Its perfectly valid to embrace judaism and be against illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza and West Bank and Israeli occupation of Gaza and the ethnic clensing happening in Gaza. Comparing this with converting to catholicism is kinda wild. Israel is a secular nation state, not a theocracy. It is possible to be a Jew and disagree with Israeli policies when it comes to the events in Gaza and West Bank.
Thank you. And as a historian that knows the Palestinians are from the same ancestors and those who were exiled two thousand years ago. He knows not all Jews at that time were exiled, and those folks assimilated into nearby communities and converted. I will never understand why accepting the basic premise that Palestinians are humans.
This is not the point of the video, its not even mentioned and certainly not compared to converting to catholicism? What video did you watch? You either didnt understand or youre being dishonest.
To be honest it is complicated and the current Israeli government isn't making it easy. The Palestinian narrative, with its selective history and outright lies, can be convincing to people who are not educated about history. Which is most people. There is also a well funded PR machine behind it including university funding, social media etc. It's ok to come out against the Israeli government but it's not ok to stand with fascists while doing that.
And some are free thinkers who do not take everything learned for granted. I am relatively new to Judaism. Raised Catholic, but DNA says Ashkenazi. As a NATO media consultant, exit strategy is a possibility. Not my choice, but a possibility. Ask Bibi who wrote the underlying thesis to the Abraham Accords.>>>--->
Choose not to understand? Please inform me what I am missing. I support Israel and the people of Israel. I support the people of Gaza, and don't like the treatment that they are receiving. If Egypt opened the border to allow the Northern Cana'anites to enter Southern Cana'an. Two states. Sainai and Israel.
@@JacintaPalerm I doubt he's lying, just misinformed. He is justifiably concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism that has accompanied the most recent Israeli genocide. But, as a scholar, he ought to know hoe to do his due diligence, which is lacking in this case.
@@pirbird14 Israel is defending itself from genocide. Hamas says very plainly that they want to kill all the Jews in the world. The Arabs would commit genocide if given the capability. Israel has the capability, but doesn't do it. The war would have been over immediately if the hostages were returned and the perpetrators were turned over. By putting pressure on Israel instead of Hamas, the protestors are prolonging of the war and causing the deaths of more Gazans. Israel has already offered to stop the war if the hostages are returned, but Hamas refuses.
I'm not Jewish & I find these protests disturbing on so many levels. I could never understand how the holocaust happened, but I'm now beginning to realize the true power of propaganda & it is frightening. Much love & support for the Jewish people & Israel.
The catholic church, aka Rome, taught in all the schools of catholic countries that the jews killed christ. This was because of classic roman mafia minded passing the buck thinking by pointing the finger of blame onto an involved party. It was the romans who killed him, for they strung him up. Not the jews. The protestant schools taught that the jews were the chosen. That is why the treatment of jews in protestant countries was kinder than the rest of europe. This dogma continued in catholic schools until 1965.
@@CatouMilou This propalestine protest industry is nothing more than pancorporate organised propaganda financed by the Muslim Brotherhood, Soros, and a host of other fundraising charities. They feed off the young student who is the most voracious rectangle user. Hitler always focused on the young, they are easier to influence.
Not 75 years: the governments of Israel were favorable to Palestinian sovereignty over the land acquired by Israel from Egypt and Jordan in the 1967 and 1973 wars, it was the growth in power and authority of the revisionist parties, beginning with the first government of Begin and continuing to the present date that has made this impossible. Jabotinsky, not Hamas was the first to say Israel should extend “from the river to the sea”; this continues to be the prevailing belief of his political descendants and it is they that should be criticized for the actions that has led to the indiscriminate deaths of Gazans. Not all Israelis believe as they do, fortunately, but it is a sad reality that enough of them voted to perpetuate this ideology by keeping these ideas in the majority of the MK’s. Until their ideology returns to a substantial minority in the Knesset we have to expect what we have sadly seen since October 8th. We all pray for the safe return of the hostages, both those taken on 10/7 and those taken long before them, as well as the return of a more humanitarian ideology to those who will lead Israel in the future.
@@laurenbethis Biden your daddy. How did that work out with Iran. You ever hear the story of the spider( hamas) and the frog (isreal ). The spider asked the frog for a ride over the creek. The frog said you will bite me. Spider said think about it, if do I would die too. Half why across the spider bites the frog. Frog goes why, spider said " it's my nature"
@@laurenbethArafat’s PLO was established in 1964, 3 years before the 6 Day War, with the aim of weakening the morale of the Jewish state through ongoing acts of terror both internally and externally. It can be said that they embodied the popular current slogan “globalize the intifada.” In turn, they were simply carrying on the same desire to eradicate the Jews espoused by the Grand Mufti before them. It had and continues to have nothing to do with who’s in power in the Knesset.
I am not Jewish, but this was so well and calmly explained by the Rabbi. If this message does not hit home for the intended audience, I am not sure what will. As a Christian New Zealander, I support Israel. 🙏
Colossians 3:11 New International Version 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Question for Mr. Abramson. Is it WRONG to protest Netanyahu's approach to the Palestinians? He's not very focused on freeing the hostages as opposed to killing Palestinians. You can support Israel AND oppose his mass slaughter of innocent Palestinians. If you say yes to my question, then I cannot trust you as a human being.
I think he's talking more about the current trend of protest going on throughout campuses. Most of these are not the kind Jews may want to be associated with. Besides the anti Semitic chants and flags they are calling for more than an end to the killing. I don't think he would have much issue if Jews protested Netanyahu's tactic specifically.
What innocent Palestinians? Over 70 percent voted in Hamas and many Gazans participated in the killing, raping, looting, and kidnapping of Israeli civilians.
Having empathy for others and putting oneself in their shoes is such an important and difficult thing to do. When Jews take an anti-Zionist stance, they're not helping Palestinians. They're just burning their own shoes.
@mebarsonebymaria4038 my point is that yes, we should put ourselves in Palestinians' shoes. Their suffering is real, and their aspirations for self-determination are valid. But that doesn't negate the validity of our own need for self-determination and security. These things are not mutually exclusive. Most of the protesters act as if they are.
@@Balagoola self-determination of the Palestinians is obstructed by the Israeli governments and the settlements. They make it mutually exclusive on purpose.
Thanks for stating what I feel every time an interview with a Jewish student participant makes front page news. Wisdom should be guided by the heart but still it must come from the brain. (There’s apparently no option for $18!)
Please remember that it was the government of Hamas that failed the people of Gaza, in a similar way that the Nazi government failed the German people. Neither government could get along with their neighbors (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, etc, with Hamas - all of Europe with the Nazis), but rather both governments wanted war, instead of pursuing peace in a way that benefited their people. Pursuing peaceful relationships with their neighbors that improved the quality of life for their peoples, like most governments do. It took a war to liberate the German people from the Nazi government and it's taking a war to liberate the people of Gaza from Hamas, unfortunately. "War is hell" is what General Sherman described and he is right. But sometimes we have to do it.
You missed Jorge’s point entirely. It’s not about the background of the war. It’s about the ideology behind both Germans and Gazans, irregardless of the war.
@@jrutt2675 Actually it was Germany (and Italy) who declared war on the US just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their axis agreement (Japan, Germany, and Italy) lead both of those nations to do so. Overall the US was preparing for war though. It was coming. FDR and other American leaders saw that. But I have to disagree that we "wanted it". The war came to America. We didn't go to the war.
205…Thank you dear professor, for your continued stand for our people. My heart breaks for this tragedy and the continued vilification of our people. Yet, you handled this exceptionally difficult subject with grace and true wisdom as always. Be blessed… shalom.
I agree. Without Israel, Jews who are persecuted have nowhere to go. Israel is not just a country, it is a homeland and a sanctuary. It should be defended.
@Andrew-ep4kw God's people are supposed to be HOLY and worship Elohim. Isaiah 14:1 The ANCIENT ISRAELITES was to allow the STRANGERS to live among them. The people in Israel want the land just for themselves, but yet, they want to also be able to be accepted in other lands.
@@CarollemMen-cl8nz 18% of Israeli citizens are Muslim Arab, so the current Israel meets the standards of the original Israel and Isaiah 14.1. Nice try.
You're much too respectful to those Jewish students and professors who side with those who seek our destruction. That said, you're a decent man for your composure
1. Where is the condemnation of Hamas? Of course what Hamas did is horrendous and inexcusable, but to act like protesting Israel means you support Hamas is absurd. In addition, where is the condemnation of the Nakba, or the condemnation of the Israelites killing every man woman and child in Jericho? 2. Why not call for peace with Israel? Ask Netanyahu that question! He has strongly opposed a two state solution for decades and actively fought against it. He was happy that Hamas won the election in Gaza because it created a division between the governing entities of Palestinians. That is why he facilitated the funding of Hamas to the order of millions of dollars over the years. 3. Get educated on the history of Israel: The most accurate data suggests that over 400,000 Muslims lived in the area that is now Israel when the Zionist movement first started. Those people's lives were massively disrupted by the influx of immigrants to the holy land. Considering that Palestinians and Israelis are genetically identical suggests that they were both decedents from the Canaanites and therefor the Palestinians are as native to that land as the Israelis. In fact many of them are the descendants of Jews who were forced to convert to Islam. Does forced conversion mean you no longer have a claim to the land where you live? 4. Most Jews who strongly support Israel seem to have a herd mentality that refuses to acknowledge the totality of history and chooses instead to cherry-pick a narrative that ignores the fundamental moral flaws of the zionist agenda. The reality is you cannot win against Hamas by bombing mostly women and children. You cannot win by systematically targeting journalists and aid workers. Those things only serve to strengthen Hamas. If Israel was wise they would have taken advantage of the massive world sympathy after Oct 7th and used it to create a coalition that took a nuanced approach that would work to offer a better ideology to Palestinians (not reinforce Hamas's ideology). They could have also used the international outpouring of support to invest in improved security and make countless meaningful deals with Arab countries. They could have won HUGE, but instead they took an approach that disproved all claims of moral superiority and the outcome has been unfolding as expected. Our tax dollars should not go towards such a reckless and counterproductive campaign of collective punishment and war crimes. If Israel wants the support of Jews let them earn it through wise policymaking, not through blind allegiance.
disturbing...but not hard to understand...They don't want to have the yolk of Torah Judaism and want to be in with what's trending. It's a win win for them.
Some people believe the earth is flat. Some people believe Trump is still president. Being Jewish apparently is not a guarantee for being able to tell what's right and what's wrong. As we know, belief can supersede reality and facts. The other part of this that you can do wrong things even while being right. The US didn't have to drop two atomic bombs on Japan. But the Allies were still in the right. Can you see the big picture is the question and the answer is many people can not. People don't have the right tools and knowledge to evaluate the situation and can easily get stuck in an echo chamber that reinforces their beliefs.
@@sl123slor they just see video after video after video of babies covered in blood in their mothers arms, newborns in the hospital covered in blood, reports that they are targeting hospitals and they have no power, reports that they are trying to block food, courts that they have kids in prison for doing things like writing poetry and having a flag, video after video of IDF soldiers beating little kids... basically all the stuff you probably are getting hidden from you. It's been the police who have been behaving over the top! Gaza is leveled, but we're supposed to think they're just doing targeted strikes as I DF makes videos mocking the fact children are starving. Why should people sit around and watch that and not trying to do something? We have freedom of speech in this country I thought. You have to search far, hard and wide to even find any anti-Semitic incidents. People are fighting for God's children. You don't get to choose where you were born. Kids are having their heads blown off, but we're supposed to be outraged about a Jewish student who was poked in the eye ON ACCIDENT and it's clear to me she was planned to be put out there. I have feeling there are some f eds protesting . This is being orchestrated to put into practice Free Speech laws that says if you say nearly anything negative about anyone Jewish it's a crime now being introduced in Congress as we speak...
Thank you for posting this. I am heartsick when I hear Jews condemning Israel, some of whom are within my own extended family. They can’t possibly really understand Jewish history.
Remember...four-fiths of the Jews died during Egypt's plague of darkness because they did not choose to follow Moshe's instructions from G-D. So, thousands of years later and here we are with Jews still not understanding their history or their purpose. Nothing new under the sun.
The Golden Rule so important to both Jew and Christian holds here in the division of the Palestinian Territory in 1948. There was gross unfairness there and NO maneuvering of the facts will change that. God Bless the young people of ALL faiths who see the truth of history and the distortion of the facts that has led to these travesties.
Let's just pray for peace. Too many people died on both sides since the 7th of october. Too many parents lost their childs and loved ones. The suffering is so immense the pain unbelievable. I can understand the confusion of young people who are trying to make sence out of this and maybe support the protests. With whole my heart I wish there will be peace.
One of my young airmen in the USAF a number of years ago was a Palestinian. Born in Gaza but his family got to the USA and he eventually enlisted in the military. He really could not understand his relatives in Gaza who hated Jews.
They do not hate Jews, they hate the State of Israel. And if you can't fathom or understand why they would hate Israel then it's you who needs to be educated.
See today's Tom Nash Report. Qatar has been pouring money into universities for over two decades. I first noticed in 2004 when Francisco Gil-White, history prof, not Jewish & proIsrael, got fired from Penn U staff & replaced by Islamicists. You can Google him. The FBI has admitted that Islamicists have been pouring cash into universities in the West. The Tom Nash Report gets into it.
@e.t.ethics1771 Be careful about gobbling up all the propaganda and asking for more. Gluttony for propaganda has consequences. Alienation would be one of those.
@e.t.ethics1771 no. See, you can not understand one simple thing - the IDF is not just an army. IDF is all of us. Our children are IDF. We are all IDF and we know from the first hand that we don't do it. How can you know? Check Israeli education program. Check our values, check how we raise our kids. Then you will understand the IDF. Then check the same in Gaza. That's how you make your opinion. Good luck.
Netanyahu has abandoned the hostages in order to kill random innocent Palestinian civilians with reckless abandon. And yet people say that if you criticize the Israeli government that you're anti-Semitic. Go figure.
Thank you only he says it better, we know who he’s talking about. My grandmother used to tell me about the JEWISH Kapos in the camps. She was never in a concentration camp. She was up in the mountains with the partisans and the communists in northern Greece, but she knew about them from some of her friends. How could they have mistreated their own brethren? The answer to that is that they felt that they have something to gain I don’t know, what to sell more books? To be more popular? It is not worth it. I think it is more because they are confused and have conflicting feelings.
Thank you, once again, Dr. Abramson, for being a voice of reason on TH-cam and within public discourse. As a secular gentile, I remain aghast at the level of irrational ignorance, bigotry, and animus, toward Jewish people. I believe the study (and understanding) of History, is by far more valuable than theology or politics - History explains most, if not - all. History also can help us to not make the same mistakes over and over, for which there are clear historical corollaries and lessons to be learned, if only we'd recognize those corollaries and heed those all-important lessons. Side question: What is the significance of the peice of masking tape with a number on it, affixed to your lapel? Thank you~
Thank you for the kind words. The number on the masking tape is at the request of the mother of a kidnapped child, marking the number of days he has been in captivity.
What about the Palestinians imprisoned since years ago? Your shirt wouldn’t have place for the numbers of days they have been away from their families. Children as old as 12 years old being tortured, women being raped? Palestinians want justice, they were and still are being deprived of their houses of their children of their husbands. The police uproots their olive trees, the settlers attack them and that has been going on since 1930 . But I’m sure you know about that.
A voice of bias is more like it. Netanyahu has abandoned the hostages in order to kill random innocent Palestinian civilians with reckless abandon. And yet people say that if you criticize the Israeli government that you're anti-Semitic. Go figure.
You began your narrative with October 7. I think the narrative can start in 1896 when Herzl wrote that Zionism would be an outpost of European civilization against Asian barbarism (not exact quote but very close)
You should acknowledge that this was not the only view of the Zionist movement. Herzl himself alienated himself from the rest of the Zionists with his publishing of “Altneuland”.
I wish my Jewish and Israeli friends would call Capo what they are. I'm not Jewish but my Grandfather was a Jew in Nazi Germany. What we are seeing is Weimar Drunks, WW2 Reloaded. What these people are doing is treacherous. Thank you for your respectful sensible, fact-filled approach, I am unable to be polite with these people. My prayers go out to all Jewish people and especially those in Israel where one friend lost so many at Kibbutz Be'eri. Never Again is Now.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Professor, I admin international geopolitics groups. For going on 4 years I noticed a sharp uptick in antisemitic comments on social media. Facebook does not censor them at all. They put me on a 60 day strike for "hate speech and breaching community standards" for sharing the image of Al Hussaini and Hitler along with the Time article. On my own time and dime, I started meticulously keeping records with screenshots of the most unbelievably horrific, sadistic, genocidal rhetoric imaginable. I was so concerned that about 2 years ago, I contacted Mossad with a batch of the screenshots and said "if you don't do something about this, people are going to die". I knocked on every door, all to no avail. I have a nest of straight up Nazis that are so easy to track because they are all connected on social media. I cannot believe no one ever was interested and no one ever reined it in. After October 7 (one friend's daughter narrowly escaped Nova, another was connected to Kibbutz Be'eri), these groups turned into absolute chaos with the most extreme antisemitism. Every time I tried to present a rational account (I saw the footage Hamas posted themselves on October 7 on Telegram, I am not confused), I was subjected to the most disgusting and vile attacks, death threats in my inbox, on and on. I reported posts where people were openly fundraising for Hamas and the Houthis. NOTHING. My Jewish friends fall into 2 categories: those you address here, and those who stay silent, afraid to make waves, afraid of the backlash. I personally engaged and what I have is a pattern of how their arguments go. It sounds very much like they all got identical material from very similar sites because people not linked, over the world, all parroting the same blood libel is not a coincidence. I hope one day social media terrorism, which is what this is, will be punished as a war crime After October 7, "friends" people I know started trolling Israeli friend's memorials to their dead and attacked me for, I quote "trying to show Israelis as humans". I took screenshots, dumped them into albums with hashtags so they can easily be retrieved assuming my account isn't shut, because Nazis don't get censored, people who speak out against them do. It's so bad that Facebook removed a photo I posted of Sophie Scholl together with an article from Wikipedia (to be as bland as possible) as breaching "community standards". If you ever want access to any of my research or to communicate, I'm at your disposal.Anyone who wants to connect with me on social media is welcome, even though I'm shadow banned to hell. The worst, most damaging propaganda is coming from Team Finkelstein, Pappe, Mate - every right wing and left wing lunatic in the West idolises them. Apparently the tagline "Holocaust survivor" and pathological hatred of Jews is all they need. I have no Jewish source to refer to to refute them, the damage they have done is incalculable. I implemented rules that posts involving them are not geopolitics and will be deleted from group discussions but it's endless and daily. Alongside the sneering Galloway and a few others, it's lethal. People swallow everything they say hook, line and sinker. My prayers and love to Jewish people everywhere. Stay strong and let us hope these people of the lie will be brought to justice. I will not shut up. As a child I was prone to visions (as opposed to delusions) and Nazism rising again was one. I used to pray that if it happened, I wouldn't betray myself by staying silent because of what other people thought or said. Am Yisrael Chai Best Ora You may not be aware that Qatar is funding all the universities with the biggest protests. I have links and information regarding that.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I think it's unfair to call some of these people Kapos, because many Kapos were in an impossible, unimaginable situation. Many of them also helped other inmates. They remind me more of the Yevsektsiya.
The heartbreak in your eyes and the graciousness with which you broach the subject of Jewish students joining the pro Palestinian protests is so so painful to see but also inspiring. May the Lord have mercy on them and turn their hearts away from clear and immanent evil.
Charles Edward’s is me Aryehleib . I am so impressed by how you first validate and then you are so gentle. The only possible way of convincing anyone but most of us forget this in the moment. Really gold standard advocacy here.
Dr Abramson, I hold a pretty centrist position on this situation but will all due respect, I don’t think there’s any level of qualification that gives someone the right to opine publicly about who is and is not a “good Jew”.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Indeed I did, I’m just not sure how else the Donin example is expected to be understood other than as an impugning by implication. What is the relevance of that example? Protestor participation is analogous to that?
@@HenryAbramsonPhDAlso the survey you show at the end which is supposedly evidence that Zionism is core to the Jewish identity and anyone outside of that is marginal or something. this notion that “a good Jew must to some degree identify with modern Zionism” is intuitively contemptible to me.
Dr. Abramson, thank you. I'm not J but have been attending all of your lessons of history. I am grateful, I learned the whole story of the world , Israel has been all along, from their land, to empires, to art, to religion etc etc etc. I hope many of all the peoples of the world (J or not),learn from you. After all, there is, and there will still be only One. Hope all days come soon
Thank you, Rabbi. In the USA we’re closing this year’s Chag Seder with heavy hearts. Israel is in our prayers 💔 May we all have a much happier Shavuot🙏🏼
As you are not Semite according to your DNA. Your can not say you are a Part of the 12 tribes. This means you have a false identitity. But I have nothing against your religion
Dear Rabbi. After the majority of my life of having my back turned from Judaism, I find myself drawn to it again. Your loving words so filled with respect and wisdom, really inspire me. I am not “there” yet. But think of it every day. I cant even dav’n. At best I can say the Shema. Please keep up the good work, and know that at least I am allmost brought home by you. Be well sir
Thanks for the kind words. How do you know that you aren’t closer to home than I am? Maybe I will follow you there! Btw not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
Sorry, thought you were a Rabbi. At least a teacher. I live quite far from the nearest Synagogue that actually has services. At least 1 hour drive to conservative shul, 90 mins drive to Amsterdam with more choice.
This issue is far more simple than you make it out to be. Good people of any religion or culture oppose the injustice of violent occupation, apartheid, and genocide. You should be proud that young Jewish people are emerging as leaders in a global movement for peace, justice, and freedom. This is Israel's moment to embrace change, and it is right that Jewish people of conscience should lead them to it.
How will the history write and videotaping about these global school protest encampments? Some professors interviewed with news and said when they were college students, MSM mainly said they were led outside agitators..I think everyone sees things differently..
Many thanks Dr. Abramson! As a gentile who received a solid education in history, it appears that those attending these "universities" as students were never taught 20th Century history!
When Qatar has paid off the universities for over a decade, there's no such thing as a "free lunch", they obviously wanted a quid pro quo and here we are.
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for God, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear God; indeed, God is fully Aware of what you do.”
They simply want to stop the slaughter. It is not an anti-jewish stance. They are not saying that Palistinians should exterminate Is rael. How could that even happen. Israel has overwhelming military power. I is in Israels interest to stop the slaughter.
Words of wisdom, indeed. And I have begun to weep with the last words. Those who love peace seek to free the captives, to provide aid to the orphans and those who lost children. To anyone on any side that speaks of escalating violence, I think of how many more innocents would be destroyed on such a path. Let us not ask for the destruction of anything. Let us ask for rebuilding, restoration, healing, and for our hearts to be softened. Thank you again, Professor Abramson, you have taught me an important lesson.
You should be proud of the students in the anti genocide protests. Would you support German students who were protesting against the Holocaust or would you make a patronizing utube video talking down to them
If Israel was perpetrating a genocide I would feel your analogy was better. My question, having read the Hamas charter, is, why aren't more Palestinians protesting against Hamas?
I want to be very clear about something. I'm almost 40 and haven't been attending any protests and certainly can't speak for the young people attending. However, the assumption that they are doing this because of peer pressure and not because they are legitimately upset about the mass casualties in Gaza is pretty insulting.
You miss the point. Everyone with human heart is upset about the casualties in Gaza. But I would argue that supporting pro-Hamas protests is not the way to change the situation.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I loved your video and I loved your reply. If pro Palestinian didn't also mean pro Hamas, and it does, maybe the video would have been a little different. I am a convert to Judaism, almost 25 years ago, my converting Rabbi told me that if I wanted to be Jewish I had to be ready to take the bad with the good. This October 7 massacre has actually made me feel more Jewish and actually afraid for my Jewish children. We do not have a Jewish last name, but we live our lives as openly Jewish.
They're upset about all the suffering caused by terrorists & even though they're siding with the aggressors in chants for the anihilation of Israel. Btw, the same bad guys who hide themselves among Palestinian civilians with Israeli civilian held hostages & who refuses to take them back. Well, it says a lot about the reasoning behind the protests & the knowledge of the protesters about the conflict.
Thank you so much for all your videos. They have been a source of comfort. I have really been struggling with understanding the perspective of the protestors, not in solidarity with Gazans who are suffering, but with their allegiance to anti zionism (I find it frighteningly ahistorical to want to undo a country that already exists.)Today I listened to an interview with Noah Feldman on the Haaretz podcast. His explanation of this phenomenon really helped me feel some empathy with the kids who are protesting. I don’t agree with them, but it helps to understand their perspective. You might like it. I look forward to your next video.
Mr. Abramson, please forgive me if I make an inaccurate description of history and I apologize in advance for the long post. It is my view that people do not understand history or at least know ancient history. It is also my experience that people tend to place blame on other people and other "things" where it is not warranted. These students, whether they be Jewish, Christian or secular believe Israel is oppressing the Palestinians. They ignore the Torah, the Old Testament. While many stories in the Bible are most likely embellished (in my opinion) there are some historical truth's. Israelite's have inhabited the land for 4 millennia. Where were the Palestinians 4,000 years ago? Israelites are mentioned but no mention of Palestinians. They ignore or do not know the facts surrounding the 1948 war for Israeli independence nor do they understand or know that "Palestinian" only became a reference to a people in 1964. Prior they were Arabs. With that said, Israel has attempted many times to allow for/enact a two-state solution. Yasser Arafat and the PLO have rejected it. People ignore, do not know, or fail to realize that Gaza was governed by Hamas - they were voted into power. Additionally, there are no Jews in Gazza as they were forced to move by the Israeli's. People seem to think this is the result of pent up hatred for Israel treating Palestinians badly over the years. However, the Palestinians had self-governance in Gaza and it was their governing body, Hamas, that started this conflict. If the Palestinians in Gaza were suffering it was not due to the Israeli's but to Hamas and Hamas leadership who use the Palestinians as human shields and abuse them. I do not care if some or most Palestinians hate Israeli's or Jews. So be it. People ignore or do not ask "why" other Muslim countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia do not allow Palestinian refugees into their countries. Why is it not hateful when Egypt has sent their troops and erected a wall on the Sinai with southern Gaza to keep the Palestinians from entering Egypt? No one asks this question. In the short answer is that all blame should be placed on Hamas. There would not be a reason for this war if Israel was not attacked on October 7th. While there has been collateral damage and civilians have been killed I cannot and do not take the word of a terrorist organization who are the one's providing these numbers to the press. I firmly believe that Israel does everything in their power to minimize civilian casualties. However, there would never have been civilian casualties if Hamas had not attacked October 7. I believe Israel wishes to live in peace with their neighbors and the rest of the world for that matter. It is also my belief that these people do not understand that Iran is backing Hamas and attacked Israel with the blessing of Iranian leadership. I believe Iran did this because they wish to stir trouble in the region and are not happy with Israel in peaceful negotiations with her neighbors such as Saudi Arabia.
TWO POINTS. FIRST, A SMALL POINT, THE STORY OF ABRAHAM AND THE JEWS STARTS IN THE BRONZE AGE NEAR EAST ABOUT 1200-1400 YEARS AGO, NOT 4000 YEARS AGO. MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU STATE "People ignore or do not ask "why" other Muslim countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia do not allow Palestinian refugees into their countries." A BETTER QUESTION THAT YOU AND OTHERS IGNORE IS WHY THE ISRAEL DIDN'T LET THE ARABS WHO FLED OR WERE FORCED TO FLEE GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES AFTER THE FIGHTING IN 1948.
@@palepride7530 Jews are so called because their country was Judea. Philistines were Agean people and Herodotus was a Greek author writing about his people.
Thank you for your perspective in this difficult time 🙏🏼 Chag sameach and may we בע"ה see the world increase in knowledge and love speedily in our days! 🙌🏼🙏🏼💙🇮🇱
I live in Northern Europe. There was a naturalised Arab at my part-time job that, a couple of weeks ago, said: "Hitler was king, because what he did to the Jews is what it said in our book that you should do to them." I never thought I'd live to heard that from a citizen of a European country. But I did. May Israel live forever, and may the Jewish people survive this Pharaoh and this Egypt. I will continue to learn about Jewish history. Am Yisrael Chai.
An interesting question would be, if you go back to Oct. 6, could you say that the State of Israel was acting in good faith r.e. achieving peace with the Palestinians? One example might be the settlement movement, which you perhaps call "from Jerusalem to the river," and suggest no intention of a meaningful two state solution, if that's even what the country wants. Zionism 1.0 was the creation of a Jewish state, but 2.0 feels a little like, "We want all of it." Careful with "My country," right or wrong, but my country.
You are a real Mensch. Thank you for this video and the work you do. Sadly, those that truly NEED to hear your words (and truth) just won't hear them. Take care and keep doing the good work. Shalom, shalom. 🙏🌻
Do you agree collective punishment of civilians is wrong? Yes or no. Do you agree destruction of hospitals and schools is wrong? Yes or no. Do you agree mass graves are wrong? Yes or no. These are the reasons for the protests. If you are making apologies for atrocities you have lost the plot and the moral path.
Do you believe that actions have consequences? Does the approved leadership of Gazans make them accountable as well? Does Hamas use women and children as human shields, just as they used them as suicide bombers in the second Intifada? If Hamas chooses to place combatants in hospitals and schools, is Israel pervented from seeking them out? Wouldn't that make the practice of terrorist action, then hide in public spaces to prevent retaliation, a policy which prevented any government from defending its people? Look worldwide. There are exactly zero open, tolerant liberal democracies in Muslim majority countries. 57 countries, and not one of them has a thriving democracy that protects individual and minority rights. LGBTQ+ are subject to the death penalty in many Islamic countries. Religious minorities are disappearing in each and every one of those nations. And as a kicker, Arabs have a longer life expectancy in Israel than in any Arab led country. It is your right to continue believing your ill-informed narrative, but that doesn't make you correct. Hamas makes every effort to maximize casualties among Gazan citizens in a scurrilous public relations appeal to the west. The protesters should call out, "Hamas, release the hostages! And don't hide behind innocent civilians!"
I think what’s missing is that children are dying and that should be the main focus. We are not talking about a handful but two thirds of all death have been women and children. When you know that dropping that bomb will result in so many death of children for a possible Hamas, will you drop that bomb? Is that worth the trade off. Are Palestinian child worth less than a Jewish child? I think arguing based upon tribal affinity is a big part of the problem. If everyone just looks from that perspective, when will there ever be peace. What divides us is far smaller than what unite us. Bernie Sanders condemns antisemitism but also condemns what Netanyahu is doing. Surely we need to go beyond tribalism. Especially given so much of history is about wars because of tribalism. Regardless there are idiots on both sides. Just look at Ben Gvir of Netanyahu government. Such extremists don’t speak for everybody and we should never allow them to determine the narrative and divide us as they so much desire. They want us to see the false dichotomy of tribalism. Someday I may see a child forever maimed because of Netanyahu’s bomb. And I would hate to think that I could have given my small voice even if it is not heard.
@@quintrankid8045 Not with such level of collective punishment. It's beneath a nation's dignity to exercise such level of punishment. Tell Netanyahu and AIPAC, don't inflict such level of harm in our name.
this is a very interesting essay to hear, as someone without a dog in the fight, but has picked a side. what type of person would this argument work on? what are their interests? to me it feels more specific than the population of college aged jewish students of secular universities. i don't anticipate an answer, but it's what came to mind, so discuss among yourselves.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD i heard you say that at the beginning, but i was wondering to what audience might be persuaded by this; observant, secular, apolitical, activist or heretofor sideline sitters.
Dr Abramson, first let me commend you for reaching out to your fellow Jews with a different opinion about the war. I know that is so hard to do. I am neither Jewish nor Muslim. I am a Christian and a follower of the abrahamic tradition. I am also just human. My heart is heavy with what is happening in the holy land. But I will share a few thoughts with you and other Jewish elders. Please be patient with these young people. There are lot of professional manipulators out there who are taking advantage of these young people naïveté and spirit. Second, try your hardest to remember being their age. At that age, they all want to make a difference and make their own path in the world. They still believe their single act can change the world. And they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Lastly trust you have sowed the seeds of goodness in their hearts. I know the Jewish tradition is so rich in love and caring for their children. Trust they will chose the right. And the right is not Judaism, Christianity, Islam or any other defined religion. The right is learning to love one another as the creator loves his creation. It is loving, learning and respecting all of gods creation. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you, your people, and the holy land.
Hi professor. Thank you for all you do. However, I wanted to bring to your attention that all the amazon link thumbnails on your website in recommended reading no longer work. I hope you are able to update them, as that list is a great academic resource
I am not Jewish I’m completely secular, but I’m fascinated by Jewish history and I was thinking how people over history were forced to deny their Jewishness to survive, most notably Maimonides. Now they join these protests for possibly same reasons? I don’t know but it’s something I have pondered.
can you please elaborate on the ceasefire that you say was in place on Oct 6th? what are you sources for this? and why would they starve the hostages if they need them alive to negotiate?
What hatred and cowardice are you seeing? Bombing kids in case they become terrorists is surely the definition of both. Wanting to stop genocide is my driver. Theres no hate there. God bless anyone who wants peace and justice, Jew, Muslim, secular - Israel has thousands of Palestinian hostages right now, while bombing 16000 kids to retrieve less than 200 israelis. Proportionality and justice are related.
Thank you so much, finally I understand how the father loves the wicked son back in the prodigal son parable. I am so grateful for the Jewish people. Without you I would live in some dark age without knowing the God of Jacob. I have no words for what my people has done to you during the holocaust. Last year I visited a concentration memorial site nearby, it broke my heart. It was grace to visit a synagogue for the first time last year and the only thing that remained of it after its destruction were the ten commandments. Today it is reconstructed. God bless you, blessing for all nations.
THANK YOU RABBI. I am a christian and praying for young Jews who watch your truly wise video. Reminds me of the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. We love you because Jesus loved you, HIS family, and for all that HE has done to include us , WELCOME US, into the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD. HE INCLUDED US....who did not deserve to be included......tears say we are FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE CROSS !❤
This is one of the purest forms of Mussar Ive ever heard. Henry, your ability to give mussar creates a responsibility that many dont have, because of inability.😊
Its perfectly valid to embrace judaism and be against illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza and West Bank and Israeli occupation of Gaza and the ethnic clensing happening in Gaza. Comparing this with converting to catholicism is kinda wild. Israel is a secular nation state, not a theocracy. It is possible to be a Jew and disagree with Israeli policies when it comes to the events in Gaza and West Bank.
Thank you. And as a historian that knows the Palestinians are from the same ancestors and those who were exiled two thousand years ago. He knows not all Jews at that time were exiled, and those folks assimilated into nearby communities and converted. I will never understand why accepting the basic premise that Palestinians are humans.
This is not the point of the video, its not even mentioned and certainly not compared to converting to catholicism? What video did you watch? You either didnt understand or youre being dishonest.
Some people just choose to not understand.
Some. Others are perhaps just misguided.
I wish Hannah Arendt were alive today. She would be standing against Netanjahu and all "revisionist" Zionists.
To be honest it is complicated and the current Israeli government isn't making it easy. The Palestinian narrative, with its selective history and outright lies, can be convincing to people who are not educated about history. Which is most people. There is also a well funded PR machine behind it including university funding, social media etc. It's ok to come out against the Israeli government but it's not ok to stand with fascists while doing that.
And some are free thinkers who do not take everything learned for granted. I am relatively new to Judaism. Raised Catholic, but DNA says Ashkenazi. As a NATO media consultant, exit strategy is a possibility. Not my choice, but a possibility. Ask Bibi who wrote the underlying thesis to the Abraham Accords.>>>--->
Choose not to understand? Please inform me what I am missing. I support Israel and the people of Israel. I support the people of Gaza, and don't like the treatment that they are receiving. If Egypt opened the border to allow the Northern Cana'anites to enter Southern Cana'an. Two states. Sainai and Israel.
I’m not Jewish, I follow your channel to learn more about Jewish history. Nevertheless, I appreciate your comments on this issue.
Thank you
Good people protest against genocide and apartheid, no matter who does it. @@HenryAbramsonPhD
@@stizzlehizzle I never thought I'd see the day when you have to be pro genocide in order to be considered not anti-Semitic.
@@JacintaPalerm I doubt he's lying, just misinformed. He is justifiably concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism that has accompanied the most recent Israeli genocide. But, as a scholar, he ought to know hoe to do his due diligence, which is lacking in this case.
@@pirbird14 Israel is defending itself from genocide. Hamas says very plainly that they want to kill all the Jews in the world. The Arabs would commit genocide if given the capability. Israel has the capability, but doesn't do it. The war would have been over immediately if the hostages were returned and the perpetrators were turned over. By putting pressure on Israel instead of Hamas, the protestors are prolonging of the war and causing the deaths of more Gazans. Israel has already offered to stop the war if the hostages are returned, but Hamas refuses.
You are such a wise person who is reaching out full heartedly to your fellow Jews. I wish you and your people peace, peace, peace. ☮️
Amen and thank you.
I'm not Jewish & I find these protests disturbing on so many levels. I could never understand how the holocaust happened, but I'm now beginning to realize the true power of propaganda & it is frightening. Much love & support for the Jewish people & Israel.
You are so right about propagands. We are being hammered with it every moment of our lives.
What's disturbing about it?
The catholic church, aka Rome, taught in all the schools of catholic countries that the jews killed christ. This was because of classic roman mafia minded passing the buck thinking by pointing the finger of blame onto an involved party. It was the romans who killed him, for they strung him up. Not the jews. The protestant schools taught that the jews were the chosen. That is why the treatment of jews in protestant countries was kinder than the rest of europe.
This dogma continued in catholic schools until 1965.
@@CatouMilou This propalestine protest industry is nothing more than pancorporate organised propaganda financed by the Muslim Brotherhood, Soros, and a host of other fundraising charities. They feed off the young student who is the most voracious rectangle user. Hitler always focused on the young, they are easier to influence.
The holocaust happened and is happening now, but you still don’t understand…
Anyone who still thinks that a two state solution is possible hasn't been paying attention for the past 75 years.
Not 75 years: the governments of Israel were favorable to Palestinian sovereignty over the land acquired by Israel from Egypt and Jordan in the 1967 and 1973 wars, it was the growth in power and authority of the revisionist parties, beginning with the first government of Begin and continuing to the present date that has made this impossible. Jabotinsky, not Hamas was the first to say Israel should extend “from the river to the sea”; this continues to be the prevailing belief of his political descendants and it is they that should be criticized for the actions that has led to the indiscriminate deaths of Gazans. Not all Israelis believe as they do, fortunately, but it is a sad reality that enough of them voted to perpetuate this ideology by keeping these ideas in the majority of the MK’s. Until their ideology returns to a substantial minority in the Knesset we have to expect what we have sadly seen since October 8th. We all pray for the safe return of the hostages, both those taken on 10/7 and those taken long before them, as well as the return of a more humanitarian ideology to those who will lead Israel in the future.
@@laurenbethblah blah blah
Hamas is against the two state solution
@@laurenbethis Biden your daddy. How did that work out with Iran.
You ever hear the story of the spider( hamas) and the frog (isreal ). The spider asked the frog for a ride over the creek. The frog said you will bite me. Spider said think about it, if do I would die too. Half why across the spider bites the frog. Frog goes why, spider said " it's my nature"
@@laurenbethArafat’s PLO was established in 1964, 3 years before the 6 Day War, with the aim of weakening the morale of the Jewish state through ongoing acts of terror both internally and externally. It can be said that they embodied the popular current slogan “globalize the intifada.” In turn, they were simply carrying on the same desire to eradicate the Jews espoused by the Grand Mufti before them. It had and continues to have nothing to do with who’s in power in the Knesset.
I am not Jewish, but this was so well and calmly explained by the Rabbi. If this message does not hit home for the intended audience, I am not sure what will. As a Christian New Zealander, I support Israel. 🙏
Thanks for the supportive comment. Not a Rabbi, though.
Thank you.
Colossians 3:11
New International Version
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
I stand shoulder-to-shoulder ❤🇮🇱
Question for Mr. Abramson.
Is it WRONG to protest Netanyahu's approach to the Palestinians? He's not very focused on freeing the hostages as opposed to killing Palestinians. You can support Israel AND oppose his mass slaughter of innocent Palestinians.
If you say yes to my question, then I cannot trust you as a human being.
I think he's talking more about the current trend of protest going on throughout campuses. Most of these are not the kind Jews may want to be associated with. Besides the anti Semitic chants and flags they are calling for more than an end to the killing. I don't think he would have much issue if Jews protested Netanyahu's tactic specifically.
What innocent Palestinians?
Over 70 percent voted in Hamas and many Gazans participated in the killing, raping, looting, and kidnapping of Israeli civilians.
Mass slaughter of Palestinians? I think Israel is trying to minimize civilian casualties.
Having empathy for others and putting oneself in their shoes is such an important and difficult thing to do. When Jews take an anti-Zionist stance, they're not helping Palestinians. They're just burning their own shoes.
An apt metaphor.
How about putting themselves in the Palestinians shoes?
@mebarsonebymaria4038 my point is that yes, we should put ourselves in Palestinians' shoes. Their suffering is real, and their aspirations for self-determination are valid. But that doesn't negate the validity of our own need for self-determination and security. These things are not mutually exclusive. Most of the protesters act as if they are.
@@Balagoola self-determination of the Palestinians is obstructed by the Israeli governments and the settlements. They make it mutually exclusive on purpose.
Thanks for stating what I feel every time an interview with a Jewish student participant makes front page news. Wisdom should be guided by the heart but still it must come from the brain. (There’s apparently no option for $18!)
Thanks for supporting the research. Your supportive comments are also very much appreciated.
Please remember that it was the government of Hamas that failed the people of Gaza, in a similar way that the Nazi government failed the German people. Neither government could get along with their neighbors (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, etc, with Hamas - all of Europe with the Nazis), but rather both governments wanted war, instead of pursuing peace in a way that benefited their people. Pursuing peaceful relationships with their neighbors that improved the quality of life for their peoples, like most governments do. It took a war to liberate the German people from the Nazi government and it's taking a war to liberate the people of Gaza from Hamas, unfortunately. "War is hell" is what General Sherman described and he is right. But sometimes we have to do it.
An interesting comparison.
Actually Britan and the U.S. wanted WW2, not Germany contrary to popular belief.
You missed Jorge’s point entirely. It’s not about the background of the war. It’s about the ideology behind both Germans and Gazans, irregardless of the war.
@@jrutt2675 Actually it was Germany (and Italy) who declared war on the US just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their axis agreement (Japan, Germany, and Italy) lead both of those nations to do so.
Overall the US was preparing for war though. It was coming. FDR and other American leaders saw that. But I have to disagree that we "wanted it". The war came to America. We didn't go to the war.
Well said!
Respect from China and solidarity with Israel.
Thank you
205…Thank you dear professor, for your continued stand for our people. My heart breaks for this tragedy and the continued vilification of our people. Yet, you handled this exceptionally difficult subject with grace and true wisdom as always. Be blessed… shalom.
Well done Sir, speaking the truth in love. Your pain comes thru as does your calm wisdom.
Thank you kindly
Going against Israel as a Jew is not a safety net, as those protesting may think. The wolves will inevitably turn on them.
Pure ignorance on their part
I agree. Without Israel, Jews who are persecuted have nowhere to go. Israel is not just a country, it is a homeland and a sanctuary. It should be defended.
@Andrew-ep4kw
God's people are supposed to be HOLY and worship Elohim.
Isaiah 14:1
The ANCIENT ISRAELITES was to allow the STRANGERS to live among them. The people in Israel want the land just for themselves, but yet, they want to also be able to be accepted in other lands.
@@CarollemMen-cl8nz 18% of Israel's population is Muslim, so I think the current Israel meets the standard of the original Israel.
@@CarollemMen-cl8nz 18% of Israeli citizens are Muslim Arab, so the current Israel meets the standards of the original Israel and Isaiah 14.1. Nice try.
You're much too respectful to those Jewish students and professors who side with those who seek our destruction. That said, you're a decent man for your composure
Thank you.
I agree Steven and said so just now independently
In my view the responsibility for this antisemitic chaos lies{sic) with the adults--i.e. the professors and administrators who hired them.
@@annalink4351 Exactly! I was so shocked and appalled to see actual professors joining and encouraging this garbage behavior.
Composure? So be violent.
Thank you for speaking out on this subject..!! And the way you’re doing it! It’s So important!! And healing.
Thank you for the supportive comment.
A voice of clarity and reason, yet again. Thank you Dr. Abramson for the continuity of your work.
I am an indigenous Greek "pagan". I stand with the state of Israel, my ancient neighbor.
Ων παίδες ευλογείται
Αμήν και ευχαριστώ
@@HenryAbramsonPhD αμήν my brother. thank you very much. Stay powerful.
The word synagogue is ancient Greek! Thank YOU!
@@ajarnwordsmith628 synagogue means the people gathering. We need you, we love you. Stay Powerful
I want to express my admiration for the reasonableness and the humanity of Henry Abramson in this video. Respect.
Thank you for this kind word.
1. Where is the condemnation of Hamas? Of course what Hamas did is horrendous and inexcusable, but to act like protesting Israel means you support Hamas is absurd. In addition, where is the condemnation of the Nakba, or the condemnation of the Israelites killing every man woman and child in Jericho?
2. Why not call for peace with Israel? Ask Netanyahu that question! He has strongly opposed a two state solution for decades and actively fought against it. He was happy that Hamas won the election in Gaza because it created a division between the governing entities of Palestinians. That is why he facilitated the funding of Hamas to the order of millions of dollars over the years.
3. Get educated on the history of Israel: The most accurate data suggests that over 400,000 Muslims lived in the area that is now Israel when the Zionist movement first started. Those people's lives were massively disrupted by the influx of immigrants to the holy land. Considering that Palestinians and Israelis are genetically identical suggests that they were both decedents from the Canaanites and therefor the Palestinians are as native to that land as the Israelis. In fact many of them are the descendants of Jews who were forced to convert to Islam. Does forced conversion mean you no longer have a claim to the land where you live?
4. Most Jews who strongly support Israel seem to have a herd mentality that refuses to acknowledge the totality of history and chooses instead to cherry-pick a narrative that ignores the fundamental moral flaws of the zionist agenda.
The reality is you cannot win against Hamas by bombing mostly women and children. You cannot win by systematically targeting journalists and aid workers. Those things only serve to strengthen Hamas. If Israel was wise they would have taken advantage of the massive world sympathy after Oct 7th and used it to create a coalition that took a nuanced approach that would work to offer a better ideology to Palestinians (not reinforce Hamas's ideology). They could have also used the international outpouring of support to invest in improved security and make countless meaningful deals with Arab countries. They could have won HUGE, but instead they took an approach that disproved all claims of moral superiority and the outcome has been unfolding as expected. Our tax dollars should not go towards such a reckless and counterproductive campaign of collective punishment and war crimes. If Israel wants the support of Jews let them earn it through wise policymaking, not through blind allegiance.
💯!
@HenryAbramsonPhD any thoughts?
‼️‼️‼️
Thank you professor! Please put links to the books you recommend in your notes when you can.
The involvement of Jews in these protests sure confuses me. One of my friends is like that.
Me too.
disturbing...but not hard to understand...They don't want to have the yolk of Torah Judaism and want to be in with what's trending. It's a win win for them.
Some people believe the earth is flat. Some people believe Trump is still president. Being Jewish apparently is not a guarantee for being able to tell what's right and what's wrong. As we know, belief can supersede reality and facts. The other part of this that you can do wrong things even while being right. The US didn't have to drop two atomic bombs on Japan. But the Allies were still in the right. Can you see the big picture is the question and the answer is many people can not. People don't have the right tools and knowledge to evaluate the situation and can easily get stuck in an echo chamber that reinforces their beliefs.
@@sl123slor they just see video after video after video of babies covered in blood in their mothers arms, newborns in the hospital covered in blood, reports that they are targeting hospitals and they have no power, reports that they are trying to block food, courts that they have kids in prison for doing things like writing poetry and having a flag, video after video of IDF soldiers beating little kids... basically all the stuff you probably are getting hidden from you. It's been the police who have been behaving over the top!
Gaza is leveled, but we're supposed to think they're just doing targeted strikes as I DF makes videos mocking the fact children are starving. Why should people sit around and watch that and not trying to do something? We have freedom of speech in this country I thought.
You have to search far, hard and wide to even find any anti-Semitic incidents. People are fighting for God's children. You don't get to choose where you were born. Kids are having their heads blown off, but we're supposed to be outraged about a Jewish student who was poked in the eye ON ACCIDENT and it's clear to me she was planned to be put out there.
I have feeling there are some f eds protesting . This is being orchestrated to put into practice Free Speech laws that says if you say nearly anything negative about anyone Jewish it's a crime now being introduced in Congress as we speak...
Pure ignorance on their part
"Don't rely on your Instagram feed" is truly wisdom. Thank you.
Thank you.
Amen to that 😉
I hope that this finds its way to the people who really need to hear this
Me too
Thank G-D, I don't know the people that are being addressed, but if you know anti-Israel protesters you can spread the message by sending it.
@@user-pd7il3xz5j How anyone can support Israel under Netanyahu and his psychopathic government is beyond me
Thank you for posting this. I am heartsick when I hear Jews condemning Israel, some of whom are within my own extended family. They can’t possibly really understand Jewish history.
I am heartsick as well.
they've always done this, even in Germany 1930's.
These are people who believe they’ll be spared by the Jew-haters. They won’t.
@@song4night It is not especially Jewish. Every population has such a fringe.
Remember...four-fiths of the Jews died during Egypt's plague of darkness because they did not choose to follow Moshe's instructions from G-D. So, thousands of years later and here we are with Jews still not understanding their history or their purpose. Nothing new under the sun.
Thank you for making this important video. Am Yisrael Chai and Bring Them Home Now.
Glad it was helpful
The Golden Rule so important to both Jew and Christian holds here in the division of the Palestinian Territory in 1948. There was gross unfairness there and NO maneuvering of the facts will change that. God Bless the young people of ALL faiths who see the truth of history and the distortion of the facts that has led to these travesties.
Who started that first?
Well said Professor. Unlikely to change many minds but if your 'open letter' reaches and effects a few than its a success!
Thank you.
In agreement from Australia 🙏🏾
Let's just pray for peace. Too many people died on both sides since the 7th of october. Too many parents lost their childs and loved ones. The suffering is so immense the pain unbelievable. I can understand the confusion of young people who are trying to make sence out of this and maybe support the protests. With whole my heart I wish there will be peace.
Me too
One of my young airmen in the USAF a number of years ago was a Palestinian. Born in Gaza but his family got to the USA and he eventually enlisted in the military. He really could not understand his relatives in Gaza who hated Jews.
There is sadly quite a bit of propaganda in their educational system.
He was lucky, very lucky actually, to have good parents.
They do not hate Jews, they hate the State of Israel. And if you can't fathom or understand why they would hate Israel then it's you who needs to be educated.
While I agree with Henry, it's also about a lived experience, something he could never understand.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD but surely there's no racist propaganda in the Israeli education or media systems, right?
Well said. I'm not Jewish, but I do wonder about those who join the protests.
Thank you. Me too.
See today's Tom Nash Report. Qatar has been pouring money into universities for over two decades. I first noticed in 2004 when Francisco Gil-White, history prof, not Jewish & proIsrael, got fired from Penn U staff & replaced by Islamicists. You can Google him. The FBI has admitted that Islamicists have been pouring cash into universities in the West. The Tom Nash Report gets into it.
@e.t.ethics1771 Be careful about gobbling up all the propaganda and asking for more. Gluttony for propaganda has consequences. Alienation would be one of those.
@e.t.ethics1771 no. See, you can not understand one simple thing - the IDF is not just an army. IDF is all of us. Our children are IDF. We are all IDF and we know from the first hand that we don't do it. How can you know? Check Israeli education program. Check our values, check how we raise our kids. Then you will understand the IDF. Then check the same in Gaza. That's how you make your opinion. Good luck.
Netanyahu has abandoned the hostages in order to kill random innocent Palestinian civilians with reckless abandon. And yet people say that if you criticize the Israeli government that you're anti-Semitic. Go figure.
Yes, Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, and Avi Shlaim: we're talking about you.
Edited to add: George Soros. How could I have left him out.
Thank you only he says it better, we know who he’s talking about. My grandmother used to tell me about the JEWISH Kapos in the camps. She was never in a concentration camp. She was up in the mountains with the partisans and the communists in northern Greece, but she knew about them from some of her friends. How could they have mistreated their own brethren? The answer to that is that they felt that they have something to gain I don’t know, what to sell more books? To be more popular? It is not worth it. I think it is more because they are confused and have conflicting feelings.
Add to the list Gabor mate and his entitled son.
Why do you bring George soros in this when every negative thing about him is created by anti semites spreading hate about the Jews?
My hackles rise hearing those names, as I posted in response to Professor Abramson under his response to my original comment. I agree.
and his Son, Alexander...million$ from him to the pro Islamist "If Not Now"
Thank you …. This has needed to be said …
Hello Dr Henry, I am an Israeli TH-camr trying to get in touch with you! What would be the best way for me to get in touch?
Thank you, once again, Dr. Abramson, for being a voice of reason on TH-cam and within public discourse.
As a secular gentile, I remain aghast at the level of irrational ignorance, bigotry, and animus, toward Jewish people.
I believe the study (and understanding) of History, is by far more valuable than theology or politics - History explains most, if not - all. History also can help us to not make the same mistakes over and over, for which there are clear historical corollaries and lessons to be learned, if only we'd recognize those corollaries and heed those all-important lessons.
Side question: What is the significance of the peice of masking tape with a number on it, affixed to your lapel?
Thank you~
Thank you for the kind words. The number on the masking tape is at the request of the mother of a kidnapped child, marking the number of days he has been in captivity.
What about the Palestinians imprisoned since years ago? Your shirt wouldn’t have place for the numbers of days they have been away from their families. Children as old as 12 years old being tortured, women being raped? Palestinians want justice, they were and still are being deprived of their houses of their children of their husbands. The police uproots their olive trees, the settlers attack them and that has been going on since 1930 . But I’m sure you know about that.
A voice of bias is more like it.
Netanyahu has abandoned the hostages in order to kill random innocent Palestinian civilians with reckless abandon. And yet people say that if you criticize the Israeli government that you're anti-Semitic. Go figure.
@@briancontreras9317 What is your evidence of the accusation you made?
@@briancontreras9317 😂 you are a garden variety anti- semite so it makes us with no sense why you're watching this channel but go figure😂
Thank you for saying that with such calmness. I admit to feeling overwhelmed and having trouble understanding them.
You began your narrative with October 7. I think the narrative can start in 1896 when Herzl wrote that Zionism would be an outpost of European civilization against Asian barbarism (not exact quote but very close)
See earlier videos
You should acknowledge that this was not the only view of the Zionist movement. Herzl himself alienated himself from the rest of the Zionists with his publishing of “Altneuland”.
Thank you DR for the wise advice, I hope these words will reach out to the Jews protesting against their own family.
I wish my Jewish and Israeli friends would call Capo what they are. I'm not Jewish but my Grandfather was a Jew in Nazi Germany. What we are seeing is Weimar Drunks, WW2 Reloaded. What these people are doing is treacherous. Thank you for your respectful sensible, fact-filled approach, I am unable to be polite with these people. My prayers go out to all Jewish people and especially those in Israel where one friend lost so many at Kibbutz Be'eri. Never Again is Now.
Capo is a very harsh term indeed.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Professor, I admin international geopolitics groups. For going on 4 years I noticed a sharp uptick in antisemitic comments on social media. Facebook does not censor them at all. They put me on a 60 day strike for "hate speech and breaching community standards" for sharing the image of Al Hussaini and Hitler along with the Time article.
On my own time and dime, I started meticulously keeping records with screenshots of the most unbelievably horrific, sadistic, genocidal rhetoric imaginable. I was so concerned that about 2 years ago, I contacted Mossad with a batch of the screenshots and said "if you don't do something about this, people are going to die".
I knocked on every door, all to no avail. I have a nest of straight up Nazis that are so easy to track because they are all connected on social media. I cannot believe no one ever was interested and no one ever reined it in.
After October 7 (one friend's daughter narrowly escaped Nova, another was connected to Kibbutz Be'eri), these groups turned into absolute chaos with the most extreme antisemitism. Every time I tried to present a rational account (I saw the footage Hamas posted themselves on October 7 on Telegram, I am not confused), I was subjected to the most disgusting and vile attacks, death threats in my inbox, on and on. I reported posts where people were openly fundraising for Hamas and the Houthis. NOTHING.
My Jewish friends fall into 2 categories: those you address here, and those who stay silent, afraid to make waves, afraid of the backlash.
I personally engaged and what I have is a pattern of how their arguments go. It sounds very much like they all got identical material from very similar sites because people not linked, over the world, all parroting the same blood libel is not a coincidence. I hope one day social media terrorism, which is what this is, will be punished as a war crime
After October 7, "friends" people I know started trolling Israeli friend's memorials to their dead and attacked me for, I quote "trying to show Israelis as humans". I took screenshots, dumped them into albums with hashtags so they can easily be retrieved assuming my account isn't shut, because Nazis don't get censored, people who speak out against them do. It's so bad that Facebook removed a photo I posted of Sophie Scholl together with an article from Wikipedia (to be as bland as possible) as breaching "community standards".
If you ever want access to any of my research or to communicate, I'm at your disposal.Anyone who wants to connect with me on social media is welcome, even though I'm shadow banned to hell.
The worst, most damaging propaganda is coming from Team Finkelstein, Pappe, Mate - every right wing and left wing lunatic in the West idolises them. Apparently the tagline "Holocaust survivor" and pathological hatred of Jews is all they need. I have no Jewish source to refer to to refute them, the damage they have done is incalculable. I implemented rules that posts involving them are not geopolitics and will be deleted from group discussions but it's endless and daily. Alongside the sneering Galloway and a few others, it's lethal. People swallow everything they say hook, line and sinker.
My prayers and love to Jewish people everywhere. Stay strong and let us hope these people of the lie will be brought to justice. I will not shut up. As a child I was prone to visions (as opposed to delusions) and Nazism rising again was one. I used to pray that if it happened, I wouldn't betray myself by staying silent because of what other people thought or said.
Am Yisrael Chai
Best
Ora
You may not be aware that Qatar is funding all the universities with the biggest protests. I have links and information regarding that.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I think it's unfair to call some of these people Kapos, because many Kapos were in an impossible, unimaginable situation. Many of them also helped other inmates.
They remind me more of the Yevsektsiya.
as an Israeli Jew I actually agree with your approach a whole lot more than with this never-ending "respectful" blah blah blah
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Yes, capo is a hard term and is used very properly in this case.
The heartbreak in your eyes and the graciousness with which you broach the subject of Jewish students joining the pro Palestinian protests is so so painful to see but also inspiring. May the Lord have mercy on them and turn their hearts away from clear and immanent evil.
Amen
Great message, i hope it gets to the right people
Thank you, me too.
Charles Edward’s is me Aryehleib . I am so impressed by how you first validate and then you are so gentle. The only possible way of convincing anyone but most of us forget this in the moment. Really gold standard advocacy here.
Well, thank you.
Well you teach a course in this o think. But we always knew kain ayin hara you are a polymath. And you still won’t cop to what languages you know.
is this deliberate . One day I’ll tell my grandchildren where I was in May 2024. That might be true.
Dr Abramson, I hold a pretty centrist position on this situation but will all due respect, I don’t think there’s any level of qualification that gives someone the right to opine publicly about who is and is not a “good Jew”.
I didn’t say anything about that. Did you even watch h the video?
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Indeed I did, I’m just not sure how else the Donin example is expected to be understood other than as an impugning by implication. What is the relevance of that example? Protestor participation is analogous to that?
@@HenryAbramsonPhDAlso the survey you show at the end which is supposedly evidence that Zionism is core to the Jewish identity and anyone outside of that is marginal or something. this notion that “a good Jew must to some degree identify with modern Zionism” is intuitively contemptible to me.
Fallacious logic and intentionally misleading propaganda are central features of Zionism.
Jews participating is protests where there is implicit support for Hamas are obviously bad Jews
Dr. Abramson, thank you. I'm not J but have been attending all of your lessons of history. I am grateful, I learned the whole story of the world , Israel has been all along, from their land, to empires, to art, to religion etc etc etc. I hope many of all the peoples of the world (J or not),learn from you. After all, there is, and there will still be only One. Hope all days come soon
Thanks for the kind words.
Thank you, Rabbi. In the USA we’re closing this year’s Chag Seder with heavy hearts. Israel is in our prayers 💔 May we all have a much happier Shavuot🙏🏼
Amen. Not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
@HenryAbramsonPhD Perhaps a rabbi, not a Rabbi. Doesn't rabbi mean teacher? I think you are a superb teacher, rabbi!
As you are not Semite according to your DNA. Your can not say you are a Part of the 12 tribes. This means you have a false identitity. But I have nothing against your religion
@@borisalexanderspecker8127 Dude, have you asked your family physician to adjust your meds? It’s time.
@@cropcirclerbut why is that not true
I’m new to you channel. Why does it say “205” on your left suite.
This video is a model for how to make historical arguments within a Jewish framework. I appreciated the tasteful usage of the Haggadah at the end.
Thank you
Dear Rabbi. After the majority of my life of having my back turned from Judaism, I find myself drawn to it again. Your loving words so filled with respect and wisdom, really inspire me. I am not “there” yet. But think of it every day. I cant even dav’n. At best I can say the Shema. Please keep up the good work, and know that at least I am allmost brought home by you. Be well sir
Thanks for the kind words. How do you know that you aren’t closer to home than I am? Maybe I will follow you there! Btw not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
Sorry, thought you were a Rabbi. At least a teacher. I live quite far from the nearest Synagogue that actually has services. At least 1 hour drive to conservative shul, 90 mins drive to Amsterdam with more choice.
This issue is far more simple than you make it out to be. Good people of any religion or culture oppose the injustice of violent occupation, apartheid, and genocide. You should be proud that young Jewish people are emerging as leaders in a global movement for peace, justice, and freedom. This is Israel's moment to embrace change, and it is right that Jewish people of conscience should lead them to it.
How will the history write and videotaping about these global school protest encampments? Some professors interviewed with news and said when they were college students, MSM mainly said they were led outside agitators..I think everyone sees things differently..
VERY
We shall see
Many thanks Dr. Abramson!
As a gentile who received a solid education in history, it appears that those attending these "universities" as students were never taught 20th Century history!
When Qatar has paid off the universities for over a decade, there's no such thing as a "free lunch", they obviously wanted a quid pro quo and here we are.
What exactly makes you say that?
No one wants to talk about the unspeakable torture that the hostages are going through.
Many do
Thank you for your wisdom.
You are very welcome, thank you for the kind word
Thank you Dr. Abramson, wise words ❤
Toda Raba For Speaking Out Right Now!!! Am Yisrael Chai my brother
Am Yisrael chai.
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for God, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear God; indeed, God is fully Aware of what you do.”
They simply want to stop the slaughter. It is not an anti-jewish stance. They are not saying that Palistinians should exterminate Is rael. How could that even happen. Israel has overwhelming military power. I is in Israels interest to stop the slaughter.
Exactly. This man shows no empathy for the suffering and death of Palestinians. Every day is the 7th of October for them. Every single day.
@@AfroAsiaticLanguages watch the full video.
@@commenceun I did, thanks.
Words of wisdom, indeed. And I have begun to weep with the last words. Those who love peace seek to free the captives, to provide aid to the orphans and those who lost children. To anyone on any side that speaks of escalating violence, I think of how many more innocents would be destroyed on such a path. Let us not ask for the destruction of anything. Let us ask for rebuilding, restoration, healing, and for our hearts to be softened.
Thank you again, Professor Abramson, you have taught me an important lesson.
You should be proud of the students in the anti genocide protests. Would you support German students who were protesting against the Holocaust or would you make a patronizing utube video talking down to them
Great analogy. But clearly he lacks self awareness due to his own form of ideological brainwashing.
If Israel was perpetrating a genocide I would feel your analogy was better. My question, having read the Hamas charter, is, why aren't more Palestinians protesting against Hamas?
You have a phone. It's on your phone. Thousands of children being slaughtered by one of the most well funded militaries on the planet. It's disgusting
@@quintrankid8045because their overlords created hamas to manage them
Well done Dr. Abramson - powerful /insightful words and timely, none of us could have said it better. Todah Rabah.
Am Yisrael Chai!!! It's very difficult to find intelligent people but I have joined a temple and found some, thankfully.
Mr. Abramson, what is that 205 on your right chest? Is that something about chest?
I want to be very clear about something. I'm almost 40 and haven't been attending any protests and certainly can't speak for the young people attending. However, the assumption that they are doing this because of peer pressure and not because they are legitimately upset about the mass casualties in Gaza is pretty insulting.
You miss the point. Everyone with human heart is upset about the casualties in Gaza. But I would argue that supporting pro-Hamas protests is not the way to change the situation.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I loved your video and I loved your reply. If pro Palestinian didn't also mean pro Hamas, and it does, maybe the video would have been a little different. I am a convert to Judaism, almost 25 years ago, my converting Rabbi told me that if I wanted to be Jewish I had to be ready to take the bad with the good. This October 7 massacre has actually made me feel more Jewish and actually afraid for my Jewish children. We do not have a Jewish last name, but we live our lives as openly Jewish.
They're upset about all the suffering caused by terrorists & even though they're siding with the aggressors in chants for the anihilation of Israel.
Btw, the same bad guys who hide themselves among Palestinian civilians with Israeli civilian held hostages & who refuses to take them back.
Well, it says a lot about the reasoning behind the protests & the knowledge of the protesters about the conflict.
I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for your dedication, time, and effort towards emet.
Thank you very much
Thank you so much for all your videos. They have been a source of comfort. I have really been struggling with understanding the perspective of the protestors, not in solidarity with Gazans who are suffering, but with their allegiance to anti zionism (I find it frighteningly ahistorical to want to undo a country that already exists.)Today I listened to an interview with Noah Feldman on the Haaretz podcast. His explanation of this phenomenon really helped me feel some empathy with the kids who are protesting. I don’t agree with them, but it helps to understand their perspective. You might like it. I look forward to your next video.
Thank you for your empathetic comment.
Thank you. You're knowledge, compassion and clear thinking is a breath of fresh air.
Mr. Abramson, please forgive me if I make an inaccurate description of history and I apologize in advance for the long post. It is my view that people do not understand history or at least know ancient history. It is also my experience that people tend to place blame on other people and other "things" where it is not warranted. These students, whether they be Jewish, Christian or secular believe Israel is oppressing the Palestinians. They ignore the Torah, the Old Testament. While many stories in the Bible are most likely embellished (in my opinion) there are some historical truth's. Israelite's have inhabited the land for 4 millennia. Where were the Palestinians 4,000 years ago? Israelites are mentioned but no mention of Palestinians. They ignore or do not know the facts surrounding the 1948 war for Israeli independence nor do they understand or know that "Palestinian" only became a reference to a people in 1964. Prior they were Arabs. With that said, Israel has attempted many times to allow for/enact a two-state solution. Yasser Arafat and the PLO have rejected it. People ignore, do not know, or fail to realize that Gaza was governed by Hamas - they were voted into power. Additionally, there are no Jews in Gazza as they were forced to move by the Israeli's. People seem to think this is the result of pent up hatred for Israel treating Palestinians badly over the years. However, the Palestinians had self-governance in Gaza and it was their governing body, Hamas, that started this conflict. If the Palestinians in Gaza were suffering it was not due to the Israeli's but to Hamas and Hamas leadership who use the Palestinians as human shields and abuse them. I do not care if some or most Palestinians hate Israeli's or Jews. So be it. People ignore or do not ask "why" other Muslim countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia do not allow Palestinian refugees into their countries. Why is it not hateful when Egypt has sent their troops and erected a wall on the Sinai with southern Gaza to keep the Palestinians from entering Egypt? No one asks this question. In the short answer is that all blame should be placed on Hamas. There would not be a reason for this war if Israel was not attacked on October 7th. While there has been collateral damage and civilians have been killed I cannot and do not take the word of a terrorist organization who are the one's providing these numbers to the press. I firmly believe that Israel does everything in their power to minimize civilian casualties. However, there would never have been civilian casualties if Hamas had not attacked October 7. I believe Israel wishes to live in peace with their neighbors and the rest of the world for that matter. It is also my belief that these people do not understand that Iran is backing Hamas and attacked Israel with the blessing of Iranian leadership. I believe Iran did this because they wish to stir trouble in the region and are not happy with Israel in peaceful negotiations with her neighbors such as Saudi Arabia.
TWO POINTS. FIRST, A SMALL POINT, THE STORY OF ABRAHAM AND THE JEWS STARTS IN THE BRONZE AGE NEAR EAST ABOUT 1200-1400 YEARS AGO, NOT 4000 YEARS AGO. MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU STATE "People ignore or do not ask "why" other Muslim countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia do not allow Palestinian refugees into their countries." A BETTER QUESTION THAT YOU AND OTHERS IGNORE IS WHY THE ISRAEL DIDN'T LET THE ARABS WHO FLED OR WERE FORCED TO FLEE GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES AFTER THE FIGHTING IN 1948.
Read Herodotus.
He wrote of “Palestine”
@@palepride7530he wrote of philistine.
@@dorandacolbert5973 yeah same thing. Like Hebrews to Jews
@@palepride7530 Jews are so called because their country was Judea. Philistines were Agean people and Herodotus was a Greek author writing about his people.
Indeed it is the historian who possesses such critical insight to current events.
Your words are felt and so important.
עם חסד זו הדרך שלנו 💙
Thank you for your perspective in this difficult time 🙏🏼
Chag sameach and may we בע"ה see the world increase in knowledge and love speedily in our days! 🙌🏼🙏🏼💙🇮🇱
Amen
What is 205 mean?
Is that the number of hostages?
@@mattnewhouse1781 No 240 down to 130, though most of the 130maybe dead
Number of days the hostages have been in captivity, I believe.
Well said. I heartily concur with you.
Thank you, Rabbi, for this helpful and caring message.
You are so welcome. Not a Rabbi, just a regular guy.
I live in Northern Europe. There was a naturalised Arab at my part-time job that, a couple of weeks ago, said: "Hitler was king, because what he did to the Jews is what it said in our book that you should do to them." I never thought I'd live to heard that from a citizen of a European country. But I did.
May Israel live forever, and may the Jewish people survive this Pharaoh and this Egypt. I will continue to learn about Jewish history.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Did you ask him about how Hitler ended himself?
So, because one guy said that, you support the ongoing systematic genocide of an entire race of people?
An interesting question would be, if you go back to Oct. 6, could you say that the State of Israel was acting in good faith r.e. achieving peace with the Palestinians? One example might be the settlement movement, which you perhaps call "from Jerusalem to the river," and suggest no intention of a meaningful two state solution, if that's even what the country wants. Zionism 1.0 was the creation of a Jewish state, but 2.0 feels a little like, "We want all of it." Careful with "My country," right or wrong, but my country.
You are a real Mensch. Thank you for this video and the work you do. Sadly, those that truly NEED to hear your words (and truth) just won't hear them.
Take care and keep doing the good work. Shalom, shalom. 🙏🌻
Do you agree collective punishment of civilians is wrong? Yes or no.
Do you agree destruction of hospitals and schools is wrong? Yes or no.
Do you agree mass graves are wrong? Yes or no.
These are the reasons for the protests. If you are making apologies for atrocities you have lost the plot and the moral path.
Do you believe that actions have consequences? Does the approved leadership of Gazans make them accountable as well? Does Hamas use women and children as human shields, just as they used them as suicide bombers in the second Intifada?
If Hamas chooses to place combatants in hospitals and schools, is Israel pervented from seeking them out? Wouldn't that make the practice of terrorist action, then hide in public spaces to prevent retaliation, a policy which prevented any government from defending its people?
Look worldwide. There are exactly zero open, tolerant liberal democracies in Muslim majority countries. 57 countries, and not one of them has a thriving democracy that protects individual and minority rights. LGBTQ+ are subject to the death penalty in many Islamic countries. Religious minorities are disappearing in each and every one of those nations. And as a kicker, Arabs have a longer life expectancy in Israel than in any Arab led country.
It is your right to continue believing your ill-informed narrative, but that doesn't make you correct. Hamas makes every effort to maximize casualties among Gazan citizens in a scurrilous public relations appeal to the west. The protesters should call out,
"Hamas, release the hostages! And don't hide behind innocent civilians!"
Amen!
Thank you so much for this Rabbi. We need a lot more of these videos. Todays kids are so ignorant its unbelievable to me.
Let's hope we can spread more education.
So glad you posted this. Utter and complete naivety and lack of perspective by these well-meaning but shortsighted people
Thank you
You provide a calm and fundamental appeal to peace through knowledge. Thank you!
Very moving discussion about a very difficult issue. Thank you for your caring and your passion to help Israel and the Jewish people
I think what’s missing is that children are dying and that should be the main focus. We are not talking about a handful but two thirds of all death have been women and children.
When you know that dropping that bomb will result in so many death of children for a possible Hamas, will you drop that bomb? Is that worth the trade off. Are Palestinian child worth less than a Jewish child?
I think arguing based upon tribal affinity is a big part of the problem. If everyone just looks from that perspective, when will there ever be peace. What divides us is far smaller than what unite us.
Bernie Sanders condemns antisemitism but also condemns what Netanyahu is doing. Surely we need to go beyond tribalism. Especially given so much of history is about wars because of tribalism.
Regardless there are idiots on both sides. Just look at Ben Gvir of Netanyahu government. Such extremists don’t speak for everybody and we should never allow them to determine the narrative and divide us as they so much desire. They want us to see the false dichotomy of tribalism.
Someday I may see a child forever maimed because of Netanyahu’s bomb. And I would hate to think that I could have given my small voice even if it is not heard.
Exactly.
How do you think Israel should have reacted to Oct 7th?
@@quintrankid8045 Not with such level of collective punishment. It's beneath a nation's dignity to exercise such level of punishment. Tell Netanyahu and AIPAC, don't inflict such level of harm in our name.
this is a very interesting essay to hear, as someone without a dog in the fight, but has picked a side. what type of person would this argument work on? what are their interests? to me it feels more specific than the population of college aged jewish students of secular universities.
i don't anticipate an answer, but it's what came to mind, so discuss among yourselves.
It’s directed specifically at Jews who might consider joining pro-Hamas protests.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD i heard you say that at the beginning, but i was wondering to what audience might be persuaded by this; observant, secular, apolitical, activist or heretofor sideline sitters.
Your videos are excellent - please consider adding closed captioning - many truly need them.
Thank you. You should be able to access the captions with the settings control
@@HenryAbramsonPhD Usually that's the case - but it says closed captions are unavailable.
I didn't expect to start crying 💔 Those last couple minutes really got me 😢
Dr Abramson, first let me commend you for reaching out to your fellow Jews with a different opinion about the war. I know that is so hard to do. I am neither Jewish nor Muslim. I am a Christian and a follower of the abrahamic tradition. I am also just human. My heart is heavy with what is happening in the holy land. But I will share a few thoughts with you and other Jewish elders. Please be patient with these young people. There are lot of professional manipulators out there who are taking advantage of these young people naïveté and spirit. Second, try your hardest to remember being their age. At that age, they all want to make a difference and make their own path in the world. They still believe their single act can change the world. And they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Lastly trust you have sowed the seeds of goodness in their hearts. I know the Jewish tradition is so rich in love and caring for their children. Trust they will chose the right. And the right is not Judaism, Christianity, Islam or any other defined religion. The right is learning to love one another as the creator loves his creation. It is loving, learning and respecting all of gods creation. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you, your people, and the holy land.
Thank you for these kind and thoughtful words.
Amen. Thank you for your profound comment.
Hi professor. Thank you for all you do.
However, I wanted to bring to your attention that all the amazon link thumbnails on your website in recommended reading no longer work. I hope you are able to update them, as that list is a great academic resource
I am not Jewish I’m completely secular, but I’m fascinated by Jewish history and I was thinking how people over history were forced to deny their Jewishness to survive, most notably Maimonides. Now they join these protests for possibly same reasons? I don’t know but it’s something I have pondered.
Samw
Thank you for this lesson I pray that people will learn from this message.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not covet.
All the things that the “protestors” are advocating
Nowhere does it say you cant defend yourself or others.
can you please elaborate on the ceasefire that you say was in place on Oct 6th? what are you sources for this? and why would they starve the hostages if they need them alive to negotiate?
Im a christian. Hearing this calm analysis is so refreshing compared to the hatred and cowardliness ive seen from pro Pslestinian/Hamas protestors.
What hatred and cowardice are you seeing? Bombing kids in case they become terrorists is surely the definition of both.
Wanting to stop genocide is my driver. Theres no hate there. God bless anyone who wants peace and justice, Jew, Muslim, secular - Israel has thousands of Palestinian hostages right now, while bombing 16000 kids to retrieve less than 200 israelis. Proportionality and justice are related.
Thank you Dr Abramson for you wise perspective.
Thank you so much, finally I understand how the father loves the wicked son back in the prodigal son parable. I am so grateful for the Jewish people. Without you I would live in some dark age without knowing the God of Jacob. I have no words for what my people has done to you during the holocaust. Last year I visited a concentration memorial site nearby, it broke my heart. It was grace to visit a synagogue for the first time last year and the only thing that remained of it after its destruction were the ten commandments. Today it is reconstructed. God bless you, blessing for all nations.
Thank you for the supporting words
These youth are leading the way. Perhaps you all should learn from them and follow their lead.
THANK YOU RABBI. I am a christian and praying for young Jews who watch your truly wise video. Reminds me of the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. We love you because Jesus loved you, HIS family, and for all that HE has done to include us , WELCOME US, into the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD. HE INCLUDED US....who did not deserve to be included......tears say we are FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE CROSS !❤
This is one of the purest forms of Mussar Ive ever heard. Henry, your ability to give mussar creates a responsibility that many dont have, because of inability.😊
Thank you. Doesn't always work so well, but I appreciate the kind words.
I hear the sadness in your voice! I listened to your podcasts during covid.
So noble of you to share this message. Well done. May HaShem spread your words.
Thank you very much