"There is another way"

    There is no shortage of Jewish people sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Which I'm tempted to portray as a stark contrast to Palestinians, who do not seem awash in sympathy for Israel and its sufferings. I can't recall hearing anybody say that Israel is a nation that has a right to exist and its people should continue to live. 

     I've been reluctant to say that in print simply because I have not done a survey of everyone everywhere, and for all I know there are Palestinian voices that echo the compassion that flows from Jewish quarters, I just haven't heard them. Besides, Jews can express themselves without worrying the Mossad will kill their families, which is not be the case for critics of Hamas. I try to be fair.

     That said, a reader, Harry R., sent this to me. It seemed a worthwhile, if idealistic, opinion. I asked to post it here today, and he said yes. He didn't ask that I shield his name, but given the tenor of the times, I did so, as a courtesy and precaution.

Dear Palestinian Neighbors:

     I’m reaching out to you as a friend, a neighbor and someone who cares about my many friends and family who live in Israel/Palestine. We need to reach out to each other, today, more than ever, before the entire region blows up. 

     First, a little background. I am a Jewish man who grew up in the Chicago area and lived in Israel for 16 years, from 1985 to 2001. During that time, I devoted myself to building bridges between Israeli Arabs/Palestinians and Israeli Jews. It is still upsetting for me to note that non-Jewish citizens of Israel grow up almost completely separated from their Israeli Jewish neighbors, living in separate communities, going to separate schools and living separate lives.

     The non-Jewish communities often lack the quality services and infrastructure that their Jewish neighbors have. During the time I was in Israel, living in the Galilee (indeed on land formerly owned by Arab neighbors) a group of Jews and Palestinians living in neighboring villages chose to break down the barriers between us. We created joint summer camps, leadership programs, community shared holidays and events. When peace was achieved between Israel and Jordan we took a group of youth leaders to Jordan. We were at the forefront of a peace movement in the 1990s that was going to change the face of Israel/Palestine. We had hope. 

     Then it all imploded. The second Intifada broke out after Ariel Sharon led a group of Israeli leaders onto the “Temple Mount/Al Aksa.” Then he was elected Prime Minister. It was at that time that I moved with my family, for personal reasons, back to the Chicago area, where I grew up. Today my heart is breaking for all Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering under leadership that does not believe in peace and has led them all to the brink. I cry for the many Israelis of all ages who were massacred by militants who were sent on a mission to “liberate” Palestine and kill Jews. These were not freedom fighters, they were murderers. 

     I cry for all the Palestinians who have been brutally murdered by Jewish settlers, while the Israeli army looked on. I cry because the peace that I worked for and believed in for many years is now farther away than ever. Last weekend I was in downtown Chicago and saw many of my Palestinian brothers and sisters rallying and calling for the destruction of Israel. Their signs read: "Palestine from the River to the Sea." They did not leave any room in their rhetoric for a peaceful Israel. And worst of all, they did not reach out to me to cry together over all the innocent lives lost. They did not criticize the cruel leaders in both countries that do not show enough care for human lives. They only saw their friends and families in Gaza who were being killed. Likewise, many of my Jewish friends and family only see and grieve over their friends and family in Israel, and demand revenge. Friends, the killing may go on and on, but how will it end? Neither side will win. It is an impossible situation filled with ongoing hate, and ongoing sorrow. But, there is another way. We can sit down together for a proper “sulha,” (Arabic for a mediation). We don’t need to agree. We need to sit down with each other and listen. We can do this at the dinner table, in our places of worship and community centers. There are many examples for how this can be done. Slowly we can rebuild trust and create something new. It isn’t too late! We have a choice. I am calling on all of you today to sit down again, share our sorrows and hopes. My friends, let’s work together before it is too late.

    Harry R.