Sometimes friends do very stupid things that are likely to get themselves badly hurt. But if you tell them this, there is always the risk they will never listen to you again. Watching the growing support for Hamas amongst Palestinians puts me in this same double bind. I think that most people who have lived in America or spent much time talking with Israelis know that Hamas will only bring harm to Palestinians. But pro-Palestinian activists often say nothing of this out of respect for Palestinian self-determination. The problem is it seems we just as often do not say anything because we want to be part of a movement and activist movements can be very hard on dissenters. It is especially hard to be rejected by both the culture from which we come and that which we seek to protect. But the failure to speak up for these reasons is morally bankrupt, and I apologize to my Palestinian friends for those times I have valued your friendship over your safety. I think I have many more friends who should share in this apology. From the point of view of someone who grew up in America and has some family in Israel, the growing Palestinian support for Hamas looks like a friend putting a gun to his head and cocking the trigger. Those of us who do not want to see his brains on the floor should explain to him the folly of his ways. If we are unwilling to do this we should stop pretending we are his friends.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 06:58:38 +0000
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