2019 writing competition
- by Dorit Miles -
As an Israeli born, curious about the Palestinians for years, I never
expected to be able to go to the “other side”. The opportunity presented
itself and I jumped on it. In January of 2016, I joined a group of
interfaith travelers to Israel /Palestine. I decided to go because I
wanted to find out for myself how the Palestinians live and to hear
their individual stories. Yes, I was scared. The trip had an enormous
effect on my emotions and knowledge. Meeting the other demystified the
stereotypes. If I could have brought half of the Israelis with me, I
think we could have the beginning of peace.
It was fascinating to listen to our Palestinian and Israeli guides. They
presented their historical and current perspectives with utmost respect
for each other. At times I would get upset internally with Hussam and
without fail Natan would address my concerns by saying: “wait a minute,
let me tell you the Israeli story”. What I saw on the West Bank defied
my expectations and previous perceptions. I expected the Palestinians to
be all living in dire poverty and be helpless. What I saw was a people
building a nation with goals and aspirations.
The Palestinian family I stayed with in Bayt Sahour by Bethlehem, could
have been an Israeli one. They looked like one of my Israeli friend’s
family, with their three teenage daughters with long beautiful black
hair. Family is central to their lives and their children’s education of
utmost importance. I heard how check points make their lives miserable
and how caged they feel. The father told me in Hebrew what an ordeal it
was to cross the checkpoints daily on his way to work in Jerusalem. For a
trip that normally would take 20 minutes, it took him 2 hours and
sometimes more because of the wait at the checkpoints.
The peace builders on both sides touched my heart. Most Israelis think
of Palestinians as murderers. Each side, Israeli and Palestinians, has
strong stereotypes of the other that is reinforced daily by the media
and general public attitudes. On the streets in Israel and Palestine
people say they don’t hate each other. But I heard hostility. In Hebron
young children sang: “We will push them out”. Palestinians see all
Israelis as soldiers and occupiers. Israelis think Palestinian mothers
raise their children to be terrorist.
I was amazed to hear the transformation of three Palestinians from
prisoners in Israeli jails to guiding their people in nonviolent
resistance. One recalled how he heard for the first time about the
Holocaust while watching a movie about it and he cried. The Palestinians
are asking the Israelis to acknowledge their Nakba, which is their
pain.
I saw the extremes of Palestine, beautiful modern Ramallah and Dheisheh
refugee camp outside of Bethlehem. I was transformed on this trip. I saw
and felt the humanity of the Palestinians. I truly believe that
individuals from both sides meeting each other will make a big
difference in the region. There are thousands of Israelis and
Palestinians that are making the effort.
Comments
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Wonderful essay, Dorit. Maybe you can be a leader.
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