Intent to Kill

>> Elizabeth, I am highly disappointed in you. I am Jewish and a Zionist and your comment is highly offensive to me. Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself. <<

You're entitled to your opinion, but I'm also entitled to mine. I believe that a country has the right to defend itself. I don't believe that it has the right to do so in ways that are overbearing and destructive to other nations. Whether it has the right to exist ... I think that wanting a homeland is a fine and reasonable goal, but based on observed actions, the Jews in Israel are making a painful mess of it. To me, that's disappointing. I'm not going to give them a free pass on obnoxious behavior just because they're Jews and have been victimized for centuries and finally have a place of their own. They're wrecking it -- and that's not a surprise, given that most of the Middle East is a wreck and they've been culturally traumatized for ages. But it is a problem, and now it's their problem.

>> FYI, Israel is a very civilized nation, a very developed nation to say the least and there is enough evidence out there to prove this. <<

Sorry, but what I have seen of Israel's behavior does not qualify it as civilized on my scale. Neither is the United States, in which I live, or some other countries whose behavior I've criticized before. Humanity is a rough race yet. You're entitled to use a different standard for civilization if you wish, but that doesn't allow you to take away my standard.

>> This comment is made out of ignorance and hatred. <<

That statement is factually inaccurate. I've studied history; I have an awareness of Jewish background and how Israel was formed and a fair number of things it's done since it was formed. Those things play into the current situation. I don't hate Jews; I find the culture interesting. I don't hate Israel, but I am increasingly frustrated by its behavior and the amount of trouble it is causing for itself and other people. It is entirely possible to disapprove on a logical and practical level.

>> I am sorry. Seriously. But I will unfriend you. There is nothing further I would like to read from someone with such views. <<

If you can't handle the differences of opinion, then yes, that's a good idea. Not all of my opinions are nice ones, because the world is full of troublesome people and problems, and I'm shy about calling them out.