Gaza, Who Doesn’t Love a Beachfront Resort?

~Shabbat Shalom~
Inconvenient Truths
We needed a plan
To resolve this mess
That was “Out of the Box”
Who doesn’t love a
Beachfront Resort?

JEWISH LAW & EXPERIENCE
Our ethics require Us to take
A closer look…
We didn’t like it when
Actions were taken without Our
Consent through the centuries!

Photographer clandestinely photographing the deportation of Jews from the Łódź ghetto. by Aryeh Ben-Menachem Yad Vashem Archives

Jewish Moral Codes
That this “solution” violates:

K’vod Ha-B’riot: The Honor of all People
Treat everyone with respect for human dignity

Mishpat: Justice and Fairness
Treat everyone with fairness
REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE

Chesed v’ Rachamim: Kindness & Compassion
Helping Others in Need—We cannot look the other way.

Prohibition of Oppression: “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9)

Oops, many think we should read this again.

Interpersonal Respect: Hillel, “What is hateful to yourself, do not do to your fellowman.”

A Torah scroll that the Nazis stole from a Czech congregation on display at The Memorial Scrolls Trust in London. (Courtesy of the European Union for Progressive Judaism via JTA)

Did anyone notice that the Arab countries
Refused to take in Gazan refugees?

Destroyed residential buildings damaged by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza Strip, Jan22,25 AP Photo Abdel Kareem Hana

Why?

• Security Concerns: Infiltration of terrorists and militant groups who without a miracle, don’t have any intention of dropping their desire to inhabit all of the land from the river to the sea. Potentially bringing death and destruction to their countries—would you welcome them?

• Economic Strain: Financial & geographical burden to host more refugees. Supporting evacuees is expensive beyond finances. Where will they live? Would you import a housing shortage? Gazans suffer from P.T.S.D. which would require significant mental health resources. If those needs are ignored, the impact would be unnecessarily ugly.

• Political Sensitivities: Extraordinarily complex and sensitive, besides doubting that they would ever go home. Jordan is approximately half Palestinian—would Israel suggest there already is a Palestinian state called Jordan?

• International Pressure: Arab countries want to maintain relationships with Israel and Western countries. They don’t want to deal with more of their population demanding cutting ties with established, mutually beneficial friends.

• Historical Context: After the never-ending Palestinian refugees’ impact on their countries, why would they want devasted Gazans to add to the mix without a scheduled end date?

Palestinian refugees in Arab countries
After decades still live in overcrowded refugee camps,
Depend on subsistence from UN agencies for essential services
including education, healthcare, and waste management.
They have few job opportunities and restrictions on working.
Gazans haven’t been offered even tents.

With friends like those…

Did anyone notice we don’t hear about
Palestinian and now, Gazan mistreatment
from their Arab brethren on the news?

Afterall, we must save
those precious minutes
to criticize and demonize Israel. Oy.

Figure 3 A man carries a sack of donated flour distributed by UNRWA at the Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Tuesday December 3, 2024.(AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Are there attractive points to the deal?
Perhaps.
If Gazans & Israelis
participate in the planning, implementation,
and each benefit from the agreement
Living safely in Peace.

This is more than a business transaction.

World: Did anyone mention a missing state?

The complexities of the conflict
Are not easy to resolve

BUT
MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED!
RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!

How would you feel if these girls were your daughters?

An undated picture of four IDF surveillance soldiers held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, that was made public by their families on July 16, 2024. Behind them is a framed picture of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. From left Liri Albag, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev. Courtesy

But look at what they’ve done to Us!
Yes, however we all live only in the Present.
Choose life!

The past can be a horror story
Don’t dwell there!

Neither side is going away…
Well, if they have anything to say about it.

What Others have done is no excuse to
Lower our own morality.

Move forward!
Negotiate with hearts & eyes wide open
Did the shock of the proposal
Shake Loose alternatives or Tighten perspectives?
Cling to similarities
We are human, neither pawns nor numbers.
Discuss differences honorably
These should not be novel concepts
Amen.

May You Live in Peace, שלום and سلام