A Vision of Peace
Voices from Palestine
I am remiss! Shortly after I returned from my recent trip to DC, I mentioned in a post on this blog that I would write about an encounter with young adults from Palestine that we met when we were there. I realized that I have not yet done that, and though this post comes a bit late, I think the voices of these young people are so important to hear.
As I mentioned in a previous post, on the day that we were holding a vigil at the capital building, we met a group of young Palestinians— some from the West Bank, and several from Gaza. They were in Washington DC with a group called Rebuilding Alliance to speak with members of congress. Specifically, they were there to promote a Joint Concurrent Resolution Prioritizing the Health of Gaza’s Children.
When we met these young adults at the capital, we invited them to attend our interfaith service of solidarity the following evening. They not only attended, but requested to say a few words at the service. We had worked hard to keep the service at a reasonable length, but how could we refuse? What kind of solidarity would it be if we didn’t allow the voices of Palestinians to rise above our own?
We agreed that they should have the final word at the service. And that evening, when they spoke, we were all deeply moved. They each shared a little about their own story, and they each spoke about their unique vision for peace. It was their vision of peace that reminded all of us just how horrific their lives have become in the past year.
One very slight young man from the West Bank said that his vision of peace was to be able to sleep in his own bed without fear. He elaborated by talking about the night raids that occur so frequently in the West Bank. He spoke of waking up to a machine gun in his face and a soldier yelling at him and his family. To be able to feel safe in his own bed. That was the extent of his vision.
Another young man from Gaza spoke about his desire to be able to sit around a table and share a meal with his family. That’s it. That’s all he wanted. That was his vision of peace.
The lives of these young Palestinians have been so disrupted that all they desire in this moment are the things that we Americans so easily take for granted. When you sit down to a family meal, how often do you think about what a gift that is? When you drift off to sleep at night in your comfortable bed, how often do you pause to give thanks for that feeling of safety and comfort?
We have so much. And we so often take all that we have for granted. Listening to these young people, I was reminded that our safety and security here in the United States was also purchased at a cost. My privilege was secured at the cost of someone else’s pain. Whether it’s my white privilege that is the result of decades of racism and white supremacy, or my American privilege that still bears the weight of our nation’s original genocide, I exist in comfortable spaces because someone else could not.
These young people were not fighters. They were lovers. All they want is a chance to be with the people they love and feel safe. That is all they demand. The least we can do, as a nation, is stop sending bombs and guns to those who are doing everything they can to kill that dream. The least we can do, as fellow humans, is to listen to their voices and their stories.
Granted, listening to the voices and stories of Palestinians requires some effort, because our media and our politicians work hard to keep those stories hidden. So make an effort. Make an effort to seek out the voices of actual Palestinians rather than listening to a media who only speaks about them. I’ll even give you a head start. Below are some links to articles, podcasts, and documentaries where you can read, watch, and listen to the voices of Palestinians. Get to know them. Take in their voices. Understand that these are not terrorists. They are not even fighters. They are lovers. Lovers of the land, of their families, of their culture and history. And they deserve love in return.
Still Another Cry from Palestinian Christians— Go here to read statements from Palestinian Christians working for peace with justice in Israel and Palestine. https://www.kairospalestine.ps/index.php/resources/statements/one-year-on-still-another-cry-from-palestinian-christians
This is Palestine Podcast— Just about every episode of this podcast features the voices of Palestinians.
Mondoweiss Podcast— The most recent episode of this podcast features the story of a journalist in Gaza, and his reflections on the past year.
Where the Olive Trees Weep— this documentary features the voices of Palestinian women who have experienced Israeli prisons https://whereolivetreesweep.com
The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza— this documentary, featuring footage from journalists in Gaza, follows three families as they are displaced multiple times throughout the war. Because of the heavy content of this film, you have to go directly to YouTube to watch.