Reflecting on the crisis in Gaza we invite you to read this perspective from Seth Miller, one of the cameramen for Sour.
The aggression by Israel is killing innocent people. It is also killing people who want to destroy Israel. I feel it's important not to take sides. Blaming only one side furthers the polarity and hatred between the two. It's important to understand the Palestinian side. And it's important to understand the Israeli side.
From the Palestinian perspective, Israel is slowly strangling all sense of hope from a people. When a people no longer have hope, a void will exist. And this void will soon be filled by a raw hatred. It is then easy to mold this hatred and direct it towards a group. For Israel to slowly destroy the lives of over a million people - most who only want to live happy, peaceful lives - creates hatred. Israel is treating all Palestinians like second-class citizens. Men lose their dignity and pride when they cannot properly provide for their family. What would my feelings toward Israel be if I lived in Gaza? I think it would be very easy to develop a hatred.
From the Israeli perspective, Hamas has written in its charter for the destruction of Israel. Hamas does not want coexistence nor peace. They openly state the only objective of cease fires is to rebuild their arms. Why does Egypt not open the Gaza borders? Because they fear infiltration of Hamas into their land. People say the rockets Hamas fires do not warrant a violent response. Is Israel suppose to wait for Hamas to smuggle in more sophisticated weaponry? Is indiscriminately firing 100's of rockets a day into Israel OK? If I lived in Southern Israel would I be OK w/ this? Again, it would be very difficult not to develop a hatred.
In my opinion, peace will only come about if the general public starts demanding it. And not cease fire peace, but a genuine peace. Everyday Israelis must start protesting, yelling, that Palestinians deserve a good life. A life where parents can provide for their family and students can achieve their goals. At the same time, the common Palestinian must protest and yell that Israel deserves a right to exist. That a charter that calls for the destruction of a country is harmful.
And that's where the importance of the Sour project comes into play because it brings together polar groups. You show them common bonds and teach them to respect the other. This and other grassroots projects that bring together the common person is what will ultimately lead to peace.
-Seth Miller |
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