Saturday, April 28, 2012

darkness falls upon the land

A few days ago I had the honor of participating in two Memorial Day ceremonies here in Israel. One was in Rabin Square, whose namesake gave his life for Peace right in that very spot (I was singing in the square the night Yizchak Rabin was murdered…circles open and close around us all the time..)



The ceremony was attended by tens of thousands , all sitting or standing in silence as a string of artists came up on stage and sang melancholy songs in memory of the thousands of Israeli soldiers fallen in service. I was proud to be one of them. It was a beautiful and moving event.



But before coming to the square, I went to another memorial ceremony, held in a Hangar in the Tel Aviv Port. Ironically enough, I will be singing there in a few days with Bobby McFerrin (who will surely be urging me to not worry, be happy, tootoodoo. Ah, little does he know ). This Hangar is a popular event space and I was surprised the ceremony would be taking place there, as it is quite a large venue. I was even more surprised to see the place fill up completely. The reason for my dismay was the nature of this particular ceremony: It is an Alternative Memorial Day Service, and it is organized by a group called Combatants for Peace. This group is a joint Jewish/Arab organization striving to break the circle of violence between the two sides. You can read more about them here: http://cfpeace.org/?page_id=2. In this service, BOTH sides come to mourn their loved ones lost in the seemingly endless violent conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. People come to tell stories, sing songs, read letters, show films and present theater pieces, all centered around one simple idea: violence is not the answer, and LIFE , not death , is our common goal.


This ceremony started some years ago in a small, underground fringe theater in the south of the city but in recent years it has grown out of that small space and thus I found myself standing in front of thousands of people and couldn’t stop the chills from shooting up and down my spine and raising the hairs on the back of my neck. I was thinking of all those brave people sitting there, some of which had paid the highest price of all, seen their loved ones perish for, frankly, who cares what cause?! And there they were, Arabs and Jews, sitting together, seemingly “in the clutches of the enemy”, breaking the stereotypes, reaching out across the lines, turning their backs to hatred and violence, choosing LIFE! I felt fortunate and privileged to be allowed to lend my voice to such an important event. (see also this: http://www.theparentscircle.com/)


The next morning I started getting messages from friends and family, asking if I had seen the facebook campaign that was gaining momentum, calling to BAN me because I had sung in memory of terrorists on Israel’s Memorial Day.


I couldn’t really believe it. I though they must be mistaken or joking but this was very real. Could it be I thought , that in Israel of the 21st century people still think all Arabs are terrorist? Nawwww. But as the hours passed, more and more messages, calls and e-mails flooded my phone and computer, all dealing with this issue. Some wanted to know had I REALLY sung for terrorists? Some were blatantly violent and aggressive in language, a handful were supportive and sympathetic. What’s for sure, this had become an ISSUE and it was coming at me from every direction.


My friends, I am writing all this to you because it is important that you know that Israel is now going thorough one of the darkest periods of her short history. The amount of brainwashed people walking the streets here, the amount of RACISM and blind hatred, is simply mindboggling (and this goes for both the Jewish and the Arab population within Israel). I am but one of a long list of people and organizations with views similar to mine who have been bashed, banned, ostracized, ridiculed and marginalized, virtually OUTLAWED, since the present right-wing government has been in office. AN entire country has turned to talking in slogans, our minds have become little advertising sound-bits: we’re right, they’re wrong, they’re terrorists, we’re angels, god’s on our side, we did everything for peace, they refused, it’s their fault, there’s no partner, you’re either with us or against us etc etc ect.


The ensuing witch hunt, evoking medieval times, an Israeli take on McCarthyism, is a dangerous slippery slope that will lead Israel straight to oblivion.


SO, to all you Jewish/Israeli friends and family, I urge you, do not bindly support anything and everyrting Israel does! In such you are contributing to her demise! Rather, strengthen the sane, the humane, the caring and loving! Give those organizations working for a PEACE the support they so desperately need.


 And to you, whomever you are, you who are not Israeli or Jewish, and don’t really know exactly what’s going on here, to you I say, do not bindly criticize anything and everyrting Israel does! In such you are contributing to her demise! Rather, strengthen the sane, the humane, the caring and loving! Give those organizations working for a PEACE the support they so desperately need .


There is a long list of organizations who need you, here is very partial one, take your pick:
http://jstreet.org/
http://www.onevoicemovement.org/
http://umelfahemgallery.org/
http://www.theparentscircle.com/
http://cfpeace.org/?page_id=2
http://www.abrahamfund.org/main/siteNew/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_in_Hand_%E2%80%93_Bridge_over_the_Wadi
and on and on… may we know better days than these.

21 comments:

  1. Achinoam, as much as I admire your art and and as much as I am positive that the ceramony aimed at promoting peace I can see the point of s o m e of your critics in this case. For first the name of the event is offensive - "Alternative...". Why would someone seek an alternative to the original memorial day?
    Secondly, why choose to make it on the Israeli memorial day and not on another day. Many families of the fallen soldiers want, rightfully, to feel that this is their special day. Why coulnd't the joint event be held in one of the other 364 days of the year?

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  2. Yuval

    The answer to your questions exist in the body of Achinoam's blog. It is Alternative because it looks at the victims of BOTH sides of the conflict and not only one side (the Israelis), and it realizes that suffering and trauma and it states that suffering is not owned by one side only. And as far as the date for this event, it couldn't be more appropriate and symbolic to do that at the same day because the 2 nation of people have suffered enormously from the wars that we both waged on each other. I suggest that you read again what Achinoam wrote starting in:

    "AN entire country has turned to talking in slogans, our minds have become little advertising sound-bits: we’re right, they’re wrong, they’re terrorists, we’re angels, god’s on our side, we did everything for peace, they refused, it’s their fault, there’s no partner, you’re either with us or against us etc etc ect.
    The ensuing witch hunt, evoking medieval times, an Israeli take on McCarthyism, is a dangerous slippery slope that will lead Israel straight to oblivion"

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    Replies
    1. First, thank you Achinoam for the courage you keep showing through the years, standing up for what you believe in.
      Yuval, maybe reading an entry of a Bereaved family member, about ceremony, will help: http://blog.combatantsforpeace.org/2012/04/blog-post.html

      All the best, David, a member of "Combatants for peace" movement.

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  3. I think you are right going with your Heart! You must keep on couragiously and be an Inspiration of Love & Truth for All! True Peace needs a lot of patience and hard work.. The Willingess to do what it takes! This world need more people like us who are Doing the Right thing no matter what others might think and say about us.. For in the end they'll thank us for doing it for them when they have been wrong... I'm so proud of you! You're wonderful, beautiful and sweet! Never forget that! I Love You & Many others! :-)

    Lots of Love!
    Gil Bar-On :-)

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  4. As a jew living in Europe and supporting Israel, I am very grateful to have a critical point of view. Our lack of political leaders committed to peace keep us in this arcaic system of violence. Talented and committed people like AchiNOAm support a way to peace and give me light and hope that we are not chained to perpetrating history's biggest mistakes. Toda raba, keep on, I am with you !!! Clement Chammah, Milan - Italy

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  5. Hi Achinaom,
    I appreciate your warning to people on both sides of thee issues. I am happy to see where you position yourself and couldn't agree with you more. It's been a long time since I heard you at your first show and I am proud that you have taken this stand!

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  6. A point of view well worth reflecting on - and I like the reference to the Vincent Price bit in "Thriller"

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  7. Thank you Noa for your courage and love and what it took to be part of both ceremonies and write this message. Your message is clear and powerful!.

    To those who are offended by the term "alternative", please take a deep breath and consider the meaning of alternative - from hebrew... l'alter native - to change the direction or path.

    Who would like to change the direction of violence to peace .... from being positional and angry to being human and humane? It takes nothing away from what has happened and no way diminishes the sadness and loss of human life. It is about stepping up and taking responsibility for what happened, what is so and creating the future as we want it to be. We really don't want others to create our future, do we?

    That's the type of alternative I'm on board for... whose joining?
    With love and gratitude, Carmel

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  8. Dear dear Noa,
    I was so happy when I saw you at the event... Not only because I love your music, not only because I could feel how moved you were, and not only because the song that you chose was paradoxically so appropriate. But mostly because I didn't feel alone anymore. I felt that a friend, of those dear friends that you see or hear very often (via Ipod or concerts in this case) was there, fighting doubtlessly for the same things that I believe in and that the rest of the world seem to be stepping away from.
    I want to give you back with these words the support that I received and felt when you walked in, all dressed in white, daring to say that החיים יפים כל כך .
    Romina

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  9. For those wondering why Noa should seek an "alternative" service here is the reason: We do not want to remain in the current situation. We, the Israeli people, whose sons and daughters serve in the army and risk their lives defending our freedoms, understand that in order to move beyond the mindless, knee-jerk reactions to the current political situation, we need to acknowledge the pain and suffering that both sides have endured for almost 100 years.

    Yes, we should mourn our lost soldiers and individuals who fell in battle and other attacks. Mourning those lost on both sides, the loss of the potential of life that Hashem has given all of us who he/she has created in his/her image goes beyond this and will only hasten the path to peace. There is nothing wrong with this and Noa should be congratulated for here actions. Bless you Noa.

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  10. i opened up a page of support for you as well on facebook. You have lots of support from many Israelis who say enough hatred.

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  11. how interesting, i submitted a slightly negative comment, and it didn't get published. before i think it was not published on purpose, did you get it? it was about how parents circle and jstreet are just not within the big tent of jewish consensus.

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  12. Thank you Noa. Keep singing your song. So many of us sing with you.

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  13. dear achinoam,
    i just want to say thank you, thank you, and thank you! and to add my voice to the large number of people who support you and your courage. i was at the event on yom hazikaron...i was also at your concert in london many years ago when someone ran onstage with a banner for a boycott of israel. you have experienced this craziness from all sides.

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  14. Noa ..you touched my heart !!

    Just remember it is all part of consciousness...even the hatred, shame ,violence, compassion, peace its is all part of the ONE .
    it takes a lot to maintain complete faith in the process i salute you for being so courageous , for finding refuge in the truth .
    shine your light bright

    in trust always
    Ronit

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  15. Achinoam, i first heard your song Mishaela long ago when visiting a dear friend in Israel - she's also a singer today and a great one at that :-)

    I cannot put into words my admiration and pride to see what you're trying to do in the midst of all simple-minded living by slogans and hatred of those "who are different from us".
    I understand your country has suffered a lot in the ongoing war and I respect that. At the same time, the only sane way out is to forgive, accept and try to live together.
    It will be very hard, almost impossible - but the alternative is also not worth thinking about.

    I hope you will have the courage and wisdom to continue doing the right thing.
    I wish I could attend your concert with Bobby McFerrin!

    To you I say:
    Always bloom in the spring
    Shed all your woes
    As the green grass grows
    Like a flower or tree
    Throw your head back and sing!

    Much love and support,
    Suresh

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  16. Can you add Shalom Achshav - Peace Now to your list??? www.peacenow.org.il
    Thanks

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  17. Keep fighting the good fight Noa - the fight for peace!

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  18. Very, very important piece this, from a woman with enormous social inflluence in Israeli society. Please read, mark and inwardly digest!

    Thanks, Noa!

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