ISD (Institute for Strategic Dialogue)’s Post

Heartfelt condolences to all the lives lost and families affected by the conflict in Palestine and Israel. 🕊️ May peace prevail, and may the suffering come to an end. Mainstream media sometimes perpetuates false narratives, emphasizing sensationalism or aligning with certain agendas. It's crucial for individuals to engage in thorough research before supporting any agenda, as facts may be twisted or misrepresented. By discerning the truth, we can bridge divides and promote peace within cities and nations. Working together as a united human race, understanding our differences, and finding common ground is essential for a harmonious and prosperous world. Let us strive to build bridges of understanding rather than tearing each other apart. #MediaLiteracy #CriticalThinking #UniteHumanity #ResearchMatters #PromotePeace #BuildBridgesNotWalls #StopWar #PeaceNow #EndConflict #ChoosePeace #UnityForPeace

The root cause of this horrible conflict/genocide is that Israeli Zionists actually believe they own every Palestinian home, farm, & inch of land, & have the right to kill indigenous Palestinian families that refuse to leave, for the crime of not being Jewish. Please listen to renowned Jewish-American Professor Noam Chomsky explain how ridiculous the Zionist ownership claim is: lnkd.in/gtHPPHUz Palestinians have been there for thousands of years, never left, & their genetics proves it. At some point, their Canaanite & Jewish ancestors simply converted to Christianity &/or Islam. So why would that mean Jewish immigrants from Europe & the U.S., who have never even been there, own all of their homes & property? What would you do if someone stole or demolished your house & livelihood, killed some of your family, & left the rest of you with nothing, to live in the squalor of a refugee camp? That is what Israel did to over 750K Palestinians in 1948, over 300K in 1967, over 250K since 1967, & MORE EVERY YEAR, for the crime of not being Jewish. Most of the families in Gaza owned homes & farms where Israeli cities & towns now stand, which Israel literally stole from them. Many even still have their front door keys. And now Israel is doing it to them FOR THE 2ND TIME.

People think that my antipathy toward the ideology behind Hamas is proof of my "Zionism." Well, of course, I support the right of Israel to exist and I abhor what happened on October 7 (and I have tons of family in Israel). And of course, any civilians killed on either sides is a tragedy. But the impetus of my position does not stem from being "pro-Jewish," or "pro-Israel." My position is rooted in being pro-liberty, pro-life, pro-science, pro-women, pro-gays, pro-freedom of speech, pro-enlightenment, pro-dogs, etc. One society celebrates death and existential hate; the other doesn't. I support the latter and not the former. Of course, this does not mean that there aren't evil Israelis and lovely Palestinians (and vice versa). But this is about a civilizational conflict. Very few people would prefer to live under the rule of Hamas (or similiar folks). Most people would choose Israeli society. Hence, my position is not tribal. It is a position anchored and rooted in universal humanistic values.

Tragedy and Hope Borrowed title from Carroll Quigley's famous tome, but ironically appropriate - this dialogue, from "Thinking Muslim", evokes a counterfoil to the Neoliberalism model pushed by the global elites of the past century who ushered in a hegemonic New World Order. From the ashes of Gaza, another Pole of the Multipolar world has clearly emerged. The Muslim Ummah, based on the Islamic civilization model, values, social mores & youths united globally by technology, has always coexisted with the other civilization models, Chinese, Judeo-Christian, Indian, etc. Many of the trailblazers in history are Muslim scholars, scientists, mathematicians, astronomers: https://lnkd.in/gTHYFj-m While the Gazan tragedy unfolds, it is also clear there is an undercurrent of extraordinary coordination among many actors in this modern Ummah, Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah, Iraqis, Iranians, Syrians, etc. are firing from bewildering directions, others are supporting in the political, financial & media spheres, even as Shiites and Sunnis reestablished relations in a recent grand entente in Beijing. The quality of strategy, organization, coordination, mobilization, incredible infrastructure, autonomous production of humble but smart military equipment by engineers & technicians, the disciplined operation training, is eye-opening. Israel must have been warned about a new energized generation of resistance (I have raised this myself re Oct 7). The best path forward would be to integrate peacefully into this framework, working towards a stable 2-state solution, long term security & ride the wave of the regional growth spurt, powered by the hungry young generation, secular, Jews, Christians and Muslims, eager to join the potential of a new world development model similar to what China has achieved, from bicycles to bullet trains to space rockets in 3 decades. The abundance of labor, natural resources, wealth and strategic geographical location linking Eurasia, Africa and Europe, powered by the will to modernize, aided by BRICS and BRI for infrastructure, technology & economic assistance, promises to deliver a brilliant future, albeit with severe birth pangs. Unfortunately, the Uighur separatist movement in China has not been accurately described when the discourse turns to China, based on erroneous widely held beliefs propagated by the mainstream media. Like the Hamas killing 40 babies myth. This will undoubtedly be clarified as truth emerges. China not only has a substantial domestic Muslim population, the Huis, Uighurs, etc. and fully supports the 2 state solution, it has excellent relations with Iran, Gulf States & African Muslims, Central, South & SE Asian Muslims. This is why China enjoys smooth sailing from the Red Sea, to the Straits of Malacca, literally & figuratively. This Hope is articulated in depth in this dialogue. Hope you find it as insightful as I did. #ummah #middleeast #gaza #gazawar #newworldorder #brics #china #southafrica #worldwar3

It's time for a paradigm shift We all have a Problem. Yes, there is a cause & effect, action -> reaction narrative, but it's time to change the language to a solution-based narrative. ❌ Problem: The #october7massacre and its aftermath. ❌ Problem: 136 Israeli civilians are held hostage fro 149 days. ❌ Problem: Israeli civilians want to live in peace, but Palestinians don't. ❌ Problem: War is horrific and it costs too many lives. ❌ Problem: The economic costs of war and its aftermath. ❌ Problem: Worldwide antisemitism has skyrocketed since #october7massacre worldwide. ❌ Problem: Religious radicalism is on the rise. ❌ Problem: Progress & liberalism seems to be missing the point. ❌ Problem: Facts matter less than propaganda. ❌ Problem: Populism outweighs doing the right thing. ❌ Problem: Global hypocrisy is skyrocketing. ❌ Problem: the United Nations is supporting and endorsing terror through UNRWA. ❌ Problem: No better future in the region in sight. These are all heavy issues. Are there any feasible solutions? Who can make it happen and how?

I’ve just published an essay on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The lead paragraph: “The explosion of violence in Israel and Palestine has created huge suffering and further polarised the region and the world. Rational discussion about how to bring about peace seems more difficult than ever. But if enough people on both sides can find the courage to transcend anger and blame, there is a way to a solution, based on an inspiring, compassionate vision for the future.” I have no illusions that achieving strong, peace-seeking leadership on both sides will be easy, but I do think the overall approach I describe is the way forward to a lasting peace. If these ideas resonate with you, please share the essay with others.

"Unlocking the Complex Layers of the Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Comprehensive Exploration of History, Perspectives, and Solutions. 🕊️🇮🇱🇵🇸 Join us as we embark on an enlightening journey to dissect the intricate web of this long-standing issue, providing you with the knowledge and insights you need to be part of the solution, not just a spectator. Together, we can strive for peace, justice, and a better future for all. 🌟💬 Watch, learn, and be part of the conversation in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/d6eZn9hG #upsc #upscmains #upscprelims #conversation #IsraelPalestineExplained #SeekingPeace #UnderstandingMatters"

In times of conflict, finding the words to express the deep emotions and concerns that grip our hearts can be challenging. The Israel-Hamas conflict is one such heart-wrenching issue that has shaken the world. It's easy to get lost in politics and history, but at its core, this conflict is about people—people with hopes, dreams, and families who are suffering on both sides.    It is essential to remember that the people affected by this conflict did not choose this path; it was thrust upon them by circumstances beyond their control. Children who should be playing with friends are instead cowering in fear. Parents who should be nurturing their families are struggling to provide shelter and food. It's a tragedy that no one should have to endure.   Compassion transcends borders, religions, and political affiliations. It's about recognizing the suffering of others and responding with empathy. As we watch this painful chapter in history unfold, let us hold onto our humanity and compassion, and hope for a future where such conflicts become a part of our history, not our present. #IStandWithIsrael #Peace #Unity