I am praying for Israelis. I am praying for Palestinians. I am praying for peace.
As with so many, it is distressing to see the violence escalate in this place that is — for us — a spiritual home and emotional foundation-stone.
Why has all this happened?
It’s complicated. And I am not an expert. And I am not living there. But these are some of the elements involved (in no order):
On May 10, Israel celebrated Yom Yerushalayim, an official holiday, recognizing the capture and reunification of the entire city. (The holiday is seen as a provocation for many Palestinians, including Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.)
In weeks prior to this outbreak, tensions have mounted. Some Palestinians attacked Orthodox Jews in the Old City. A right-wing Jewish group held a march where they shouted “Death to Arabs.”
Palestinians were banned from gathering in a favorite plaza in the Old City, at the beginning of Ramadan.
Tension rose over the expected eviction on Monday of six Palestinian families from the Sheik Jarrah East Jerusalem area. The Supreme Court delayed the eviction. The case, going on for years, is about Jews (some call them “settlers”) who claim they own the land and want to use it for a housing complex…in the midst of an overwhelmingly Palestinian enclave.
On May 7, as thousands of Palestinians left worship at Al Aqsa Mosque, some threw stones at Israeli police. They responded with rubber bullets and stun grenades. More rioting resulted, with 150 injured.
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, postponed parliamentary elections for the Palestinians scheduled for May 22. These would have been the first elections since 2006.
For all these reasons — and I am sure for others that I do not know or understand — the violence and needless death and destruction is spinning out of control. On May 13, Israel declared that they will not stop its military operation against Gaza until “complete quiet” has been achieved.
Violence and destruction is rarely the answer. And so, we need to condemn and say clearly:
Shame on those Jews who agitate by claiming “death to Arabs.”
Shame on those Jews who beat up Arab citizens.
Shame on Israel for perpetuating an atmosphere of distrust and anti-Palestinianism over the course of 70+ years.
Shame on Israel for treating its own Israeli citizens (who happen to be Arab) often as second-class citizens when it comes to social and governmental services.
Shame on Israel for permitting right-wing extremists for agitating against and taking land that Palestinians have lived upon for decades.
And…
Shame on Hamas for sending rockets to kill, injure, and wreak fear and havoc upon innocent civilians intentionally.
Shame on Hamas for agitating and perpetrating anti-Semitic and anti-Israel lies and propaganda within its population.
Shame on Hamas from focusing its energies on destroying Israel instead of uplifting its people.
Shame on Palestinians who attack those who are charged with protecting the status quo.
Shame on Palestinians who attack innocent Israeli Jews.
Editor’s note: Rabbi Nemitoff emailed this addition on May18:
While I wrote this a week ago — and I still stand by all I say — I am increasingly pained by the thousands of rockets being sent into Israel with the intent of harming innocent lives. Hamas must be stopped from threatening Israel’s safety. At the same time, the Palestinian “narrative” being promulgated across social media and in the streets dismisses Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense and security.
Clearly, there is enough shame to go around.
But what makes this such a difficult time for us, as Jews who are lovers of Israel? It is that so much of the world is unable/unwilling to look at both sides. Rather, they maintain a skewed view of the conflict. Some see Israel as doing no wrong. Others portray Israel as the Goliath against the Palestinians’ David. The truth is far more complicated.
An example — and one worth our time reading — comes from our own country. Some may have heard the monologue given by Trevor Noah on his May 11th Daily Show. It was full of inaccuracies. Thankfully, David Harris, CEO of the AJC (American Jewish Committee), responded. Sadly, far too often there aren’t enough David Harrises to respond. And far too many who present inaccurate portrayals of the historical realities.
So, what do we do?
We can and should be Israel’s most stalwart advocates. We can and should defend Israel’s right to defend its land and protect its citizens. We can and should speak truth to the mixture of anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism that occurs within the Palestinian world and within the orbit of its supporters.
We can and should speak truth to power within Israel, insisting that Palestinians — whether citizens or otherwise — are treated the same as Israeli Jews: with dignity, with equality, with honor.
We can and should demand that Israel and the Palestinians find the political spine to break out of this vicious cycle of war — quiet — antagonism — and then, more war – that has eaten away at both Israeli and Palestinian souls for over 70 years.
Until then, though...
I am praying for Israelis. I am praying for Palestinians. I am praying for peace.
And I hope you will too.
Rabbi Nemitoff is senior rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah
