Jerry Haber appeals to the Methodist general conference to pass divestment. Excerpt:
I have… seen how other members of the Jewish community have become aware of, and then involved with, the struggle for the basic civil and human rights of the Palestinians. That process will continue, as Jewish supporters of Israel free themselves of the indoctrination to which they have been subjected, as they witness first-hand the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, and the refugee camps, and as they reach out to people of good will of all faiths to help them help the Israeli government do the right thing.
For that is what this struggle is about. It is not a question of finding a middle way, a compromise, that will make both sides happy/unhappy. There is no symmetry of suffering here. Both sides have caused pain to each other. But only one side controls the life, liberty, land, and resources of the other.
Divestment is a symbolic act. Not a single Israeli will be hurt by it. And while some Palestinians will no doubt suffer economically, much less than did the South African Blacks during that divestment campaign, it will be for a cause and a tactic that all people of good with can rally around – the cause of justice and the tactic of non-violent protest.
The main question is not whether Christians from around the world should show solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The main question is whether people of good will — Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and others – will show solidarity with each other.
The injustice towards the Palestinian people is first and foremost my problem, as an Israeli Jew. I am not asking you to do the work for me. I am asking you to join hands with those Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and do the right thing.
If you do that, I assure you that members of the Jewish community will help you to explain your decision to the public, and to the Jews who will not understand – yet – your decision.
Vote yes on divestment, and you will be part of a worldwide effort to get Israel to wake-up to its obligations, to show the consequences of its actions. And you will also show the Palestinian people that they have not been forgotten and that there is hope for them – and for the Jewish people of Israel, as well
when the rogue zionist entity israel is undone*, then what?
a just, peaceful and more egalitarian world
*the entity, not its people
“The main question is not whether Christians from around the world should show solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The main question is whether people of good will — Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and others – will show solidarity with each other.”
Hats off to Jerry Haber.
This article is a joy to read. Thank you, Jerry Haber.