"Jewish criticism of Israel" in a nutshell. I lived in Israel for 10 years in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv I was called "ohh you're a Zionist" in an obvious meaning of contempt - and was even called a "leftist tranny" in Jersuaelm when I defended a guy who was far-

left from getting hit at a very intense time after the 3 soldiers who were kidnapped by Hamas in the WB were brought in an agreement- dead. I have always criticized Israel openly with well meaning, I despair the many things that I dislike about Israel, including its future.

I always voted center-left in Israel - for Livni (Kadima), Lapid (Yesh Atid), and Herzog (Zionist Union). Issues of religion-state have always made me uncomfortable, but political realities always made understanding. Same with the West Bank settlements- I have always been in

support of a 2 state solution - but as a final solution and an end to the conflict. Too often I've seen far-leftists in the West basically demand either a 1 state Jewish minority solution or a 2 state solution- 1 Palestinian in the WB and Gaza and Israel as a non-Jewish bi-

national state- basically if there was an agreement- it wouldn't be the end of the "struggle". The settlements bothered me because I was afraid of both the extremism I saw there and fears that it would ruin the chance of a 2 state solution. In 2005 I went to the AIPAC policy

Conference in DC-it was the time where Sharon agreed to a unilateral pull out of Gaza- without an agreement - I agreed with Sharon- thinking the separation would b e a benefit- However, in retrospect it had the same effect as Barak's 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon without a peace

agreement with Lebanon - Hezbollah claimed victory for its "resistance" which led to its popularity soaring and even to the war in 2005. Same thing happened with the Gaza withdrawal- Hamas claimed victory saying its resistance was what forced the Israelis to withdrawl 8,000 Jews

and all IDF from Gaza and Hamas' popularity soared. In the Palestinian election in 2006 Hamas won (this was also the last Palestinian election- something the left always ignores!) and then had it's military forces take over Gaza- and leading to the numerous wars and outbreaks of

violence. In the years since Israel has lurched increasingly to the right- and I don't blame them. While it still pisses me off to this day that Netanyahu went to Congress and basically badmouthed Obama (he would have never went to Russia and badmouth Putin to the Duma)-and I

understand that the Israeli Right and the Republicans have their blame for the deteoriating situation between Israel and the Western left (including Democrats)-the blame is not fully theres. Too often left wing groups in the West, the EU, and the UN with its dictatorial majority

has made the situation much worse by only demonizing Israel (something like 14 resolutions will be passed at a time-like 10 against Israel and 4 against the rest of the world). This had led the Israeli-Jewish population to increasingly not trust the non-Jewish world- esp the left

Desperately needing allies-which the left ignores- after losing substantial support from the Democrats and the EU- Netanyahu (and while I understand and accept it, it leads me with a sour taste) turned to better relationships with countries increasingly turning authoritarian-

Poland, Hungary, etc.). Israeli young adults remember the thousands of Israelis killed in the intifada, they've never known peace nor remember the hope of the Rabin-Barak era. The Israeli right and religious HAVE taken advantage of the situation- the Israeli population- even

the large percentage of Israelis who either want a 2 state solution or a continuation of the status quo - will NOT do another Gaza or Southern Lebanon- withdrawal- in fact that will ONLY worsen the situation. Israel could politically NEVER pull out of the WB without an -

agreement. So I understand the situation, I fully understand and accept the situation, as much as it makes me uncomfortable. Now about Jewish criticism of Israel by people like me who are unhappy with things and say they are pro-Israel. It is fine to criticize Israel, we all

do it. HOWEVER- too often I see it being taken advantage by people and groups who would be HAPPY to see Israel destroyed (and never tell us what this future would look like). I see these uncomfortable Jews, like myself, being obsessed with all the negatives in Israel and never

the positives. At the same time, I never see any criticism of the other side. The Palestinians are often treated as if they are innocent children. Noone will mention that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also an Israeli/Arab-Muslim country conflict- which Iran, Turkey, etc

are lurking like wolves next door for a moment of Israeli weakness and quietly and not so quietly behind the scenes. I see Hamas and Iranian talking points quickly being mainstreamed in the Democratic Party- even in some Jewish circles. But I get really annoyed when I see people

ignoring the fact there are a million dead in Syria and many more times the amount of refugees. While Israel does have a blockade on Gaza (for good reason!) - noone seems to mention that Egypt does as well - this double standard is noticed by Jews who are watching and Israelis.

And I'm sick of people saying that Israel is increasingly right wing- well guess what so are Palestinians, Egyptians, Turks, Iranians, and everywhere else in the region as Tribalism and nationalism has increased. But I only hear a constant obsessive criticism of Israel. It's came

to the point that I am very careful about even openly criticizing Israel in public - it seems to be a litmus test among the Democrats that I as a Jew must be against Netanyahu. "Corrupt Netanyahu" who yes, is corrupt - while ignoring that Palestinian, Hamas, and most Muslim

dictators stole billions and are billionaires! Israel is "far-right", but he is no where near the level of Erdogan or Putin - and I never hear them called "far-right". I also see legitmiate criticism of Israel- by Jews that want Israel to improve- being used horribly by people

who want to see Israel destroyed - they use this Jew as their token Jew like usual which says "look even Jews will agree all the time that Israel is evil". This makes the situation even worse and makes the left ever more anti-Israel. It's even worse when these Jews go on twitter

and just obsessively (although with a good heart) criticize Israel to a mostly uninformed non-Jewish audience where the msg is "Israel is horrible 50 times, and Hamas is bad 1 time). You do the math. I can continue forever- but my point is that the situation is not black-white

and anyone who tells you just obsesses about Israel all the time- is telling everyone that Israel is the most horrible country in the Middle East if not the world - it's not- at all! How can Jewish democrats and allies help, shout out people who are obsessed with Israel

negatively. Ask them why they don't bring any context or criticize any other side. Stop this nonsense- push leadership to push Israelis and Palestinians/Arabs to agree to a 2 state solution. Because doing what you are doing now is ONLY making Arabs/Palestinians/Muslims being

complete rejectionist when it comes to negotiations AND feeling pure and righetous. At the same time the Israeli-Jewish population is becoming much more reactionary, and doesn't even care what the left states- and I 100% understand. Put things in context, condemn those who

want to see Israel destroyed with as much passion as you do criticizing Israel for all its negatives AND encourage Israelis and Arab/Palestinians to go to the negotating table. Israel will NEVER accept a 1 state solution because Israeli Jews rightly understand that in the context

of Middle East tribalism and ethnic conflict - being a hated minority (along with Jewish history!) is suicide. Use your words wisely and don't be used.