Dear Israeli Friends,
Let me start by saying I love Israel. I love Israel for everything it has to offer the world and our people. I spent eight and a half months exploring your country, living and breathing the conflict, and have taken various trips since. Some of the things that I have come to appreciate are your overall happiness, and love that you have for other people. But for a people whom have mastered the art of loving, I see it leave your eyes when discussing your conflict and replaced with darkness and sorrow.
I have a problem with the lack of change in policy. I would hope that the government would try using different policies after years of ones that have not helped work towards peace, but we as Jews have been let down time and time again. Building walls and condemning violence is not solving the problem, but is merely a short-term solution until the next wave of violence breaks out. I would also hope that the lack of progress would be an incentive to create new and creative ways to help solve the conflict, but again, I am let down. I have tried to see both sides of the conflict and truly sympathize with both, but because of this, I get yelled at by the right-wing Jews who view all Arabs and Palestinians as terrorists and get scrutinized by leftists who view Israel as colonizers, responsible for the killings of innocent civilians. I have found that in trying to understand the conflict, people are only interested in pointing fingers rather than working towards an actual solution. I find myself constantly in the middle, defending both sides, but in doing so feel like I am the middle ground everyone wants to destroy; when it is the middle ground that is keeping everything together.
The other problem is that Israelis have no idea what it's like to be a supporter of Israel, let alone a Jew living outside Israel. You may be living in the physical war zone, but as a Diaspora Jew living among non-Jews in a non-Jewish environment, I am forced to fight an emotional and stressful battle every day. You have the luxury of living in a society where you do not need to deal with criticism and face-to-face hatred on a personal level.
So to those who criticize and ask why Diaspora Jews should have a say in Israel's policies, the answer is simple: without us, you would not exist. Never mind the financial support Diaspora Jews provide; but as a Jew living in a liberal society and BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) greatly respected around college campuses influencing today's youth, Diaspora Jews face vicious scrutiny. Every time we put on our Star of David; every time we go to class; every time someone asks, "Are you a Zionist?" in which I reply, "yes", where an immediate verbal attack is carried out.
I love Israel but I feel like it is a never-ending battle, and I fear that if things do not change, us Jews will be too beaten and emotionally bruised to fight anymore. I don't want to be afraid to be Jewish. I don't want to be afraid to publically support Israel; but that is where I see this headed. So please, stop living in fear; challenge your government; get involved in your politics instead of standing idly by and letting the people in charge deal with it. Because the truth is, they aren't.
So at night, dance, celebrate with friends, and embrace your culture, but when you wake up, rise with purpose; and let that purpose always be peace. Be strong. Voice your opinion. Because I am afraid my voice may not be strong enough anymore; and soon, I'm afraid none of our voices will be.
Your Friend,
Sierra
Source : articlesbase.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment