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In January 2023, the speaker went to the Holy Land as a volunteer tour guide with their mother and a church group. The group was stopped by the IDF a half-mile from their destination. Soldiers with machine guns boarded the bus to check IDs. The speaker was told to stop recording to avoid arrest. The bus had to take a longer route. The bus driver said they were stopped because they were Palestinian and was rushing to avoid the Muslim Friday shutdown. At lunch, the electricity was shut off to the whole complex. A shopkeeper told the speaker that authorities often shut off the electricity to prevent them from making money from tourists. The speaker believes the electricity was shut off arbitrarily. The speaker feels that allowing young soldiers unchecked power leads to injustice. They found the Palestinian people they met to be kind, while many of the soldiers were hateful. The speaker's perspective on the conflict shifted after witnessing these events firsthand.

I used to be a Zionist and planned to move to Israel. However, after visiting Hebron, the largest occupied city in the West Bank, I witnessed things that I cannot forget. I saw Palestinians being prohibited from walking on certain streets, while Israeli settlers enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle on top of a hill, protected by soldiers. At the same time, Palestinians lived in slums at the bottom of the hill, despite having lived there for generations. These experiences made me question my own biases and the beliefs I grew up with.

I'm an Israeli patriot who cares deeply about my country. I acknowledge that there is no symmetry in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it is an unjust Israeli occupation that needs to end. The current regime in Israel is one of the most brutal and cruel in the world, and it can only be described as apartheid. In the occupied territories, one people have all the rights while the other does not. Anyone who has been there or is fair-minded can see this reality. Visit the Jordan Valley to witness it firsthand.

As an American with Israeli citizenship, I was raised to believe that Israel was always defending itself and that Palestinians were the aggressors. However, my perspective has changed. The ongoing issues in Palestine, including open-air prisons, checkpoints, blockades, and violations of human rights, have opened my eyes. Palestinians face challenges such as limited access to water, electricity, and the COVID vaccine. Children are separated from their families, and homes are taken by Zionists. It is crucial for everyone to support a free Palestine. This injustice must come to an end immediately.

Jewish settlers in Kavon enjoy the same rights as those in Jerusalem, while Palestinians live under Israeli military rule. The speaker acknowledges the power imbalance, describing how they can take over Palestinian homes, arrest residents, and restrict their movement. This realization shattered their belief in being on the "good" side, as they felt like they were terrorizing people. They began to question the narrative they had been taught and saw themselves as the ones instilling fear.

Living in Jerusalem, I realized that Palestinians living next to me were under my military rule. I had the power to do whatever I wanted with them, like using their homes as temporary bases or arresting them to demolish their homes. They were restricted from walking on certain streets, forcing them to find alternative routes. This made me question the lies I had been told. Instead of feeling like I was protecting or helping anyone, I felt like a terrorist, terrorizing people to prevent them from opposing Israeli settlers or the military. Our mission was to instill fear in the hearts of Palestinians in Hebron, and we succeeded.

I am an American Jew who recently lived in Israel for four months. When you visit the territories around the West Bank and Gaza, you see the wall, surveillance cameras pointed at Palestinians' homes, and autonomous weapons at checkpoints. It's hard to understand the reality of occupation unless you witness it firsthand. Growing up as a Palestinian child, you know that the country you live in hates you and is willing to kill you based on video footage. Israel's advanced technology allows them to target Hamas members without bombing the entire region. This level of intelligence suggests that Israel's actions are a massacre and genocide, driven by white supremacy, dictatorship, and control over a people who are innocent of the crimes committed against them.

I know war, and what’s happening in Palestine is not a war; it’s genocide and ethnic cleansing aimed at taking land from a specific people. This is fundamentally wrong. As an American and a patriot, I feel compelled to speak out against this injustice. The fact that US taxpayers are funding this situation adds to the frustration. We must put an end to this.

Robert Martin, a passionate advocate for Palestinian human rights, shares his personal journey of discovering the truth about the Palestinian plight. Despite not having any direct connection to the region, he became curious after media portrayals of Palestinians as terrorists and Israel as always defending itself didn't add up. After extensive research and visiting Palestine, he was shocked by what he witnessed. He highlights the presence of refugee camps within Palestine itself, emphasizing the injustice of Palestinians being unable to access Jerusalem, even for education. Martin expresses his heartbreak over the conditions he saw in the camps, where the IDF frequently conducts early morning operations.

In the West Bank, every house has a number. We would choose a house based on its location and features, making sure the occupants were innocent. However, it was the intense gaze of young Palestinians that made me question my actions. One particular incident that stayed with me was entering the home of a physician in the middle of the night, restricting their movements and privileges. This encounter led the physician to explain the Palestinian experience to me. I realized that despite thinking I was doing the right thing, I was actually contributing to the occupation.

As a Holocaust survivor, I initially believed in the Zionist dream of a Jewish state. However, I soon realized that achieving this dream meant oppressing and expelling the local Palestinian population. The Nakba, or catastrophe, was the foundation of Israel, yet it is not allowed to be mentioned. During my visit to the occupied territories, I witnessed the brutality of the occupation, including the destruction of olive groves and denial of water rights. Palestinians are trapped in what is often referred to as the world's largest outdoor prison. Criticizing Israel does not make one an anti-Semite; it is about standing up for Palestinian rights and justice. The Western press often portrays Palestinians as terrorists while giving Israel less criticism. Israeli historians, professors, and soldiers have spoken out against Israeli policies. It is important for people, regardless of their background, to speak up against injustice and not be silenced by accusations of anti-Semitism.

The speaker spent 10 days in Palestine and Israel and was shocked by the complexity of the conflict. However, upon visiting Hebron, they quickly understood the situation. They witnessed the segregation and restrictions imposed on Palestinians, such as limited mobility and voting rights. The speaker compared this to their own experiences with racial oppression in African American history. They also discussed their personal journey in understanding nonviolence as an ethic and the corrupting nature of violence. The speaker questioned the justification for the killing of innocent people and emphasized the importance of dignity and morality. They expressed concern for those who can participate in violence without remorse.

I used to support Israel, but after witnessing the situation in Gaza, I can no longer stand with them. While I don't condone Hamas, I can't condemn the Palestinian people either. The more I learned, the worse it got. Israel has been continuously punishing the Palestinians, not caring about civilian lives. They bomb and slaughter them to break their spirit, not just the terrorists. Their goal is to make the Palestinians stop resisting Israeli occupation. The more I dig, the more I realize that Israel's position is indefensible.

Before visiting Palestine, I had no knowledge about it until I turned 18. It's concerning how our education system and media fail to provide a balanced understanding of the situation. Initially, I had some idea about Palestine, but the reality is far worse than I imagined.

I am here today to support the oppressed people and stand against the occupation. Israel, in my view, is a colonial apartheid genocidal state that does not represent Judaism. I was exploited when I was younger, living in Israel and learning the language. As I delved deeper, I realized the horror of this state exploiting our trauma from the Holocaust to oppress another people. They deserve the same rights as everyone else. I became aware of this in 2014 when I witnessed Israel's massacre in Gaza. Since then, I have separated my Jewish identity from this occupying fascist brutality. Today, I march with the Palestinians and support justice for all oppressed peoples. Thank you for speaking with me.

During our time in Israel, we spoke to Palestinians, pollsters, Israeli politicians, journalists, and people with various viewpoints. We discovered that the security wall is mostly a fence, with only 5% being an actual wall. Palestinians can enter Israel after passing through airport-like security, but Israelis are prohibited from entering certain areas of the West Bank due to safety concerns. We also learned that Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is inaccessible due to a large minaret and the glorification of suicide bombers. Additionally, we visited an Israeli military hospital that provides care to Syrians who have been victims of ISIS. These experiences have led me to question the feasibility of a two-state solution and believe that Israeli control is necessary for the preservation of this small piece of land.

Israel has a right to exist and defend itself, but Palestinians are often ignored. Palestinians are treated as third-class citizens and face apartheid-like conditions. The Israeli government evicts Palestinians from their land, which is then used for Israeli settlements. Palestinians have limited control over their lives, with restrictions on building permits, water supply, solar energy, medical treatment, electricity, fishing, and transportation. The US government supports Israel and considers Hamas, the governing party in Gaza, a terrorist organization. Palestinians have chosen Hamas due to their frustration with Israeli oppression. Israel and the US need to adopt new approaches towards Palestinians. The Palestinian people face apartheid, deprivation, and civil rights violations. This information is readily available, but one must actively seek it out.

During our time in Israel, we spoke to Palestinians, pollsters, Israeli Members of the Knesset, journalists, and people with various viewpoints. We discovered that the security wall is mostly a fence, with only 5% being an actual wall. Palestinians can enter Israel freely as long as they pass through airport-like security. However, Israelis are prohibited from entering certain areas of the West Bank due to safety concerns. We also observed a military hospital treating both Israelis and Syrians, including Syrian women who were victims of ISIS. This experience has led me to question the feasibility of a two-state solution and consider the importance of Israeli control in maintaining peace and security in the region.

I was raised as an Orthodox Jew and a Zionist. My parents fled Poland and settled in Britain. The current Israeli government manipulates guilt to justify mistreatment of Palestinians. They prioritize Jewish lives over Palestinian lives. Military force won't solve this issue. Even after the fighting ends, there will still be millions of Palestinians suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli government's conduct and policies are unacceptable. Our government should impose a complete arms ban on Israel. We need genuine peace, not conquest, which is the Israelis' unattainable goal. They are not just criminals, but also fools.

Palestine is our generation's South Africa. We must boldly and courageously end the imperialist project called Israel, or we are doomed. I had known about Palestine for a long time and was grateful when the Dream Defenders invited me to join their delegation. However, nothing could have prepared me for the intense militarization and violence we witnessed during our 10-day visit. People live in constant terror, and this experience has given me a clear understanding of why we must stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.

I'm an Israeli patriot who cares about Israel, but I believe there is no symmetry or conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, there is a brutal Israeli occupation that must end. The regime in our backyard is one of the most cruel and brutal tyrannies on Earth, resembling apartheid. In the occupied territories, one group has all the rights while the other has none. Visit the Jordan Valley to witness the stark contrast between prosperous Israeli settlements and the Palestinians living without basic necessities or rights. It's clear that this is apartheid, and no one can deny it.

As a Holocaust survivor, I initially believed in the Zionist dream of a Jewish state. However, I soon realized that achieving this dream involved oppressing and expelling the local Palestinian population. The Nakba, or catastrophe, was the foundation of Israel but is not acknowledged in the country. During my visit to the occupied territories, I witnessed the brutality of the occupation, including the denial of water rights and destruction of Palestinian olive groves. Palestinians are trapped in what is essentially an outdoor prison. Criticizing Israel does not make one an antisemite; it is about standing up for Palestinian rights and justice. The Western press often portrays Palestinians as terrorists while giving Israel less criticism. Israeli historians, professors, and soldiers have spoken out against Israeli policies, providing ample information for those willing to seek the truth. It is crucial for people of goodwill, regardless of their religious background, to challenge the silencing tactics and support justice, liberty, freedom, and truth.

The Palestinians live under Israeli government control, which many consider oppressive. Israel and America need to change their approach. Palestinians have been deprived of their land for over 70 years, leading to deep frustration. They face apartheid, lack basic necessities, and endure civil rights violations. This is not a secret; it's visible if you look for it.

As a white Christian conservative in the US, I was taught to blindly support Israel and view Arabs as enemies. However, as I grew older and gained access to global information, I began questioning these beliefs. I realized that Western media and the church had misled us. I no longer believe in the good versus evil narrative. We were taught to see Arabs as terrorists and Israel as morally superior, but I now understand that media control shapes our perception. This conflict started with the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and land theft. The US and other imperialist nations oppress those who challenge their capitalist system. Despite claiming moral superiority, America faces numerous social issues. I have had to deconstruct and challenge my indoctrination. We cannot claim that all lives matter while supporting the bombing of innocent civilians. I stand with the oppressed in free Palestine.

Growing up in the US, I was taught to have unwavering loyalty to Israel and view Arabs as enemies. However, as I grew older and gained access to global information, I began questioning these beliefs. I realized that Western media and the church had misled us. I no longer believe in the good vs. evil narrative. Israel controls the media and the way the war is fought. The conflict started with the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians 75 years ago, not a recent terrorist attack. The US and other imperialist nations suppress any alternative systems and then blame those nations for their failure. We claim moral superiority while having millions in prison, homeless, and without healthcare. It's time to deconstruct and challenge the indoctrination we've received. We cannot claim that all lives matter while supporting the bombing of innocent civilians. I stand with the oppressed.