We write today in the shadow of the tragic deaths of 18 Gazans from what Israel admits was an errant shell fired from a tank. Clearly, these deaths were not cold-blooded murders. Clearly, if not for the rockets continually launched against Sderot and other Israeli towns, these deaths would not have happened. But it’s also clear that Israel’s efforts to stop these attacks are not only not working, but also taking more innocent human lives in the process; and in killing innocents, they are also embittering their surviving relatives and other Palestinians who are resolving to strike back at Israel in suicide bombings or other acts of terror. Israel has the right of self-defense, but the methods used in Gaza have surely reached a point of diminishing returns.
In this post, our khaver, Ami Isseroff, discusses (another Meretz khaver) David Grossman’s eloquent piece memorializing Rabin:
David Grossman: The will to peace
Beloved Israeli author David Grossman lost his son in the recent Lebanon war. His address to the Rabin memorial assembly was of special importance. It carries messages both for Israelis and friends of Israel, and for others.In much of the Arab world, “Zionism” is pretty nearly synonymous with evil and incompatible with peace. Grossman’s speech however, is a testament that peace is an essential Zionist goal.The opening paragraphs express the feelings of all those who love Israel, and explain to those who do not understand, why we are here, why we cling to this land, and why he is moved to speak out for peace. Peace is not a gift that the Israeli left wants to give to our enemies. Peace is something that we all need in order to survive.
Click here for what Grossman said.
Thank you so much for leading me to David Grossman’s speech in Ha’Aretz.” As Mr. Grossman said, a grieving father has no more standing in public discussion than any other citizen to make his feelings known, but losing a son in war does enable one to face death and so have a lucidity of vision that is not possible for someone simply posturing.
Mr. Grossman and Hillel Schanker have given me hope that even in this dark time, a peace initiative by P.M. Olmert, may actually go somewhere if only he were honest and bold enough.
Abbie Gorin
Millburn, N.J.