Excellent post. It would be useful to insert something about the first Intifada/Oslo into this narrative. From an American Jewish perspective (my own) reports of the cruel suppression of the first intifada shook American Jews in a way Sabra and Shatila did not. The peace process was then seen as a generous opening to historic enemies. As hopes faded for that, many liberal Jews (and I would say Reform/Reconstructionist/Conservative were all leaning liberal) shifted to "we all pray for peace." There was always some opposition to this from the right--I remember my rabbi was heckled during high holy day services when she said something like "we pray for the Israeli victims of the conflict and we pray for the Palestinian victims of the conflicts" and there were tiny numbers of left critics, but nothing like the intense, and intergenerational conflict that has opened up since October 7.
Wasn't the existential nature of the Six Day War later admitted to be a propaganda narrative? I think plenty of government and military officials have said as such since then.
Small point, but 1967 would surely not count as a significant defeat for Lebanon, which was barely involved and lost no territory.
fair enough!
Excellent post. It would be useful to insert something about the first Intifada/Oslo into this narrative. From an American Jewish perspective (my own) reports of the cruel suppression of the first intifada shook American Jews in a way Sabra and Shatila did not. The peace process was then seen as a generous opening to historic enemies. As hopes faded for that, many liberal Jews (and I would say Reform/Reconstructionist/Conservative were all leaning liberal) shifted to "we all pray for peace." There was always some opposition to this from the right--I remember my rabbi was heckled during high holy day services when she said something like "we pray for the Israeli victims of the conflict and we pray for the Palestinian victims of the conflicts" and there were tiny numbers of left critics, but nothing like the intense, and intergenerational conflict that has opened up since October 7.
Thanks for this. Will respond soon.
Wasn't the existential nature of the Six Day War later admitted to be a propaganda narrative? I think plenty of government and military officials have said as such since then.
Nice to get such clarity about the history and future of Israel. The comparison is so helpful. Thank you, Shaul.