siiky
2023/11/03
2023/11/03
en
Israel is experiencing a metamorphosis!
Just a moment ago, Israeli TV anchor from Channel 14, Sharon Gal, asks a guest to borrow his kippah in order to recite a blessing to thank G-d for freeing a soldier that was held hostage in Gaza.
A few months ago, Israel was on the verge of a civil war, revolving around the religious identity of Israel (or the lack thereof).
Now, after 3 weeks of existential awakening, we’re seeing non-religious Jews all over Israel connect to their Jewish roots in the most profound and inspiring of ways.
Darkness creates space for beautiful moments of light!
I don't see any moment of light. It could be explained, for example, by the fact that non-religious jews are still of a jewish family, and are, therefore, naturally against the "bad side" of the conflict. It could be because they've been indoctrinated against the Palestinians. Or it could be something else, I'm not very creative.
But in either of these, of the "non-religious Jews all over Israel connect[ing] to their Jewish roots", I don't see how religion is without a doubt concerned, even when religious acts/signs/customs are shown. It's not unlikely to be just a sort of nationalism. They've grown up in this context, they know the customs, the culture. It's second-nature to act according to them.
I should know, I was raised as a catholic. Though I want nothing to do with it now, during Easter I kiss Jesus' feet. For my grandmas. I don't become religious for those brief 5 minutes of the year the cross comes inside. I avoid false religious signs, and try also to avoid going to church as as much as possible, but for serious events, I'm there. I don't cross, I don't kneel, or anything else. But I behave, I know how to behave. Not out of my religious beliefs, but out of respect for my family (who, let's be fair, are also already largely "because I was raised this way").
So if I was in their shoes, I would also naturally side with the "good side", my family and friends. Not because I'm against the "bad side", but because the "good side" is closer to me, that's all.
I'm not into the whole loop of the current conflict, but from the little history I've learned from a couple of years ago (while working for an Israeli company), Israelis could stop pretending to be exclusively the victim.
The sad thing is, in the middle of the ongoing show, quem se fode é o zé-povinho[^1].
[^1]: lit. "who gets fucked is the pleb"