Earlier this month I spent three days on the vigil for Gilad Shalit, which was held for a week opposite Downing Street. The vigil was organised by the Federation of Zionist Youth, which deserves credit for arranging this initiative in contrast to some related organisations who mostly ignore Gilad in favour of less political ventures.
Many thousands of people walked past the vigil. It was encouraging that so many stopped to find out what we were doing and responded supportively. This reminded me that although the Israel-bashers of Britain make lots of noise, they are not as large in number as one might think. Or, to use one of their favourite words, the noise they make is disproportionate.
Of course there were a few idiots who came past. One pulled a Nazi salute before whizzing away in his car. Another shouted about Israel being “illegal”, but ran off when we tried to engage him in conversation. More representative of the overall reaction were those who had never previously heard of Gilad, but quickly sympathised with his plight. The vigil was both effective, and an encouraging tonic.
Some people are beyond reason, of course. As those who attend debates, meetings and demonstrations related to Gilad or the wider issue of Israel know, there are lots of Israel-bashers who are so consumed with hatred and envy that they at best ignore, or at worst mock, what Gilad and his family are going through. One of their favourite retorts is to ask “What about the thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons?”
Well, quite – what about them? It’s surely revealing that while we have built a high-profile campaign around Gilad, the Israel-bashers of Britain have never mounted a comparable effort around any specific case of a Palestinian prisoner, with the arguable exception of the ghastly Marwan Barghouti.
These campaigners are adamant that there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of unjustly held Palestinians languishing in Israeli jails. But they just can’t name any – I wonder why? It’s difficult not to conclude that this comes back to the basic truth of the conflict: that many of those who loudly claim to care about the Palestinians do not actually care about them at all, but are merely using them as a stick to beat Israel with.
Even as a passionate supporter of Israel I am willing to concede that among the many terrorists held in Israeli jails, there probably are a few wrongly-held Palestinians. These things happen, don’t they? I mean look at Britain’s miscarriages of justice: Stefan Kiszko, the Cardiff Three, the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six, the Maguire Seven. Off the top of my head I can practically count from one to 10 in such mistakes.
So the failure of the ‘pro-Palestinian’ movement to build a campaign around such a case speaks volumes about how little they really care about the Palestinian people. While our compassion for Gilad Shalit says just as much about us.
The initiatives around the world to mark the fourth anniversary of his kidnapping were so moving. The fact that Gilad’s name is always on the lips of Israelis, diaspora Jews and their friends might not be enough to bring him home any time soon. But it should be enough for us to feel proud of our sense of humanity. Even at weddings in Israel, toasts are made in the name of Gilad’s freedom.
Name me another country in the world that does anything similar?
We all want Gilad home even if we disagree on what price, if any, is acceptable for his freedom. We should look for the silver-lining. As one Israeli commenter on my blog wrote: “When I think of the millions of nameless Jews throughout history who were seized, murdered and buried, I can’t help but be encouraged that we have made huge progress – thanks to having our own country.” Amen.
You are a blessing Chas. I don’t know where you find all the time for you to write your articles if you also go to the events. Isn’t it enough to tire your bones?
Thank you Lynne, but it’s easy. There are 168 hours in every week. If everyone who cares about Gilad and/or Israel committed just one per cent of their week to the cause, so much could be achieved.
Well said Chas. Gilad Shalit must be freed in good health and freed now.
What about the hundreds of Palestinians being held without trial, whilst the military shoves people out of their homes and ignores aggression from right wing settlers’ groups?
Oh, sorry you’ve got an answer for that, seeing as I’m not interested in naming people it naturally follows that I couldn’t be arsed to read this article properly.
Lol
Upbeat and thought-provoking as always Chas.
“It’s difficult not to conclude that…..those who loudly claim to care about the Palestinians do not actually care about them at all, but are merely using them as a stick to beat Israel with”.
Precisely Chas. You hit the nail on the head. ‘The Palestinians’, are all the excuse some people need to have a go at Israel, and they do. Most of these people would fight to the last drop of Palestinian blood to berate Israel.
Well done for your vigil for Gilad Schalit. With two children of a similar age, I can’t imagine what the parents must be going through and I admire their tenacious campaign to prevent the world forgetting. Kol hakavod to them and to you.
” Most of these people would fight to the last drop of Palestinian blood”
Well said.
Stan
We are special
We are perfect
We were born in the sight of god
We were born in the sight of god
Our suffering bodies will suffer no more
Our suffering bodies will suffer no more
We are children
Children of God
We are children
Children of God
Great post Chas, you make some excellent points. What’s more you not only “talk the talk” but you “walk the walk” too.
Not quite tempted yet to read one of your “celebrity biographies” but I’m getting there! Thank you and keep up the great work.
No mention here of your appearance on Normblog’s Writer’s Choice series, Chas?
http://normblog.typepad.com/normblog/2010/07/writers-choice-268-chas-newkeyburden.html
I’ve also done the Normblog Profile questionnaire, I’ll be blogging about both tomorrow.
I really enjoy reading your writing – what I would really like and perhaps so would the Oyvagoy faithful – is to know more about Chas.
How did you and your partner meet?
Any children?
Hobbies?
Fave holidays (other than Israel)
Fave music?
The aforementioned Normblog profile (which I will link to tomorrow) will give plenty of this sort of info. Thanks for your interest.
It is impossible to compare Gilad’s plight with the situation of convicted terrorist prisoners. The latters’ families know where they are; the prisoners even have opportunities to study etc. Gilad was kidnapped (not captured) from Israeli territory and is being held hostage with no human rights – no visits even by the Red Cross. His physical health is unknown. What his mental condition is after over 4 years of incarceration is unimaginable.