Love and hate

This morning I got up early- ish and have been walking along Netanya’s beaches. Too whoooshy to swim and seen a couple of jellyfish, which I love are called meduzot but hate because they stop me swimming.

I have been reflecting on our first few days as we explore our new town. Loving it more as we get to know streets and areas, chatting to so many and shopping for food. I will know not to buy lemon salt again as mixed with scrambled eggs it has one of the worst tastes known to man. Who knew lemon salt existed and why?

But as I walk along the beach I am thinking about the dichotomy between life here and on the UK. Yesterday we helped pack surplus food at Leket, an amazing charity and met lots of Anglos. Invites have poured in and everyone gives advice. This morning on my walk I have been invited to join 4 older men do breakfast which looked fab but I declined. The mood here is cautious as people try to get back to life andNetanya, whilst older than Tel Aviv, is busy with people doing just that. In fact the main occupation here is sitting, on cafes, bars, on benches, on beaches.

In the UK, we seem to have lost some of our oomph as daily we are faced with divisiveness all around us. The various protests in Leeds last weekend were just people telling, the government spirals and the alternatives don’t look great. People are wary to talk to each other in case we disagree and even universities are closed to debate.

Of course we know that around the subject of Israel or Jews, those who hate invert so many facts and truths. The genocide libel continues and is nearly impossible to hate as are so many lies. The latest I saw was that Lag B’Omer, a relaxation day during a more reflective time up to Shavout, when we celebrate receiving our laws, is celebrated by throwing dogs and cats into the air. Looking at the wild cats of Netanya, who would dare. Of course this is claptrap but it is weary to even start to explain to those who just yell.

A Leeds PSC stalwart posted herself literally just screaming at the screen, I hate Jews, Zionists, Israel etc and ended with a fairly impressive banshee like long scream. No point talking with that.

And this is what has been banked on. It is what made the inquisition and the Holocaust possible. Demonic rhetoric becoming normal so those it is aimed at become demons. It is planned and in many areas it has worked.

Our rational arguments and presentation of facts are worthless against this. Democracy encourages debate but also for true democracy we must hear. We must hear others points of view to be truly liberal, to want freedom for all to want equality. In this conflict, Hamas do not want equality for all, they do not want freedom and a state to build. Those taking up their cause do not seem to want that either, hate is the end game. And impossible to fight.

It makes me sad. War is sad, being a refugee is sad, not having enough is sad. But with time and love and funding we can move forward. Jews have done it since started. But this is not the end game for these haters a who knows where this will go. A old hatred harnessed that kills its society as it spreads.

So as I sit here loooking at the Med I would love to wish a bit of Israeli spirit on all. Let’s keep going, pick ourselves up, eat, drink, schmooze and go again. Maybe this is the true meaning of Tikkun Olam - healing the world, the ability to live and love.

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