Four Characters and Who Knows?

“Is your sister staying in the safe room?” Our 4-1/2-year-old granddaughter ordinarily refers to it as the toy room, despite its other purpose. But seeing my sister had taken over the room as our guest last weekend, she seemed less concerned with her play space than potentially needing shelter, despite three months without missile attacks.

This past Saturday, she spent the afternoon with us. I took her to a small, local peace demonstration on her way home. Her blank reaction suggested she had no idea what it meant when I said we’re going to demonstrate for peace. Trying another angle: it means we don’t want any more wars. That got a smile.

Driving there, I told her a group of 30 or 40 people stand on the pavement, some talking to each other, with someone in front, talking to everyone. “Like a synagogue,” she said.

I suppose so. We’re asking for the end of wars and praying for peace. “Like a synagogue.”

Less innocence Sunday, meeting a friend in Jerusalem. Personal updates. Politics. Knowing where our differing politics converge, she describes an unpleasant encounter involving a Netanyahu supporter. Not a cue she’s moving closer to my ideas, just friends having coffee. She reminds me of her convictions: no room for a Palestinian state here. A prevalent statement even among those who once spoke differently.

She pulls classic cards: There’s only one Jewish state. They have enough Arab states. They can live here if they’re willing to live in peace with us. But if they don’t like it on our terms, they can leave.

Me, repeatedly surprised that people still cling to these ideas.

Had I responded, “They have their claims to this same land,” she would be prompted to repeat that unlike us they have other countries.

She says we could get into futile historical arguments: “Who was here first? Who stayed? Who left? Who was here longest? ” She knows.

I know.

Who knows?

Next day, another café, another friend, our order was delayed in reaching the kitchen. Others got their orders first. “Racism,” I said, “because you’re an Arab.” We laughed.

That followed a serious thought shared with her minutes earlier: Somebody told me my blogs are brave. I think they tend towards allusive. I seek balance. Embrace complexity, avoid unequivocal declaratives that interfere with credibility. Elusive? My allusions have their slant. Knowing if I were a Palestinian Arab citizen of Israel, my allusions would be subject to greater scrutiny.

Chatting. She mentions Palestinian citizens of Israel buying villas in Jericho, West Bank. Just going there for a good restaurant. Markets in Jericho and Nablus where she gets her cultural vibe. I’m surprised she visits there. She says there’s only one checkpoint on the way. My West Bank friends describe things differently, but travel constraints depend on your point of departure.

Politics lite.

I mention what my friend said the day before, and she reacts to Arabs having other countries. To my surprise, referring to Diaspora Jewish communities, she says, “Jews have homes all around the world.”

Formulating a response in my mind, I remember: She knows.

I know.

Who knows?

Jewish Diaspora communities, I’m thinking, are not a Jewish homeland. But if you pull that “they have many countries” card, don’t be surprised by what you consider absurdity in the counter argument.

Something more painful disturbed me earlier that morning. A reel posted by a West Bank Palestinian friend. IDF soldiers interfering with life in the streets of Jenin. Admittedly “interfering” is a mild term. I’m unfamiliar with details of the incident pictured. But “Nazis” is written on a slant across the soldiers. I must ask this friend why he posted that?

He’s a young father, a former colleague, an articulate, highly educated advocate for a shared resolution to the conflict. He told me Friday that the world must know what West Bank Palestinians experience at the hands of settlers. Agreed. But does labeling Israeli soldiers as Nazis promote our shared goals?

I understand threats faced by West Bank Palestinians from militant forces in their society if they dare cooperate with Israeli peace activists. But are they threatened into labeling IDF soldiers as Nazis?

Some Israeli soldiers take the law – and orders – into their own hands, taking actions for which they should be arrested. But some Israeli soldiers refuse orders they understand are illegal. Complicated. Must check with my friend who posted.

Driving home, listening to the radio: Eisenkot explaining how Bibi tarnishes his opponents’ reputations. Bibi when it serves him, expresses willingness to enable establishment of a Palestinian state, yet accuses others of it. Bibi never followed through. Would Eisenkot still refraining from expressing such willingness act differently? My cynicism kicks in: count on politicians to do anything, but what they say. Not voting Eisenkot, but considering our system and the options, he’s my preferred candidate for prime minister.

Recalling a new slogan, “Without a Palestinian state, we get the State of Judea.” Judea? The mutation that would make Israel a theocracy. So, wary of synagogues, but I’ll take demonstrations on the pavement with my 4-1/2-year-old buddy, praying for peace.

Harriet Gimpel – July 28, 2026