It’s time to revisit our relationship with Israel

The killing of a Palestinian journalist needs to be investigated and prosecuted

On May 11, 2022, Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian/American journalist for Al Jazeera, was killed by the Israeli military. She was wearing a flak jacket with “PRESS” on it. Israel’s official position is this was accidental. They claim she wasn’t targeted but are also refusing a full inquiry into her killing.

A free press is essential to the functioning of any democracy, whether it is here or elsewhere. In areas like Palestine/Israel, it is even more crucial because the world needs to be able to see what is happening there. When Vladimir Putin of Russia executes journalists, the West expresses its justifiable outrage. When Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist with the Washington Post, the world expressed that same outrage, though the United States did almost nothing. With Abu Akleh’s killing, we need to take a real stand.

The evolution of my thoughts about Israel

I know the entire planet is dying to know what I think about the Israeli/Palestinian issue. How have people lived so long not knowing this? (This is sarcasm if you aren’t sure.)

Some people will assume that because I criticize Israel that I am antisemitic (for the purposes of this piece I am using the general definition of that word so that it means anti-Jewish sentiment and actions). I know people who feel that way…