Dear reader, to skip my words and jump ahead to the wonderful conversations I have posted below, please be welcome to scroll down. These conversations is the main purpose of this article. Otherwise, I have personal words to share with you to introduce what I am doing here and why I am doing it ...

The enemies who want peace

I’m calling this article: the enemies who want peace. Of course an enemy is someone from the “other side” who is either trying to kill us, or us trying to kill them. Enemy implies fear, separation, hate. We are in a world with lots of enemies, and enemies and peace don’t come together. And so, what if there were people, people who live in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Israel, Jewish, Arab, who want peace? What if there are people, not members of Hamas, not the Israeli government, but plain old people – people who recognize the humanity and suffering of their neighbor? What if there are people who refuse to darken their hearts in anger to see their neighbor as the enemy?

There are such people, and these people are the future. They get it. They all have a voice, and they use it. They share it, and they listen to each other. These people understand that they cannot have peace unless they care about one another. These people are activists, but not the kind of activists that hold signs, scream for justice, and argue with their frienemies on facebook. These are the activists that make bridges to others who are suffering, others who have also experienced death and loss, others who are in pain, and they listen, they sincerely seek to understand.

These people aren’t on a crusade to be right; that is not their goal. Being right is the death sentence to peace. Being right closes the door on understanding and empathy.

What lacks most in the cultural dialog, media, and in our personal interactions with one another? Genuine interest; the sincerity of care that asks, “what is it like for you?” This interest will also notice where there are holes in the story. It will ask questions and want to know more. It will be curious and want to learn.

In the world today, there is a sincere lack of this genuine interest and not enough learners.

Many people who identify as pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, pro-Gaza, pro-Jewish or pro-Palestinian will in most cases know very little in terms of facts. They might know a lot of facts that come from the party for whom they are “pro” but very little about the other side’s story, history, and most importantly lived experience.

Most Israelis know absolutely nothing about the arab Nakba. Most Palestinians know nothing about the holocaust, European antisemitism and the context that lead to the creation of the state of Israel.

All too often “sides” are created wherein the people of a nation are defacto associated with their governments. Is that logical? Would you expect to be associated with the leader of your country if you didn’t vote for them, or as is often the case, if you had no choice but to accept their rise to power or be persecuted yourself?

I’ve heard Jews tell me, more than once, that in Gaza the children are indoctrinated from the beginning to hate Jews; that there is not one good soul there – they all want the destroy Israel. On the other side, I’ve also seen American activists speak about Hamas as if it is a freedom organization trying to liberate its people, to the point of even waving Hamas flags in solidarity.

To many Palestinians, the first view is hurtful and alienating. It strips the fact of their humanity, and justifies genocide. To many Jews, the second view is hurtful and alienating as it ignores the fact that Jewish people were murdered and taken captive on Oct 7 by Hamas, many of whom are still in captivity. It’s no surprise that so many people are cutting each other off, friends, family members. “I can’t talk to you if you are going to actually believe that”.

The truth is, there are good people in Gaza.

And Hamas is not a freedom organization.

The truth is, there are Jewish people in the west bank perpetuating violence: people who have self-justified the stealing of Palestinian land, constructing illegal settlements even after the state of Israel had declared it illegal. These people consider themselves entitled to continue to take more land with the sole intent of occupying the entirety of the land. These people hate Arabs and actively teach this hate to their children. I know this because I lived in one of these settlements and have traveled extensively though this land. Where I lived, the olive field was simply taken, stolen outright from the Arabs whose ancestors planted those trees. These Jewish people want peace, but their concept of peace is one that excludes the freedom and rights of Palestinian people. It’s peace for me and mine, which is not true peace.

The truth is, there are Jewish people in the west bank and in Israel proper devoting their lives to being a bridge, to befriending Palestinians and forming genuine bonds of friendship. I know many of these people.

The truth is, there are Palestinians who have lost so much: land, family members, dignity and yet they refuse to hate. I have met some of them myself. I listen to their message, they have healed my heart.

Please note the historical pattern humans tend to fall into. It’s very easy to say “oh those people [of a certain race, nation, country etc] are [animals, not trustworthy, want to destroy you, are taking all the money, dishonest, cannot be trusted]. I see many Palestinians and Jews doing that to each other. As we know from history, these cultural narratives have never been true. We’ve seen this spoken about black people, red people, Jewish people, Arab people, Irish people etc. etc. These generalized tropes are never true. But to the mind that believes in them, there will always be evidence for their truth.

Peace Cocktail

What follows is what I will call a peace cocktail. Various videos and articles mostly about individual people and alliances that reveal the FACT of there being a living and thriving humanity amongst all groups of people. It is this life force that will bring our liberation – there’s no other way.

In these videos you will learn a lot. You will start to gain a more inclusive view of the entire situation. But most importantly you will learn about friendship, what it means to care, what it means to heal.

With all the social media, news media and talking going on – you know that you will be exposed to a lot of hateful and fearful dialog just by existing in the age we live in. And so, I implore you to watch these videos. Why not strengthen yourself with some truly healing and helpful information?

In these videos all stereotypes will be dissolved. There are peace activists in Gaza. One of them goes by the name Rami Aman. Rami was taken by Hamas 4 years ago and unfortunately has not been seen since then. There are Israeli’s who want peace and wellness for the Palestinians, Maoz Inon is one of them. He talks to Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah whose brother was killed by the IDF.

In one article you will gain some perspective on the legal status of Palestinian people and what it’s like to live in this land with very limited human and social rights.

I’ve organized these topically so there is some order and cohesion to them.

I’m going to kick start this share with one of my own personal stories from the time that I was living in the West Bank back in 2004

Ibrahim The Tour Guide Who Had Compassion for My Fear of Him

I hitched to a northern section of the dead sea; an area that isn’t industrialized and was very wild. There are fresh water springs wherein one can bath, just on the border of the salty dead sea itself. It was a beautiful adventure, very close to the qumran caves which I had recently learned about. I was really mystified by the region, possibly connected to a past life as a dessert dwelling Essene or something of the likes.

I met an elderly Israeli man with long dread locks camping out in the area. I sat with him around a campfire along with a group of people. I was scolded by this man for inviting everyone to chant together. I was a naïve 20 year old who had no clue what he was doing in the world and how to fit in.

When I felt ready to leave the area, I saw an Arab man with a group of westerners, probably from The US. It seems he was their tour guide. With a bit of hesitancy, knowing the dangers of approaching an Arab, I asked him where he was going and if I can hitch a ride. He wholeheartedly welcomed me into his van.

His name is Ibrahim, and there are beautiful facts about him I didn’t learn till several months later once I returned to the States.

I remember him noticing my hesitation to join him in his van. He said something to the likes of, “don’t worry, I won’t kill you”. And he said it in a way that felt kind and inviting. I saw that he recognized my fear, and that he sincerely wanted me to feel safe.

I sat in the passenger seat, right next to him. He told me that he knew Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach, the famous “singing Rabi” who was also someone whose music had inspired me since my childhood (and still does today). Carlbach’s music is one of the biggest influences on my own musical style.

I was amazed to hear that he knew Shlomo Carlbach. He shared more about his interactions with the Jewish community and Jewish leaders. I saw that this was a peaceful man, a man who genuinely cared.

He talked to me about the wall and what it’s like being a Palestinian where your actual “citizenship” is perpetually ambiguous. He has little rights, and day to day living required a lot more effort than meets the eye.

He touched me deeply and I knew I was blessed for having met him.

Fast forward to the following summer. I am living in Amhurst Massachusetts. I answered a local listing to do some odd jobs and lawn maintenance for an elderly woman who needed some help. I became good friends with this woman, and realized that she is a deeply spiritual person.

One day she shared with me a photo album of a recent trip she made with a Christian group to Israel. In the images I saw Ibrahim’s face. I surprised her when I declared, “That’s Ibrahim! I know him!” She taught me more about him, and how influential and committed this man is to peace.

Here are a couple videos with him so you can make a connection to this beautiful soul.

Short message from Ibrahim:

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Translation: "I wish to say to every human in this land, it is crucial to unite, we must all be one, to fall in love one with another, in love with one’s neighbor, I bless every human in his life may he have peace may he have joy… thank you"

A very recent interview. Good to see he is still around! English interview begins at 5:00

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Yes There are GOOD and LOVING People in Gaza. Rami Aman is one of them

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Rami Aman – taken by Hamas for “weakening revolutionary spirit” because he participated in an online zoom call with 200 Palestinian and Israeli peace activists.

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And here’s the video Rami participated in that lead towards his arrest. You will also see the faces of 200 people who care to listen and understand one another.

Videos That Can Change your Heart: Palestinian and Israeli Peace Activists Aziz Abu Sarah & Maoz Inan

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Interview with Aziz from 4 months ago.

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A short video to give you a sense of this awesome spirit.

Two beautiful conversations you NEED to watch:

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Rami Elhanan & Bassam Aramin: Israeli and Palestinian Who both Lost a Child Come Together

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Learn more about Rami Elhanan’s story:

​https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/stories/rami-elhanan_eng/​

From the article: “On the same evening, whilst in the studio of the Israeli television, an interviewer asked, in a voice both wondrous and shocked: How could you donate blood to the enemy?! We answered that it is far less painful to donate blood to the needy than to spill it unnecessarily as though it was water…”

Rami Elhana on how Hamas come to power from within Gaza itself

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Yitzchak Frankenthal - The Bereaved Parents Organization

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Vivian Silver: Learn about her, her murder and what her son has to say

Vivian Silver lived her life as a peace activist, supporting Palestinian rights among many other things. She was killed by Hamas terrorists on Oct 7.

Many people use this as “proof” that you can’t help these people that want to kill all the jews anyway. That Israeli’s that care about Palestinian in Gaza are naïve and just setting the Jews up to be killed. I implore you to please listen to this message from her son.

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Documentation as a Palestinian

Just a little context of the ambiguity, difficulty and oppressive state of being a Palestinian. This gives some perspective on documentation: https://www.beyondintractability.org/reflection/khattab-document#:~:text=Palestinians%20in%20the%20West%20Bank,a%20green%20Palestinian%20Identity%20Card.

Historical narratives

I do think there is immense value in learning the historical narratives of “both sides”.

Let me be blunt – most of us know very little of the things we like to have opinions about. There is history, stories and valid perspectives that millions of people hold that millions of other people know nothing about.

Learn about the history of Israel from a Jewish settler perspective. The wars that were fought, the being attacked by Arab nations on all sides, the land that was won, the sacrifices that were made, the living under the constant threat of a bus blowing up.

Learn about the devastation of the Nakba and the nearly million Palestinian people who were forcefully displaced in 1948.

Learn about the history of the West Bank. Why are Jews still settling that land? Is it legal? If it’s not, how is the Israeli government responding to it? How are Palestinian people responding to it?

Learn about the Palestinian refugees, where did they go? Learn about the early Zionist movement, were they religious? Were they secular? What was their goal?

What is the history of the Gaza strip? Why in 2005 did the Israeli government force the Israelis living in Gaza to evacuate it and give it over entirely to the Palestinians? What was the aftermath of that?

What is the purpose of Hamas and how did they come into power?

Thet various historical narratives and perspectives is not something I am including in this article, mostly on account that if I were to do such a thing, I would want to take my time to thoughtfully present something that covers all perspectives. You are welcome to offer a thoughtful suggestion for one that covers the history of a people, the history of a family, the history of the land, the wars fought and lost, the wars fought and won. I am sincerely open to it, and perhaps there will be a part two to this cocktail of peace.

There are many more voices and hearts to be heard right now

The other thing that I am not including in this article are the many voices of Palestinians and Israeli’s who have been deeply hurt and carry immense pain, grief and distrust in their hearts. I have watched videos of Israeli hostages that have been released. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. I have watched videos of Arab parents and grandparents that have lost their children to unexpected IDF explosions. This is heartbreaking. These videos reflect an unresolved, aching agony.

I am not sharing them here because that’s not my main intent of this article. I can perhaps be egalitarian and include a couple videos of “each side” sharing their hurt, hatred and unresolved grief. There is a place for this and importance in our care and interest. My intuition for now however is to keep this article more focused on the stories of coming together as per the title: Enemies who want peace.

I close with these thoughts. I know many Jewish people who feel unsafe in the world because of the rise of anti-semitism. They feel betrayed and hurt by liberal friends who are “pro-Palestinian” who lack sensitivity to what they as Jewish people are going through.

I know Palestinian people who feel unsafe in the world because of the rise of anti-semitism. They feel betrayed and hurt by all the “pro-Irael” people out there who lack sensitivity to what they as Palestinian people are going through.

Both people feel unsafe, ignored, hurt, betrayed. We see this every day. I think both groups are equally justified in their feelings. To be honest, being that I do not regularly wear a yarmulka, there are days where I’m glad that there isn’t much about me (except the nose and general vibe) that can overtly identify me as a Jew. This is a hard thing to understand unless you yourself have the racial, religious, cultural experience of persecution or of being “the other”.

The elephant in the room is that anti-semitism, to be true to the phrase, can apply to anyone of semitic origins: this includes Jews of Israel as well as Palestinian Arabs. Something to consider there, almost as hinting to a deeper sub-truth at the core of all of this.

Thank you dear friends for reading, for receiving the calling of my voice in the midst of all of this. I welcome yours.