A conspiracy theory, David? Wow! ( whisper, whisper) And by two thirds of the world it would seem? All ganging up on poor little ickle didums, tiny Israel?
Alan B.

So, every time some fool says something stupid, everyone else (including UN, EU, Jordan & USA) must jump to attention?

1. The Saudis, who practice a Medieval form of religious law, which includes public executions, while murdering and dismembering journalists,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_Khashoggi#Assassination

have no credibility to suggest anything about independent Jordan.

2. Jordan which has been an independent country since 1946 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan#Post-independence

can't be expected to be called "State of Palestine" just because armed to the teeth Israel uses certain diaspora propaganda spokesmen

to suggest bizarre fixes for Israel's decision to drive Palestinians out of their ancient Palestinian homeland.

Dear Maverick,

I agree, but please don't blame Israel for this bizarre idea, which was issued by Saudi Arabia and apparently shared by the author, but not by Israel. The author is far from representing Israel in any shape or form.

One more suggestion, please refrain from using that insulting name "Palestine" or its derivatives - that word was coined by the Romans for the sole purpose of humiliating the conquered Israelis, it is by itself an expression of ill will which cannot advance peace, if that's what you seek.

Agree with Yuyustu. David Singer is a professional stirrer whose goal is to prevent an agreed two state solution and an end to the endless bloodshed!?
Alan B.

There is a tiresome repetition in the song Singer sings - a one note melody.

David Singer a "professional stirrer"? - Alan B.

He makes more sense than the resident monotonous amateur stirrers do, including old Alan.

Dear Yuyutsu,

Words are not defined by their origins but by their usage. The word, Palestine is a variation of the word, Philistine. The Philistines occupied the area now known as Gaza. The word, Palestine, no longer has any insulting connotations whatever its origins.

https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/tools/map-gallery/i/map-israel-and-judah

refers to a map showing ancient Philistia.

On the button david f.

When you say "Palestine, no longer has any insulting connotations whatever its origins."

One clearly hits Yuyutsu, the "expert's" raw nerve when we exercise our right to mention Palestine.

Would not Yuyutsu agree with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_nationalism "Palestinian nationalism is the national movement of the Palestinian people that espouses self-determination and sovereignty over the region of Palestine."

Dear David F and Maverick,

The Philistines are mentioned many times in the Bible as Judea's arch-enemies. Many bitter wars and skirmishes were fought between Judea and the Philistines, including the alleged battle between David and Goliath and the exploits of Samson. In one of these wars the Philistines even managed to capture the most sacred Ark of the covenant.

The memory of the Philistines, long extinguished for centuries by Assyria and Babylon, was revived by the Romans who conquered Jerusalem and destroyed its temple, as a deliberate insult to humiliate the defeated Israelis.

Whatever the formal use of the word in other countries today, for most Israelis this is a shameful reminder of their defeat and subjugation by the hated Romans (Israeli children learn to hate them from kindergarten, who destroyed the temple and forbade the practice of Judaism). The choice of that particular name by the local Arabs indicates ill-will, or let us put it mildly, is not a nice way to start a new day...

Dear Yuyutsu,

The Romans were hated. However, it was a Roman, Vespasian, who allowed ben Zakkai to set up what was to be the beginning of rabbinical Judaism. The Temple was destroyed, but the Jewish people continued. They owe their continuation in large part to the action of the Roman, Vespasian, in allowing ben Zakkai to set up his centre. The nation state of Israel is one manifestation of the Jewish people. There are others.

In Israel some Jews have paraded yelling "Death to Arabs". Other Jews want to live peacefully with other groups. We can keep alive the animosities of the past or try to end them. It seems to be easier to keep hate alive. The way of the peacemaker is not easy. He or she is often reviled by his or her own people. Which way do you want?

Dear David,

Thank you.

The question of Roman "good-heartedness" was already discussed in the Talmud: http://halakhah.com/shabbath/shabbath_33.html

"Rabbi Judah commenced [the discussion] by observing, 'How fine are the works of this people!¹ They have made streets, they have built bridges, they have erected baths.' Rabbi Jose was silent. Rabbi Simeon Bar Yohai answered and said, 'All that they made they made for themselves; they built market-places, to set harlots in them; baths, to rejuvenate themselves; bridges, to levy tolls for them.'"

It is not only the question of living in peace with other people and not wishing their death, but also of living in peace with animals and not killing them. I don't find the Romans good at either, but yes, Ben Zakkai established the kind of Judaism that replaces animal sacrifices with prayers, and I wouldn't like to see Judaism going back to that kind of bloodshed. I wonder whether the author includes animal-sacrifices in the rebuilt Jerusalem Temple in his aspirations for Jewish expansionism (an easy way for the lazy who would no longer be required to pray three times a day).

---
¹ The Romans

Dear Yuyutsu,

I looked the reference you included in your post and saw nothing about the Romans. I agree that prayer is preferable to animal sacrifice. To me both seem pointless.

I imagine that, like us, the Romans behaved differently in different circumstances.

However, we can look at the quote you provided;

"Rabbi Judah commenced [the discussion] by observing, 'How fine are the works of this people!¹ They have made streets, they have built bridges, they have erected baths.' Rabbi Jose was silent. Rabbi Simeon Bar Yohai answered and said, 'All that they made they made for themselves; they built market-places, to set harlots in them; baths, to rejuvenate themselves; bridges, to levy tolls for them.'"

We can also travel on streets, cleanse our bodies in baths, buy goods in market-places and cross rivers on bridges. There is nothing wrong in making something for yourself. Rabbi Simeon Bar Yohai was a grump.

The Israelites gloried in the conquests of David and Joshua and condemned the conquests of the Romans. Neither lived in peace.

Dear David F.,

«I looked the reference you included in your post and saw nothing about the Romans.»

Footnote #15. This particular page does not mention the Romans by name, but it is the subject-matter throughout.

«Rabbi Simeon Bar Yohai was a grump.»

Well, he was grumpy because the Romans made a long list of prohibitions of ordained Jewish religious practices.

And the Romans wanted to kill him for this grumpiness, so much for freedom-of-speech: he went into hiding and when he emerged from it, he became the spiritual-leader behind the final bloody revolt against the Romans.

«The Israelites gloried in the conquests of David and Joshua and condemned the conquests of the Romans.»

Yes, with one small difference: the conquests of the Romans were real and can be verified through many historical and archaeological documents. Boasting is the weapon of the weak and on its own never killed anyone.

Dear Yuyutsu,

The following is a terrific sentence. I applaud you for it.

"Boasting is the weapon of the weak and on its own never killed anyone."

I take it to heart and will look at the Book of Joshua in a new light. It reminds me of the lines from Miniver Cheevy. Perhaps you may not feel the same connection that I do.

Miniver loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.

Miniver cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the mediæval grace
Of iron clothing.

Dear Yuyutsu

If my namesake "Top Gun: Maverick" and his US Navy buddies in their Super Hornets blew up your nuclear

bomb factory at "Dimona" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimon_Peres_Negev_Nuclear_Research_Center

then youse God-fearin scripture lovers would be really, really, sorry.

So there!