Reply #59: then I and millions of Jews worldwide don't get it apparently

[shira]

1. I don't see the soldier blaming this man. It's Hamas who is to blame, just like Noa wrote in her letter which you also didn't like. So apparently, it wouldn't have really helped if this soldier laid 100% blame on Palestinian extremist leadership.

2. That this soldier wasn't also critical of Israel didn't seem to make a difference WRT Noa's letter. In her letter, she wrote she has been very critical of Israel and extremists. She takes responsibility for that but you still object to her letter. So even if this soldier wrote like Noa, it wouldn't have made a difference.

3. I really don't get this "rockets don't pose an existential threat, so..." business. You recognize they are horrifying, so why can't you try putting yourself in the shoes of people in southern Israel who live with this horrifying threat every day? You know it's not just Jews but also many Arabs living in the region who are also affected? We all have no problem putting ourselves in Palestinian's shoes....so why not also victims who happen to be Israelis, whether Arab or Jew?

Hamas fired 300 rockets Christmas week and outsiders are to tell the million or so residents of southern Israel to just "take it", hope for the best, and condescendingly tell them that they basically have it coming considering the state of Israel's policy? It seems it's fine to say that, but to turn it around on Palestinians - well that's just so unkosher!

4. It seems highly hypocritcal for liberals to have to feel forced to treat Hamas with a gentle touch when, OTOH, liberals should feel free to declare open season on Israel and criticize their society and leadership.

5. It also seems highly hypocritical for liberals outside of Israel to feel free to preach and speak condescendingly about Israel and Israelis, while not being allowed to do so against Palestinians. And it's worse with Israelis! They can be highly critical of their society, but they can't do that WRT Palestinian society - especially when Palestinians have no voice in their society and DEPEND on outsiders to speak up for them against their Hamas oppressors? Okay, fine - if it's repulsive to hear about Israelis criticizing Palestinian society, then let's help them out and do that for them so THEY won't offend. Who else do you see standing up for Palestinians against Hamas? I see no one else doing this.

I'm still puzzled with this mentality that what's good for the goose is not good for the gander. What's with this blatant double-standard? Can you please explain it?