discomfort

Today I went to Hebron with Breaking the Silence. While acknowledging the problems of Palestinian terrorism, their focus is on the Israeli official response to such problems, especially during the second intifada. From their website:
"We demand accountability regarding Israel's military actions in the Occupied territories perpetrated by us and in our name."

The trip to Hebron was very interesting, starting with how close it is (less than 45 minutes). I was impressed with our guide, who encouraged us to return to Hebron and hear its story from different perspectives (ie Encounter with Palestinians or with the settlers of the area). It was wonderful to speak with individual Palestinians to hear their stories and very troubling to hear the difficulties of their lives, many of which are due directly to the settlers and the protection they require/demand.

As an American Jew, I am used to being superficially annoyed at the American justice system, but overall feeling that it is doing its job, that with notable flaws, the system works. It was very frustrating to hear about a system that seems not to be working. One of the Palestinians noted poignantly that the settlers are the ambassadors of the Jewish people and the ones in Hebron are not ones for which I ever voted.

It was a very troubling day. Viscerally, I am uncomfortable with Jews not living up to their expectations--purity of arms, light unto the nations, etc., etc. How can we do better?


Eek, time for Shabbat, more another day.