Brilliant piece, Steve! Bravo Now, how do I, a Sebastopol native whose activism began at Analy by producing a weekend conference about civil disobedience called‘What Price Freedom’, in 1966, get a coffee date with you and Elena? Can’t let 2 incredibly savvy, passionate and well informed individuals live so close and not spend some time in their presence.
Good interview, especially considering the interviewer clearly came across as biased for the state of Israel. Elena Lev knew how to hold her own! In speaking on the "complexity" of the situation, prior events leading up to October 7th cannot be overlooked. The IDF was already brutal in their methods and the noose was tightening on the Palestinians, stateless and oppressed. The pressure cooker blew and Bibi (and his fellow fascists) have had their chance to do what they've always wanted to.
Damn straight I’m biased. I’m an Israeli citizen with friends and family who have been bombed, killed (no, murdered), and terrorized. I also have been to Gaza, and many times to the West Bank to visit with Palestinian friends who for decades have truly been terrorized. I know a little about the place, and when people show a lack of understanding of the history, the reality, and yes, the complexity of this disastrous situation, I may not come across as entirely impartial or as patient as need be. I’m not impartial, and my hunch is you aren’t as well. I care passionately about the people of Israel/Palestine, and will do whatever I can, in any small way, to support any effort that seeks peace.
Hats off to Elena and friends who are also on a peace driven mission.
I hear your passion and respect your experience, Steve. But I believe there will be no peace until there is justice for the Palestinian people. Apartheid isn't justice, occupation isn't justice, ethnic cleansing isn't justice. Murdering the best and brightest of the Palestinian people: it's doctors, scientists, professors, poets, journalists? This will not make Jews safer in Israel or anywhere for that matter. How many orphaned, injured and traumatized Palestinian children will be left after this scourge? All potential "terrorists" perhaps? Which is why the IDF is trained to kill them all, without hesitation. What we are seeing unfold in Gaza and the West Bank (slaughter, settlements, etc) will not make Jews safer in Israel or anywhere for that matter. Nice chat, eh? Want to meet for coffee sometime?
Happy to meet for coffee and an exchange of ideas. We already agree on a lot. But Fran, “the IDF is trained to kill them all, without hesitation “?!? Come on.
That’s a gross distortion. It’s actually off the hook hate speech. Dreyfus Affair anyone?
Great... I love Retrograde! I guess you haven't seen the video of Rabbi Eliyahu Mali teaching his students and IDF soldiers in training (in Jaffa) that killing Palestinian women & children is just according to Jewish law 'He claimed that those described as “vandals” in today’s war are “the children of the previous war whom we kept alive, and in reality, it is the women who produce terrorists.” ' I have a close Israeli friend, who left Israel in his early 20's, after a few years in the IDF. He couldn't stand the indoctrination and the racism. That was in the late 70's. I know not all Israelis adhere to such beliefs and take great hope in what the younger ones can bring in. It will take great courage and perseverance to challenge the hate that exists in this world.
Brilliant piece, Steve! Bravo Now, how do I, a Sebastopol native whose activism began at Analy by producing a weekend conference about civil disobedience called‘What Price Freedom’, in 1966, get a coffee date with you and Elena? Can’t let 2 incredibly savvy, passionate and well informed individuals live so close and not spend some time in their presence.
Fabulous work.
Great interview Steve. Elena sounds very wise. Thank you!
Good interview, especially considering the interviewer clearly came across as biased for the state of Israel. Elena Lev knew how to hold her own! In speaking on the "complexity" of the situation, prior events leading up to October 7th cannot be overlooked. The IDF was already brutal in their methods and the noose was tightening on the Palestinians, stateless and oppressed. The pressure cooker blew and Bibi (and his fellow fascists) have had their chance to do what they've always wanted to.
Hi Fran.
Damn straight I’m biased. I’m an Israeli citizen with friends and family who have been bombed, killed (no, murdered), and terrorized. I also have been to Gaza, and many times to the West Bank to visit with Palestinian friends who for decades have truly been terrorized. I know a little about the place, and when people show a lack of understanding of the history, the reality, and yes, the complexity of this disastrous situation, I may not come across as entirely impartial or as patient as need be. I’m not impartial, and my hunch is you aren’t as well. I care passionately about the people of Israel/Palestine, and will do whatever I can, in any small way, to support any effort that seeks peace.
Hats off to Elena and friends who are also on a peace driven mission.
I hear your passion and respect your experience, Steve. But I believe there will be no peace until there is justice for the Palestinian people. Apartheid isn't justice, occupation isn't justice, ethnic cleansing isn't justice. Murdering the best and brightest of the Palestinian people: it's doctors, scientists, professors, poets, journalists? This will not make Jews safer in Israel or anywhere for that matter. How many orphaned, injured and traumatized Palestinian children will be left after this scourge? All potential "terrorists" perhaps? Which is why the IDF is trained to kill them all, without hesitation. What we are seeing unfold in Gaza and the West Bank (slaughter, settlements, etc) will not make Jews safer in Israel or anywhere for that matter. Nice chat, eh? Want to meet for coffee sometime?
Happy to meet for coffee and an exchange of ideas. We already agree on a lot. But Fran, “the IDF is trained to kill them all, without hesitation “?!? Come on.
That’s a gross distortion. It’s actually off the hook hate speech. Dreyfus Affair anyone?
Retrograde or Cafe Moore?
Great... I love Retrograde! I guess you haven't seen the video of Rabbi Eliyahu Mali teaching his students and IDF soldiers in training (in Jaffa) that killing Palestinian women & children is just according to Jewish law 'He claimed that those described as “vandals” in today’s war are “the children of the previous war whom we kept alive, and in reality, it is the women who produce terrorists.” ' I have a close Israeli friend, who left Israel in his early 20's, after a few years in the IDF. He couldn't stand the indoctrination and the racism. That was in the late 70's. I know not all Israelis adhere to such beliefs and take great hope in what the younger ones can bring in. It will take great courage and perseverance to challenge the hate that exists in this world.
Great column and an amazing young woman. I would love to see some discussion of it here.