Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The writer of this text had been silent for some time, not because they did not have anything to say, but because they realized that their opinion pieces were just that – opinions. They decided to take a step back, listen, and learn from one of the best minds in the sphere. This decision was made after recognizing that many individuals, including themselves, were sharing their views on Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian cause, antisemitism, genocide, and international politics, all while living in relative safety, hundreds of miles away from the trauma and terrifying human consequences of the present war.
A Journey of Listening and Learning
The writer frolicked in Israel, visited the sites of genocidal mass killings within the Gaza envelope, and delved into the experiences of October 7 with its survivors. They are producing a virtual reality testimony program, "Be the Witness," which allows people to listen to the stories of survivors in their very own words, on the places they experienced the traumatic events. This program is a component of an effort to coach people concerning the situation and supply a platform for survivors to share their stories.
The Weight of Loss and Remembrance
As the world remembered Yom HaShoah, the writer reflected on the load of the lack of 1,200 mainly Jewish lives on October 7. This loss was a terrifying reminder of the genocidal nature of antisemitism. The "Be the Witness VR" program launched in London, allowing people to experience the stories of survivors in a novel and immersive way.
The Power of Immersive Technologies
Using advanced immersive technologies, people can now be at Kibbutz Be’eri and the positioning of the Nova music festival at Re’im, looking directly into the eyes of Millet Ben Haim as she describes the moment the music stopped. They could be under the bush as Mazal Tazazo describes the moment she awoke after being rifle-butted, only to seek out her two best friends lying next to her, dead. These technologies provide a brand new approach to experience and understand the stories of survivors.
A Range of Emotions
The writer has felt many things during their learning journey: sadness, anger, consternation, sorrow, disgust, wonder, and concern. However, they’ve not felt fear. This is because they’ve derived strength from the survivors themselves, who despite their immense trauma, are resilient and promote love and empathy. The writer has also witnessed the range and resilience of the Jewish people, who, despite their differences, come together within the face of anti-Jewish hatred.
Listening to Palestinian Voices
The writer has taken the time to hearken to Palestinian voices, not only the offended and vociferous tirades, however the atypical people caught up in a war that will not be of their making. They consider that empathy and humanity must survive, even within the face of mistrust and conflict. The writer’s opposition to Hamas and its destructive ideology doesn’t mute the empathy they feel for the devastating loss that many Palestinians have endured.
Conclusion
The writer’s journey of listening and learning has taught them that humanity must prevail, and that their very own humanity must survive, even within the face of conflict and mistrust. The story of the Jewish people is certainly one of survival, restoration, and the ability of affection and humanity over hate and barbarism. The "Be the Witness VR" program is a testament to this story, using the newest technology to inform an ancient story of resilience and hope. As the writer notes, "Hamas, like all of the others, will in the future be a blip, a distant memory within the Jewish people’s long and enduring legacy."
