I have thoughts on Palestine, but I’ve mostly saved my powder. Here’s my first shot: I study ancient Israel. I’m familiar with the history of the region. I’m familiar with the history of the Middle East. It’s *irreducibly* complex. Anyone on any side of this issue who is trying to reduce this to simplistic soundbytes is wrong. It’s not that there aren’t some clearer issues of right and wrong than others. But every assertion must be situated in a very complicated context that shifts through time.