When we talk about Palestinian violence we (rightly) put it in context of the oppression they suffered. You can’t expect an oppressed people to react kindly and patiently to their oppressors. But this guy apparently does not deserve this circumspect approach. We know nothing about him other than he is claimed to be an Israeli soldier but he might have any number of mental illnesses, PTSD, what have you. But we’re perfectly happy to label him a monster, no questions asked.

I’m not trying to justify any violent behavior obviously, but we sure do love putting the excesses of “our” side in broader context, and highlighting perceived injustices of “theirs” without context.

This feels like a very lazy emotional response.

You’re saying that under no conditions whatsoever you would start shouting at people in public? That you would get violent to defend something that was important to you? Please don’t be an idiot.