Israel Trilogy: Part III

Diary of a Journey: Yoman Masa

[note: I wondered about writing this piece so soon after the bombings in London. And then I thought, yes, this is just the time for this piece ...]

Just before I set out for Israel, a friend sent me this article. Busy with Lyme and packing preparations I only got to read it on the ten hour plane ride across the Atlantic. Having lived in Israel for 19 years I knew Chaim Yavin and was intrigued by the description of the documentary he created because of the subject of disengagement but especially because it sounded controversial. In fact he had been called upon to resign his position as TV anchor because of it.

Therefore I was excited that I could view the fifth and final part of Yavin's documentary last Wednesday. Talk about Confronting Our Discomfort! No wonder people were literally screaming at him, calling him names in what they termed "a debate" after the program. As I watched him with his little video camera asking the questions of settlers, soldiers, religious and secular, right and left, Palestinian and Israeli I could not help thinking: "What courage!" The stories unfolded and the issue became complex and agonizing. At all times his behavior was professional as he asked the pertinent questions and stood back with his camera to allow people to speak. It was a piece of journalism that we hardly ever see any more anywhere. It made me squirm and weep. I became angry and passionate for justice. I was confused and sore. It made me think deeply and caused me discomfort. There were moments that my mouth fell open aghast and amazed and times when I felt my stomach tighten and tears rolled down my cheeks.

As I saw it, Yavin presented the issue thus: we have all created a situation that is horrific - causing pain and tragedy to every side. It is enormous and complex and we all have a responsibility to find a solution that puts an end to the suffering of everyone. Our responsibility lies in becoming aware of all the facts, developing compassion, learning to listen to one another, and fighting for justice for human rights for everyone.

The "debate" that followed was even more telling than the documentary. People were screaming and yelling at him, calling him names and doing all they could to deny the facts his documentary had presented. I wept and raged throughout this section. It is so hard not to feel hopeless when I see this much anger and torment - all this fear. I was grateful for Chaim Yavin's courage to tell his view in his personal diary of a journey. I wanted to see it translated and shown all over the world even if only as an example of responsible journalism.

On the plane ride back to Philadelphia I thought a lot about Yavin's work. It takes courage and compassion to take responsibility for righting wrongs. These days people seem to think that it is unpatriotic to question, critique, analyze or become aware of injustice and the complexity of human tragedy. How else can we break cycles of violence if we are not willing to face the discomfort we feel about our part in creating or sponsoring human tragedies out of fear and historical vendettas? We should not be screaming at Chaim Yavin. We should hail him as a national hero and learn from his work. We really need to stop yelling, people, and rather sit and weep together as we struggle to create different solutions and paradigms.

But, then again, I have often been called naive and idealistic.

Comments

[Mary Godwin]

You end your post with "but then again I have often been called naive and idealistic." If I am reading in these words a counter/balance to the spirit of the post, a sense in these words that you might be hoping for "too much" when you suggest that we could find ways to stop yelling at one another, to sit down together, to weep, to mourn, and to struggle together for ways to be better people ... if you meant to suggest in your final words that to strive for all of this is naive and idealistic and that being so is somehow weaker/less than/impoverished of "real" sensibility, "real" power ... then I think you're wrong, not about being naive... I think you are. Not about being idealistic... you certainly are, but about whether or not this is the "lesser" position. It certainly is NOT. Ok... I've rambled, and I don't have the emotional energy or the time to go back, revise this response, and make it look wonderfully presentable, but I'll try a more approach to my thinking before giving up altogether: You have it right, I think, in times like these to be naive and idealistic. Times of great horror, fear, and terror take as their first victim , first casualty the hope born from/in naivety and idealism, and if you can hold on to these perspectives in spite of the times, if you can maintain your hope and endure the pain of seeing those hopes dashed again and again against the walls of hatred yet continue to believe in finding a way for all of us, then, my dear friend, you are a national treasure, and we need to keep you as safe as we can for as long as we can. We will need all that you have to give us of the hope that remains when the dust clears. ... only good things atcha. -mg

[Tamar]

Mary,
I am deeply moved by your response. Yes, I agree to be your "national treasure" with all due humility and honor. For I think we need to hold on to our ideals and what others term "naivete" with all our might and mane through this darkening age. Thank you so much for your comment.

[Jean]

How sad that you've been insulted for expessing these views. Thank you for not shutting up, and much love. Damn, you made me cry again. I've written in my blog about the other woman who made me cry today.

[Tamar]

I wrote to you at your site. We all have much to weep about. Let us gather strength in that because it deepens our compassion.

[AlwaysQuestion]

He's chosen a difficult path, but a worthy one.
I suspect you won't see anyone like him in the U.S. anytime soon.

[Mark Daniels]

I was so glad to read your post. Having heard about the Yavin documentary in a report on NPR this past week, I was primed to read your impressions. Hopefully, we'll have the opportunity to see it here in the States soon.

Irrespective of people's positions on the settlements, Yavin is deserving of commendation for tackling an "unmentionable" subject, one that sparks controversy everywhere.

Thank you again for this post!

[Tamar]

Always Question: Yes, it was a terrific piece of journalism - just laying out what his camera saw and heard. So gut level and real. Way too uncomfortable for the sterile media coverage we are fed these days.

Mark, thanks for the heads-up about the NPR story - I just found and listened to it: http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/transcripts/2005/jul/050705.gradstein
Yes, I very much admire people for having the courage to take on those "unmentionable" topics that so desperately need mentioning.

[Winston]

Your Trilogy, from Part I - Personal, to Part II - Community, to Part III - Global, should be recognized along with you as, in Mary Godwin's words, "a national treasure." Thank you so much for sharing all of this in such an open and caring way! I stand with you, and you with me, and all of us together. We may be defeated, but our ideals will not be easily swept aside, and in the end will prevail.

[Natalie]

Tamar, I so much appreciate and resonate with all that you wrote about this as well as your account of the reunion with your mother and your friends. And I wish I could see that
documentary. From your description of it and its maker, it seems to me that he, and others like him, are the real heroes , the leaders we lack, the inspiration and motivation we need. The words you quoted apply not only to Israel but to the whole world at present:
"....we have all created a situation that is horrific - causing pain and tragedy to every side. It is enormous and complex and we all have a responsibility to find a solution that puts an end to the suffering of everyone. Our responsibility lies in becoming aware of all the facts, developing compassion, learning to listen to one another, and fighting for justice for human rights for everyone."

[Tamar]

Winston, thank you for such kind words about my reports of the past weeks. It is heart warming to know that there are lots of us "out there" - sort of like candles in the dark with "ideals prevailing." UPDATE: I am really grateful for the link and even more kind words over at your website. http://www.nobodyasked.com/archives/2005/07/09/national-treasure/

It moved me deeply and am almost speechless ...

Dear Natalie,
I am so glad to hear from you. I have been wondering how you are with all that is happening in your personal and "city" life. Thank you for resonating with me through all of my story.