15/05/2021
I’m sure you all have been watching the news with as much grief and sadness as I have. Many have reached out asking for my take on the situation or how you can help.
At the risk of oversimplification, I believe the lens through which we must view this conflict can be summed up in one term: “collective trauma.” The Holocaust and global antisemitism created intergenerational and collective trauma in the Jewish people. The creation of the State of Israel and its destruction of 475+ Palestinian villages, causing 700,000 Palestinians to become refugees with no right of return to their land created collective trauma in the Palestinian people. Rockets launching across the border from Gaza re-trigger Jewish collective trauma. Home demolitions, settlement building, restricting access to worship sites for Palestinians during holy months (in short, living under occupation) continues to create and build upon existing trauma for Palestinians. Bombing an area full of refugees who have no freedom to leave a tiny strip of land causes more trauma among the youngest who grow up in fear in Gaza. Trauma causes all of us to react in ways that may seem illogical, extreme, and destructive. It hinders our ability to recognize the trauma of the other group and creates an us vs. them mentality, a zero-sum game.
And yet, there are organizations and individuals on the ground working to heal this trauma through relationship building. Harmony Pilgrimages was created to help amplify those voices and bridge the gap between Americans and people living in the Holy Land. Americans receive partial information, biased news, and media predicated around fear. We, at Harmony Pilgrimages, instead choose relationship. We do this by listening to the other, learning directly from the people doing the messy work of reconciliation and healing.
We were excited to role out two trips for June 2022 after an extended break during this covid season. At this point, I don’t know if these trips will come to fruition due to this recent escalation of violence. We will have to keep our eyes peeled in the coming weeks and months. One organization we were looking forward to connecting with while there is Green Olive Tours. Green Olive Tours is providing an online opportunity for you to learn about why and how this most recent escalation of violence transpired, get a virtual tour of Sheikh Jarrah, and ask any questions you may have to two knowledgable Jerusalemites on the ground, Yahav Zohar and Mohammad Barakat. This experience is free, but donations are welcome. Ten percent of all proceeds go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. I hope to see you all there on Monday (10am Western, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern). Here is a link to the webinar: https://www.facebook.com/events/541727613660703/
If you are unavailable on Monday but still want to take action:
1. I encourage you to write to your representatives. America’s role in this conflict is unique and powerful. Use your privilege to speak up for peace and equality.
2. Share this or other articles on your social media page. If you’ve been before, offer your perspective of the people there. Help to disrupt the narrative that what is happening there is black and white, good vs evil. We know it is much more complicated than that. But it doesn’t mean that we should give up, throw in the towel, and do nothing. We can achieve peace and justice, but it will require a change in American policy.
3. Consider donating to organizations doing the difficult work of true reconciliation and peace building. Harmony Pilgrimages partners with Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem, an organization committed to healing the effects of trauma between Palestinians and Israelis. You could also check out Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem, The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), J Street, and others.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
Much peace to you all.
- Katie
