Ugly Equations

Talking about Haley makes me want to right this. Settlements are a painful subject among Jews. Something I should tell you before I go on--what happens to one Jew, happens to all. No joke. In such a small community, everyone is a relative or a friend or an acquaintance. You hear this about Israel, but it's true for the whole world. True story--a friend of ours once walked into a shop looking for a gift for the family. She got to talking with the shopkeeper, and guess what? The owner knew who we were. The owner was our relative Diane. I have already told you about Halley in the West Bank, and I want you to understand--she is a real person. She is not just a statistic, or someone in the newspaper pictures. She is real. She has four kids. Ayelet dropped out of college but is now working. Noa, who is a little older than me, has just entered Community Service (an alternative to army service). Her husband Danny--a wonderful man, by the way--got a cancer in his neck and, after surviving for several years in relatively good health, finally died (may he rest in peace). So whenever they talk about evacuation in the West Bank, the thought of Halley niggles in the back of my mind. I want you to know this, that you should understand how painful this subject is for Jews, because believe me, many of them in and out of Israel have relatives in the West Bank and formerly Gaza.

I support the peace plan. I support the two-state solution. And I understand that evacuation is necessary for that to happen. It's the inevitable equation. And there are many, many other Jews like me. Most Jews in the States are fairly liberal and also support withdrawal, though of course there is a sizable chunk with their doubts. Similarly, during the withdrawal last year, I believe (though I'm not certain) that a slight majority of the Israeli population also supported withdrawal (whether they do now is another story). But how, how do you tell your relatives, "Pick up and leave the homes you built behind." Jews shouldn't expell Jews. For thousands of years we have been chased from one end of the world to the other, forced out of Spain, France, England, Germany, old Judea, Iraq (chaval! The old Babylonian community!), Egypt, you get the idea. The whole POINT of Israel was to provide a refuge, one place where they would never be expelled again.

Jews shouldn't expell Jews, but sometimes you need to amputate a diseased limb.

Gaza belongs to the Palestinians. We built our homeland in Old Judea; it's only fair they build theirs. And so there needs to be a sacrifice. But the soldiers wept when they forced the settlers out and for good reason too.

Which is why I get so pissed at Hamas!! Why they hell are they firing rockets?!?! Hell, why are they spending money on rockets in the first place??? What about homes? Schools? Hospitals? Basic infrastructure, for heavens' sake?? It gets me so pissed off. Israel fucked over the Palestinians--there's no doubt about it. And undoubtedly the government should contribute to rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure and help get people out of those Godforsaken refugee camps. But why does Hamas spend so much money on rockets? Why is it that most Palestinians live in poor housing while their leaders live in palaces? Look, I know how most of the world feels about Palestinians and Israelis. People like an underdog, and the Palestinians really do live in nasty conditions. So all this money pours into the Palestinian cause. Millions of dollars. Billions, even. Where does that money go, pray tell?

I know the equation. For every Halley in Israel, there's another among the Palestinians. And those Palestinian Halleys have had a nasty time, to say the least. And I understand the desire to defend home, land, family. After all, every Israeli (almost, haredim, ahem ahem!) serves in the army. Everyone--theoretically--puts his life on the line. So I can understand the Palestinian militias. But how can any mother let their son (or daughter now) go off on a suicide bombing mission? Don't you WANT your children home alive?

Man, I'm depressed now. I've got more to say--a lot more--but I honestly don't feel like talking about it now. I'll post the lastest poetry instead.