Coming together in hope
Sometimes (maybe often) holding on to hope is hard. We hear about starvation and genocide in Gaza; plans for an invasion of Rafah; that Canada is still providing arms components to Israel via the United States, and we may feel helpless.
Sometimes how we frame events mentally is very important. On March 7th, at the Nights to Decolonize film series in Robert’s Creek, we heard about the idea of taking one step forward. It doesn’t matter where you start from, but take one step in courage. One small step.
Maybe this will be signing a petition. Maybe going to a demonstration. Maybe a small change in your purchasing patterns to support Palestinian vendors or avoid companies that support the Israeli military or provide products from settlements in the Occupied West Bank. Maybe reading a book. Maybe asking a question or watching a film. But action feeds hope, and we do create the world by the action we take.
So, I wonder, what will we do? Especially, what will we do here on the beautiful and tranquil Sunshine Coast?
- You are invited to check out our upcoming events and mark your calendar with ones that call to you. (that page will be frequently updated, so check back often!).
- Read my take on Canadian Complicity in the war. It may be hard reading, but there is hope in truth.
- Contact me if you’re interested in helping with organizing events
- Watch inspiring webinars and learn what it is like to live in Israel and Palestine right now, from many different perspectives.
- Donate to organizations working for peace, solidarity and justice in Israel and Palestine
I believe that the only hope for the conflict is when we come together across barriers and boundaries. When one person meets one other person and recognizes their common humanity.
Sometimes we need to grieve together, sometimes we need to be angry, and sometimes we laugh or sing or pray. Or donate. Or organize.
Where can you encounter the other today?
HOPE?
Why hope? And how?
It may not seem like there’s a lot of room for hope right now when we look at what’s happening in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. My feelings include sadness, discouragement, anger and frustration. BUT I find those lead mainly to paralysis. Mai, from Combatants for Peace, said that the responsibility of the international community is to hold both peoples, hold the land with the faith that both can live there. Not just with a ceasefire but holding hold of true peace and justice, and taking action; calling for peace, writing emails, organizing and participating in non-violent protests. To speak in their names and say ‘we see the cry from both peoples; we see the pain in both; we see the humanity in both’. So we need to hold on to hope for those in the midst of it all.
Not a simple task, but South Africa found new life after apartheid; Ireland found peace and a way forward; other countries that seemed locked in unsolvable violence have found ways forward. So let’s hold the same hope for Israel and Palestine. Hope that, as Mai said, they can come together in true freedom; sleep knowing that they will wake up the next morning, that their kids will be able to dream, and their families to gather on the weekend. Please God.
Action on the Coast
Many of you joined us for a dinner and fundraiser (“Nourishing our Common Humanity“) on Dec 11th. Others donated even though they could not attend. Some attended the Ceremony of Mourning and Remembrance on Jan 20th. Some came to hear personal stories from Gaza on Feb 5th in Davis Bay. Others joined the Prayer for Tomorrow, Lament for Today on Feb 6th.
Many joined various marches (usually along Davis Bay).
Many pray.
Some join online gatherings with folks in Israel and Palestine who are working for solidarity and peace.
Some write to politicians, or learn about the conflicts.
