Evening news. Hilltop Youth become adults. Other settlers. Terrorists in Palestinian villagers defend themselves. Then labeled terrorists?

Throwback to WhatsApp exchange with Mohammed.

Palestinians never had the right to defend themselves – Mohammed’s response when asked if he thought Israel and Palestine should have armies to defend themselves from other threats upon reaching a two-state solution.

Next news item: Haredim despicably call IDF soldiers Nazis. For Haredim shown, serving in the IDF, abandoning Torah studies – something Nazis would impose upon Jews.

Last week, Mohammed shared a reel labeling IDF soldiers “Nazis” as they disrupted life in Jenin, West Bank. Asking him about that spurred lengthy discussion.

We met three years ago. Separated by 35 years in age, our professional relationship became a friendship. First meeting in person in Beit Jala, Palestine (West Bank) in September 2023, before and after which we met by Zoom until our June 2024 team meeting in Cyprus.

Now in the US for two years, studying, working, Mohammed, a registered nurse, unable to return home, following online political activity. Fearful of the Palestinian Authority and Israeli security forces alike, advocating for peaceful resolution to the conflict.

News distraction, MK Yoav Segalovitz (Yesh Atid) about to join Ram, Mansour Abbas’s party.  The bold move, potential implications for the next government, it’s about eliminating crime in Arab society in Israel. Segalovitz promoted that in the short-lived government preceding the current one. Aligns with my conviction: shared society for Jewish and Palestinian citizens is imperative.  For relations with a future Palestinian government too.

July 28, I texted Mohammed about the reel. “Nazis” written across IDF soldiers. Not a disservice to jointly promoting peaceful conflict resolution?

“I deeply appreciate the respect, care, and openness with which you reach out to me. Conversations like these are never easy, but because of our shared commitment to a different future, I want to answer you directly and honestly.”

He wants Israeli friends to understand how Palestinians feel: When Palestinians use the term Nazi, it’s not some calculated historical debate to diminish the horror of the Holocaust. It comes from raw, overwhelming pain and rage.

“Watching soldiers and settlers do whatever they want destroying........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)