Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: A Passover Reflection

How do we recognize rather than look away from the pain and suffering of others?

I’ve been thinking a lot about this question as I’ve been preparing for Passover, which begins at sundown on Monday April 22. Passover is a celebration of freedom that commemorates the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt.

If you’ve been following me for the past 6 months, you know I have refused to weaponize Jewish suffering to deny or deflect from the suffering, oppression, and dispossession of Palestinians. I reject the falsehood that Jewish safety must come at the expense of the people of Palestine. As an American Jew with family in Israel, I advocate for the freedom, equality, and security of all human beings in the region.

My work starts with a recognition of common humanity and human dignity, and the value of both Palestinian and Israeli lives. I agree with Ben Burgis that whether or not Israelis or Palestinians are “really indigenous” to the land is the wrong question to ask. Human rights shouldn't be the privilege of people of certain religions or ethnicities. We deserve human rights because we are human, not because of where our ancestors came from.

For those who celebrate Passover, let’s remember Nelson Mandela’s insight: people who take away others’ freedom are not truly free. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” This is the essence of our obligation as humans.

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Image description: An illustration of Moses holding out his staff before the Red Sea. Image credit: https://spiritedtable.com/blog/2018/3/23/passover-liberty-freedom

My title refers to Angela Davis’s book Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement (2015)