I'm sympathetic to the Palestinians. I believe that the October 7 attacks by Hamas were unequivocally an act of terror against Israel. The response by Israel in Gaza has horrifying. As I have listened closely to Israeli speakers and media, it has become clear Israel is going to conduct ethnic cleansing, and has successfully accomplished that in Northern Gaza. I further believe that Israelis and Palestinians have the right to exist peacefully, the right of self defense, and with full self determination for each State. The implementation of the Balfour Proclamation by the British created a set of problems, that will unlikely be reconciled in our lifetimes.
Turning to America. A majority of younger Americans particularly on the left support the Palestinians. **This demographic of Americans needs no additional persuasion, they are committed in their support.
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Looking at the protests the symbology, the tactics, the messaging seems to be ENTIRELY ORIENTED at the groups who already support Palestine. In the past few weeks I've observed blocked traffic, defacing monuments with graffiti, destruction of United States Flags, and in the past few days disruption of Christmas events. In this unsourced image in a Twitter post by Visegrad, the protestor is holding up a sign proclaiming "FUCK YOUR TREE". The protestor holding the sign appears to be wearing a headdress and scarf associated with a Middle Eastern group or region.
Given the youthful left in America is already persuaded, this means that other segments of Americans would need to be persuaded to achieve a critical threshold, to pressure the U.S. Government into intervening for Palestinians.
The angry messaging here creates the opposite effect. It generates psychological resistance in Christians, older Americans, and Conservatives. Protestors who want to support the Palestinians should understand that can only be achieved by creating overwhelming empathy. Consider that Americans have largely been persuaded that much of the Islamic World absolutely hates American Democracy, and Christianity. There is a barrier to overcome. Disrespecting Christmas reinforces existing biases and fears in America, and generates needless resentment.
I**f you are passionate about any cause and take up activism, the first question you should ask is "Do my actions support or detract from achieving my desired goal ?" **
Why was this messaging so poorly constructed? It could be:
- Ideological blindness, the protestor found the message moving and assumed others would also.
- Lack of cultural awareness - the protestor may lack the understanding that a disrespect to Christmas is often interpreted as a disrespect to Christians.
- The protestor was protesting as a form of disruption or personal validation, and being persuasive on behalf the Palestinians wasn't his objective.
The various segments of America seem to be losing the ability to speak with and persuade each other. Many have confused displays of angry emotion with useful action.
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