By  Martine Alperstein

US President Trump released his concept for a proposed peace between Israel and their Palestinian neighbours. While many countries, including several Arab states firmly endorse the plan, the Palestinian camp has roundly rejected it. Israeli citizen, Martine Alperstein shares her frustrations.

I am tired. So very tired. I am disappointed, disillusioned and exasperated.

And I am not the only one.

I am not the only one who is struggling to see the light at the end of this very long, very painful and very uneven, disjointed, dangerous tunnel. How many more lives need to be lost? How many more tears need to be shed?

My tears, your tears, their tears, our tears.

Yet another proposed peace plan that is never going to be put on the table because only one party is sitting at the table. Yet another ridiculous notion from the UN who can’t be bothered to take a close look at who they are actually hurting. Another day of rage. Another fleet of treacherous balloons.

Another retaliation by the IDF.

All I want is quiet.

Peace. Quiet. Calm. Safe.

I just want to feel safe. I want to know my children are safe. I want to know my parents are safe. I want to know that my siblings, my family, my friends, my colleagues, my acquaintances, my neighbours, my fellow humans are safe – and blessed with peace, quiet, calm.

I want. You want. They want. We want.

If you ask the average person on the street, on both sides of the line, on both sides of the border, what they want…. the answer will be the same. The Israeli Jew, the Israeli Arab, the Palestinian Arab will all tell you the same thing. They just want to live their lives peacefully, provide for their families, be happy and be good people.

I am crying. You are crying. They are crying. We are crying.

What is the solution? What is the next step? What is the way forward? How can we remedy this for once and for all?  What can we do to ensure my children and grandchildren, and your children and grandchildren, their children and grandchildren, our children and grandchildren, have a different experience in this part of the world?

 

I am an ardent Zionist. I am Israeli by choice. Not by birth, not by circumstance, not because it is an easier or a more comfortable life. I am Israeli because I fully, wholeheartedly and passionately believe in the right of the Land of Israel and the Jewish State. I gave up a very comfortable and affluent life. I gave up being surrounded by my family who I miss and adore. I gave up being at so many family celebrations. I gave up a huge amount because I believe that this is my true place and that this is my true country. Every step I take is an echo of my forefathers and mothers. Everywhere I look is the view of my ancestors. Every mark that has been made was the touch of G-d.

And yet, I would be willing to share and be willing to give up a part of my beautiful country with so much history, so much heritage, so much meaning…….  for peace. For guaranteed peace.

But Gush Katif answered that question for me. Brutally. After the withdrawal from Gaza, Israel has faced barrage after barrage of rockets and mortars, killing any chance for peace.  We are still paying the price. Every. Single. Day.

So, what is next?

Where to from here?

What will make the difference?

How can we bring about change?

And the voice & words of Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder running through my head, on repeat…

‘Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony

Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don’t we?

We all know that people are the same wherever you go

There is good and bad in ev’ryone

We learn to live, when we learn to give

Each other what we need to survive, together alive’

We need to find a solution for me, for you, for us and for them. We need to learn from the words from Paul and Stevie.

 

 

• “Path to Peace” mosaic creation border wall:

Visitors are invited to take an active part in the creation of the peace wall by writing a personal wish on the back of a colorful mosaic piece and gluing it onto the security wall. The mosaic pieces are made by hand-work in the Path to Peace workshop. Among the colorful and optimistic pieces are different designs such as flower and butterflies and mosaic pieces with the word Peace in different languages.