I saw a comment recently on one of my posts, where Bearsac had put a yellow ribbon for Israeli hostages in a prominent public spot.
An assumption may have been made by the commenter (name withheld to avoid them possible embarrassment).
They said something like…What about Palestinian babies? But the words prior to that which I cannot find now, suggested a one-sided take, even if it wasn’t.
I realise that putting a token of support for one group of people might signify (to some people), disregard to another group.
However, would people assume that if someone wears a Taylor Swift T-shirt it should not be taken as an indication of being against Lady Gaga! Of course not, that would be recognised as an absurd assumption!
I am a member of Jews for Justice for Palestinians. So, I do support Palestinians. And, before people make the assumption…I don’t support Hamas!!
I’m also against the war, supporting neither side in it.
That post was particularly done as part of the Yellow Ribbon for Israeli Hostages campaign.
I use the yellow ribbon as I don’t want to use the Israeli flag, which has become ultra-politicised, just like the Palestinian flag has been.
I am not Israeli anyway, and to fly the Israeli flag simply because I am Jewish, feels wrong. It feels supportive of the type of Zionism that displaced many Palestians and its laws which see Palestinians continue to live a life of injustice, with restricted services.
I am against such injustice. So the Israeli flag is not representative of me as a Jew.
The yellow ribbon is a-political, at least I see it as so. It is in support of hostages. It is not against Palestinians or for Israel as a nation.
Let’s endeavour to think more, and assume less.
Let’s not blindly take sides because it is trendy to take a side and as such, neglect to think deeply enough at all sides of situations.
When I place yellow ribbons, I am also considering Palestinians as I see the yellow ribbons as not being seen as anti-Palestine, in the way the Israeli flat has become.
I cannot find any a-political non-national ribbons that represent the Palestinian civilians. All I see are national flag ribbons, which is not what I am looking for to show support for Palestinian civilians, as well as the Israeli hostages.
If anyone, and particularly my commenter, knows of an a-political ribbon, or another token of support for the Palestinian civilians that does not indicate hated of innocent Israeli hostages, or support of Hamas, then please let me know. I will gladly place suitable ones alongside the yellow ribbons! So will Bearsac!
Bring Them Home Now – Israeli hostages and innocent Palestinian civilians alike.