Steve QJ
2 min readJan 17, 2025

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Your question is, effectively, "think about the ways you're biased against Israel," which presupposes that I'm biased against Israel. The question "tell me about a time you considered beating your wife," presupposes that I've considered beating my wife.

In both cases, if the person isn't guilty of the thing you're presupposing, they can't comply with your request.

In the articles where I criticised Hamas, did you ask yourself why I'm biased against Hamas? Did you think to ask me to consider my anti-Hamas bias? Or did you think that what Hamas did was obviously wrong and so criticising it is the most natural thing in the world. And, in fact, it would require bias to NOT criticise them?

It's always possible to debate something. But it is not always possible to debate effectively. Especially when the facts aren't on your side. I could say, with equal confidence, that America's founding was unjust. In fact, I did say that. And I said that because it's also obviously true.

But there's still a great deal of room to discuss what should be done about that injustice, or what that means about America today. As you know (and Ive never suggested otherwise), I don't think either country should be dismantled because of these unjust origins. But I think this injustice needs to be addressed. And Israel is currently compounding that injustice every day. If you are determined to ignore that injustice, if you retreat from an honest analysis of them, then yes, you can't debate the issue because you can't bear to look at it.

Bear in mind, my view on this conflict used to be a lot closer to yours. I've read very widely on this conflict. I've spent weeks of accumulated time listening to debates and lectures. The difference is, when I read or heard something that challenged my previous views, I looked into it carefully. I often did the same when I heard something that supported my previous views a little too strongly. I learned that some of the things I'd previously believed were untrue or were horribly partial retellings of what happened (the Gaza withdrawal to name one that often pops up, Camp David for another). And then, and this part is important, I updated my view based on new evidence.

I've heard from dozens of former Zionists who have been through a similar journey. In fact, some of the most outspoken critics of Israel today are former Zionists. Stop reframing this willingness to look at the truth as "antisemitism" or a desire to destroy Israel. It is a desire for justice. It is the recognition of a grave wrong, happening in real time. I take my influence very seriously. I don't write a single word lightly. That's precisely why, as tens of thousands of Palestinians ay dead with their homes destroyed by a regime that is badly out of control, I feel so compelled to tell the truth about this.

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Steve QJ
Steve QJ

Written by Steve QJ

Race. Politics. Culture. Sometimes other things. Almost always polite. Find more at https://steveqj.substack.com

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