Introduction
The following documents and resources express viewpoints from either side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that may be helpful in gaining a broader understanding – particularly for those who may have only heard one side of the argument.
The resources below are offered because they convey something of value to the dialog and narrative toward peace. Please consider submitting articles to us for inclusion here. They should be sincere and as factual as possible without any inflammatory language.
Articles
- Ben Greenberg Statement – This is a commentary by a rabbi supportive of Israel who states in his article, “All people of good conscience cry for the loss of innocent Palestinian life. All life is infinitely sacred and of immeasurable worth regardless of religion, ethnicity, race or political affiliation. All people are created in the image of God. … I strongly believe that one can love Israel and be critical of Israel at the same time. I strongly believe that indeed to be a lover of Israel means to want to help Israel achieve a more just and more perfect country living in peace with its neighbors. Yet, this is not being critical of Israel.”
- Boshra Khalaila Viewpoint – Commentary about a secular Arab woman and her experiences living in Israel. This article helps dispel some myths (or at least balance the narrative) about life in Israel.
Video of Historical Context
The following video seems to be presented from a point of view that is supportive of Israel, yet it does contain a fairly comprehensive presentation of history and facts that both sides would likely agree upon.
Jewish Perspective
The following video represents an important viewpoint among some Orthodox Jews regarding the conflict in Israel. It’s important to acknowledge that the person speaking only represents himself and his own group.
“We Cry for the Palestinians” | Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss — Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss is an activist and spokesperson for Neturei Karta, which vocally opposes Zionism and the state of Israel. Irrespective of whether or not the Palestinian people was affected or the land was uninhabited, Neturei Karta say the Jewish people didn’t have a right to self-determination. The establishment of the state of Israel prior to the coming of the Messiah is sinful and an act of rebellion against God. Weiss says Jews yearn to return to the Holy Land and pray to God to bring about that end day, but in the meantime, they are tasked with patiently waiting, serving God, being loyal citizens and upholding the Torah in every land in which they live. This interview was conducted by Dr. Safiyyah Ally at Reviving the Islamic Spirit convention in Toronto in December 2022. [Source]
Document History
This document was first posted on 20 Nov 2012. On 6 Dec 2024, it was update from the Classic Editor format to the Block Layout format for compatibility. One of the videos was no longer available, so it was replaced with one similar to what had previously been used. Of course, the views of the Neturei Karta group are considered to be fringe and not representative of the larger Jewish world community. They are included here because they do represent one interpretation of the Jewish religion.