In regard to reading the article in the New York Times titled Settlers who Long to Leave the West Bank, I found myself intrigued by the possible movement that could be happening. Once again, fear, power, and money are at the center of why those who live in these settlements choose on a daily basis to go on living their lives in fear. Those who are choosing to voice their opinions are silenced by the Israeli government through the loss of income and the loss of community. What a frustrating situation on one hand but it is also this group of people that, if empowered, could make strides towards justice. Of course that is much easier to say sitting here in front of my computer in California, but if people like Mr. Raz (the man who spoke out and lost his job) keep doing what they are doing, the fear could slowly fade. What is it that we can do from the United States to encourage and support those who are willing to be a part of this movement?

- Erin-Kate Escobar

Vision Participants were asked to read the following New York Times article,"Settlers Who Long to Leave West Bank", and reflect on their own thoughts about this article.

The following is one reflection:

It might sound a little strange at first, but I feel like David Avidan’s struggle and transformation are analogous to my own. I never really felt Mr. Avidan’s strong desire to settle all of biblical Israel, but I have shared in the naiveté of the belief that a Jewish nation-state in the land of Israel is simply a good thing, and that’s that.

In the past year I have slowly but surely turned from a Wilsonian idealism – in the sense of seeing “national self-determination” as a laudable goal – to a more realist consideration of the consequences of nationalist politics. Had you asked me a year ago what I thought of nationalism, I probably would have told you that while I certainly condemn all nationalist violence and racism, every people needs to be free in its homeland. Were I to answer today, I would give my questioner three adjectives to describe my feelings about the ideology: xenophobic, exclusivist, destructive.

Of course, when I move from the academic level of considering nationalism generally to weighing the merits of my own people’s nationalism, my denunciation is not so categorical. I hold the same fears that so many Jews have, view our history through the same lens of persecution, and read the hate-filled threats of anti-Jewish violence reported in the newspaper with the same unease. And I subscribe to that same reverence for tradition, feel that same attachment to the land of our ancestors, and get that same sensation of awe when I stand in the Old City. And I love all my family members and friends in Israel with the same love that anybody feels for those close to them.

In the past, these thoughts, feelings, and emotions led me to see the creation and continued existence of a strong Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael as the best thing that could happen to the Jewish people. I just wanted a place for us to defend ourselves, and I wanted that place to be in our territorial home.

Yet just as Mr. Avidan’s desire to resettle all of the Land of Israel obscured the reality of acting on that dream, so have I come to realize that my desires for my people do not exist in a vacuum. And just as Mr. Avidan feels trapped in the settlement, so do I feel trapped, nudged in the claustrophobic mental space between wanting my people to be safe and free while being abhorred at the actions so many of us have committed from the time of the Jewish State’s founding until today, and, unfortunately, most likely tomorrow as well.

My feelings on the meaning of Israel being a Jewish state are still complicated and in flux, and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, but I worry at the xenophobia, exclusivity, and destructiveness adopted by so many Jews who I am sure know better. I do not believe that we are no better than being satisfied with Israel as it is today, but I do believe that if we are to uphold the morals and values of Judaism then we need to take a cold, hard look at the current and past effects of Israel on the Palestinians. Zionism does not exist in a vacuum, and many people continue to pay the price for the mentality that treats it as if it does.

-Anonymous

During the summer of 2008, I embarked on a truly transformative journey through the Balkans in Southeast Europe as a fellow of the Abraham’s Vision (AV) program. AV is a year-long fellowship for Jewish Americans, Palestinian Americans, Israelis, and Palestinian university students that allows students to explore the Palestinian-Israeli conflict academically and personally. The Balkans 1990s war was used as a paradigm for understanding conflict.

I remember it so vividly - riding in the program bus traversing the windy and mountainous terrain of the Balkans. I remember looking out the bus window, awe-struck by the natural, seamless beauty of green mountains and hills that persisted even when faced with jagged, man-made national borders. I remember asking myself, how could such a beautiful place backdrop so much violence and hatred? I still do not know the full answer to this question, but over the course of my month-long explorative learning in the region, I began to develop a consciousness for the many forces that lead to violent conflicts in the world.

During this month of travel, I directed all of my energy towards productive dialogue regarding peace in Israel-Palestine. The foreign landscape coupled with the multi-layered connections I quickly developed with my peers fostered an open space for dialogue. As I engaged in these conversations, I witnessed powerful changes within myself and other fellows. My approach to conflict evolved emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. I developed a deeper understanding for the countless narratives involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I saw the tears of my classmates as they recounted incidents of hatred and violence that hit very close to home. As a Palestinian, I stood in solidarity with Jews who also cried for peace and justice in Israel-Palestine. Through dialogue and travel in the Balkans, I was, and still am, fully inspired to continue being active in global peace-building processes.

Following this summer’s enriching trip, I recently reunited with my peers for a Fall retreat in Ezekial’s Place in West Virginia. The retreat allowed me to re-connect with the many strong emotions I felt while traveling the Balkans. Also during this retreat, I was able to clearly observe the ways that AV has already impacted the fellows and I. Several of my peers have changed courses in their activism, are challenging views they once upheld, and are inspiring further productive dialogue all around them. This powerful ripple effect is inspiring! In fact, it has further motivated me in my relentless pursuit for peace. While at Ezekial’s Place, a Jewish fellow, Erika Cohn, and I created a partnership for peace. While coming from different academic and personal backgrounds, our common passion for justice has prompted us to design a sustainable youth, summer art workshop for children in the Palestinian territories. As a current medical student, I will be analyzing the children’s art in order to determine the mental health implications of military occupation and Erika Cohn, a filmmaker, will document this process through film. If funded, the film created during the summer of 2009 will target an American audience to promote peace and understanding regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

-Hala Borno

I can't believe how time has whizzed by! We are about to come together all again. While our Balkans adventures are thousands of miles away I can only imagine what it will be like to come back together after these four-ish months apart. I feel I have several challenges placed before me. While I'm excited i also have a sense of apprehension and nervousness. I know that my participation was on the....well i guess quite side of the spectrum, and I know that in general that's not who i necessarily am. And yes, i finally understand what Amit and Ahmed are saying when we are too polite, and I know that applies to me and my lack of bringing up the challenging questions that linger on the tip of my tongue. In my concern for others well being and comfort I allow whatever it is to be left out, which i know is a weakness in my pursuit of social justice work. I also have a tendency to not say something if others are already saying it... the mentality of, well that view point has been brought to the table so my responsibility to it has somehow been relinquished. I know that when others take that same approach to an issue...'oh they have it covered, what does my voice add' a little piece of me is like WHAT, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! So I intend to challenge myself to bring those to the forefront and try to shed some of the polite/shy being that build my cocoon/bubble/safe space.

- Anonymous

Ahmad Amara (left) thanks the rest of the staff for the warm birthday wishes, while Huda Abu Arqoub pretends she had nothing to do with the birthday crepe.


The birthday crepe in question was mostly eaten by Gibran Bouayad. He says he considers it his birthday crepe as well since his birthday is two days later.


The rest of the staff reflect on a very successful program.