No words

I'm not sure what to call this chat.

I'm not even sure if it's one I'll post or if I'll simply write it to get stuff off my chest. Guess if you're reading it, I posted it.

I'm confused. I'm upset. I'm hurt. I'm frustrated. I'm hiding. I'm unsure.

I'm Jewish. I'm hurting. I'm embarrassed. I'm bewildered. I'm scared. I'm concerned.

Suddenly, a few friends and I have very different beliefs and ideologies about what's going on in the Middle East.

We've gone from having coffees and chatting, to me deleting their FB commentaries (and feeling like I can't comment on the subject as others post)

How did we go from smiling acquaintances to such opposing sides? Do they even realise?

The Middle East situation is horrid - on that we all agree.

Tears over a dead body are the same tears.

Blood spilt is blood spilt.

We are all absolutely entitled to our opinions, and of course they will vary however, what is confusing and worrying is that well can no longer lump radicals into the 'uneducated, brain washed' group. Some are very well educated, well travelled people, people who have befriended a rainbow of cultures are very open about their personal beliefs that Jews deserve to be killed, and that Israel has no right to exist and that everything that can be done to make this happen should be done.

I know this because my well educated, well travelled friends have told me so thru their various FB posts.

Their recents posts have caused me huge amounts of stress as they post images from various media outlets, their network of friends and others. I've been Googling some of what's being presented, so I can see for myself if in fact there's some basis of truth, or if it's merely propaganda. I have to say, some of what I've learnt has been a rude awakening for me in some instances.

Don't get me wrong, my Jewish friends have also been posting stuff .... have to say, it's less graphic and doesn't call for the death of anyone. The messages are still very strongly worded, with paragraphs of the argument for/against. Again I found myself Googling some of what's being presented, so I can see for myself if in fact there's some basis of truth, or if it's merely propaganda. I have to say, some of what I've learnt has been a rude awakening for me in some instances.

No side in war is immune from inhumane treatment of the 'other side'.

No side in war is innocent.

Google 'genocide' and there is too much information - it's been going on for centuries. We all know it's wrong, but that hasn't stopped regime after regime stomping on others.

Google Israel Palestine conflict and there's been an infinite number of words written on the subject. It's hard to decipher fact from fiction these days, but if you dig around, read as much as possible you can come up with a constant theme.

This is not a political chat at all.

It's an emotional plea, from a one human being to anyone who's reading this - somehow, regardless of why it stated, it has to stop.

It's been a few days since I wrote the above, and since then Israel has started a ground invasion into Gaza. To the horror and disgust of viewers, CNN's reporter and camera crew stood in front of a group of young Israelis' watching the initial bombs light up the sky over Gaza and cheered as if they were watching a firework celebration.

It was disgusting!

It happens, but to what benefit other than to incite more hatred does it serve to show it on global TV?

No side in war is innocent.

No side in war is immune from inhumane treatment of the 'other side'

THEN a Malaysian airlines plane is 'shot down' by rebel forces in Ukraine and like most people I could not take anymore.

My heart is really heavy.

What sort of a world are 'we' leaving our kids?

I'm not sure why I'm chatting about this.

I'm nervous about what tags to use as they will attract readers and while I can veto every comment that comes in and choose to publish, or not, I'm not sure I want that attention.

So, for the first time in a long time, no tags.

This is just a chat between you and me, those friends who have chosen to subscribe to ms-havachat, and no one else.

With friendship
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