PICKING UP THE PEN Dear friends, eight days ago I decided to ‘return’ to facebook, sharing a few thoughts about the spiraling conflict in the Middle East, how to better understand it, and the ramifications internationally. Ten years ago I was in Israel writing my university dissertation, which if you’re curious to know, was entitled ‘An Investigation into the legitimacy or illegitimacy of the Israeli Government’s actions upon constructing a Security Fence within the West Bank.’ I had narrowly survived a Hamas suicide bombing perpetrated by terrorists who had smuggled explosives into Israel from the West Bank, I travelled to construction sites, analyzed statistics, read a ridiculous amount of UN Resolutions, interviewed Palestinian lawyers, and photographed key locations. It was at this time I was very much undecided as to whether to take photography more seriously, or whether to go down the route of exclusively writing about the Middle East. Having spoken to a few key people within the industry, the advice I was given was to concentrate on one of these endeavors and give it absolutely everything I could possibly give. Well, numerous international adventures and front-page images later, it’s evident that shutter speeds and exposures took precedence over analysis and research. Friends, the past eight days have been hugely formative, I suppose I’ve found my voice again after a long time suppressing it. It’s so important to encourage understanding whilst not becoming entrenched on one ‘side’ or another. It’s vital to take a step back from the tit-for-tat goings on that we read about in our newspapers each day, and to look at the bigger picture whilst remaining compassionate for those who are suffering, however difficult this is whilst so much bloodshed is happening. Sometimes we can get lost in details when understanding must also be painted with broader brushstrokes. Friends, the world is in a delicate place, possibly a tipping point, but I am infinitely more hopeful about the situation now than I was only eight days ago. This is due to the many messages I’ve received from people around the world in response to the few thoughts I’ve shared. These include a message from an Iranian friend who wants to know more and is coming round for a spot of dinner and learning, to many Londoners who aren’t publically commenting and aren’t ‘Liking’ but have been in touch personally to let me know that they are reading, they are engaging. It includes many dear old friends who I’ve not spoken to for ten years, so many new friends I’ve met online who share similar views but for whom my words have apparently helped crystalize their thoughts… and one piece of hate mail from someone who can, quite generously, only be described as an entrenched moron. Thank you for reading, liking and sharing, you didn’t have to. Thank you for getting in touch personally, you really didn’t have to and it’s difficult to describe just how much some of your messages have meant to me, how much hope they’ve given me that together we can play a small part in clearing up this utter mess. Thank you to the organisation who have asked me to be an ‘expert’ on a panel about Israel and Gaza, I’m not sure my expertise yet extends to holding the attention of a capacity audience whilst bringing a unique perspective to the debate. Thank you for encouraging me to write, it has prompted me to share my thoughts with a wider community than my own network of friends on facebook. I’m no political scientist, military strategist or professional author, but perhaps my outlook can simplify a complicated situation for those struggling to see the wood from the trees. On that note, I’m very proud to let you all know that ten years after half of my being desperately wanted to write about the perennial goings on in the Middle East, today I have been accepted as a named contributor on the excellent Times of Israel website, a platform which is read internationally, which promotes a massive cross-section of opinions, and which houses some excellent writers. I may write very regularly, I may write once-in-a-while, but I’ll only write something if I can frame a situation in a way that contributes to further understanding, that contributes to bringing people closer together as opposed to driving them apart. To my photography clients: this foray into sharing my thoughts on issues other than photography will not be to your detriment, rest assured. I adore being creative, I adore recording events and I’m very lucky to do something I love every day, with such a great team alongside me. I thank you for trusting my eye to encapsulate the most important events in your lives and I look forward to working with you all for a very long time to come. Being accepted as a named contributor on The Times of Israel has provided its own dilemma. This was one which I alluded to eight days ago when I explained that part of my reluctance to speak out was based on an inherent fear that sharing opinions on conflict and politics would in some way be to the detriment of my social and professional life, however moderate or well-considered those opinions might be. To use my own name, or to use an alias? THAT is the question. Here’s the answer: This is me, these are my thoughts. My name is Blake and I absolutely unwaveringly believe in the right of the Jewish people to have one country they can call home and will believe this until my final day. Just one country where kosher food is commonplace, where Hebrew is the spoken language, and where Jewish people can feel safe and protected in a world filled with too much hatred. When I walk the streets of Jerusalem, I feel connected to spirituality in a way that I do not feel anywhere else on earth. Despite growing up in the UK and London being my home, Jerusalem is where my heart belongs. In Jerusalem I feel part of something eternal, a tiny transient fragment of an epic story called The Jewish People; a story that neither the Romans, the Babylonias, the Nazis or Hamas have managed to end prematurely. It is the spiritual home of Judaism, where Jews all around the world pray towards three times every day, and where my namesake, Ezra the Scribe, wrote down the words of the Torah and taught Jewish law to the masses two thousand years ago. Friends, this does not deny that peoples of other races, colours or creeds also feel the same as I do in this holiest of cities. I support the right of Palestinians to also have a country they can call home, and I do not always agree with everything the Israeli Government do. I steadfastly believe in finding middle ground, gaining true understanding, combating the widespread sharing of lies, being compassionate whatever the circumstances, and rejecting fanaticism. If this represents a problem for you, it is exactly that – your problem. Not mine. Feel free to add my business to the list of the many others you intend to boycott due to their links with Israel or the Jewish people. As an aside, the Israeli high-tech industry is at the forefront of technological development and massively responsible for the way we use the Internet and share information. If you plan on boycotting me for believing in the right of the State of Israel to exist, you may also need to refrain from using a computer or going online at all. I say publically what I’ve said in many private conversations this week – if any of you are struggling with a certain issue, or feel that you’d like more understanding of a particular element of what has become a political and humanitarian mess, please feel free to message me privately. I cannot by any means claim to have all the answers, nobody does, but I will respond and do what I can to deepen the way you comprehend Israel, the Palestinians, and the myriad of issues surrounding them. Going forwards, I’ll be posting links to my blog posts on The Times of Israel, and hope to have a positive impact with the words I share. Peace.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 16:19:24 +0000
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