A couple of weeks ago another horrible press item from Israel reached the news networks around the world. The Israeli public itself was in severe shock and deep shame about a vicious assault carried out by a Jewish ultra-orthodox fanatic, who suddenly stabbed indiscriminately into the crowd of participants of this year’s Jerusalem ‘Gay Parade’. What's worse, the 'writing 'must have been on the wall: The same man had been sentenced to a long prison term for comitting the same crime during a previous Jerusalem pride parade and was released only 3 weeks before his new attack! As it turned out, he had even published pamphlets, in which he incited against the gay community's yearly procession calling it blasphemy and 'an abomination for the Holy City'. It was 16-year old high-school student Shira Banki, who paid the price for the carelessness of the police and silence of the spiritual leaders. She suffered severe cuts in the back and passed away days later in the hospital. Following her tragic death an uproar ran through the social networks and many promised to join next year's parade in her memory and support of the gay community.
One may think that this particular aggression was an act of a lunatic individual. But in a lingering athmosphere of intolerance and hatred, be it of religious, nationalistic or racist nature, which isn't enough controlled and discouraged, such murderous outbursts of pent-up violence have become an ever present part of our reality. Particularly in Jerusalem, where the excesses of fanatic zeal flame up at irregular intervals, the foreign onlooker is left under the impression that the sane and moderate part of Israel's population has become a dwindling minority.
But ... with all the negative press image stemming from ever available reports of dispute and hostilities we are at the same time a country of stunning natural wonders, of many political facets, complicated social and ethnical contrasts, ever present contradictions and unexplained miracles:
How could this crippling evil happen in such close vicinity to the always surfacing mediterranean joi de vivre, against a bright blue sky and gaudy backdrop of hundreds of multi-colored parasols decorating this summer one of the picturesque lanes of the Nachalat Shiva neighborhood in the center of Jerusalem?
The municipality installed this lofty canope as a surprise-attraction for locals and visitors alike, a visual highlight to generate good vibes amoung townsfolk and tourists from all corners of the globe, people of all creeds and races, who stroll the alleyways, shops and restaurants in the blistering heat of our bustling capital. It is to create a renaissance of live music, street theatre, happenings and entertainment in this city scarred by so many murderous acts in the past. This spectacular sight is a reminder of what an uplifting experience a free, modern and cosmopolitain Jerusalem can be, if not for the frequent interference of narrowminded animosity and merciless terror.
Looking up at this briliant network of lucent umbrellas one can imagine the ancient city providing an inspiring roof, under which all its citizens and admirers can celebrate diversity and togetherness. Jerusalem's historical sacredness to the main religions should actually act as a protective shield to ensure personal and religious freedom and national coexistence, mutual acceptance and equality of “the other”. It should be a vibrant place for historical and cultural learning, discussion and contemplation, arts and innovation, giving hope and strength that even a currently deadlocked political conflict can be conciliated.
The national and religious narratives we have been prone to absorb here in the Middle East over decades have raked a burning heat of insurmountable prejudice. The many years of controversy resulted in frustration, mistrust and fear of the future. In recent years, as the sides and sectors seam to be more alienated then ever, there always have been many initiatives of groups and individuals to break through the wall of lies and hatred build up by opinionated and extremist leaders.
Just imagine each of us would act as a bright parasol in a net of many others that protect and highlight our personal freedom, equality and human rights, modern achievements that these undemocratic forces want to destroy!
I would like to take the parasols of Jerusalem as an inspiration and starting point for this "Letters from Israel" blog, a page which will tell about this country and it's people, not only from my own viewpoint, but hopefully with frequent contributions of friends who like to write and are interested in a dialogue and explanatory process. The blog is currently kept in English so that it can help visitors to win insight into the more intimate world of some sane and engaged humans who love to live or come here to visit and wish to be online ambassadors to convey their own special reason for their love of this country to many interested others.
