i think it’s pretty bunk. in fact, it plays into the manichean posturing of the huntington, clash of civilizations crowd, which is the operating logic behind those who characterize people in favor of a palestinian state as being traitors to israel. as a jewish leftist, my compassion is fundamentally directed to both israeli and palestinian victims of terrorism or violence. period. obviously israelis are people too, burston. they’re MY people. they’re my family. i care about israel because half of my nation lives there. don’t play into this dualistic crap. i mourn the loss of life that has already occurred and the loss of life that is tragically sure to follow.