Dear friends,
Emotions are so highly charged right now. There is a groundswell of support for Palestinians who are caught in the crossfire of such a difficult situation – a situation that really and truly must change.
Let me be very clear. I support a two-state solution. I believe that Palestinians should have the opportunity for self-determination. I believe it is the only way forward.
I know that for every innocent Palestinian that just wants to live in peace, there are Hamas leaders who use them as human shields as they fire rockets into Israel.
I also know that Israel has fought for its survival since its birth, and that every offer for a peace deal has been rejected.
We are living with deep scars and emotional wounds. With the horrible violence, there are good people, Arabs and Jews, who want to live in peace. We need a ceasefire, and we need to embrace shared values.
This is a true tragedy.
We have seen the vitriol unfold here at home. There have been anti-Jewish hate crimes in our streets and attempts at intimidation against Jewish youth in our schools.
In response to my recent post on Facebook that shared that our people are hiding in bunkers in Israel, a person wrote, “you are a disgrace to your religion and exactly the reason this violence and immorality has gone on so long.”
Sigh….
I have a thick skin. I will continue to stand up for Israel.
Yes, I will question Israel.
Yes, I will have expectations of Israel.
Yes, I will express frustrations when Israel fails to live up to its ideals as expressed in the Israeli Declaration of Independence.
But I will continue to stand up for Israel. Why? Because I know in my soul that Israel strives to embody the words of the prophet Amos: That justice should roll out like a river, and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24).
We can’t have full justice for all inhabitants with rockets hurling toward us all the time. But I firmly believe that on the day those rockets from Hamas and her allies stop, righteousness will flow for all.
This is our moment in time to study the history, to understand the narrative, and to pursue the justice that been a source of light for 5000 years.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
