Thank you for this. Amir Tibon is one of the reasons I re-subscribed to the English language edition of Haaretz (which I recommend for anyone who is interested in following the conflict in Israel-Gaza) and also one of the reasons I stay on Twitter. He tweets in Hebrew but there is a translator.
Not only is a two-state solution not "the only solution," it is not even a solution. The only times the region has had peace was when outside empires ruled it and kept the tribes from each others' throats. This was true 1000 years before Abraham's tribes arrived from Mesopotamia, and there is next to zero hope little nations formed from today's tribes would act any differently.
Realistically, neither Israelis nor Palestinians want the other to have a sovereign nation, and we need to get off the fantasy of a two-state solution.
As someone who has been deeply involved in the Israeli / Palestinian conflict dating back to the Oslo Accords in the early 90s, I can state unequivocally that any meaningful progress towards a two-state solution will entail gut-wrenching compromises on both sides. Moreover, I would note, in my view, that unless the relevant parties try and reconcile Israel’s illegal (says the UN) occupation, since 1967, of disputed Palestinian territory, the longest occupation in modern history, there will be no end to the violence.
Thank you for this. I am away from home helping with a family emergency and this helps me stay in touch. President Biden’s words deeply resonate with me. Why anyone would choose to support DT who can barely read over this intelligent, courageous,and compassionate human being who demonstrates daily what leadership means beats me.
Listening to Mr. Tibon helped me better understand the situation in Israel. His point about there always being antisemites is well taken. You can apply that to prejudices against other groups as well. When hate, bigotry, and blind resentment prevail it is always a loss for the rest of us. Those of us who love freedom and our fellow beings, who are willing to learn from history rather than simply repeat it, must win this one.
My heart goes out to Amir and his family. I listened twice to this important interview ... so essential to hear directly from people on the ground. Also, listening to Amir speak about President Biden made me deeply proud and hopeful. Thanks Simon for bringing this emotional and personal conversation, with insightful political implications, to our community.
Thank you, Simon, for the interview with Amir. He helped me have a better understanding of the situation in Israel at the current time for so many displaced from their homes. He also gave his ideas on what the future should look like.
I wish Amir and his family the best as they wait out the war and upheaval in the Israeli government.
Your Hopium Letter is correctly named. All things begin with a dream. President Joe Biden is speaking of a dream of peace. It is very possible but each of us must believe it and then live it. His words can inspire that belief. Thank you Simon for sharing the words of the strong leader we have at this time in history. Yes, he can be called “old”. I prefer to think of him as the most experienced, right guy at this time.
Shortly after watching and reading today’s Hopium, I read the following in The Humanist Quarterly: “Sasha Sagan, author and daughter of renowned scientist Carl Sagan, emphasizes the importance of kindness, stating, ‘I believe our cruelty toward one another, not sex or love of knowledge, is our original sin. It’s for that which we must atone. In small instances as well as large ones.’”
Thank you Simon. This is a very needed part of the conversation and I’m really glad you shared it with us. Starts to address my concern on how we stay unified for democracy.
I am especially inspired by the work of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists. I joined Canadian Friends of Peace Now after the last war in Gaza. I now plan to try to start a small local group to support the work of Vivian Silver the great Canadian Israeli Peace activist. https://youtu.be/NLKQ5BTZ9xQ.
I hope that at some time you review the work of Sarah Posner and others on Christian Zionists and their terrifying influence on US foreign policy. She seems very credible to me.
I am praying hard for Amir , his family and all the people of Israel. I subscribe to Haaretz. I am praying for those people taken hostage and all the healthcare professionals trying to care for patients. I also know people who went to volunteer and I have heard wonderful things about all the volunteers helping out. I also worry about food as the harvest has been interrupted and destroyed in southern Israel and also Palestinians cannot harvest their olive and fig trees in the West Bank. It is all horrific. Peace and healing is so needed. Hopefully funds can be drained from Hezbollah and Hamas. God Bless Biden and Blinken. We really need to work at peace and also at trauma healing. We also must amplify the stories of compassion and altruism and kindness. This is very important. It is very important to amplify these messages. Some elements of the media always amplify dystopian messages. We need to hear from people like Amir. Also from the human rights and peace activists.
I listened to this deep and heartfelt conversation twice, Simon. You both have a wonderful ability to communicate at the intellectual and the emotional level at the same time, and the deep connection between the two of you is palpable. What an opportunity for us to hear about the substance and impact of President Biden’s visit. Our job is to do everything in our power to make sure he remains President.
Thank you, Sir!
Thank you for this. Amir Tibon is one of the reasons I re-subscribed to the English language edition of Haaretz (which I recommend for anyone who is interested in following the conflict in Israel-Gaza) and also one of the reasons I stay on Twitter. He tweets in Hebrew but there is a translator.
I also signed up to Haaretz and read this each day.
Not only is a two-state solution not "the only solution," it is not even a solution. The only times the region has had peace was when outside empires ruled it and kept the tribes from each others' throats. This was true 1000 years before Abraham's tribes arrived from Mesopotamia, and there is next to zero hope little nations formed from today's tribes would act any differently.
Realistically, neither Israelis nor Palestinians want the other to have a sovereign nation, and we need to get off the fantasy of a two-state solution.
So what is your proposal? For both to be taken over by larger nations and ruled with an iron fist?
What a hideous idea.
Just making clear that I certainly don’t endorse any such idea 🙏
I understood that that and it was a good spur to keep searching for saner alternatives 😊🙏
As someone who has been deeply involved in the Israeli / Palestinian conflict dating back to the Oslo Accords in the early 90s, I can state unequivocally that any meaningful progress towards a two-state solution will entail gut-wrenching compromises on both sides. Moreover, I would note, in my view, that unless the relevant parties try and reconcile Israel’s illegal (says the UN) occupation, since 1967, of disputed Palestinian territory, the longest occupation in modern history, there will be no end to the violence.
Thank you Simon.
Thank you for this. I am away from home helping with a family emergency and this helps me stay in touch. President Biden’s words deeply resonate with me. Why anyone would choose to support DT who can barely read over this intelligent, courageous,and compassionate human being who demonstrates daily what leadership means beats me.
Listening to Mr. Tibon helped me better understand the situation in Israel. His point about there always being antisemites is well taken. You can apply that to prejudices against other groups as well. When hate, bigotry, and blind resentment prevail it is always a loss for the rest of us. Those of us who love freedom and our fellow beings, who are willing to learn from history rather than simply repeat it, must win this one.
My heart goes out to Amir and his family. I listened twice to this important interview ... so essential to hear directly from people on the ground. Also, listening to Amir speak about President Biden made me deeply proud and hopeful. Thanks Simon for bringing this emotional and personal conversation, with insightful political implications, to our community.
Thank you, Simon, for the interview with Amir. He helped me have a better understanding of the situation in Israel at the current time for so many displaced from their homes. He also gave his ideas on what the future should look like.
I wish Amir and his family the best as they wait out the war and upheaval in the Israeli government.
Heartfelt thanks for this moving interview and conversation. Very meaningful to hear directly from Amir. And I will look into Ha’aaretz. 🕊️🙏🏼
Your Hopium Letter is correctly named. All things begin with a dream. President Joe Biden is speaking of a dream of peace. It is very possible but each of us must believe it and then live it. His words can inspire that belief. Thank you Simon for sharing the words of the strong leader we have at this time in history. Yes, he can be called “old”. I prefer to think of him as the most experienced, right guy at this time.
Shortly after watching and reading today’s Hopium, I read the following in The Humanist Quarterly: “Sasha Sagan, author and daughter of renowned scientist Carl Sagan, emphasizes the importance of kindness, stating, ‘I believe our cruelty toward one another, not sex or love of knowledge, is our original sin. It’s for that which we must atone. In small instances as well as large ones.’”
Thank you Simon and Amir . Thank you
Thank you Simon. This is a very needed part of the conversation and I’m really glad you shared it with us. Starts to address my concern on how we stay unified for democracy.
I am especially inspired by the work of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists. I joined Canadian Friends of Peace Now after the last war in Gaza. I now plan to try to start a small local group to support the work of Vivian Silver the great Canadian Israeli Peace activist. https://youtu.be/NLKQ5BTZ9xQ.
https://youtu.be/w1Llhi5PX7s
I hope that at some time you review the work of Sarah Posner and others on Christian Zionists and their terrifying influence on US foreign policy. She seems very credible to me.
I am praying hard for Amir , his family and all the people of Israel. I subscribe to Haaretz. I am praying for those people taken hostage and all the healthcare professionals trying to care for patients. I also know people who went to volunteer and I have heard wonderful things about all the volunteers helping out. I also worry about food as the harvest has been interrupted and destroyed in southern Israel and also Palestinians cannot harvest their olive and fig trees in the West Bank. It is all horrific. Peace and healing is so needed. Hopefully funds can be drained from Hezbollah and Hamas. God Bless Biden and Blinken. We really need to work at peace and also at trauma healing. We also must amplify the stories of compassion and altruism and kindness. This is very important. It is very important to amplify these messages. Some elements of the media always amplify dystopian messages. We need to hear from people like Amir. Also from the human rights and peace activists.
I listened to this deep and heartfelt conversation twice, Simon. You both have a wonderful ability to communicate at the intellectual and the emotional level at the same time, and the deep connection between the two of you is palpable. What an opportunity for us to hear about the substance and impact of President Biden’s visit. Our job is to do everything in our power to make sure he remains President.