Where I Was Before & Where I Am Today

About 6 months ago before I stumbled upon the blogosphere, I was super anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist. Now after spending time engaging in productive discussions my opinions have been refined and balanced. The reason I was super anti-Israel was because of what I believed. I believed that Israel’s goal is to expand and take away all of Jerusalem. I assumed that the Jews in Israel want to demolish Al-Aqsa mosque so that they can rebuild their ancient holy temple again. That would be to the benefit of Christians since only then will the second coming of Christ be possible. As such the Judeo-Christian alliance. Such beliefs are not so strong anymore. Instead I now believe that Jewish fundamentalists are the only ones supporting ideas like that. Same goes for Christian fundamentalists in US too. I now also believe that the majority of Jews follow Zionism simply because it’s a movement founded on their longing for Jerusalem. They simply want a home where they can be safe. Jews obviously deserve to worship and live in Jerusalem as it’s their religious right but they must keep in mind it’s the 3rd holiest site for all Muslims too. Moreover they must keep in mind Israel’s brutality in war only contributes to more negative perceptions about Zionism.

My opinion of the PLO, Fatah and Hamas has also changed. I now realize they too are responsible for the hardships of Palestinians and that the blame shouldn’t solely fall on Israel. If you’re reading this right now and you think Yasser Arafat was a hero, think again. He wasn’t. He was corrupted as hell and kept millions of dollars to himself while at the same time blamed Israel for the hardships of Palestinians and so on. Also Hamas’s attitude with ceasfire, what Arab countries did in the past etc. I could go on talking and talking about how my opinions changed and refined but I’m kinda sleepy right now so I’m going to buzz off and sleep. Anyways, I hope you get the general idea of this post. Sometimes we think we know it well when in fact we don’t really. God bless the internet and blogging. It’s certainly better learning about Israel and Judaism from Israelis and Jews themselves rather than from al-Jazeera. Before making up one’s, a chance should be first given to the other party to explain their case and defend it. Only then will you have the different relevant perspectives that certainly help contribute to a better and more balanced opinion. Washing my brain and cleaning it from stupid propaganda is fun. *Yawn… Goodnite/morning depending on whatever timezon you’re in… Peace… Sweet dreams to me…

7 Responses to “Where I Was Before & Where I Am Today”

1. tooners on July 30th, 2006 11:59 pm

   It’s good that you’ve opened your heart to other races… it’s good for the soul and it broadens the mind.

2. Andrew Brehm on July 31st, 2006 7:01 am

   Glad I could help, if I did.
   

3. Drima on July 31st, 2006 4:59 pm

   Andrew, thanx dude. Yes you, Raccoon, Prup and Tsedek did help big time together with some other people.

4. Tsedek on July 31st, 2006 5:44 pm

   Drima that’s good to hear (see) -

   I always think: “it takes two to tango” whenever I hear one-sided accounts of ongoing situations.

   Take care,
   Tse.

5. hipster on August 1st, 2006 3:18 am

   Same here.My perception is starting to change too & coincidentally,I wrote about a similar topic today.
   After joining the blogsphere(thankx to Drima),I realized the extent of the prevalent misunderstandings & misconceptions.Your various comments,which I may agree or may not agree with,have thrown me off guard & have revolutionized my way of thinking.The Middle East is not completely blameless.
   Although I’m afraid of my mental change because I don’t wish to be unfair to the Arabs/Muslims,I want to stand by the truth.It is so refreshing to know that many of you are open-minded,sensitive & willing to listen to us.

   Before it used to be Arabs/Muslims vs West/Israel but now I want to embrace humanity irrespective of race or religion.

   PS to andrew,though I mightve disagreed with your comment on one of my posts,I thoroughly enjoyed reading your pan-nationalism posts.

6. Andrew Brehm on August 1st, 2006 5:00 am

   Ah, yes, thems:

   http://citizenleauki.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=73057

   http://citizenleauki.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=75062

   Yes, they are good, if I may so so myself.

7. Gluon on August 1st, 2006 6:34 pm

   Drima,
   I’m curious if your previous views and attitudes were the result of your schooling, or if you just adopted the prevailing attitudes in the society around you, or maybe you took on the politics and beliefs of your family.

   I’m trying to figure out why so many people in the mideast and north africa hold such ironclad views, in spite of so much information and diversity of opinions out there. Of course, if all they ever get is local newspapers and al Jazeera, then it’s understandable.

   The broadening of your perspective came from the blogosphere, so am I correct in assuming if you hadn’t learned English and visited websites written in English, with all the give and take that is so common, that you would probably still have your “sheltered” views of the world? Or was living in the USA part of the change?

   I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to effect change in those societies that are still closed off to new ways of thinking and differing attitudes. Maybe make everyone learn English and go blogging?

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