Though I'm angry with Israel right now, because of their romance with Trump, I don't like seeing artists or other entities pressured to boycott Israel. I also don't like seeing people giving into the pressure.
Israel doesn't treat Palestinians as well as they should, though the same could be said vice-versa. Both groups need to treat each other better.
But what is so special about Israel?
If we're going to pressure a rock star not to have a concert in Israel, shouldn't we also pressure them not to have a concert in the United States? Do they want to support a country where police kill unarmed black men and suffer no significant consequences? Do they want to support a country whose president is a gaslighter accused multiple times of sexual assault? Do they want to support a country that's enacting policies that are antagonistic and harmful towards Muslims, Mexicans, women, etc?
And how about Australia? Is there pressure to boycott that country for their abusive treatment of asylum seekers or their mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians?
Maybe there are requests for boycotts, and I don't see it because I'm looking in the wrong place. Or maybe the voices aren't as loud, persistent, and persuasive as the ones demanding a boycott of Israel.
I've been angry with Israel the past few days, but the thing I have to keep reminding myself is, it's the GOVERNMENT not the people in general.
Well, yeah. Sometimes there are people in the general population who are shitty. It happens in all countries. So if boycotting makes us feel we're doing something helpful, I suggest targeting the individuals and not an entire country. But if one feels the need to boycott Israel, they should also boycott many other countries...probably including the one they live in.
Israel doesn't treat Palestinians as well as they should, though the same could be said vice-versa. Both groups need to treat each other better.
But what is so special about Israel?
If we're going to pressure a rock star not to have a concert in Israel, shouldn't we also pressure them not to have a concert in the United States? Do they want to support a country where police kill unarmed black men and suffer no significant consequences? Do they want to support a country whose president is a gaslighter accused multiple times of sexual assault? Do they want to support a country that's enacting policies that are antagonistic and harmful towards Muslims, Mexicans, women, etc?
And how about Australia? Is there pressure to boycott that country for their abusive treatment of asylum seekers or their mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians?
Maybe there are requests for boycotts, and I don't see it because I'm looking in the wrong place. Or maybe the voices aren't as loud, persistent, and persuasive as the ones demanding a boycott of Israel.
I've been angry with Israel the past few days, but the thing I have to keep reminding myself is, it's the GOVERNMENT not the people in general.
Well, yeah. Sometimes there are people in the general population who are shitty. It happens in all countries. So if boycotting makes us feel we're doing something helpful, I suggest targeting the individuals and not an entire country. But if one feels the need to boycott Israel, they should also boycott many other countries...probably including the one they live in.
What would our world be like if we
knew for sure there
was life after death, and
we could easily talk to our
dearly-departed on the Internet?
The Dead are Online a novel by Dina Roberts
