25 Comments
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Aline Libassi's avatar

so glad that I am listening to this and new to Peter. I am an American Jew, with feelings of despair about Gaza and Israel. I have never felt so conflicted. Thank you for having him on. I am following your posts since I discovered your substack. Very interesting and information that I am not getting elsewhere. I am sick with what is going on in this country. 78 years old and seeing everything that I fought for going away. Thank you for your work.

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Ann's avatar

Completely agree on everything said!

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naomi!'s avatar

My mom spoke Yiddish. 8 can't wait. Someday. Waj you are amazing.

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Paula B.'s avatar

Good, and thank goodness. I have been so upset about Netanyahu and Israel's crimes that I've seriously been thinking about renouncing my Judaism. If what appears to be true in New York is actually true, however, maybe I won't.

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Aline Libassi's avatar

Do not renounce who you are Paula. Rejoice in who you are and support our Jewish culture without support "Bibi" and his fascist supporters. Support the best of Israel, those who do not support the war against Gaza. Keep the faith.

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Paula B.'s avatar

Thank you, Aline. You're probably right. Since I can't control the situation, I'm considering the one thing I actually can do, just to make a statement.

I'm so angry at what the Israelis are doing that I don't know who I am anymore. Is this Judaism? Not the way I was taught. So what am I? What are they? I don't know. Do you see what I mean?

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Aline Libassi's avatar

I get what you are saying, but I don't think renouncing who you are will help. Try to find a way to sit with who you are and what you would like to change. I grew up culturally Jewish, no religion and very little ceremony. I literally had to read about the seder to make one a few years ago. But I spoke Yiddish to my grandparents and my father was a fluent speaker and reader, so the values of Judaism came to me through parents who were liberal and intellectual. I consider those values universal. Make the difference by using your rage and intelligence to do positive things like watching the substack and learning more. By the way, where do you live?

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Aline Libassi's avatar

We (Jews) are not a monolith. We are diverse and many of us feel that we are Americans first. I am so glad that young Jews are supporting more liberal candidates and will work to destroy the evil of Trump. They are the ones that need to step up and end this fascist regime. I

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naomi!'s avatar

I don't support genocide. I also support Israeli people. No matter what Palestine deserves a home. There was a time. It doesn't have to be this way. Please help us save not only our Palestinians, but ALSO Jewish people IN Israel. We deserve HUMAN RIGHTS. All od us.

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naomi!'s avatar

Dear Waj... You are AMAZING!! WE LOVE YOU!

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Karen Scofield's avatar

If folks could get the Truth and the Facts, like the kind of reporting you do over at the Left Hook, I'd bet most Americans would Not support Israel. Thank you, Waj, and will reStack ASAP 🙏

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Elissa Potvin's avatar

I am jewish as well, and I have had no problem calling what has been happening to Palestinians a genocide. Because of this, I have lost a family member and am still arguing with another. My heart like yours aches.

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Nancy Kanzenbach's avatar

It makes me angry to be put in the position I find myself in today. I have long supported Israel but it has become so very hard not to see the maniacal killing taking place. Israel needs to be rid of Netanyahu and cronies. He is trying to take the place of the Most High!

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Joyati RayChaudhuri's avatar

Yes the NYC mayoral Avengers!!!!

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naomi!'s avatar

This is informative. Momdani deserves this. I love him.

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Frances's avatar

They like throwing out words and labels because it creates fears , emboldens racism . Most of all distracts from the real threat of the billionaires hooks on politics. The chains they want to keep on us. How sad this is not a welcome joyous cry that freedom of choice won! We need to see this clearly .

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gina's avatar

Hey!.. salaam wa aleikum from Londonstan with our Mayor (the lovely but a bit centrist) Sadiq Khan..innit!

Fingers crossed for Mamdani.. very exciting 🤞🏼

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SG's avatar

The racism and bigotry against him is awful. Rep. Andy Ogles (R–TN) has formally called for the denaturalization and deportation of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

https://open.substack.com/pub/centeredamerica/p/news-gop-congressman-calls-for-deportation?r=542s4k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Nancy Kanzenbach's avatar

Just shows his ignorance of truth. We may not lack it or agree with it, but it is truth. You just can’t reason with an unreasonable person. We have been overrun with unreasonable politicians for the last 60 years. If we ever get out from under this group of unfettered capitalist government perhaps we can again become a light and hope for the world!

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Leslie Rene's avatar

Rich Jewish businessmen are going to be a big problem for him

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Randy G's avatar

Aww, poor guy!

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