People rarely say it outright, but it’s there: for many, the debate isn’t about a one- or two-state solution—it’s about no Jewish state at all. Seeing a pop act, on successive weeks, sing “Death to the IDF” at Glastonbury and then perform a routine in Athens in front of a Palestinian flag whilst giving a Nazi salute and goosestepping forces us to address this topic.

Since 1947, when the UN voted to establish a Jewish homeland in part of its ancestral territory, a broad and diverse coalition has emerged—some explicit, others more subtle—who believe that decision was a mistake. Their reasons vary and include (in a broad estimation of population segments holding these views):

– Arab and Islamic voices who see the land as rightfully Palestinian or Islamic,

– Anti-colonialists who view Israel as a Western imposition,

– Humanitarians and liberals who believe the cost of maintaining Israel is too high, especially with the impact on Palestinians and most especially Gaza,

– Jewish critics who feel Israel compromises Jewish ethics and isn’t ‘worth the downside’ or that a Jewish State is no longer necessary,

– Post-Holocaust critics who argue Israel was a guilt offering at the expense of Palestinians,

– Conspiracy theorists who believe Jews control the world from Israel,

– Antisemites who simply hate Jews and see Israel as a convenient target,

– Extremists who supported Israel’s creation with the sinister aim of concentrating Jews in one place for future destruction,

– Small groups of Ultra-Orthodox Jews who deny a religious right to the land without messianic redemption.

This vast and powerful unofficial coalition, with very differing viewpoints but converging on the same solution, comes together in the streets under various guises—superficially in response to the pain in Gaza, but also with a clear agenda that Israel should be gone. Slogans like “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” and the increasingly vocal “Death to the IDF” reflect this sentiment.

It is worth noting that there is a whole other wing that stokes these crowd and this agenda and that is the ‘distraction’ as a form of magic crowd – who push the Israel/Gaza issue to hide their own conflicts and regional tensions. With this receiving so much attention, countries with seriously dangerous human rights issues not only avoid their discussion but actually........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)