We need more Rabbi’s like you.

A prophet speaks against what the mainstream accepts. Keep on speaking and doing brother.

You might be interested the Parliament of World Religions is being held in Melbourne, Australia 3-8 December. Rabbi Michael Lerner is going.

Shalom, Peace, Salam.

Stewart Mills
Sydney, Australia

Thanks for being who you are.

I hear you! And I agree with most of what you say. I also have no faith in the peace process, which looks like a political/diplomatic game and not a real attempt to make any progress (especially with Israel’s new prime minister).
You seem to feel that outside pressure on Israel (if it were effective) might allow more results, but my feeling is that Israelis (and Israeli leadership) resent pressure, and even if/when they (I should say “we” actually) succumb to it on some issues, it will always be with resentment, and an inclination to find a way to “compensate” or “retaliate” for the sacrifice they make.

One very tangible example I can give you about this psychology, is very personal: When I feel that Israel is radically or unjustly attacked (e.g.: by thinkers/bloggers), my first reaction is to bring justice/balance to the discussion, and for that purpose I might lean more to the right than I normally would. As an Israeli (actually, also as any plain human) it’s my natural reaction.

The only approach I see is to try to help (help, not pressure) Israelis open their eyes to the injustices, which will hopefully help the Israeli left wing movements grow and become less marginalized – that will ultimately bring change at the top as well.

Unfortunately, in spite of the geographical proximity between Israelis and Palestinians, interaction between the two people is very limited! Rather than see each other as humans, mutually suffering from the same stalemate they created (and let’s not quantify or compare the sufferings here! – does that request raise YOUR objection?…), they see each other as enemies (and often as inhuman). How can you empathize or consider the suffering of someone you percieve as a cold blooded, inhuman (and inhumane) enemy? The more we do to bring people together, the more both sides will open up to seeing the other as a human, and making real efforts to work toward peace.

Shabat Shalom.