By: Waleed El Judge Yesterday · Edited I have tried very hard to not wade into this on social media. As someone who spent the last few months coming and going back to Tel Aviv with work; and who had the privilege not afforded to many to also be allowed into the West Bank into Palestine, I have felt culpable in remaining silent. Witnessing the extremity between the haves and have nots on either side of the wall was palpable; seeing firsthand how an illegal Israeli settlement on Palestinian soil is constructed and protected by the Israeli army within days was unsettling; and experiencing the countless instances of racism whether it be at a west bank checkpoint, at Ben Gurion airport, or simply when I say my name on a night out in Tel Aviv left me in no doubt that apartheid is alive and well in that part of the world. It is ironic that Israels defence system is called the Iron Dome because life in Tel Aviv felt very much like life within a bubble. This Miami In the Middle East with its beautiful people, stunning beaches, amazing restaurants and non stop nightlife is hard to resist. But I had also been to the West Bank and toured its checkpoints courtesy of my French NGO friend, to Ramallah and met weary inhabitants looking for any way out, and to a heartbreaking Zoo in Palestine with taxidermy animals teargassed from previous wars. I couldnt help feel then that the fun I was having in Tel Aviv was being paid for at a price. How dear that price was, didnt become fully apparent until I came back to the UK. Once the rockets started flying into Tel Aviv, I had the luxury of the iron dome to protect me, and further still the luxury of being able to get out. Leaving friends and work colleagues behind in Tel Aviv, I came back and started binge watching the news and social media. I saw some propaganda, I read hate enticing articles on both sides. And I saw the figures. Figures like the ones Jon Snow mentions in the video below. The average age in Gaza is 17! It struck me that this latest war was waged in the name of children. It started with 3 Israeli boys being murdered and will end with countless Palestinian children being massacred. And let it be known that Hamass motivations behind the kidnappings, so close prior to an election which is doubtful that they would win considering their last term; has to be brought into question just as much as Israels severity in how they retaliated. I wrote this post because Jon Snow moved me to. As I watched the videos of the father who holds his childs carcass with half its head obliterated, the tearful innocent boy who confronts the camera asking why are they doing this to us, or the images of childrens bodies strewn across beaches I have cried bitter hurt tears for the state of our humanity. And now I dont want to cry anymore. I want to speak up. Because at the end of the day all we have is our voice, in itself a luxury not afforded to many across this globe. #peaceforthemiddleast #twostatesolution #stopkillingchildren #pleaseshare
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:28:50 +0000
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