I decided i would write more about my trip to the Palestinian village of Yatta for a few reasons. First, i don't think such an experience should be left incomplete. Also, from more than one person, i have been asked what happened to me. Was i brainwashed there? What's the deal? Well, i have a few things to say about that. The way i view Israel and the Palestinians did change this summer. It changed in Geneva as well as in Israel. I think it should always be changing as we learn more, as we grow older, as our perspectives change.
What's the grand observation? I'm not sure. I had a conversation with my dear friend Greg, who every time i speak with him i get years wiser. I told him about the end of my journey back from Hevron. Here is was the soldier in the army truck saw when he pulled up to me and asked me to get in the back to ask me some questions: a random white kid, getting out of a Palestinian car, with Palestinian plates, traveling from a Palestinian village. He gets out of the car, hugs three Palestinians, then walks across the road to a Jewish settlement to wait for a bus. I'm sure shalom achshav-niks (peace now folks) or the extreme left would cry wolf and cry injustice about this development. It made me feel good that they were doing their jobs, finding out what the matzav (situation) was.
Anyway, back to what i was trying to say. It is a fine line that i'm trying to walk between having trust for and faith in humanity, and trying to be true to myself and not get myself shot or blown up. Often, the line she is fine. Whether its going to Yatta, or hitchhiking in the galilea, or even
couchsurfing, it deals with the same debate. Some are free souls with true faith in every living being, and i see them get burned on many occasions. I also see the opposite
Me and Lisa are going to lunch. I'll finish later.
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