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Israeli Progressives See Disturbing Trend in Progressive Political Culture
(Newsweek) Ran Heilbrunn - We 75 Israel-based academics, thought leaders and progressive activists committed to peace, equality, justice, and human rights, are deeply concerned by the inadequate response from certain American and European progressives regarding the targeting of Israeli civilians by Hamas. Many of our peers worldwide have expressed strong opposition to Hamas' attack and have offered unambiguous support for its victims. Prominent voices in the Arab world, too, have made it clear that there is no justification for sadistic murder of innocent people. However, to our dismay, some individuals who were, until now, our political partners have reacted with indifference to these horrific events and sometimes even justified Hamas' actions. There are even those - no small number - for whom the darkest day in our society's history was a cause for celebration. We never imagined that advocates of equality, freedom, justice, and welfare would reveal such extreme moral insensitivity and political recklessness. Hamas is a theocratic and repressive organization that vehemently opposes the attempt to promote peace and equality in the Middle East. Its core commitments are fundamentally inconsistent with progressive principles, and thus the inclination of certain people to react affirmatively to its actions is utterly absurd.