Confronting racism and fear of 'the other' in Israel

http://972mag.com/confronting-racism-and-fear-of-the-other-in-israel/65140/


I could have left the soldier’s astonishment hanging. But I was unable to bite my tongue, and in the calmest manner possible, I proposed an idea: “Perhaps if you give it a chance, you’ll realize that many Palestinians aren’t dangerous.”

I had clearly provoked him. “Are you saying that Palestinians are humans? But they’re terrorists.”

I lost grip on my flailing composure. “Do you realize that it was anti-Semitism that killed our Jewish ancestors, yet we haven’t learnt? Any similar form of racism is extremely toxic and dangerous, both for us and for Palestinians”.

The soldier started swearing. Laughing. “Hippy. Bloody lefty.” And then he took out his camera and pointed it at me. “Are you even Jewish? Say something.”

“Yes,” I said. “It should not be so radical to think that Palestinians are also humans.”