I support and believe in the Palestinians—their right to inhabit the land they live on and have lived on for many, many years, and I support their plight. Does this make me Anti-Semitic?
After Israel attacked Gaza in December of 2008, I had a deep need to go over to the Middle East and learn first hand about the situation. I could have read more books on the conflict, but I believe experiential education is the most informative way to the truth. So, in March of 2009, I traveled with a peace delegation to Palestine with Christian Peacemaker Teams. There, I witnessed conditions on the ground in places such as East Jerusalem, Hebron and a small village called At-Tuwani. In Hebron, I witnessed horrible conditions, where over five-hundred of approximately seven-hundred shops have closed due to Israeli military orders, or because the illegal settlers have pushed the Palestinians out. There is chain link fencing with plastic over the existing shops in Hebron to stop the settlers from throwing objects down on to shop owners and on to shoppers—such as cement blocks, glass, urine, feces, as well as other hazardous materials. I went through several check points, finding myself annoyed at the time it took and had to remind myself that Palestinians go through that every day.
I witnessed Palestinian and Israeli children, maybe ten feet away from each other with a concrete barrier being the only thing separating them, hurling insults at each other in Arabic and Hebrew. They may not have understood what the other was saying, but they certainly understood the intent and more, felt the hatred. I met a woman who cannot leave out her front door anymore, because her street, Shuhada Street, is now occupied by Settlers.
In the village of At-Tuwani, I witnessed Palestinian children escorted by Israeli Defense Forces between villages, through an illegal Settlement and Outpost area, because if these children are not escorted, the settlers attack them. At-Tuwani is a village completely dedicated to non-violence. Furthermore, the only school for several miles is in this village, so children come from neighboring villages, such as Tuba, to get an education.
I drove in a taxi from Jerusalem to Nablus and because I am an “international,” I was allowed on the “clean roads,” where Israelis can freely travel where and when they want to. I made it to Nablus in about an hour. If I was a Palestinian, I would not be allowed on the clean roads and instead, it would take me about four hours, if not more, to go the same distance. This is only some of what I witnessed in Palestine.
On the other side, I spent an evening with a self proclaimed Zionist who helped me understand his religious beliefs and why he feels what he feels. He does not recognize Palestine as a country, nor does he recognize the Palestinians as a people. Although I had a difficult time grasping his ideology, I left with a much clearer understanding of why some in Israel feel the land is simply theirs, with no ifs, ands, or buts.
I also spent a day in Sderot with filmmaker, Laura Bialis. Sderot is one of the main reasons Israel attacked Gaza back in 2008. For years, Qassam rockets have been launched from Gaza killing Israelis in Sderot and other surrounding areas. There, I witnessed playgrounds, markets, schools, theaters, temples, and almost every home equipped with a bomb shelter. And, I lived through a Color Red. In a coffee shop having lunch, the siren sounded, the recording in Hebrew, “Color red, Color red,” came over the speaker. With no bomb shelter close by, we ran to the back of the coffee shop by the bathroom with everyone else—and waited. From the time the alarm sounds to the time of impact, you have fifteen seconds. I admit it, I was scared. I stood there thinking, Will it hit here? Nearby? There is this eerie silence and then it is all over. An all clear is given and you go back to eating and chatting as if nothing happened for it is a norm there. For years, people in Sderot have lived with this. They are traumatized, despondent and psychologically damaged.
Backing up—I have had the privilege of studying with Elie Wiesel three times in my educational career, most recently in the Fall semester, 2010. We have chatted out of class about several things, one being my trip to Palestine. Before I left, I told him how important it was for me to understand both sides of the conflict. His most important advice for me was to listen. I did. While there I listened to both sides. I listened to people’s stories and in my listening, I could feel their fear; I could feel their passion; I could feel their deep-rooted faith; I could and can still hear them. All of them.
I left Israel with what I wanted—a better understanding of what is occurring there. I left with people’s lives enmeshed within my own life, with their pain in my heart and with their struggle entrenched in my soul. I left more pro-Palestinian than when I went. However, I also left with a profound understanding of the ideology of a Jewish Settler, as well as a sense of what it means to be Jewish and love Israel, and probably most important, what it means to live in a protracted conflict zone.
When I returned home and tried to tell people what I learned, I heard, “Careful, you don’t want to be called Anti-Semitic.” My reaction to that was and still is, So if I side with the Palestinians, I am Anti-Semitic? I cannot criticize what I witnessed? I can’t speak out against radical Jews who are taking land that is not theirs and hurting people in the process? I can’t criticize a system that oppresses and even worse, comes from a people that were and have been oppressed themselves? If I can’t do that, if I can’t speak for truth, justice and what I witnessed, then, call me what you want.
Jumping back to now. In Professor Wiesel’s class this last Semester, I asked a tough question. In fact, it made everyone in the room look at me and I could tell they were thinking, I can’t believe you asked that! What did I ask? “How can I, as Christian, speak out and support the Palestinian people, understanding both sides of the conflict, and not be considered an Anti-Semite?” Oh, yes I did! Professor Wiesel’s answer? “Karen, you speak your truth and no one can tell you what to believe and what to say. You should be able to speak out for anyone you want to, including the Palestinians, and not be called anti-Semitic.” So there you have it. Unfortunately it is not that easy—I know that.
From my experience in Israel and the West Bank as well as with Professor Wiesel, more than anything, I learned that it is OK to contradict yourself. I do not agree with Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. In fact, I also do not always agree with Professor Wiesel politically, but that does not mean I do not respect him or his profound wisdom. Israelis, Palestinians and Professor Wiesel taught me to see beyond the situation, beyond the mere existence of humans and see what really makes us tick. To be a true peacemaker, this is what I must continue to do.
The simple truth is that Palestinian’s are an oppressed people and suffer terrible, countless injustices. On the other hand, I understand the Israeli’s love for their homeland—for their history and their culture. I witnessed first hand the fear of what it means to be Jewish in Israel. I witnessed first hand the oppression and what it means to be Palestinian in Palestine. I love both Palestine and Israel! I love the people who live there. I see and could feel the impetus for peace from so many, on both sides, that I encountered while there. I am a woman who immersed myself for a very short time in a culture, a conflict and a place that is entrenched in a history that literally shaped who we are today. I sought to understand both sides and I do.
I support and believe in the Palestinians—their right to inhabit the land they live on and have lived on for many, many years and I support their plight. Does this make me Anti-Semitic? No, it doesn’t. It is my truth and my understanding of the situation. What’s yours?
Great piece. I think many, many people have similar experiences and insights as you. But the question is where to go now? Do you think Israel will ever let Palestinians leave freely. If they were to live in Israel, democratic elections would vote in their own government just through population demographics.
UNRWA estimates there are around 5 million Palestinian refugees. When will these people be allowed home? Gaza and West Bank are already bursting at the seams.
And you’re right, almost any challenge of Israel and you’re brandished an Anti-Semite, as you’ve experienced no doubt. And if you’re a Muslim you can almost guarantee the “Extremist” label added to that.
Is there any blame for Palestinians fighting to remove the illegal occupiers? Are they also Anti-Semite?
Thanks, Bassem. I only hope that Israel will let Palestinians live a free life. There is the issue with the settlements and illegal outposts and what will happen to them once the land is given back to the Palestinians, but the reality is that people who have lost their homes in places such as East Jerusalem and land in places near Hebron, they deserve to get their land back, plain and simple. And then there is Gaza-how to find a successful two state solution is something I ponder, a lot, and how does Gaza fit into that two state solution? I also spent some time at the Deheishe refugee camp-the refugee crisis is a huge issue as well. I can only hope that the Palestinians can keep fighting their fight, but like the village of At Tuwani, they do so non-violently. However, violence plagues the region, on both sides…
What can be done to rectify this conflict when so much is at stake and there is such deep rooted history? I wish I had more answers, but alas, only more questions…
Dear Karen,
Thanks for your article. While I do share in your compassion for Palestinians, I fear that this article seems one-sided. I am especially concerned by your narrative of events. As someone who lived in Jerusalem for a year and was actively involved in human rights work throughout the region, I understand how difficult it can be to compose one. Yet I am still somewhat surprised by the choice of detail and narrative you used from your trip — as well as the ones you amplified from both Israelis and Palestinians.
To take just one example (and one, admittedly, that I found especially troubling), Arabs only moved to Jerusalem (as documented significantly throughout the Ummayyad Empire and subsequent Abbasid Empire) in the 7th Century. The notion of anyone living anywhere for thousands of years presupposes a post-French Revolution “modernist” mindset, which uses historical memory as a tool with which to compose and reinforce group identity. Anthropologists and archaeologists (not to mention historians) have difficulty tracing any population to a single location for thousands of years — and in this case there is in fact significant evidence (no less from the first Arabs to inhabit the modern-day areas of Israel and the future Palestinian State) to contravene it.
While if I were to follow up on the “we were here first” counter-narrative, I might lead us to exactly the quagmire our political leaders find themselves in at present, I just worry that your construal of events and the current situation does not in fact explain any reason for Israel’s existence at all. The settler narrative is a relatively new one in Israeli history (certainly post-1967) and is that of a small minority of the population. I would have liked to also hear the narratives used by the other 90% of the Jewish-Israeli population, as well — and elaborated on at that.
Meanwhile, thank you for engaging in this fraught topic. I look forward to dialoguing with you about it in the future. It is, indeed, a topic we must all grapple with.
Thanks, Joshua! I changed the thousands to “many, many.” When I was about to publish that, I thought, Hmmmm, by all accounts, if you go all the way back to Abraham and Sarah, technically, the people, the blood lines, etc, have been on that land for a very, very long time. So, I took a chance and I appreciate you bringing it up. Hence why I changed it.
I know my piece seems one sided. As much as I understand both sides, I am more empathetic and more inclined to say that Israel’s policies are unjust, they are oppressive and they are inhumane. I too would like to have other narratives, but these narratives are my experience. The fact is, the settler narrative is staggering and may be post 1967, but it is huge, especially in East Jerusalem, where every single day Settlers walk into Palestinian homes and just remove their belongings as if it is just another day’s work. Once I have other narratives, I will share them. I can only share what I know, and as Professor Wiesel said, I must share my truth. I cannot make it any less painful for those who read it, nor do I feel I should tread lightly. People suffer on both sides of this conflict but the fact is that Palestinians suffer much more than Israelis. This, however, does not mean that the Jewish and Israeli narrative should be ignored or doesn’t matter–of course it does.
I am not trying to offend anyone, nor create a paradox of angry opinions. I am only sharing my experience.
I look forward to dialoguing more as well, and thanks again for your honest response. I really respect it and appreciate it as well.
Are you anti-Semitic? No. You are anti-Israel. Part of your burden in making the argument you wish to is to keep (some of your) your opponents from scoring rhetorical points by equating the two.
Hi Ben,
Honestly, I am not anti-Israel. I, in fact, appreciate Israel and why the existence of this country is so important in our world.
I guess you could say that I am anti-Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. I understand the importance of the coexistence of these two lovely peoples and I hope there can someday, soon, be some semblance of peace between the two.
All the best,
Karen
Hi Karen,
“Love the sinner (Israel), hate the sin (her policies)”? Some people will accept the distinction you wish to draw. One might argue that it is not “Israel” which you appreciate but Karen’s version of Israel. Not that I have any problem with your version of Israel. I appreciated your thoughtful piece though I am not personally aware enough of realia on the ground to judge its conclusions. Perhaps its lazy of me, bit for now I content myself to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” All the while, I am aware enough to recognize the importance of the rhetorical battle being waged within Israel/Palestine and the consequent importance of at times deconstructing the use of terms like “anti-semitic,” “anti-Israel,” and “Israel” as used in the battle.
What you did not address is that Zionism is in fact a racist ideology / religion. Creating a state solely for an ethnic people in a land that is multicultural and multifaceted is promoting one race over another.
Some may retort that the socio-political environment demands a “state for Jews”, but their argument is null based upon basic ethical principles: a) that no race is better than another b) that all men are created equal c) that the ethnic make up of an individual does not give one more right to live and flourish in freedom than any other ethnic make up.
President Jimmy Carter pointed out such apartheid, and condemned the very premise of zionism solely upon ethical standards. I do not believe that the Palestinians are free from such blame either. As a Palestinian American myself, I have seen certain prejudices.
The upshot is that Zionism is racist, and in effect so is the state of Israel. The Palestinians are willing to create a state wherein all can be participating citizens. Such is not the case for Zionism.
Hello Ata,
Thank you for your comment. I did not touch on Zionism as a racist ideology because I feel that would have taken me off track from what I wanted to say;and also, I know some people who are “Zionist,” but i would not consider them racist. I also think it is important to not call Israel a “racist state.” There are many Israelis who are compassionate toward the Palestinian plight and do not agree with Israel’s policies. This creates quite a quandary, as I am sure you are aware.
The fact is that this subject touches on so many aspects and narratives, that is is virtually impossible to write about all of it, especially in a blog post. I do appreciate your input, Ata – especially as a Palestinian-American – your input in invaluable to understanding this situation on many levels.
Be well,
Karen
Thank you, this is beautiful and well represents an important aspect of CPT’s work and in general the work of those who see nonviolence as a means for addressing violent conflict: don’t accept any assumption that someone is irretrievably an “enemy,” take advantage of every opportunity to engage, listening and “speaking one’s truth quietly and clearly.”
Thanks, Robert! You hit the nail on the head by writing that we must, “take advantage of every opportunity to engage, listening and “speaking one’s truth quietly and clearly.” That is really what it’s all about.
All the best,
Karen
Hi Karen. This is a nice piece. Well written. I suppose one way that a person can be critical of Israel but not be labeled as an anti-semite is to always maintain context. here you wrote not only what you witnessed and found repulsive in the territories (many Israeli’s share your views by the way…count me in) but you also explained what you witnessed in Sderot (kudos for going there). But many other people write about this conflict in a sense where there is only a victimization of the Palestinians and a demonization of Israel. That can be seen as anti-semitic. So don’t fear being labeled an anti-semite, even if you heart lies with the underdog, as long as you maintain persepctive. Thanks for writing this.
Hello Ariel!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your words. I think you are spot on in regard to the view I take – we must see both sides, even if we tend to lean to one side more than the other. I think that makes us true peacemakers, but more, it allows us to be critical, even of ourselves and our stance.
Thanks again and be well wherever you are in the world…
Karen 🙂