I think you partly misunderstand where our disagreement lies.
For example, I'm willing to believe those allegations regarding Hamas (or at least assume their truth arguendo), but I find it extremely naive to think this isn't largely about inflicting revenge and retribution on Palestinians, and that "[i]f the Palestinians turned over the Hamas leadership, and insisted that they not pursue their attacks from inside hospitals and residences, then the Israeli attack would stop instantly."
> Yes, I hate the way this makes my progressive credentials look weak.
Well, they look non-existent to me. Which is fine--I'm not "progressive", either. But I'm not sure you should really make the claim (just to be clear, I'm not accusing you of falsely portraying your views).
I was I could probably make a cogent argument for how you are selectively choosing to not apply the same progressive principles of interpretation, viewing power structures, etc., that you normally do, and have bought into a worldview and attendant justifications that you would likely not accept or would find highly suspect in other contexts.
Like, I'm pretty moderate center-left and non-ideological in general, but I haven't ever felt more pushed towards leftist radicalization and wokeness than seeing a number of people emboldened by the media to downplay collective punishment in the form of pretty blatant slaughter, shutting down supplies of food and water to civilians, etc., and to delegitimize any viewpoints which express sympathy for Palestinian victims of this war. Although, I think more than left, I think it makes me more cynical/apathetic and uninterested in continuing to preserve or care for a society this blatantly hypocritical and unjust.
For example, I'm willing to believe those allegations regarding Hamas (or at least assume their truth arguendo), but I find it extremely naive to think this isn't largely about inflicting revenge and retribution on Palestinians, and that "[i]f the Palestinians turned over the Hamas leadership, and insisted that they not pursue their attacks from inside hospitals and residences, then the Israeli attack would stop instantly."
> Yes, I hate the way this makes my progressive credentials look weak.
Well, they look non-existent to me. Which is fine--I'm not "progressive", either. But I'm not sure you should really make the claim (just to be clear, I'm not accusing you of falsely portraying your views).
I was I could probably make a cogent argument for how you are selectively choosing to not apply the same progressive principles of interpretation, viewing power structures, etc., that you normally do, and have bought into a worldview and attendant justifications that you would likely not accept or would find highly suspect in other contexts.
Like, I'm pretty moderate center-left and non-ideological in general, but I haven't ever felt more pushed towards leftist radicalization and wokeness than seeing a number of people emboldened by the media to downplay collective punishment in the form of pretty blatant slaughter, shutting down supplies of food and water to civilians, etc., and to delegitimize any viewpoints which express sympathy for Palestinian victims of this war. Although, I think more than left, I think it makes me more cynical/apathetic and uninterested in continuing to preserve or care for a society this blatantly hypocritical and unjust.