As I have made clear, time and time again, I must and always speak my truth. Because of this, this post has been awhile in the writing - to assure that my truth was absolutely authentic.
I read something that had been posted several times to social media sites: “Being pro Palestine does not mean that I am anti-Jewish”.
For me the statement could not be more accurate. Growing up, and living much of my life in Pittsburgh, I was quite familiar with the Jewish culture, as well as the Jewish faith. For the last fifteen years of living in Pittsburgh - in a neighborhood that bordered the Jewish neighborhood, I would spend many days having coffee with a group of older Jewish men and women - seven in all, who were survivors of the Nazi death camps. I knew each of their stories well. In 2018 I lost three friends in the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. So I know well what anti-semitism looks like, and the devastation it can bring.
When the attacks by Hamas occurred on October 7, 2024 I, like so many around the world, felt such a deep anger. My initial reaction was to find them (Hamas), and remove them from the face of this planet. The reality of such a task is futile however, as the members of Hamas are embedded within the fabric of the Palestinian people. They wear no uniforms, or carry a flag.
We saw this in Vietnam where it was impossible to discern the enemy from the non-enemy. To make matters worse, the primary power structure of Hamas is not even in Palestine - at least not once the attack was carried out. The fact that we are approaching seven months since the attack, and Israel has no idea where the hostages are being kept, is puzzling. Israel’s Mossad (their equivalent to the U.S. CIA) is among the best - which leads me to ask how this attack even occurred in the first place. But that is for another article.
To date, at the time of this writing, the death toll of Palestinians is 35,000, and wounded is at 78,000. Seventy percent of the dead are women and children. There have also been over 100 journalists and photojournalists killed.
For decades I have been a supporter of the Palestinian people. In reflecting back, this support probably began during my time covering President Carter, as a young photojournalist. Then, years later, after covering talks between Palestinian leaders and Israeli leaders, I was invited to have a one on one conversation with Yasser Arafat - a conversation that lasted 22 minutes. I was allowed to ask him anything I wanted, so my first question was regarding suicide bombers. Arafat’s answer, which became more of a conversation of many questions on my part, and took the majority of the 22 minutes, gave me such a deep [understanding] into what I considered to be a horrific act of terrorism. I left the conversation still believing in the horrific nature of this form of terrorism, but I now deeply understood how it existed, and why so many were willing to participate.
Much of my understanding of suicide bombers, before my conversation with Yasser Arafat, was that they believed that their martyrdom would provide them with “virgins and streets of gold” in their afterlife. Perhaps some believed such things - as I have no way of knowing; but my sense is that this was more of a propaganda thing - by non-Palestinians.
The truth, I believe, was in the words spoken by Arafat - which I will paraphrase for brevity. ‘When you take everything away from a people (a culture), including their very dignity, you will have left them with nothing to lose. Living is no longer an incentive for anything - especially when the oppression is constantly deepening, with no end in sight. Death becomes a way out, and if - in that death, a statement can be made that may bring an end to the oppression of one’s people, then one can reclaim their dignity in the process.
Again, this is not about agreeing or disagreeing.. It is about understanding why.
The other aspect that I believe is important to understand is that not all Palestinians support Hamas, just like not all Jews support the Israeli government. Hamas and the Israeli government are power structures.
This was one vital lesson that I learned during my first trip to Cuba - when it was still off-limits to Americans. Everywhere I went in Cuba - with cameras slung around my neck, Cubans would ask me where I was from. My answer was always “Canada”, because of my concern of repercussions by saying “United States”. Then one day, while I was focused on making a photograph, a passerby - a young man, probably in his twenties, asked me where I was from. Without thinking, I responded “Estados Unidos” (United States). Immediately I caught myself, and braced for a tongue-lashing. I looked at him and was astounded by what transpired: he paused for several long seconds while he continued his gaze toward me, then said in a most gracious voice - and in broken English: “thank you for being here. I know you are not allowed.”
I introduced myself and asked if we could talk. For the next couple of hours we walked the streets of old Havana where he showed me all of the murals that had been painted on the facades for buildings, depicting American politicians. He told me along the way that the Cuban people do not hate Americans, but they hate the American government - for all of the suffering it has caused the people of Cuba. They understood the difference.
Much of the argument that I have heard from those in full support of Israel’s [right] to wipe out Gaza - killing thousands of innocent people, is this: well they (the Palestinian people) elected Hamas. Yes, that is true, but it should also be made clear that it was Israel - in the 1980’s, that helped create Hamas - to combat the power of the PLO (the Palestinian Liberation Organization). The other argumentative question has been” well, what about the hostages?
One question that does keep coming up in my own mind is this: If the Israeli government truly has no idea where the hostages are being kept, and they truly have concern for the safety of the hostages, why are they leveling Gaza. What if the hostages are being held in one of those buildings?
It should also be made clear that by leveling Gaza, it will not destroy Hamas. Their leadership is elsewhere, and their roots are deep in many places outside of Gaza. If anything, Israel’s unrelenting attacks on Gaza has created even more support for Hamas - and not just with Palestinians. Worse, is that Israel’s tactics are doing more to create anti-Israel sentiments; and more tragic, creating more anti-semitism. Again, this is why it is so important to separate the Jewish people and the Palestinian people from the actions of their governments.
I will leave you with this: research the history of Palestine - before and after the creation of Israel. I also encourage you to research Zionism, along with its charter.
This is a time in the history of the entire world where peace among people becomes more and more tenuous - seemingly day by day. It is more important than ever for us - the people, to be informed with truthful facts, and to hold the desire for a peaceful world in our hearts.
That is a great article. Loved Arafat's answer. You are brilliant, David.
Thank you for sharing this personal experience. Such a complex issue that seems to be more confusing everyday. I shared your story with my daughter who yesterday asked why this issue has exploded and she is not sure how to reconcile her feelings and I agree with her.