Confrontation at Borehamwood Vigil for Israeli Hostages
On the 15th December 2023, I attended in Borehamwood‘s vigil for Israeli hostages, with home-made poster reading – “Be Jewdicious. Swap hostages for equal Rights, facilities and services. Make a deal”.
I expected to meet with some resistance and, of course, I did. That I did was fine with me.
I was set upon for the content of my poster. For advocating equality! For going against the assumed narrative of all Jews!
Neither Jews, Muslims, Israelis or Palestinians are a monolith. Not all members of a people think alike on all subjects of concern.
I was asked why didn’t my poster state that I was against Hamas? A fair question.
I can only fit so much on a poster. And there is so much to say. So, here I can expand a bit.
Just because I would like to see equal Rights for Palestinians, it doesn’t mean that I am against the existence of Israel. Neither does it mean that I agree with the, ‘From the river to the sea’ slogan. Only the use of narrow thinking would surmise that!
I believe in Rights for humankind. I believe in justice. I believe in accountability of all sides in situations. Not being accountable, is more than immature. It is a harmful barrier. Both Israel and Palestine need to be accountable for their parts in the issues over the decades.
Because I want equal Rights for Palestinians, the assumption seems to be that I support Hamas! How can that conclusion be drawn? How polarized is that assumption!
I am in no way support Hamas. What happened on October 7th was diabolical.
Although I realise that Hamas want the death of Israel, I don’t think October 7th would have happened had equality for Palestinian been in place. Yes, they would still want an end to Israel but we might not have had October 7th had Palestine had equality to Israel.
I want the destruction of Hamas. But it would be naïve to assume that that would end the issues. There will be other groups like Hamas, as long as there is inequality. Even equality won’t end the issues. Though it can possibly reduce them.
Equality will make lives better. Surely that is fair? It can improve relations between Israelis and Palestinians even if not end some of the friction that will always exist.
I am not against the idea of Zion where it simply means a return to a homeland.
I am against the construction of Zion where it displaces another people and creates a life of inequality for them.
I have been to over 60 countries but have not felt comfortable with the idea of going to Israel. Being Jewish does not make it my home.
That I have more right to a safe home there, and to justice, than a Palestinian born there is deplorably unjust to my mind. It is diabolical. I cannot accept that just because I am Jewish.
I cannot accept injustice to another people in my name as a Jew.
Not in my name!