hope

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 4, 2019. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

A sliver of hope

Even when our leaders engage in the type of demonization that educates our children to believe the other side isn’t even worthy of speaking to, they still see the value in talking — even while they kill each other. Some thoughts about Gaza. By the time you read this there’s a pretty good chance a…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man May 5, 2019

A Palestinian adjusts his mask during a protest near the Gaza border Strip, near Nahal Oz crossing, October 30, 2015. Since the beginning of October, more than 60 Palestinians have been killed in shootings and clashes with Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, while eight Israelis have been killed in knife and gun attacks. (photo: Ezz Zanoun/Activesills.org)

Why Israel’s education minister thinks hope is dangerous

The politicians in Israel’s government want nothing more than for Palestinians to simply give up on statehood. They’re not so clear on what happens next. The man in charge of educating the next generation of Israelis believes that the driving force behind terrorism is hope. Yes. You read that correctly. “Terrorism is not a result of the Palestinians losing…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man November 20, 2015

Palestinian protesters sit on top of the separation wall during clashes with Israel security forces in Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, October 11, 2015. (Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)

There’s never been a better time to start building a shared future

No matter what happens next, we must ensure that things do not go back to the way they were. The way things were before this ‘wave,’ or ’round’ of violence was an occupation that is about to turn 50. Israelis have experienced suicide bombings, shootings, tractor attacks, vehicular attacks, and stabbings over the past decade.…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man October 12, 2015

Latest

Palestinian shops are shuttered in the Old City of Jerusalem after Israel restricted entry of Palestinians following a series of stabbing attacks, October 5, 2015. (Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Activestills.org)

Why is it so hard for leftists to speak out amid terror attacks?

Because we are shocked by the terrifying violence. Because we don’t want to play into the interests of the Right. Because we don’t want to appear disconnected from our society. But mainly because we tend to forget that, unlike the right wing, we have a solution for the conflict, and it benefits both Jews and…

By Haggai Matar October 8, 2015

File photo of Jewish Israelis mourning at a funeral for murder victims. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Searching for hope on days of unconscionable tragedy

The only thing that can stop the killing, that can turn desperate people from violence, that can stop the creation of new orphans, is hope. Unfortunately, it’s nowhere to be found. The most tragic part about the violence that strikes civilians in Israel and Palestine is that it is largely preventable. That is not to…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man October 3, 2015

Palestinians from the West Bank enjoy the Mediterranean Sea on the last day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Tel Aviv, August 11, 2013. The three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The Israeli army generally issues entry permits to Palestinians during Ramadan, allowing many to visit the beach for the first time. (Activestills.org)

There’s still room for optimism: A letter to Sayed Kashua

‘You were supposed to be optimistic, you were supposed to give us hope. Instead you are only proposing despair.’ A letter to Israel’s best known Hebrew-language Palestinian author, columnist and entertainer, who after the racism and violence of recent weeks wrote that he’s lost hope in coexistence. By Maisalon Dallashi Dear Sayed, You broke my heart…

By +972 Magazine July 14, 2014

WATCH: Israelis from Sderot play Palestinians under the occupation

There has been a lot of nationalism, warmongering and even racism in the Israeli media this past week, and inflammatory militaristic statements are still heard everywhere. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to post this video by filmmaker Itamar Rose. Several months ago, Rose traveled with a Palestinian friend to Sderot, which has…

By Noam Sheizaf November 23, 2012