The following essay was posted several days ago. This afternoon I reposted it with fuller and more detailed explanations-
As far back as our kindergarten days we learned about the United Nations through our fundraising efforts for UNICEF. Each and every October 31st the magic words were Pennies for UNICEF! All of us wanted to help the impoverished children of the world. I grew up in a traditional Jewish family. We were post WWII and part of the experience of those early years was learning about the atrocities, pain and suffering and the lives lost of the six million Jewish men, women and children. People just like our family, who's lives were forever snuffed out, taken away. The cry that our generation came forward with, was clear in the seemingly simple phrase of- never again!
We were also taught about the forming of Israel in 1948, and the reasons why. This too we supported in our homes, and in our religious classes. Learning of the founding of a Jewish State was a thrill! We supported Israel in our years growing up with our fundraising efforts of planting trees there, and joining groups from a far that helped to raise monies for hospitals, and youth organizations that provided social services.
By the mid 60's I was in high school, and Abraham Ribicoff had become a U.S. Senator representing our home state of Connecticut. As a teenager my view of the world wasn't all that vast, but we were all living through the Cold War, and besides the post WWII stuff our generation was still processing, to add to that I read an article that the U.S. was considering selling arms, and Israel was the country mentioned. So naive at sweet sixteen, and not wanting our country to sell arms to anyone, nonetheless I sent off my very first letter to a politician. Abe Ribicoff replied in record time to the concerns I had expressed in my letter. He assured me that the U.S. would not sell arms to Israel.
Since that time we have all come of age. Things are not as simple as they had seemed back then. We've had time to mature and to think, and to ask more complicated questions. Meanwhile in the mid 90's a dear close friend, and her entire family were relocating to Israel. During their preparatory time for this big move she was the president of a local Hadassah chapter. Hadassah is a worldwide organizaion, and has built two hospitals and provides outstanding healthcare in Israel of which all Peoples are admited and cared for. No one, I was assured is ever turned away. With that information under my belt I became a lifetime Hadassah member~!
It has been a long time since I've reacquainted myself with what Zionism is. There are many forms. Which does makes sense, for in any group of people, the citizens of the U.S., as an example- everyone in a population group is never going to think the same way. Political parties, and various religions are just a few of those examples. On the topic of Israel and Zionism I found the term Liberal Zionism listed in Wikipedia- Liberal Zionism advocates democracy and adherence to human rights, and advocates for equal rights for Arab citizens of Israel. Hence the issue and unresolved conflict that the Palestinian people face, the Israeli people face. How do these two peoples solve this? How do they refrain from doing harm to one another?
Liberal Zionism meshes well with my perspective for world peace, affirming most clearly that Israel has a right to exist. For each side to do no harm is my view which comes from a long ago exposure to UNICEF and the message of the UN. Every nation has had it's share of growing pains, none are exempt. It is up to the citizens of each and every nation to do their best to question their officials, and to be certain that they the people are heard. The world population has grown, yet the world is getting smaller. Living in peace, is a basic human right. I will always be hopeful that we as a specie can find a way to restore this path, and if and when problems breakout that we somehow are able to learn from the past. To never tire, to try, try, try...
There are quite a few from my roots background who don't agree with the policies of those with the decission making power. They say the Israeli government's decisions are putting Israel on the wrong side of history. Less than an hour ago it was posted that both sides in this conflict are violating one an other's basic human rights. No argument on this page. I love the Land of Israel, as I love the Jewish People. Let us not forget the Arab People. They are our cousins. We are family. The humanity in my heart entends to all. I do not approve of what the ruling factors on both sides of this conflict have chosen to decree, and do to one another. The toll in this war is horrific. I believe in Nonviolent Resistance, it has worked in other world conflicts. That and an olive branch could prove most effective for all involved~xo~.
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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden
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