An Israeli hero speaks

Here's Jeff Halper, the founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, talking about the welcome he received from Palestinians in Gaza when he arrived there with the Free Gaza movement:

We all received a tremendous welcome from the Palestinian Gazans – 40,000 came out to greet us as we entered the port! As, unfortunately, the only Israeli Jew (two more have since sailed to Gaza), I was sought out by Gazans who wanted to communicate with me – in Hebrew – how much they yearned for a just peace in which all the inhabitants of the country could live together in peace. I was struck by how non-political their discourse was. No accusations, no political programs, just a deep desire to get beyond this superfluous conflict to a life good for everyone. This, it seems to me, is a solid foundation upon which a just peace can be built.

This is exactly the kind of thing I heard in Gaza (and the West Bank) as well, over and over, from nearly everyone I met.  It couldn't possibly have been a greater contrast to the stereotype of Palestinians we're inundated with here, and I'm very happy (but not at all surprised) to hear they've held on to this spirit of almost unimaginable generosity despite Israel's every effort to destroy it.  This is why I not only believe but know without a doubt that the Israelis could have peace right now if they really wanted it.

The entire interview is worth reading.  I have enormous respect for Halper, both for this action (illegal, for an Israeli) and for what he's done with ICAHD over the past decade.  If I ever feel myself succumbing even slightly to the urge to paint all Israelis with the same brush, all it takes to snap me out of it is to think about the thousands of people like Halper who work tirelessly to stop their country's crimes.

Comments

[Donald Johnson]

That is fascinating to me, because one gets zero indication of anything like this in the press here, even the left-leaning alternative press AFAIK. But I would like polls on this--how many Palestinians would willingly live in a secular democratic state alongside Jews with equal rights for everyone?

But to be fair (because it's ridiculous to act as though it's just the Palestinians whose attitudes need to be investigated) I'd also like to see the same poll among the Israeli Jewish population, and for that matter, it'd be interesting to see what Western "supporters" of Israel think about this.

Unfortunately one would also have to ask how many crazies on both sides would sabotage such a thing? You could have, say, 70-90 percent support for a secular democracy, but a large minority of fanatics on one or both sides could turn the whole thing into a civil war.

[LadyVetinari]

how many Palestinians would willingly live in a secular democratic state alongside Jews with equal rights for everyone...I'd also like to see the same poll among the Israeli Jewish population, and for that matter, it'd be interesting to see what Western "supporters" of Israel think about this.

I agree, I'd like to see data on this too.

Does anyone have any recommendations for background reading and analysis of the Israel-Palestine situation? Ideally from a left perspective, but that also fully addresses all the facts and the arguments from all sides, including die-hard pro-Israel types?

I'm woefully ignorant about the subject beyond the bare widely-known facts, I'm ashamed to say. And its so contentious that I'm never sure where to start looking for good analysis.

[John Caruso]

I believe the percentage of Palestinians who would accept either the international consensus or a one-state solution has run in the 70% range for decades. I found some polls here and here (see question 48), and I'm sure you could track down more of them.

If you haven't seen it, this is worth reading when you're thinking about "crazies on each side."

LadyVetinari: I know how you feel—it's daunting. I'm planning to do a post about the best online resource I've discovered over the years, but the thumbnail version is that you should just go here and follow all the links.

Generally speaking, the issue of Palestine only seems complex for the same reason US foreign policy seems complex: because a powerful nation with a well-developed propaganda apparatus has a vested interest in making it appear that way. In reality it's very straightforward.

[LadyVetinari]

Thank you for all the links, will check them out.

Generally speaking, the issue of Palestine only seems complex for the same reason US foreign policy seems complex: because a powerful nation with a well-developed propaganda apparatus has a vested interest in making it appear that way. In reality it's very straightforward.

I suspected as much. Any issue on which the talking heads ponderously shake their heads on how "complex" it is...usually isn't.

[SteveB]

Some other good candidates for the title of "Israeli Heroes" are the Shministim, the young Israeli draft resisters who have chosen to go to prison rather than serve in the Israeli occupied territories. You can read more about them at Jewish Voices for Peace. Some of them have served multiple prison terms, but still refuse to participate in Israel's Apartheid policies. JVP has launched a campaign of letters in support to be sent to the Israeli government and the Obama administration.

But the Committee Against House Demolitions is pretty awesome, too.

[cemmcs]

Here's one I found recently.

[John Caruso]

I hadn't heard about the Shministim—thanks for that. They're in good company.