It's Complicated.

Thoughts on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

I’ve been working on other posts but I couldn’t continue without writing about the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

I know this is a sensitive, hot button topic and don’t like adding to an issue unless I have something meaningful to say. With Rule Breaker, I look at situations from a different angle so that we can live better lives. One month into this atrocious war, I believe there is another way to look at this situation that isn’t getting enough airtime.

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I am Jewish and a child of Holocaust survivors. I naturally feel the pain of what happened in Israel and I also feel gutted to watch what is happening in Palestine.

So, I’ve been reading, watching and listening to all different viewpoints to find some grounding in what I believe is the right way forward. 

What I have come away with is that there is something terribly missing in the conversation: compassion.

Yes, Hamas did something horrific.

Yes, it is understandable that Israel is fighting back in its defense.

But, in the meantime too many innocent Palestinians are being killed.

And, there are deep scars created by decades of atrocities committed by both Israelis and Palestinians.

Pinpointing the group that started it or that should carry the full set of the blame is impossible. 

This is not a black and white situation of good vs. evil.

Everyone is hurting.

No amount of bloodshed can right past wrongs.

I want to stand in front of two opposing tanks and scream STOP at the top of my lungs, have everyone put down their arms and rebuild relationships with compassion for the other side.

But I know this is not possible.

It is possible is for me to have compassion.

And so, I am finding my grounding and understanding of this nightmare by building compassion for all groups involved. 

Below is what I am reading, watching and listening to in order to build that compassion.

I value the platform I have to share my thoughts and hope you find some meaning in what I have shared. 

Like everything I write, I see this as a start of a dialogue. If you have differing views, I welcome you to comment and share them so we can all learn.

Keep well,

✌️

Jess

Viewpoints to build compassion

The links below have helped me see this situation from various sides and build compassion for the many people suffering in this war.

Bari Weiss podcast Honestly Episode: A world Spinning Out Of Control

My friend, Sameh’s, post titled 1948

Barack Obama’s Thoughts on Israel and Gaza

Son of Hamas co-founder condemning Hamas

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour interview with Queen Rania of Jordan

Dr. Gabor Mate on Palestine/Israel

Hamas shooting survivor detailing her experience

Ta-Nehisi Coates On Israel’s “Segregationist Apartheid Regime”

Piers Morgan vs. Bassam Youseff on Palestine’s Treatment

Actor Not Sure if He's Supposed to Support Israel or Palestine