self-reflection

Ok, so first of all, I saw these people perform in Central Park and was pretty impressed: http://www.skthoth.com/

Second of all: I always criticize Israelis for their "You don't really have a full right to talk about the situation until you live here" mentality. Then today, a friend of mine who is pro-Israel and a religious Jew made a claim in favor of direct negotiations with the Hamas government of Gaza, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel - and next thing I knew, I was snapping how "Unless you've been under attack from Hamas, which I have been*, I don't think you have a right to talk". I was really surprised at myself - I guess I've become more Israeli than I realize. If an Israeli would have voiced the same opinion my friend voiced, while I would have disagreed, I would have totally respected their opinion, listened, and tried to understand their point of view. Because the opinion was being said by someone who hasn't spent extensive time living in Israel, I did not have the same level of respect for it, because I felt it was coming from a place of naivete - which was judgmental and unlike me.

Or maybe it is just the "negative side" of my passion? Or maybe I'd just like to think that?

* I was volunteering at a home for mentally challenged adults during the Gaza War, 20 KM from Gaza. I spent much time in bomb shelters. In addition to helping the residents during the day with various activities, we also had to help pull them into the shelter if a "code red" alarm went off - and sometimes they would hit us, because they had no idea what was going on, other than that they were being pulled into a room, their routine was being disrupted, and people were upset. I can't blame them - they felt confusion and a loss of control, and hitting was a way of trying to get some of that control back (obviously I don't sanction hitting people - I am just trying to understand where these people were coming from). The residents I volunteered with were n0n-verbal and some had autism, but they still communicated their emotions. Volunteering with them was one of the most incredible experiences in my life, and I am so glad that I did, and that I had a wonderful friend who volunteered with me.