Words fail me.
In a time when our people, Jews who live in Israel, and the Palestinian people who live in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, are all suffering, words cannot adequately convey what is in each of our hearts. In fact, the words this week often bring more heat than light. I myself feel the temperature rising even when in conversation with friends and people whose views I share.
Nothing I offer you will be sufficient to defend, protest, or even explain what is happening.
As a community, I am aware that while we generally share common progressive ideals of peace and justice, when it comes to Israel, Palestine and the violence of this week, we do not hold a common stance.
What I hope we do share is hope. We refuse to give up on fostering a better life for Israelis and Palestinians. How we get there depends on our own ability to open ourselves to curiosity, compassion, and even discomfort: Curiosity about how life is lived by individuals on the ground, both during this crisis and in the events that led up to it; Compassion for the fears and suffering and grief of humanity, mothers and fathers and children who are subject to the decisions of political and military leaders on all sides; and Discomfort in acknowledging that the people we identify with have caused suffering to others.
I hope that you will take some time to explore the following links to learn more, both intellectually and emotionally, and come out with a ray of light in this darkness. These recommendations are my own and do not span the spectrum of analysis. I have chosen them because they each take into account uncomfortable truths from different viewpoints.
Upcoming Combatants for Peace webinar: Voices from Gaza (Sunday)
Upcoming webinars (and readings) from MEJDI Tours: What Can Israelis & Palestinians Learn from Northern Ireland (fee; Saturday) and From Elections to Al-Aqsa: What's Happening in Israel/Palestine and What Happens Next. (Sunday)
Column and podcast from the Israel Policy Forum: Calling for a Ceasefire is not Enough
https://israelpolicyforum.org/2021/05/20/what-the-u-s-should-be-doing-right-now/
Webinar recording from New Israel Fund: Crisis in Jerusalem, from May 12