Guest Viewpoint: Seeds of hate in Israeli-Hamas conflict continue to impact Palestinians
In this time of celebrations, joy, glad tidings and “Peace on Earth,” there are two parts of the world that are in the midst of mind-numbing catastrophe. One place, of course, is Ukraine and the other place is Israel. On Oct. 7 Hamas, which had gained control of Gaza (with the help of the Israeli government, it should be noted) launched an attack on Israel.
There have been numerous outbreaks of war and periods of violent instability since the creation of Israel in 1948, but the efforts to bring about some kind of resolution and understanding have also been there for decades and are deserving of greater public knowledge.
A very specific group is called Rabbis for Human Rights formed in 1988. Their reading of Judaism compels them “to defend the weak and the downtrodden in society regardless of race, religion, affiliation or orientation. We strive to live in an Israel true to the call of the prophets of old.” A very recent effort saw a number of rabbis form a human shield to protect the Palestinian olive groves from the incursions of West Bank settlers.
On March 16 2003, a 23-year-old activist by the name of Rachel Corrie was crushed to death in Gaza trying to protect the demolition of a Palestinian home in Rafah. Craig and Cindy Corries, Rachel's parents, have been instrumental in creating a foundation in her name based in Olympia, Washington.
The Wikipedia entry for “Arab-Israeli Peace Projects” is an incredible resource that lists close to 40 projects or initiatives of one type or another to foster cooperation and understanding in this part of the world. The creativity and scope of many of these projects is absolutely astounding.
Both the U.S. and Israel are nations in the throes of political turmoil. Facing a judicial reckoning for corruption, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu formed a coalition government last December with two of the right-wing extremist parties in the Knessnet.
One of these parties is Otzma Yehudit, “Jewish Power,” whose leading figure is Itamar Ben-Gvir. He has faced charges of hate speech against Arabs and of supporting a number of Jewish terrorist organizations. Another is Besalel Smotrich, of the Religious Zionist Party. According to Wikipedia, “he is a supporter of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, opposes Palestinian statehood, and denies the existence of the Palestinian people."
There are numerous questions that need to be answered regarding what has happened in Israel over the last year and especially since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Perhaps a more important and existential question is taken from the Israeli Declaration of Independence from 1948: “It will be based on the ideas of liberty, justice, and peace taught by the Hebrew Prophets. It will uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of race, creed, or sex. It will guarantee full freedom of worship, education and culture.” Would the extreme elements of the Knesset please explain how this ideal is being applied to the Palestinians?
Ed Nizalowski is a Newark Valley resident and member of Broome County Peace Action.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Seeds of hate in Israeli-Hamas conflict continue to impact Palestinians
