I’ve been in Palestine for almost a month now. I have been all over the West Bank. To Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron. To the villages of Ni’lin, Kufr Quddum, Burin, A’qabah and others. And everywhere I go, the people have one request: “When you back to your country, tell your friends, your family, your president and the world what is going on here.” Every time this has been asked of me, I have promised to do so.
I’m fulfilling the first part of this promise now, as Israel Apartheid Week takes place at Boston University. I’m not going to write about this now. I’m not I’m going to write about what I have personally seen and experienced in the last month.
I have stood in the ruins of a demolished home in Twa’el, in the Jordan Valley, watching a toddler play in the heaps of dirt left by a bulldozer. I’ve choked on the tear gas Israeli soldiers fire each Friday at nonviolent protestors seeking nothing more than the return of the farmland, homes and roads stolen by the Israeli settlers and military. I have sat with an old woman in her home and listened as she recounted the burning tires rolled at her home. I have looked up the hill from her house to the Israeli settlement responsible for these and countless other acts of violence.
I have seen Israeli-only roads, buildings, buses, and tracts of land. I have been threatened with arrest for filming the acts Israeli soldiers are too ashamed of to allow the world to see. If this is not apartheid, I do not know what is. But I want to offer those who disagree with me an opportunity to respond.
Tell me I’m wrong, that I don’t understand the issues or the context. Ask me why I’m not writing about the slaughter in Syria. Call the American Jewish kid writing this an anti-Semite. Tell me that Israel really wants peace but lacks a willing partner as it swallows Palestinian land daily. Tell me that the occupation must continue because Israel’s unilateral transformation of Gaza into a prison didn’t bring peace. Tell me I haven’t seen what I have. Please.
Jeff Stein, CAS ‘11
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Very moving, Jeff. I hope you write more about your experience.
Have you also been to the city of Sderot, Jeff? I, too have met people from that city. My school sponsored a group of kids for a summer camp there. One boy was too scared to sleep or use the bathroom because he was afraid that at any second he will have to run to an underground bunker (in only 10 seconds). Another girl’s father was killed by a Kassam rocket. Another boy was injured witha rocket. Another had her best friend killed. The children we sponsored were actually afraid whenever they heard lightning, it reminded them of the Kassams. What is your response to these incidents? Just because one side ina conflict messes up at times does not necessary mean that the other one is any less responsible. The experiences that you and I had is the very reason why we need to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
The best peaceful resolution is to
1) End the Occupation of Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights (including the removal of all illegal settlements
2) End racist laws against Palestinians living in Israel and give them equal rights
3) Allow a right of return for all refugees or just compensation for those who dont want to return.
One side is gradually stealing land, gradually pushing the other out, gradually stealing all the resources and further compartmentalizing the other. One side is building a wall enclosing the other in. Guess which one Im talking about?
Until there is justice, there wont be peace.
1) End the Occupation of Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights (including the removal of all illegal settlements
What happened the last time that Israel ended the Occupation of Gaza”? Hint, Kassams). Before ending anything, Israel should have an eforceable guarantee that a repeat cannot happen.
” Allow a right of return for all refugees or just compensation for those who dont want to return.”
This is no more than a euphemism than saying end the government of Israel…see if what you propose occurs, a Palestinian majority will evantually outvote the Jewwish minority, making Israel an Arabic state democratically. This si why such a solution is unfeasible, and why it will never happen.
“I’m not going to write about this now. I’m not I’m going to write about what I have personally seen and experienced in the last month.” – That is pretty convenient.
“I have stood in the ruins of a demolished home in Twa’el” – Which was demolished because it was illegally built … i.e it did not have permits.
“I’ve choked on the tear gas Israeli soldiers fire each Friday at nonviolent protestors” – Have you been there every Friday, are they always non-violent? My guess (and by guess I mean I know because I too have been to Israel and have visited the army bases that respond to these “non-violent” protestors”) is that they are not always non-violent.
I’m glad you mention Israeli only roads. 20 – 25% of Israelis are Israeli arabs (Palestinians with Israeli citizenship) they too are allowed to use these roads. Why were the roads built? Because, before when every shared the same roads Israelis were shot at.
“Tell me I’m wrong, that I don’t understand the issues or the context” – Okay. You are wrong, you don’t understand the issues or the context.
” Call the American Jewish kid writing this an anti-Semite.” – I’m not going to call you an anti-semite. Though the American goverment might. Currently the U.S goverment defines anti-semitism as (in addition to other ways of being anti-semitic) Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and Applying double standards to Israel. Also Jewish people can be anti-semites so that is definitely no defense.
“Tell me that the occupation must continue” – Well, I don’t think it should continue either. Unfortunately we have to wait until terrorists stop using the Palestinian people as their launching pad for attacks against Israel. Israel has shown they are willing to make painful sacrifices for peace, Israel is waiting for a partner for peace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Camp_David_Summit
Tell them that they need to recognize the right of Israel to exist as the Jewish state; the nation-state of the Jewish people. The only way to move forward and secure a real peace is through negotiations, not negotiating about negotiating.
“I’m not going to write about this now. I’m not I’m going to write about what I have personally seen and experienced in the last month.” – That is pretty convenient.
“I have stood in the ruins of a demolished home in Twa’el” – Which was demolished because it was illegally built … i.e it did not have permits.
“I’ve choked on the tear gas Israeli soldiers fire each Friday at nonviolent protestors” – Have you been there every Friday, are they always non-violent? My guess (and by guess I mean I know because I too have been to Israel and have visited the army bases that respond to these “non-violent” protestors”) is that they are not always non-violent.
I’m glad you mention Israeli only roads. 20 – 25% of Israelis are Israeli arabs (Palestinians with Israeli citizenship) they too are allowed to use these roads. Why were the roads built? Because, before when everyone shared the same roads Israelis were shot at.
“Tell me I’m wrong, that I don’t understand the issues or the context” – Okay. You are wrong, you don’t understand the issues or the context.
” Call the American Jewish kid writing this an anti-Semite.” – I’m not going to call you an anti-semite. Though the American goverment might. Currently the U.S goverment defines anti-semitism as (in addition to other ways of being anti-semitic) Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and Applying double standards to Israel. Also Jewish people can be anti-semites so that is definitely no defense. (http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/102406.htm#new)
“Tell me that the occupation must continue” – Well, I don’t think it should continue either. Unfortunately we have to wait until terrorists stop using the Palestinian people as their launching pad for attacks against Israel. Israel has shown they are willing to make painful sacrifices for peace, Israel is waiting for a partner for peace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Camp_David_Summit
The Arabs must accept the right of Israel to exist as the Jewish state; the nation-state of the Jewish people. The only way forward is through direct negotiations rather than negotiating about negotiating.
Gary, I’ve seen everything that Jeff has seen in Palestine and much more. I have also seen Israeli soldiers dead bodies abused while having my life threatened by an armed Palestinian. I was present at a suicide bombing. I was one block away from a car bombing in Jerusalem. I was present when Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel were executed by other Palestinians. I have also been to Sederot, talked with the people impacted by rockets, and stood in their bomb shelters. None of these acts are acceptable. However, Palestinian violence does not make the situation that Jeff describes any less real nor does it change the fact that the structural and legal inequality and violence inherent in Israel’s occupation is a form of apartheid.
” However, Palestinian violence does not make the situation that Jeff describes any less real nor does it change the fact that the structural and legal inequality and violence inherent in Israel’s occupation is a form of apartheid.
I agree that it does not make the situation “any less real”…but disagree that you can place the blame solely on Israel. As for the Jewish only roads…yes, I think that these are wrong. But apartheid, no way. for starters, these were built as self-defense, which disqualifies apaertheid because apertheid is discriminatory, NOT self-defense (however misguided). “In 2002, following several cases of Palestinian gunfire at Israeli vehicles on the road, in which six Israeli citizens and one resident of East Jerusalem were killed, Israel prohibited Palestinians from using the road, by vehicle or on foot, for whatever purpose, including transport of goods or for medical emergencies.”
Yes, I agree that there are better ways to defend oneself. But if we call this “apartheid”, would you say that Israel is also practicing peo-Palestinian apartheid, too? You do realize that there are Palestiniian-only roads too, right? (though yes, ia dmit these are of inferior quality, and required the further taking odf Palestinian land, though int hehis case, it would be comparable to the practice of eminent domain.)
“After receiving much criticism for closing the road to Palestinian travel, Israel built three roads in 2007 and 2008, which it referred to as “fabric of life” roads. These roads are intended for Palestinians alone and are meant to serve as a substitute connection between the villages and Ramallah.”
http://www.btselem.org/freedom_of_movement/road_443
“Just because one side in a conflict messes up at times does not necessary mean that the other one is any less responsible.”
Gary, this conflict isn’t one between equals. One side has immense military, financial, and political power, along with the backing of the world superpower. The other doesn’t.
“Gary, this conflict isn’t one between equals. One side has immense military, financial, and political power, along with the backing of the world superpower. The other doesn’t.”
First of alll whose fault is it that the palestinians don’t invest in their financial military, and political power. Surely it’s not the Israeli’s fault that they invest more to protect their citizens?
Second of all, “the other” may not have one “superpower” by its side, but it does have most of the Arab and Muslim world, including Iran and Suria, which fund Hezbollah and Hamas…many more supporters than for Israel. (there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, but only 300 Americans, and only 12 million Jews. Don’t you think this would balance out the support somehat?
U r confusing the issue. The majority of Arabs and Muslims support the Palestinians, but the majority of Arab and Muslim governments are dictators who could care less about the Palestinians or Palestine. Examples: 1) Mubarak, who helped Israel blockade Gaza. 2) King Abdulla of Jordan, who helped Israel prosecute Hamas. 3) King Abdulla of Saudi Arabia, who is rich and powerful, but again wants to be friends with the west, and thus ignores the Palestinian’s plight. The list goes on and on.
The most that Arab and Muslim governments give the Palestinians is empty rhetoric. Look at Iran. It has constantly stated it will destroy Israel and liberate Palestine, but what has it ever done?? Nothing.
Iran indeed, along with Syria, has supported pro-Palestinian terrorist groups, inlcuding Hamas and Hezbollah, which it finances and arms. Same with Iraq, under the Hussein regime, who paid money tot he families of suicide bombers. Egyptm and Jordan obviously would not support the Palestinians because they have an actual treaty with Israel.
Jeff, no one can deny your personal experience. And it certainly ought to be taken into consideration by any honest individual who reflects upon this conflict…
In addition, personal experience is certainly undeniable in that it is what you experienced. However, by that same token, it is only what you experienced. Furthermore, we understand it only insofar as you tell it to us! It is thus highly subjective…. I do not see how anyone can honestly expect to derive an objective and well-founded conclusion from personal storytelling.
Furthermore, if personal experience is the trump card in an argument, then we will forever be at an impasse. Since, we all have our experiences… and our personal experiences as communicated through our storytelling are often irreconcilable!
What you saw at the moment, though real and undeniable to you, is limited in that it is simply what you saw at the moment!
…And, no, a month of moments is not much more significant than a single moment. Especially when one considers that this conflict goes back well before either of us were born.
You baited the reader to tell you that you “don’t understand the issues or the context.” I will not comment on what issues or context you do or do not know. However, it is certainly true that in this letter you demonstrated an understanding of neither… Since, personal experience is by its nature, lacking in context!
You undeniably have the understanding of a month of moments and experiences, but this understanding is limited in space and time… and the breadth of this conflict in space and time is far greater than one month in the West Bank.
Stay safe and strong, and thank you so much for being able keep your energy focused on advocating for the people with whom you are standing in solidarity by writing about these experiences while you live them.
Thank u for this article Jeff. I think its very important that Jews speak out against Apartheid Israel and Muslims speak out against terrorism. That way, both anti-Semitism and Islamiphobia will be defeated. I hope u write more.
Keep on keeping it real Jeff! Personal stories are the best way to get through to people. Keep giving the Zionists something they can’t deny (well, something that will be harder to deny).
Stay Safe
Lots of J names … seems fishy.
Jeff,
You dumb, impressionable douchebag. You’re a shame to Jews everywhere.
Several years ago I went on a Christian peacekeepers tour of the Holy Land. We were shown a wall at Bet jala- we were told the Israelis built it so they wouldnt see the poverty of the palestinians. this didn’t ring true to me- I looked it up, and learned that Muslim terrorist had beseiged the Christian town of Bet Jala and were directing automatic weapon fire againt Jews in Gilo. Rather than return fire, Israel built a wall to protect its citizens. It was a passive and non-violent way to protect people, that should be applauded, not demonized. I started reading more- I learned that much of what we hear at propaganda events like Israel Apartheid Week are simply lies. In my time in the Holy Land, I saw Jews Christians And Muslims eating together, shopping together, playing on the beach together. No apartheid. No separation. Israel is a model of America-style co-existence. Its not perfect, but it stands head and shoulders above its neighbors. Dont fall for the lies.