Reader be warned. I am listening to Seven Mary Three while typing this entry. Therefore, my thoughts are probably charged with extra emotion and discontent aimed at the world.

I said last time that I would update with some information about my trip to Israel/Palestine. I just needed a little time to sort out everything I saw. Well, two weeks later and I’m still not sure I’ve got a good grasp on it all, but I’m trying. I’m getting ready to teach a whole quarter on discrimination, racism, and the holocaust for my sophomores. We’re going to read Night and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to teach my students about tolerance, in some way or another. And while looking for some quality stories and/or quotes about discrimination, I came across this familiar quote. You may have heard it already:

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Social Democrats, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Social Democrat.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak up,because I wasn't a Jew,Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.

- Pastor Martin Niemoller

For me, this poem made me reflect on the human condition. I think a lot of us often see social injustice all around us but for some reason we choose not to speak up. Sometimes we do, and that’s great. But I believe that many of us decide not to get involved if the speaking up involves more than signing an email petition. I think we think like Homer Simpson when he commonly says, “But what can I do? I’m only one man.” And then when we’re given options to create change, we reply with, “I just wish there was something I could do.”

And here’s the deal. Life sucks outside of Palestine, as well. While I was reduced to tears in the evenings after seeing all the poor, starving, begging children, reality says that there are another hundred million starving children in other parts of the world. So what if I give this one kid a one quarter/one dollar/one million dollars? The next neighborhood I visit is going to have another begging child who just wants to know he’s got a meal coming sometime that day.

I think why this trip so boggled my mind was because of this: I don’t think very many Americans have any clue about how bad it is and how it got so bad. Furthermore, I don’t think many Americans realize that we support the Palestinian ghettos. Be honest, did you know that America gives 1/5th of all foreign aide to Israel with ZERO strings attached? The money can go to food, to donkeys, to nuclear weapons, to spreading AIDS…there are no conditions. So naturally, outside of the US, Israel has the largest army and money to support its army. And while I do agree that Israel has a right to defend itself against Palestinian attacks, I think they have a responsibility to act rationally. And I don’t believe they are.

Have you heard about this Wall that Israel is building? Google the wall in Israel/Palestine. This is a monster of a Wall. It’s 25 feet tall, that’s a 1/4th a football field. The Wall is no different than the Berlin Wall, which ultimately fell, and I hope this one does as well. The Wall is being built on Palestinian land a good deal of time. Homes of thousands of Palestinians are being torn down so the Wall can come through, none Jewish. The Wall circles entire cities and leaves only one entrance/exit per city for Palestinians, none Jewish…it takes worker 2 or 3 hours just to get outside of the city. And all in the name of safety? But the truth is, more Palestinians than Jews are killed. In our two weeks of visiting, more than 80 Palestinians were killed, and most were women and children, none Jews. So I don’t know that I buy the “safety” issue that Israel pushes…it just doesn’t make sense.

What makes me angriest is that Americans don’t even know this is happening. Only 20 of the deaths were reported here in the states…20 of 80. I think I can safely say (as some expert has) that any Israeli authority figure can tell any Palestinian to do anything at any time (i.e. sit in the desert sun with no shade/water for three hours, stand in a corner and wait for more authorities, turn around and immediately go home, turn over any personal possessions for no reason) and get away with it. I’m just an outsider, but if anyone should have a right to be fearful, it should be the Palestinians who have been promised total evacuation from Israel/Palestine. From the outsider’s point of view, Israel has moved from the oppressed to the oppressor.

Ah!! I have to stop. I’m tired and my writing is getting even worse than normal. Maybe next time I’ll write my opinions on God’s Promise for Israel. Those change from before the trip to after, as well. Something I honestly never thought would happen.

I guess in conclusion, the world is full of opinions on this issue. But this issue doesn’t really need opinions, although those flow freely. What this issues needs is some peace and some sensible leaders. And some Americans to say enough is enough.

Deanna and I flew in this morning from Israel. It was an incredible week for a few reasons. I’m still in this processing stage, trying to make sense of what we saw and what it all means. I have to say (in no great detail) that my opinions on the Israel/Palestine conflict have changed pretty dramatically. I’ll write more about the trip later, and maybe in installments. I hope that the few people who still read this won’t mind.

Consequently, Ben Folds released a newish album on the Tuesday before we left for the trip. One of my favorite lines from the CD comes from the song “All You Can Eat”. The line was especially appropriate for this trip.
“God made us number one because he loves us the best. Well maybe He should go bless someone else for a while, give us a rest.”

I guess it’s powerful because I’ve actually heard people say things about God’s favor of the U.S.

Ben is the man.