Why Can’t We Live in Peace?
Over the past many years, I, a Jewish woman, have become a critic of Israel for its treatment — or maltreatment — of the Palestinians. I know that they feel that they are protecting themselves from hostile forces both within and outside their borders. I am proud that Jews, having been the focus and the victim of abuse for centuries, are not letting themselves be victimized again. But I also think that, as previous victims, they should understand, better than most, the horror it inflicts on its targets. I believe Israel has forgotten (or refuses to see) the humanity of the Palestinians.
I wish there was a way to separate the thought of Jews as oppressors from the current government of Israel as oppressor. I know I’m right to blame Hamas for their cruelty, but when I see an entire Palestinian community decimated and children killed, I don’t know how I can’t blame Israel too. Maybe not what you expected me, as a Jew, to say.
What troubles me more is the turning of this regional fight into a global invitation to hate. And I fear the antisemitism, given a louder voice during the Trump administration, is festering and increasing with this conflict. Sadly, the hate is on both sides — hatred for Jews and hatred for Arabs. There seems no easy way to calm the vitriol without increasing it on one side or the other.
I read that college graduation ceremonies are being cancelled to protect the safety of the participants and to not give voice to all of the anger on both sides. How sad that innocent college students and their families have to lose out on such a wonderful experience. How sad too, that protesters feel the only way to be heard is to disrupt graduation.
I feel angry, sad, frightened. Both sides in this conflict give me cause to feel these emotions. I’m angry with Hamas for attacking Israel. I’m angry with Israel for the mistreatment of the Palestinian people, giving Hamas the excuse to attack. I am sad for the people on both sides, innocent people who only want to continue to live in peace. And I am terribly frightened that these hostilities will mushroom into something that will involve more countries, more soldiers, more innocent people.
