self-identified Palestinian peace activist isn’t what he seems.

I’m not claiming that it sounds too good to be true. I’m not saying that his story is not the whole story. I’m showing you, it’s all smoke and mirrors.

It’s one thing to bring hasbara to counter angry liars about Israel. But no less important is to point out the lies of any sweet-talking con artists.

Reading the lengthy interview with the multinational entrepreneur, one sees he doesn’t want peace. What he really wants is for Barghouti (the mass murderer) and Dachlan (the prime Abbas critic) to take over the Palestinian leadership and a Palestinian State next to Israel—first lie.

He is never tired of equalizing Israelis and Palestinians. Both see each other as enemies. “Both sides need to return to moderation.” Blab bla bla. Sounds so hopeful. It’s not. The Palestinian side was never moderate. In the first place, he fails to acknowledge that Jew-hatred alone is responsible for all trouble. Remember Trump’s “Very nice people—on both sides”?

Then, unbelievably, he blames the PA leadership (Abbas) dictatorial reign on … you guessed it: Israel. We keep Abbas in charge because it’s better than nothing. And October 7 he blames on … a deal breaker if there ever was one … on Israel trying to control Gaza. Unbelievable. We gave them independence, they tried to mass murder us, and we dared to object.

He says he’s well-connected with 90% of Israel’s Jewish political leaders and knows them better than they know themselves because they don’t talk to each other. That shows him as an outsider, or at least, he uses a stereotype the innocent public might believe in if they don’t know Israeli politics in depth. Lapid and Netanyahu may say nasty things about each other to journalists and TV crews, but they still talk to each other.

Beware of all the pipe dreams, fairytales, mirages, and fraud.

He doesn’t talk about the billions of aid stolen by all Palestinian leaders. He ignores that the problem is not being Arab or Muslim but extremist Islam. He doesn’t even acknowledge Jews and Muslims. He doesn’t talk about the Jew-hatred among the populations on the West Bank and in Gaza and how that is much less among the Muslims who live generations already in democratic Israel. He ignores the lessons to be learned from failed peace processes and Oct. 7. He doesn’t point out that even Muslim-Israeli Members of Knesset are unwilling to take responsibility. Let’s solve that first. He doesn’t differentiate between the different Gentile groups in Israel. He doesn’t acknowledge Israeli Muslims who are worthy members of society. Because he only wants his terrorist friends in the saddle.

He says that Abbas incites against Israel because he’s stupid. That’s not stupid. He hates Jews. He ignores that hostility of some Arab leaders around Israel and the hatred in some populations alongside Israel. He ignores there is no space and no need for a Palestinian State when you appreciate Jews. He doesn’t seem to want all Jews dead. But he wants all Palestinians under his thumb. He doesn’t specify a democratic Palestine.

Elsewhere, he argues that the creation of a Palestinian State “would isolate Iran’s proxies and agents in the region.” How would that stop (nuclear) Iran, Chamas, Islamic Jihad, Chezbollah, the Houthis, Turkey, and their allies from trying to destroy the Jewish State? Obviously, it would not.

He writes about the devastation of Gaza (we never sought war) and completely ignores the over a million Israelis driven from their homes by rockets from Gaza and Chezbollah—to target civilians is a war crime. When Chamas’s human shields die, that’s collateral damage, not targeting civilians. The IDF transported over a million Gazans out of harm’s way, to the chagrin of Chamas. This ‘peace activist’ has no praise for the IDF.

He also reported he journeyed to K’far Aza to pay his condolences “on behalf of myself and Palestinians, to share with the Israelis the grief, sadness, and sorrow of [sic] everything that has happened since that dark day.” Who made him a spokesperson for “Palestinians”? No condemnation of the pogrom. Is heartbroken about “everything that has happened since [sic] that dark day.” Missing is: “on that dark day.”

“We both need to acknowledge the moral responsibility of our actions and of actions committed by members of our communities. We Palestinians have the moral responsibility of whatever was done on October 7 by any Palestinian in our name, and with that same logic, Israelis bear the moral responsibility of all the civilian losses and destruction that is still happening in Gaza today.” As if Jews should apologize for all WWII German deaths.

“Now, and before it is too late, we have a small window to end all the madness and exit toward peace. All the stars are aligning now. The International community has placed the Middle East at the top of its agenda with unprecedented diplomatic efforts to push all sides toward new political horizons. The Saudis signaled clearly their intention to normalize with Israel, and all the other Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE are willing to be engaged into a new regional arrangement that will be able to guarantee security to Israelis and national aspirations to Palestinians. The time for peace is now.” And now reality.

Chamas attacked after Abbas protested the Saudis wanting to make peace with Israel. “How about us?” There is no Israeli madness—speak for yourself. The Palestinian dictators and Jew-haters around the world try to use world opinion and the “International community” to push for a terror state next to Israel. Chamas is not pushed at all. No, a time of peace comes after dismantling Chamas, Islamic Jihad, Chezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, etc.

To hell with consistency. One-and-a-half year ago he said: “Facts on the ground do not support two states living side by side [anymore].”

On Economic peace, he wrote two years ago: “A Myth Distancing Peace and Prolonging the Occupation: The slogan “shrinking the conflict” aims at strengthening the occupation by prioritizing Israel’s interests and its expansionist policy over the attainment of Palestinian rights.” Does that sound like a peace activist? The article was removed but this intro not.

Only three years ago, he threatened an intifada. The WWW’s memory.

Before October 7, he did use the word pogrom. It was about ‘settlers’ allegedly (he had no facts) murdering one Arab. He lied that Israeli Arabs were not welcome at the demonstrations against the legal reforms by the government. Well, I saw them, even with ISIS flags. He has no shame.

Even three days ago, he didn’t have one straight answer to: Why can’t you just say that it’s wrong for the PA to pay salaries to the families of terrorists? How can three people who are not even in Ramallah or the West Bank be part of an alternative Palestinian leadership? The security forces of Fatah / PA cannot deal with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Tulkarm or Nablus [DG—in Judea Samara, West Bank]. Why would they be able to deal with Hamas in Gaza? Given what happened on October 7, how can the Israeli public possibly trust the Palestinians? Why was there not one Palestinian leader who on October 7th stood up and denounced the attacks? If you and your group were to win the Palestinian Presidency, what would you change? You say that Hamas should give its weapons over to the new Palestinian leadership in Gaza? Do you think they would actually do that? Why would Hamas let you rule Gaza? Why wouldn’t they fight against you, too? If we get out of Gaza and rockets start flying over my head again, what should we do? Just stay out? It wasn’t Israel that tossed Fatah out of Gaza; it was Hamas. How could Israel be certain that Hamas wouldn’t throw out whoever tries to rule Gaza? (See below clip.)

He speaks so removed from reality that he credits Sadat (alone) for coming to the Knesset and warming Israelis’ hearts. Begin, he fails to remark. He doesn’t mention that Begin could not travel to Egypt. Sadat didn’t change us. We never had trouble with Muslims. Many Muslims could not stand us.

He claims that both sides teach their children to hate the other side. Big difference. Palestinian side: Live to kill Jews. Jews: Never trust a Goy. He says a baby that died on Oct. 7 and that dies now in Gaza are both tragedies. Yes, but the prior one was targeted, while the latter one was an accident or purposely used by Chamas and Islamic Jihad as human shield.

He lies, lies, and lies. The Second Intifada murdered 1000+ Israelis (with people I knew, and I escaped only by the skin of my teeth—Job 19:20) and maimed 1000s. The only reason it stopped was it became too bloody for them since we killed anyone ready to kill us. It was not because the hatred had diminished. Arab Israelis, since Oct. 7, became less radical, more Israeli than Palestinian, but not Arabs in Gaza or on the West Bank. He claims Abbas failed to stop Chamas. No, Gazans voted Chamas in. And Abbas annulled the West Bank elections (again) not to lose to Chamas.

He blames Israel and Chamas equally. Only immoral people speak like that.

Not long ago, he refused to condemn Palestinian violence, over and over again, and he still does. It’s supposedly the anger that we caused them.

Not so long ago, he called Jordanian soldiers who fell in 1967 “martyred.”

He may mean well. I can’t look into his heart. But he speaks too little truth to bring progress—nice try to empower Barghouti and Dachlan. No way.

About the Author
MM is a prolific and creative writer and thinker, previously a daily blog contributor to the TOI. He often makes his readers laugh, mad, or assume he's nuts—close to perfect blogging. He's proud that his analytical short comments are removed both from left-wing and right-wing news sites. None of his content is generated by the new bore on the block, AI. * As a frontier thinker, he sees things many don't yet. He's half a prophet. Half. Let's not exaggerate. Or not at all because he doesn't claim G^d talks to him. He gives him good ideas—that's all. MM doesn't believe that people observe and think in a vacuum. He, therefore, wanted a broad bio that readers interested can track a bit what (lack of) backgrounds, experiences, and educations contribute to his visions. * This year, he will prioritize getting his unpublished books published rather than just blog posts. Next year, he hopes to focus on activism against human extinction. To find less-recent posts on a subject XXX among his over 2000 archived ones, go to the right-top corner of a Times of Israel page, click on the search icon and search "zuiden, XXX". One can find a second, wilder blog, to which one may subscribe too, here: https://mmvanzuiden.wordpress.com/ or by clicking on the globe icon next to his picture on top. * Like most of his readers, he believes in being friendly, respectful, and loyal. However, if you think those are his absolute top priorities, you might end up disappointed. His first loyalty is to the truth. He will try to stay within the limits of democratic and Jewish law, but he won't lie to support opinions or people when don't deserve that. (Yet, we all make honest mistakes, which is just fine and does not justify losing support.) He admits that he sometimes exaggerates to make a point, which could have him come across as nasty, while in actuality, he's quite a lovely person to interact with. He holds - how Dutch - that a strong opinion doesn't imply intolerance of other views. * Sometimes he's misunderstood because his wide and diverse field of vision seldomly fits any specialist's box. But that's exactly what some love about him. He has written a lot about Psychology (including Sexuality and Abuse), Medicine (including physical immortality), Science (including basic statistics), Politics (Israel, the US, and the Netherlands, Activism - more than leftwing or rightwing, he hopes to highlight reality), Oppression and Liberation (intersectionally, for young people, the elderly, non-Whites, women, workers, Jews, LGBTQIA+, foreigners and anyone else who's dehumanized or exploited), Integrity, Philosophy, Jews (Judaism, Zionism, Holocaust and Jewish Liberation), the Climate Crisis, Ecology and Veganism, Affairs from the news, or the Torah Portion of the Week, or new insights that suddenly befell him. * Chronologically, his most influential teachers are his parents, Nico (natan) van Zuiden and Betty (beisye) Nieweg, Wim Kan, Mozart, Harvey Jackins, Marshal Rosenberg, Reb Shlomo Carlebach, and, lehavdil bein chayim lechayim, Rabbi Dr. Natan Lopes Cardozo, Rav Zev Leff, and Rav Meir Lubin. This short list doesn't mean to disrespect others who taught him a lot or a little. One of his rabbis calls him Mr. Innovation [Ish haChidushim]. Yet, his originalities seem to root deeply in traditional Judaism, though they may grow in unexpected directions. In fact, he claims he's modernizing nothing. Rather, mainly basing himself on the basic Hebrew Torah text, he tries to rediscover classical Jewish thought almost lost in thousands of years of stifling Gentile domination and Jewish assimilation. (He pleads for a close reading of the Torah instead of going by rough assumptions of what it would probably mean and before fleeing to Commentaries.) This, in all aspects of life, but prominently in the areas of Free Will, Activism, Homosexuality for men, and Redemption. * He hopes that his words will inspire and inform, and disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. He aims to bring a fresh perspective rather than harp on the obvious and familiar. When he can, he loves to write encyclopedic overviews. He doesn't expect his readers to agree. Rather, original minds should be disputed. In short, his main political positions are among others: anti-Trumpism, for Zionism, Intersectionality, non-violence, anti those who abuse democratic liberties, anti the fake ME peace process, for original-Orthodoxy, pro-Science, pro-Free Will, anti-blaming-the-victim, and for down-to-earth, classical optimism, and happiness. Read his blog on how he attempts to bridge any tensions between those ideas or fields. * He is a fetal survivor of the pharmaceutical industry (https://diethylstilbestrol.co.uk/studies/des-and-psychological-health/), born in 1953 to his parents who were Dutch-Jewish Holocaust survivors who met in the largest concentration camp in the Netherlands, Westerbork. He grew up a humble listener. It took him decades to become a speaker too, and decades more to admit to being a genius. But his humility was his to keep. And so was his honesty. Bullies and con artists almost instantaneously envy and hate him. He hopes to bring new things and not just preach to the choir. * He holds a BA in medicine (University of Amsterdam) – is half a doctor. He practices Re-evaluation Co-counseling since 1977, is not an official teacher anymore, and became a friendly, powerful therapist. He became a social activist, became religious, made Aliyah, and raised three wonderful kids. Previously, for decades, he was known to the Jerusalem Post readers as a frequent letter writer. For a couple of years, he was active in hasbara to the Dutch-speaking public. He wrote an unpublished tome about Jewish Free Will. He's a strict vegan since 2008. He's an Orthodox Jew but not a rabbi. * His writing has been made possible by an allowance for second-generation Holocaust survivors from the Netherlands. It has been his dream since he was 38 to try to make a difference by teaching through writing. He had three times 9-out-of-10 for Dutch at his high school finals but is spending his days communicating in English and Hebrew - how ironic. G-d must have a fine sense of humor. In case you wonder - yes, he is a bit dyslectic. If you're a native English speaker and wonder why you should read from people whose English is only their second language, consider the advantage of having an original peek outside of your cultural bubble. * To send any personal reaction to him, scroll to the top of the blog post and click Contact Me. * His newest books you may find here: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AMoshe-Mordechai%2FMaurits+van+Zuiden&s=relevancerank&text=Moshe-Mordechai%2FMaurits+van+Zuiden&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1
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