Empathy
Mercy over Vengeance: Israeli Jews and Palestinians
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In the wake of the heightened conflict between Palestine and Israel, Warren Blumenfeld offers lessons to be learned from Dennis Shepard, who showed his son’s murderers mercy.
Empathy
Final report from Jerusalem
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After nearly a month living in Jerusalem, Cherie Brown reflects on the acts of brutality and racism she witnessed, which are put in stark contrast by the acts of great kindness she observed from this same group of people on her journey.
General News
Israeli Vengeance Runs Wild—Violating Torah Law and International Law
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We watch in horror as Israelis march through the streets of Jerusalem and many other cities calling for vengeance. We Jews have to save Judaism from its identification with the policies of the State of Israel toward Palestinians and from the deep anti-Arab racism that has grown deeper and deeper among many Israelis in order to justify the Occupation to themselves.
Culture
Stars and Stripes as Symbols of Pride and Weapons of Hate
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I interpret a true patriot to be a person who, indeed, loves their country, but also one who sees the way things are, and one who attempts to make change for the better. A patriot also views other countries with respect and admiration, as valued members of an interconnected and interdependent world community.
Healing Israel/Palestine
As a Jew living in America, the past week has changed me forever
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In light of the horrific events of the past week, one author questions whether or not he can remain in support of Israel as a Jewish state while holding on to his progressive ideals.
Healing Israel/Palestine
A New Litmus Test on Israel
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Just as a litmus test determines where a chemical is on the spectrum from acidic to alkaline, many American Jews seek to label perspectives on a scale from ‘pro’ to ‘anti’ Israel. Jewish reactions to the divestment resolution passed at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) show that it’s time for the Jewish community to recalibrate its litmus test on Israel.
Healing Israel/Palestine
Feeling Our Pain Is the Way to Peace
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The military is destroying homes without any consideration for the law and imprisoning relatives of the murderers, and hundreds of others. Netanyahu is saying, “Hamas is responsible and Hamas will pay.” And Hamas is saying: “All Hell will break loose if you attack.” Planes are flying over us, Gaza is being bombed, and there is a sense that war is just around the corner… I want to scream ENOUGH to acting out our pain. Can we just take some time to feel it?
Healing Israel/Palestine
Reflections from Jerusalem: The Murdered Teens, Hebron, and the Future of Israel/Palestine
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Things on the ground have changed very rapidly and the old paradigms of looking at how to resolve the Israeli Palestinian conflict won’t work quite so easily now.
Healing Israel/Palestine
Netanyahu's Repulsive Call for "Revenge"
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I’m totally dispirited by the killing of the three teenagers and by the Israeli government’s ugly, political reaction to it — a reaction designed to justify the war against Hamas that Netanyahu lusts for.
Healing Israel/Palestine
Tragedy and Humanity in Hebron
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In Israel/Palestine today, the seeds of peace are there where we need them, but the conditions that would nurture those seeds are not. It is this that we must change. We can start by supporting the courageous activists who are already tilling the soil.