Israel — Palestine — How do you decide what’s truth or lies?
Do you use FACTS or CONTEXT? Do you Use Beliefs or Morals?
As individuals decide to take up the cause of “Palestinian Liberation” I wonder what fuels their passion?
When it comes to Israel, and “Palestinian Liberation” many folks say they don’t know enough to have a strong opinion about what is currently happening. Some say it feels too complicated.
Some say they don’t know enough but from a humanitarian perspective the killing should stop. ‘It’s just too awful.’
Then there are those who have whole heartedly adopted the cause of Palestinian Liberation arguing the now common recitations of stolen land and so on. One of the most indicative cries of ignorance — ‘go back to where you came from’.
So If you are curious or uncomfortable where can you start?
Case 1. Mainstream Media? Can ‘mainstream’ media demonstrate bias or get facts wrong? Yes, too often.
Case 2. Can human rights groups & NGO’s show the way? The most well known have taken up the cause of ‘liberation’ yet without the rigor required to recognize their own biases. This from the well known. Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Case 3. Can the UN be trusted? Not really. Facts are useful for understanding a war and taking stands. How do you vet your own knowledge? What do you accept as valid?
Case 4. When does context matter? Does history matter; how far back? Based on … facts? Perspectives … shaped by beliefs?
Case 5. The ‘Activism’ Left. What activates it? Enthralled to be part of ‘righteous’ history? The glow of belonging to this in-group of such savvy folks? Fueled by confirmation bias? Do you understand how righteous indignation is its own kind of addiction.
