Editor,
Events on a sliver of land in southwest Asia, aka the Middle East, are so important in southwest U.S. that two opposing opinions filled the Daily Lobo opinion page last week, attesting to the global significance of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Some call this the touchstone conflict of our time.
An attempted curtain of silence in the form of letters from UNM Hillel and the New Mexico Jewish Federation accused two Jewish UNM professors of anti-Semitism for supporting a talk by Palestinian American, Ali Abunimah. His topic: the global struggle for human rights and equality, a struggle most of us support.
Why are people afraid to discuss the possibility of Jews, Christians and Muslims sharing a country? Something already happening in a secular democracy called the U.S. — the promised land for religious and civil freedoms.
To defend Israel by saying Arab governments have treated Palestinians far worse is no defense at all, and in fact, is an admission of guilt. Students of history know Palestinians are often referred to as the “Jews of the Arab world.” Millions live in a Diaspora longing to return home. Keys representing their loss and hope are handed to the next generation — metal keys and memory keys, much like Jewish children who are taught that Israel is our promised land.
Church bishops recently declared that God has chosen all of us to carry the light of compassion for our fellow humans. This Jew is glad to share the burden. Being the chosen one seemed to go against everything I learned in kindergarten or Hebrew school: Share with your friends; be kind to your neighbors; treat them like you want to be treated, and no doubt, your neighbors will be friends. Wise graffiti imprinted on the Separation Barrier meandering through the occupied West Bank tells the world: God is too big for one religion, and friends can never be divided.
Ali Abunimah will speak Sunday at SUB
Ballroom B from 7-9 p.m.
Ticket info: chandlermuf@yahoo.com
Iris Keltz
Community member
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