HEBRON POEM/REFLECTION: Normalizing anarchy
February 22nd, 2008
in:
CPTnet
22 February 2008
HEBRON POEM/REFLECTION: Normalizing anarchy
by John Funk
normalizing anarchy
‘Shabbat shalom’
echoes from limestone walls
mere shells of ancient homes
rubble from violent explosions
clear a path for Worshiper’s Way
religious Jews go to pray
illegal settlers, extremist Zionists
flout Israeli law, international treaties
create ‘facts on the ground’
occupy Palestinian homes
expel Palestinians
imagine a ‘pure’ Jewish state
as manifest destiny
Israeli soldiers
M-16s at the ready
form an honor guard
normalizing anarchy
What can soldiers do?
Before leaving Jerusalem for At-Tuwani, I had coffee with an Israeli conscript who refused to serve in the Occupied Territories. Hearing a description of the Israeli occupation from a former soldier was a helpful reminder of how war victimizes Palestinians but also extracts a heavy toll on Israeli soldiers. Before my eyes David (not his real name) transformed from an innocent youth into a wizened sage when he said, “Victims can forgive but what can soldiers do?” Victims may forgive them but can they forgive themselves for having betrayed their consciences by blindly following orders to harass, humiliate, and kill Palestinians? I sensed David was on a difficult and lonely journey toward wholeness. We exchanged e-mail addresses and wished each other peace as we parted soul mates on a common pilgrimage.
22 February 2008
HEBRON POEM/REFLECTION: Normalizing anarchy
by John Funk
normalizing anarchy
‘Shabbat shalom’
echoes from limestone walls
mere shells of ancient homes
rubble from violent explosions
clear a path for Worshiper’s Way
religious Jews go to pray
illegal settlers, extremist Zionists
flout Israeli law, international treaties
create ‘facts on the ground’
occupy Palestinian homes
expel Palestinians
imagine a ‘pure’ Jewish state
as manifest destiny
Israeli soldiers
M-16s at the ready
form an honor guard
normalizing anarchy
What can soldiers do?
Before leaving Jerusalem for At-Tuwani, I had coffee with an Israeli conscript who refused to serve in the Occupied Territories. Hearing a description of the Israeli occupation from a former soldier was a helpful reminder of how war victimizes Palestinians but also extracts a heavy toll on Israeli soldiers. Before my eyes David (not his real name) transformed from an innocent youth into a wizened sage when he said, “Victims can forgive but what can soldiers do?” Victims may forgive them but can they forgive themselves for having betrayed their consciences by blindly following orders to harass, humiliate, and kill Palestinians? I sensed David was on a difficult and lonely journey toward wholeness. We exchanged e-mail addresses and wished each other peace as we parted soul mates on a common pilgrimage.