“The privilege of criticizing”
Moorish Girl on the bombing of Qana:
Despite appearances, I do not believe that this is a war between Jews and Muslims. The events unfolding at the moment really aren’t about whether you believe that it was Ismael or Isaac who was sacrificed on the altar by Abraham; it isn’t about whether you believe you should fast for one day of atonement or for thirty days of reflection; it isn’t about whether you should pray at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa or at the Western Wall. It’s about much more prosaic things, like land and water, like guns and money. And yet, the identities color everything. The privilege of criticizing is doled out by those who see identity politics everywhere. If you’re Muslim and you decry the Israeli bombing, then it means you’re supporting Hizbollah. If you’re Jewish and you decry the Israeli bombing, then it means you’re not patriotic, and you don’t understand that the Muslims will always hate you, blah, blah, blah. I am sick of it all.
