This happened this week in Israel in a public bus in its way to Jerusalem. Passengers, and particularly what seems to be a reserve soldier, asked another passenger – a Palestinian woman – to search her belongings. The Palestinian woman refused. This is a translation of the incredible dialogue: PW - if a policeman comes to check with his identification, then I agree, but if you don’t have any license or police ID then this is personal and I don’t agree…. S - The situation is not like this today… PW - If you don’t feel safe, please, call the police… S - But if there is something suspicious, we need to check, that’s it. PW - What do you mean suspicious? Explain to me what do you mean by ‘suspicious’? My kerchief is suspicious? This is what scares you? S - This is not personal… it is just suspicious PW - This is very offensive Various voices together S - We both understand that this is unpleasant…it is embarrassing, it is offensive, but.. PW - What is offensive is the issue of security S - I’m only asking a favour; I wanted you to know, I study the Quran and Islam, and I identify with the Arabic culture… PW - This has nothing to do with culture! S - Listen to me, listen to me; I’m aware of all the sensibilities…because the Israelis are now in a very stressful situation, so this is something objective… PW - I’m myself feel in a very stressful situation Female soldier: wait a minute; I want to hear what he has to say to her S - You are totally safe, nobody is going to hurt you…everything is OK. You can trust me, I’ll not let that someone will hurt you… Transition S - …Arabs and Jews must coexist in peace…and what we can do as people who want to live in peace is to do that basic gesture, to ensure that…they call it in the bible to ensure that others will not suspect of you; this is what I’d do myself; but I’d get offended like yourself, but I think that this is what is right to do, not from a legal point of view, but from a perspective that we understand the situation and to show that there is no threat…
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:18:37 +0000
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