We find strength in unity: unity within our selves, unity with another person, unity with people of similar or dissimilar backgrounds, and unity with a higher being.
When my Palestinian friends told me, “We thought of you as one of us,” I felt humbled and wrought with the challenges they face daily. As the Palestinians had welcomed me into their community, I wanted to represent my Palestinian friends in the United States of America. However, I was concerned my stories of the Palestinians would not be as warmly welcomed in a country with generally unwavering support of Israel since 1948.
However, you, members of the St. Olaf community, have assured me of your open minds, critical thinking, and desire for peace, particularly during Palestine Awareness Week last week. We question how the U.S. uses power and $3 billion in annual military aid in generally unwavering support of Israel. At Open Mic night in The Lair, Professor of English Joseph Mbele expressed confusion and disappointment at how the US could say it’s a country of free speech but not allow for criticism of Israel’s government. Instead, now we are raising awareness of the underrepresented positions of the Palestinians.
Paul Buck ’07 showed pictures and described how the Israeli military fails to warrant Palestinians building permits, demolishes their homes, and then sends the Palestinians a bill for the costs of destruction.
We understand human life is more than a number, as many have joined together to sign a petition that begins: “We, members of the St. Olaf College student body, are concerned that the actions and lack of actions of our government, which was built on the principle that all humans deserve the right to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, prevent the Palestinian people from pursuing that same principle.” Our knowledge and actions may not lead to an immediate solution to the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the effort of the St. Olaf community, as well as other communities’ efforts, are one step closer to reconciling this conflict in a movement for peace.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not about one religion or race fighting against another, but an inordinate amount of power that governments use against the best interests of their people. We can identify in a common humanity, one that yearns for peace and unity. The Palestinians would welcome any Ole willing to walk beside them in unity.
Kate Hagen ‘09 is from Appleton, Wis. She majors in philosophy with a concentration in management studies.
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