This past Tuesday, JTA published a story whose main points continue to churn in my head. The article documents celebrations of Israel’s 60th nationwide, but focuses specifically on the anti-Israel counter protests occurring simultaneously and how this discourse of pro-vs-anti, celebration-vs-nakba (the Palestinian word for Israeli independence, translated: tragedy) is viewed and explained to our youngest generation of Jews.
Indeed, it must be both difficult and terrifying for a child to witness such protesting, no doubt it is just as unnerving for me to watch. But, as one mother quoted in the article points out, “you’re allowed to protest. It’s part of living in this country.” Yes, any Israel rally is going to highlight the freedoms of speech and assembly which this country prides itself on, as that is the nature of heated debate in the US, but in the eye’s of a child I can only imagine that democratic concepts are less resounding than the perception of someone ‘raining on our parade.’
In figuring out the best method of explaining this conflict to our children, I find it interesting, though discouraging, to understand how Palestinians explain Israel to their Children: while a major part of me hopes that they are not the norm, and are merely extremists (duh), videos such a Farfour implement a terrifying mix of extremism and Sesame Street:
I don’t personally remember struggling with the concept of Israel growing up – because I was not subjected to the debate surrounding its existence as a child. Today, however, that debate is more real and heated than it has been in years. At some point these children will be mine (oy) and I will be faced with answering their questions at rallies: of counter protests and biased medias. Of who is killing who, and who is right, and who is wrong, and why.
Who knows what I will say. I myself often struggle with the actions Israels government makes, as well as my place to criticize those decisions. But seemingly always, despite my frustrations, I find myself in support of our beautiful Jewish homeland. I truly hope that my children can feel the passion and warmth towards Eretz Yisrael that I have found; that they can experience her picturesque mountains, valleys, cities and landmarks. More importantly, I hope that my children can do all of these things alongside Palestinians.
Such lofty goals – and likely naive, as is my tendency with this topic – when considering the complexities and inner-workings of hate: something I just don’t understand.
And so my children will, God willing, be able to format their own opinions. I will certainly let them know mine. I will watch and explain to them the news; I will take them to rallies, and let them stand on either side of the line; and I will take them to Israel and let them see for themselves.
Good Shabbos, Shavua Tov.
