Happy New Year, happy 2024

As the new year draws close, we find ourselves amidst a whirlwind of emotions and reflections. In Israel, the figure of Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right group emerge as controversial protagonists on an already complex stage. This critique is not merely political; it’s a matter of humanity, of choices impacting real lives.

Netanyahu, with his rigid stance and policies, seems more concerned with scoring political points than seeking genuine solutions to pressing issues. His government, marked by a tilt towards the far right, appears to thrive on division, not unity. Their politics, instead of paving paths to peace, seem to deepen the chasms of discord.

And yet, in this moment of introspection, a fundamental question arises: why can’t there be a Palestinian state where Jews and Palestinians coexist peacefully? Why can’t the story of my family, living in Brazil as a minority since 1903, creating schools, and educating their children in the Jewish faith, mirror a peaceful coexistence in Palestine? Why does the narrative always seem about loss, not sharing and mutual understanding?

The answer may lie in the idea that a bad agreement is indeed better than a good quarrel. Dialogue, compromise, the pursuit of common ground – these are the cornerstones of any lasting peace. If we continue down the same worn paths, insisting on solutions that historically haven’t worked, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to think like human beings, not as factions divided by ideologies and borders. Netanyahu’s policies and circle might be distancing us from this human essence, from the ability to see the other not as an enemy but as a neighbor, a potential friend.

As this year ends, with all its struggles and challenges, the hope remains that the next year brings new understandings and perspectives. May we learn from past experiences and choose a path leading to coexistence, mutual respect, and peace. After all, as we already know, what we have been doing isn’t working. It’s time to open our hearts and minds to new possibilities, to a future where everyone can live in peace and security.