We Can Be Both

As my beloved rabbi recently reminded us, caring about human beings does not make one either pro-Israel or pro-Palestine; we can be both.

The rhetoric around Israel-Palestine is so polarized that there’s very little space for us to stand for the right of Israel to exist AND to stand for justice for the Palestinian people, to condemn both the violence of Hamas AND the Occupation. (Gaza is effectively controlled by Israel but not under military occupation like the West Bank. No, I’m not suggesting a moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel.)

As I’ve discovered, seeking to move beyond an either/or mindset guarantees that “both sides” will criticize and attack you. Centering love and shared humanity isn’t the easy position, friends; it is the most difficult one.

I welcome respectful comments and invite you to hold space for listening and reflection. See you next week.

Peace, love & solidarity to all.☮️

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