Hamas and the left: Allies in anti-Semitism and terror

 

Our Existential Crisis: loss of a Godly narrative capable of defining the nature of reality:

Let us have a serious existential conversation. A discussion about the nature of reality. As to how and why we perceive the world around us as we do. Reality must be constrained to be perceived since the nature of it is far too complex. Without constraints we would simply drown in the details. This is why since the 4^th century CE Christianity gave the West a consistent and disciplined framework which provided these constraints, a single unifying framework which defined our world view. Yet in this emerging post-Christian world the lack of such a framework has created an enormous void. In the absence of this grand narrative, we are confronted with nihilism and despair.

Since nature detests a vacuum, the void created in Christianity’s absence cried out for a new all-encompassing world view. A one size fits all solution which Postmodern society could embrace to explain the nature of being and our place in a world of infinite complexity. Enter Cultural Marxist Critical Theory. This theory in conjunction with Postmodern Literary Criticism provides an operating system which informs how the radical left will examine the nature of reality, namely by dialectical analysis. According to a recent study at U of T this world view is most often embraced by those who have low verbal intelligence since dialectical analysis often oversimplifies multivariate complex problems. After all, you cannot be very verbally adroit of you are willing to ignore inherent inconsistencies and contradictions in your own conclusions. Even as Marx and Engels based their Communist Manifesto on Dialectical Materialism, the radical left of today embraced this Hegelian concept of Dialectical Materialism and expanded it to include a critical analysis of intersectional oppression.

Which is why despite the threat from the founder of Hamas calling for all followers around the world to dedicate their “blood and souls” to Palestine on Friday the 13^th of October some of our own politicians have still declared open support for Hamas. We must ask how it is that leftists can call for restraint in dealing with terrorists who intend to maim and murder innocents while claiming that Palestinians are victims of "post-colonial oppression"? It demonstrates a willful ignorance of history to accuse Israel of being guilty of post-colonial oppression given that Jews first inhabited the land of Israel some 3.5 Millenia ago. Obviously, one cannot bargain with murderous totalitarian zealots who have sworn to destroy Israel and murder innocent Jews with impunity who hide behind their own women and children while doing so. Furthermore, you cannot reason with the leftists who support them since they've divorced themselves from this reality. It is my opinion that neither belong in a civilized society! So let us examine how the left attempts to reconcile the contradictions inherent in their inconsistent ideology.

Hamas and Gaza:

Hamas, a militant Palestinian nationalist movement, took control of Gaza after it won elections there in 2006⁴. Since then, no elections have been held⁴.

The Gaza Strip refers to a narrow strip of land wedged between Israel and Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea⁴. After the creation of Israel in 1948, Egypt controlled Gaza for nearly two decades. After Israel's victory in the 1967 Six-Day War against its Arab neighbors, it gained control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank⁴.

In 2005, under international and domestic pressure, Israel withdrew around 9,000 Israeli settlers and its military forces from Gaza, leaving the enclave to be governed by the Palestinian Authority, which also controlled parts of the occupied West Bank⁴.

Despite pleas from the United Nations and human rights groups, Israel has maintained a land, air and sea blockade on Gaza since 2007 that has had a devastating effect on Palestinian civilians⁴. Israel says the blockade, which gives it control of Gaza's borders and is also enforced by Egypt, is necessary to protect Israeli citizens from Hamas⁴. The International Committee of the Red Cross considers the blockade illegal and says it violates the Geneva Convention⁴.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2023-10-14

(1) Gaza Strip explained: Who controls it and what to know - NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/gaza-strip-controls-s-know-rcna119405.

(2) Why Hamas' control of Gaza must end now. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/why-hamas-control-of-gaza-must-end-now/ar-AA1hRQjm.

(3) Why did Hamas attack, and why now? What does it hope to gain?. https://theconversation.com/why-did-hamas-attack-and-why-now-what-does-it-hope-to-gain-215248.

(4) What is Hamas, how does it control the Gaza Strip and why has Israel declared war?. https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/what-is-hamas-how-does-it-control-the-gaza-strip-and-why-has-israel-declared-war/ar-AA1hTo5Q.

(5) What’s happening in Israel and Gaza? What is Hamas? A really simple .... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67039975.

(6) Guide: Why are Israel and the Palestinians fighting over Gaza?. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/20436092.

Why does Egypt also block Gaza:

Egypt has several reasons for maintaining restrictions on the Gaza Strip³⁴⁵. Here are some key points:

1. **Security Concerns**: When Hamas took over Gaza, Egypt and Israel largely closed their border crossings with Gaza, on the grounds that Fatah and Palestinian Authority forces had fled the Strip and were no longer able to provide security on the Palestinian side⁵.

2. **Regional Rivalries and International Alliances**: Egypt doesn't want to take the pressure off Israel, which it holds responsible for running Gaza⁴. At the same time, Egypt has an interest in weakening Hamas, which rules the territory⁴.

3. **Fear of Increased Iranian Influence**: Egypt was worried that Hamas control of Gaza would increase Iranian influence⁵.

4. **Refugee Crisis**: Egypt is uneasy about the prospect of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees crossing into its territory¹.

5. **Preserving Palestinian Rights**: Egypt rejects any move to set up safe corridors for refugees fleeing the enclave, to protect "the right of Palestinians to hold on to their cause and their land"².

It's important to note that these are complex and sensitive issues with deep historical roots and ongoing political implications.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2023-10-14

(1) Officials: Egypt closes Gaza border amid tensions with Hamas. https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-africa-egypt-hamas-5570b6bf0e5f1c853ebf3863745fc1fc.

(2) Israel, Gaza tensions: Why Egypt helps maintain the blockade. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/israel-gaza-tensions-why-egypt-helps-maintain-blockade.

(3) Blockade of the Gaza Strip - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockade_of_the_Gaza_Strip.

(4) The last remaining exit for Gazans is through Egypt. Here's why ... - CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/13/middleeast/egypt-rafah-crossing-gaza-palestinians-mime-intl/index.html.

(5) Egypt says Israel seeks to empty Gaza, rejects corridors for civilians .... https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/12/egypt-says-israel-seeks-to-empty-gaza-rejects-corridors-for-civilians.

Iran’s influence over Hamas:

From https://www.aol.com/news/germanys-scholz-iran-bears-responsibility-075215085.html

Germany's Scholz: Iran bears responsibility for Hamas attacks by Thomas Escritt and Miranda Murray

October 12, 2023 at 6:31 AM

BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday Iran bore responsibility for helping Hamas grow to the point where it launched last weekend's attack on Israel, as he announced a crackdown on organisations that backed the Islamist movement.

"While we have no firm proof that Iran operationally supported this cowardly attack, it is clear to us all that without Iranian support, Ham as would never have been able to launch this unprecedented attack," he said.

"The jubilant statements from the top of the Iranian regime and some other government officials in the region are abhorrent. The leadership in Tehran shows its true colours without shame, and thereby confirms its role in Gaza."

The Islamic Republic has celebrated the Hamas assault but denied that Tehran was behind them.

In a special address to the German parliament, Scholz said his government would ban all fundraising and other activities supporting Hamas, including being seen to glorify its actions or displaying its symbols.

He also announced a ban on Samidoun, an international activist group that says it supports Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, but which German authorities say promotes hate speech and calls for Israel's destruction.

Samidoun did not respond to a request for comment.

Germany rallied around Israel after at least 1,300 people were killed and dozens taken hostage in a mass cross-border infiltration by Hamas militants into Israeli towns and villages near Gaza. It has frozen Palestinian aid pending a review.

Germany has stepped up protection of Jewish institutions and banned a pro-Palestinian protest due to take place in the capital Berlin on Wednesday.

Like other German leaders, Scholz said the country had a historic duty towards Israel given its responsibility for the Nazi-perpetrated Holocaust.

The suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip was likely to worsen "but that too is the fault of Hamas and its attack on Israel," Scholz said, while also criticising what he said was the "shameful" silence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose West Bank-based Fatah movement is a rival of Hamas.

Gaza authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed in a retaliatory Israeli bombing campaign.

Scholz added that it was important to try and avoid a further regional escalation of violence, warning Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militant group, powerful in Israel's neighbour Lebanon, not to risk an attack on Israel.

"I am in close contact with Egypt's President Sisi, who has channels to Gaza. I will speak with Turkey's President Erdogan today and receive the Emir of Qatar," he added. "All three can play an important role in de-escalating the situation."’

Why the radical left sympathises with Islamic terrorists:

1 Anti-Imperialism: Some on the radical left view Western countries, particularly the United States, as imperialist powers that have historically exploited and oppressed countries in the Middle East. They may sympathize with groups that they see as resisting this imperialism.

2 Anti-Israel Sentiment: Some individuals on the radical left are critical of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians and may sympathize with groups that oppose Israel.

3 Solidarity with Oppressed Groups: The radical left often emphasizes solidarity with oppressed groups around the world. They may view some Islamic groups as representing oppressed populations.

4 Critique of Capitalism: Some on the radical left critique global capitalism and may see some Islamic groups as resisting this system.

5 Misunderstanding or Lack of Information: In some cases, individuals may not fully understand the actions or ideologies of certain groups and may sympathize with them based on a lack of information.

Dialectical synthesis leads to oversimplifying complex problems:

Dialectical synthesis is a concept in philosophy that refers to the resolution of a conflict between two opposing ideas or forces, known as a thesis and an antithesis¹⁵. The synthesis is the outcome of this conflict, which can be a refutation of the thesis, a combination of the opposing assertions, or a qualitative improvement of the dialogue¹. This process is unending as your synthesis becomes your new thesis, for which it too will possess a counter-proposition (antithesis)⁴.

On the other hand, oversimplification refers to reducing complexity so severely that a distorted impression is given⁸. It loses the nuances of an issue and people may arrogantly believe they can resolve a layered issue with simple “solutions”⁸. Unfortunately, simple “solutions” fail to tackle the layers within a complex issue⁸.

In the context of multivariate complex issues, dialectical synthesis can be seen as a method to understand and resolve these complexities. It acknowledges that all things are made of opposing forces and brings together the most valuable parts of two polarities to form a new meaning, understanding, or solution in a given situation³. However, it's important to avoid oversimplification when dealing with such issues. Reducing complexity loses the nuances of an issue and simple “solutions” fail to tackle the layers within a complex issue⁸. Therefore, while dialectical synthesis can be a useful tool in understanding complex issues, care must be taken to avoid oversimplification.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2023-10-14

(1) Dialectic - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic.

(2) What Is Dialectics? What Is The Triad Thesis? - Science ABC. https://www.scienceabc.com/social-science/what-is-dialectics.html.

(3) Creative Problem Solving: Create Meaning from Contradictory Ideas. https://www.lifehack.org/693699/creative-problem-solving-create-meaning-from-contradictory-ideas.

(4) The Dangers of Oversimplification | Avoid The Fallacy of Reduction. https://www.becomeanindividual.com/oversimplification/.

(5) The Power of “And” - West Virginia University. https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/media/104008/introduction-to-dialectics.pdf.

(6) Dialectic | Hegelian, Synthesis & Antithesis | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/dialectic-logic.

(7) Analysis of Multiple Dependent Variables - Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/Analysis_of_Multiple_Dependent_Variables.html?id=eH6_ty48As8C.

(8) 6 Avoiding Oversimplification - Maricopa Open Digital Press. https://open.maricopa.edu/researchsandbox/chapter/critical-thinking-avoiding-oversimplification/.

(9) Don’t Oversimplify The Complex Or Overcomplicate The Simple. https://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2015/05/07/dont-oversimplify-complex-overcomplicate-simple/.

(10) Oversimplification | The Encyclopedia of World Problems. http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/problem/oversimplification.

My conclusions and observations:

The foremost reason the left’s narrative fails is that Dialectical Synthesis ignores the very foundations for the morality of the West based upon Christian ethics. Which is why the process of Dialectical Synthesis potentially leads to moral dilemmas if the thesis and antithesis represent conflicting moral values. In such cases, the synthesis might involve a compromise or reconciliation that some might view as morally problematic.

Marx and Engels failed to explain the complexity of a market economy since the Dialectical Materialism which formed the basis of the Communist Manifesto. And so, it is with Cultural Marxist Critical Theory and Postmodern Literary Criticism which fails to comprehend the complexity inherent to social cooperation, morality, and the human need for personal freedom and autonomy. Therefore, Hegelian Dialectical analysis is far too simplistic to comprehend the meaning the left lost when they abandoned Christianity and the freedom in Christ that it affords. Moreover, authoritarian force must be applied to enforce leftist ideology on society since not everyone will voluntarily cooperate with its demands.

First, let us consider the characteristics of a free citizen. English philosopher and physician John Locke described the basics of freedom during the Enlightenment 300 years ago. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers on freedom and is commonly known as the “Father of Liberalism.” He said that we own ourselves—our time, our labour, and our physical bodies, including our tongues to speak. We can neither force anyone to listen to us nor lose those rights when we enter society from a state of nature.

Think of freedom on an axis or spectrum. Envisage yourself as an individual citizen, not being lumped into one identity group or another. Where do you prefer to be on this freedom axis? On the right is a preference for more freedom and less authoritarianism. But on the left is a preference for less freedom and more authoritarianism. A leftist has a more elitist or socialist point of view who believes that people cannot make their own decisions—and that the nanny state must look after us. That is the result of dialectics applied to a society writ large. Where do you think there is more freedom to live your life as you choose, in Gaza where there is no plurality or in Israel where Arabs, Jews, Christians, and indeed people of all faiths, are treated identically under the law?