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From a letter sent to Jewish-American friends while I was
living in Israel:
Oct. 20, 1991:
... I purposely went to [Jerusalem] to participate in the rally
against Baker across from the American Consulate (in
Independence Park). We were 2,000 strong according to the
Jerusalem Post.
There were many placards - in Hebrew & English. I held one that
read BUSH DESTROYING ISRAEL PEACE BY PEACE. Another one read
GIVE TEXAS BACK TO MEXICO. And a funny drawing of an Indian
chief sitting with Shamir saying "Let me talk to you about land
for peace."
The Arabs haven't shown any sign of concessions or change in
heart or attitude. At least Gorbachev let Eastern Europe go,
Germany reunite, cut back his defenses, etc. Concrete actions,
not just puny promises or hollow offers for peace. Israel's
simply getting backed into a corner where they'll be made to
look like the bad guys & the Arabs lovers of peace.
So I accomplished my goal of being in the demonstration against
Israel's dismemberment. My other goal was to visit and
congratulate those Jewish "settlers" who recently made a daring
move into Silwan (Shiloach) - the true City of David, presently
occupied by hateful Palestinians.
I used to tell people I wanted to live there to restore our
Jewish-Christian presence and they'd understandably laugh -
because it's practically suicidal and the place is basically an
ugly dump. Though I have the vision of it one day being cleaned
& green & beautiful with nice Jewish homes again.
Anyway, I found Silwan closed off by a heavy presence of police,
soldiers & border patrol. They wouldn't let me in. Then - by the
grace of God or strange coincidence - as I was walking back up
that steep street to the Dung Gate, I met one of the men who
live in that now Jewish home & a Yeshiva student. They invited
me to come with them when their ride showed up! Chief Inspector
Terner was to visit the site so we could only stay a brief time
because they said he'd be angry & make me and the Yeshiva
student go.
They've placed barbed wire all around their "yard," freshly
tarred their roof, have an Israeli flag flying & are still
clearing out all the junk the Arabs threw in there for the past
7 years. It was exciting to drive through that Palestinian
village as they looked on. Earlier, being hot as usual, I
started to roll down my window when they reminded me it's better
to be hot than get a stone in the face!
Instead of being angry at those Jews for living in homes they've
legally bought - we should be angry & consider it provocative
that those Arabs are so racist & hateful & want their
neighborhood Judenrein!
I plan on visiting them again when I can stay longer - maybe
even live with them as the student suggested...
Now I'll revert back to Sukkot & the Temple Mount
Faithful's demonstration. I've marched with them twice
to express solidarity & show support for the idea that Jews
ought to be able - in a "Jewish" state - to pray on the Temple
(not mosque) Mount. My perplexing question is how can we rid
Israel of those Arabs who forfeit their right to live here (by
their intifada actions or stabbings or murder) without hating
all Arabs, lumping them all together in a prejudiced way,
forgetting there must be at least a few good Arabs who could
live here - under Jewish rule - in peace.
I do believe most Palestinians hate Israel and would kill every
Jew. But where do we draw the line in our actions? Can we
continue to not "sink to their level," but instead get sunk 6
ft. below them (as Rabbi Kahana
said)? Most of them are our avowed enemies & we wouldn't be wise
to show "the mercy of fools," but... I prayed about it to
reconcile everything with proper understanding. So many things
are such a fine line...
I also was an arms-length away from Boris Pankin when he came
down the stairs from the Jewish Quarter to visit the Wall &
later the Temple Mount. That was a happy surprise...
About the author:
David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and
who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the
Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in
hard-hitting articles that help others improve their
understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com
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