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NEWS & LETTERS, May 2004Adrienne Rich: a Jewish voice for peaceI’ve been asked to say a few words about the importance of Jewish activism against the occupation. Whether in the U.S., Israel or elsewhere, I think every shred of it matters. It’s the embodiment of an ethical Judaism, of "that which is hateful to you, do not to others." It is the rejection of an idolatrous version of Israel and of the soil. It is a recognition that history is not Jewish alone. It is a critical, educative response to what has been claimed as "Israel’s right to exist"--at any cost and on any terms, including a blindered self-destructiveness. This is how I see opposition to the occupation in philosophical terms. I have to say that when I read in the JEWISH PEACE NEWS, or in reports from Bat Shalom, or Gush Shalom or elsewhere, of Israeli activists non-violently protesting the Wall alongside Palestinians, or monitoring checkpoints, of Israeli refuseniks, or, going much further back, of Women in Black standing vigil for years, of American Jews demonstrating against the occupation in city after city, when I watched the video of the Jewish Voice for Peace’s recent dignified and well-choreographed demonstration at Caterpillar, I feel emotionally strengthened in hope and resolve. I think this kind of activity-demonstrating, publishing a newsletter, writing, speaking, crossing lines to meet and stand with others in resistance--carries its message further out than we can know, including to other Jews who have been looking away or afraid to speak out. At this time, when so much hope seems to have disappeared down a political suckhole in the demonic collusion of our own right-wing government with that of Israel, we need to remember that. Tomorrow evening, Jews around the world gather to retell and celebrate the Exodus. At some seder tables, undoubtedly, there will be some allusion to the sufferings inflicted on the Palestinian people, in our name. But I don’t think that can suffice. Our hopes and efforts really imply a new Exodus, out from the occupation mentality, the Mitzrayim, that justifies such cruelty and the doing to others what we ourselves have found so hateful that we have retold its story for thousands of years. I spoke of Jewish activism as "educative"-- from the Latin to lead out. I see Jewish activism here and in Israel as leading out from the idea of tikkun olam toward a new evolution of Jewish consciousness--not only against the Occupation but in solidarity with all who are trying to liberate themselves. Let’s not deceive ourselves: this is not a simple or straightforward movement. It’s a long sojourn in a different kind of desert, a sojourn to be shared with others, and I believe the people of Jewish Voice for Peace are part of its reality. --Adrienne Rich, April 4, 2004 From a talk presented in San Francisco for Jewish Voice for Peace (http://www.Jewishvoiceforpeace.org) |
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