How do you deal with Islam?

[JamieDimonsBalls]

JDB, unfortunately you are correct about the Western Jew approach not working for them against anti Semitism even in the West, much less in the Middle East.

Is it because they are naive or because they are misunderstood? Or is it the nationalism, religion, and all the other factors mentioned by you in your post about Amin Maalouf These factors seem to be the prevailing forces motivating how we conduct ourselves.

It's a good question hoot and one that I don't really have a good answer for. One thought is that part of it stems from the idea that they have been generally in decent socioeconomic positions and have more to lose than others in recent centuries (see Germany 1930s). Another could be the longevity of the religion and its historical struggles with so many ethnic and religious groups (e.g., Babylonians, Greeks/Macedonians, Romans, Christians, Muslims, Ottomans, etc.) has made Jews less interested in war and physical conflict.

Either way, the lack of standing up for themselves when things turn violent or go beyond verbal means, is troubling.

 

[hoot1]

It's a good question hoot and one that I don't really have a good answer for. One thought is that part of it stems from the idea that they have been generally in decent socioeconomic positions and have more to lose than others in recent centuries (see Germany 1930s). Another could be the longevity of the religion and its historical struggles with so many ethnic and religious groups (e.g., Babylonians, Greeks/Macedonians, Romans, Christians, Muslims, Ottomans, etc.) has made Jews less interested in war and physical conflict.

Either way, the lack of standing up for themselves when things turn violent or go beyond verbal means, is troubling.

JDB, cannot help but think the Jews who are a majority in Israel today look back at the Holocaust and say never again.

The never again thinking being that the Jews under Hitler were way too passive.

I for one can't blame them while at the same time wishing Jews and Muslims could somehow build Israel into a single state.

The two state solution never made sense to me. My Hebrew friends in this country are proud of their heritage which includes being acceptive to those with other faiths.

They also forgive those who may be anti-Semitic if a business deal can be made.. The best deal to be made in Israel for both the Muslims and Jews is a single state solution.