When a Pastor and Rabbi meet 30.5.18
Innes is a Pastor from Germany who came to visit Israel. She asked me to take her to meet some of my friends in the Palestine. This is during the month of Ramadan and many of my Muslim friends are tired, and it is hard for them to host, as they are usually accustomed.
We started by visiting a yeshiva in Otniel. Rabbi Yaakov Nagen warmly welcomed us with joy. At the entrance hall, he showed the memory wall of the terror victims who lost their lives including Dafna Meir. May they rest in peace.
During the conversation, Yaakov explained the connection to the land that connects the two peoples. We must acknowledge that both sides are connected to the land for whom it is like an umbilical cord, both share the pain and suffering as a result of the conflict and both have a responsibility for resolving it. In his opinion, this mutual acknowledgment must be our starting point.
To Innes question, "how do you think you can change?" he replied "Connection before Correction".
Yaakov hurried to teach and we continued to meet with a friend from the Al Fawwar refugee camp who was engaged in nonviolent communication.
He described a difficult situation of increasing involvement of various organizations that finance anyone who joins them. He thanked the soldiers at the entrance to the camp.
When I asked why? He said that if there were no soldiers, their children would throw stones and then the army would come in and there would be gas and many problems and everyone would suffer. Thus, the children do not throw stones and live in the camp as usual.
I asked if it is possible to talk to the children, and he replied that those he knew, from his family and the neighbors, yes, it was impossible in schools and it was impossible to reach them on a general level.
At the exit from the village, the soldier was amazed to discover that I was Israeli and asked me politely how I was not afraid. "We went to visit a friend, I reply, and besides, I do not wear a target=uniform." Just so you know, I added, "My friend from the refuge camp, thanks you from the bottom of his heart that you are here and keep camp life in order ..."
From there we continued to a village of caves. We brought some presents for children for the Ramadan, I was amazed to see how complex it was for everyone to put together the puzzles.
Perhaps the puzzle game can train them to assemble the puzzle of their real life?
On the way, we saw a burnt car. There was a gathering of settlers next to it. Everyone was shocked. At the end, it turned out that this was apparently a "car" without a license and when it burnt, the driver left it and ran away.
At the end of the day, Ines looked at me and asked how I could hold so much, "I'm only here one day and so many things together ..." She thought it was brave of me to try and see equally all those in pain ...
And I think, brave or foolish? Only the time will tell. I understand only one thing: that in order to find a common way to a better future, you have to hold both ends of the rift. Any attempt to "love" one side and "hate" the other only increases the gap and strengthens the human distrust that has already been injured for many years.
I know that everything is related to everything and everything changes all the time... only sometimes it is so long...
May we be able to trust each other, recognize each other like us, take care of each other, and transform together darkness into light and hatred into love.
Dedicated to all my partners who are constantly working for the basic human goodness inherent in all of them.
Eyal
Post Scriptum
I have not written for long time. Although I received many warm feedbacks, I also received harsh reactions from "people of peace" who did not approve of my perception of the current reality. I took time for myself and as a result, when I am asked today who am I? I answer I am a "peace bearer" instead of the old description "peace activist".
I would be happy to have an open and respectful conversation with the acceptance of the other both among us and outside. All what I do, and what I am embrace, is with love, pain, and intention to benefit, including the encounters described above. I would be grateful for feedback and cooperation for a common cause.
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