End the war. Now.
Israel could end the war today. Why isn't it? I think we know the answer.
PSA: If you, too, would like this war to end and for the hostages to be returned and for the people of Gaza to have their humanity restored and for there to be a long-term peace deal in Israel/Palestine based on freedom and human rights and for Bibi Netanyahu to be out of office and for Kamala Harris to be elected and for champions of democracy and humanity to be running the world and for women to have more power in leadership, especially feminist women who are smashing the patriarchy and saving the planet — if this describes YOU and you want to be armed and equipped with material and ideas to help you fight your battles, PLEASE consider becoming a paid subscriber to my substack. I’m here for you, but I can use the support. I really, really can use the support. And if you like this, please share. THANK YOU! <3 - elana
Two headlines caught my attention today.
In Item 1, Times of Israel reports that the ceasefire talks have stalled because Hamas is still insisting that Israel end the war.
This feels like such a no-brainer. Ending the war is a win-win. It’s what Israelis want. It’s what Palestinians want. It’s what the Lebanese want. It’s what the negotiators want. And not just those of us living out the war. It’s also what protesters around the world want. It’s what people trying to elect Kamala Harris want. Hell, it’s even what trump wants at this point. Everyone wants this fucking war to end.
Everyone but Bibi Netanyahu, apparently. And his band of 64 coalition members who really like being in power.
That was Item 1.
Item 2 is this doozy: According to CNN, the IDF has reported to Bibi Netanyahu that they are done with the war. There is nothing left for them to do in this war.
Yeah, you read that right. In this head-twisting but of news that sounds like Waze recalibrating in your brain, the Israeli army has actually told its prime minister that they are completely ready for this war to end.
However, as we all, know, Netanyahu refuses. CNN calls him “defiant”. The rest of us call him a dick. Or more politely, a megalomaniacal, narcissistic psychopath.
Bibi Netanyahu desperately needs this war to continue. Once it stops, he has to face inquiries, his corruption trials, new elections, and possibly prison. All of those are really bad for him. So he keeps up this facade of the war being “not done yet”, calling for “absolute victory” which we know doesn’t even exist, and keeps bombing the hell out of civilians and destroying homes and calling on Israeli civilians to do his dirty work for him. It’s so twisted. It is all twisted — and probably even more twisted than we know about.
And then there are his coalition members. They also like the war. They all very happy with the budgets that they have received during this war — even if their pet projects, such as settling Gaza with Jews, are wildly immoral and smack of ethnic cleansing, and also btw divert funding from things that Israelis need like, say, education and healthcare. They are having a party and don’t want it to end.
So, now what?
In Israel, we keep protesting. There are protests literally every day. Some hostage families have camped out outside the Knesset, and some have been conducing hunger strikes. There are protests outside the PM’s house in Caesaria that my friend Rabbi Haviva Ner David regularly attends, as well as outside other MKs’ homes (apparently Miri Regev REALLY doesn’t like those “motherfking protesters”). There are also organizations conducting tours of the West Bank and Bedouin villages in shows of support for those suffering most (To stay updated about these tours and opportunities, join the 'Voices of Solidarity' WhatsApp group.) And of course there is the social media battle, where so much of this war is taking place.
And if you’re in America, go vote for Kamala Harris. I know that many Palestinians and Muslims are disappointed that she hasn’t done more to end this war. But first of all, we all must realize that Trump would be an absolute nightmare. Here is how Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and Progressive Democrats in Arizona explained their support for Kamala Harris this week:
For another great read on this, see Jill Filipovic’s plea to vote for Kamala.
And for those of you who are worried that Kamala will make Israel disappear or some shit like that (GOP spin), Kamala Harris comes from a place of compassion and endeavoring to see all sides. She talks about the hostages in the same statements in which she talks about the people of Gaza. She hasn’t yet been in a position to truly implement her own vision. But I sense that she understands nuance and complexity and will be on the side of justice, compassion, and humanity.
And I would add one more point: This may not be what we’re used to hearing, but I fully believe that what is good for the Palestinians is also good for Israelis. If we understand that we all ultimately want the same things — a place to live and thrive with freedom, security, and humanity — then we can build a future that is the best for all of us.
Because ultimately, what is good for humanity is good for the Jews. And I think Kamala Harris gets that.
What about you? Share your thoughts!
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