So this is what it feels like to be German.

Orange is the new black.
Palestinians are the new Jews.
Israelis are the new Nazis.

OK, this is not a nuanced statement. It is meant to shock. For the other side there is this video, "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict explained" which also has its points. Please do take the few minutes to see it for perspective. The phrase "The fact you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you." sums it up nicely.
Another interesting thought experiment is to imagine the Middle East without Israel. It would be dearly missed as a handy scapegoat to blame for everything that is wrong in that part of the world.
There are many proxy powers fishing in the troubled waters.

But today, today I feel ashamed of the ancestry that links me to this country.* The ongoing encroachments into Palestinian terrain in the West bank, that obscene wall, and now the assault on Gaza with its overpowering fire power and 100 casualties on one side to 1 on the other is evil, no matter what the provocation. 

I try to do my small bits of protesting by writing letters to politicians. I donate to the organisation "Jews for peace" and have done so before the present crisis.  But I feel the burden of collective guilt. And the thought came to me: "So this is what it feels like to be German."


*In Jewish tradition the status of belonging goes through the female line. Since the Jewish grandparent is my father's mother he would be considered Jewish but his children not. However, in 1970 the law of return to Israel was amended as follows: 

4A. Rights of members of family

(a)The rights of a Jew under this Law and the rights of an oleh under the Nationality Law, 5712--1952), as well as the rights of an oleh under any other enactment, are also vested in a child and a grandchild of a Jew, the spouse of a Jew, the spouse of a child of a Jew and the spouse of a grandchild of a Jew, except for a person who has been a Jew and has voluntarily changed his religion.

(b)It shall be immaterial whether or not a Jew by whose rights a right under subsection (a) is claimed is still alive and whether or not he has immigrated to Israel.

(c)The restrictions and conditions prescribed in respect of a Jew or an oleh by or under this Law or by the enactments referred to in subsection (a) shall also apply to a person who claims a right under subsection (a).

4B. Definition

For the purpose of this Law, "Jew" means a person who was born of a Jewish mother or has become converted to Judaism and who is not a member of another religion.

Open letter to Israel`s PM

Sent through the contact form at the website.

Sir,

I am writing this with deep sorrow. Here we go again, another round of violence. 

For the record: my background is Dutch, with a father whose mother was Jewish. I grew up with love and admiration for Israel. Hearing HaTikvah  gives me goosebumps. 

I am mentioning this because criticism of Israel is often dismissed as a manifestation of anti-Semitism. And indeed, that old scourge is thriving in certain circles under the PC guise of anti-Zionism. One sees it on forums: one moment the talk is about the evils of international capitalism, next thing everything is blamed on the Rothschild family, ergo blame the Jews. Around and around we go.

The present situation will no doubt provoke the usual posturing of innocent  little Israel, besieged by evil terrorists, bravely defending itself. 

I am sorry, but I don't buy it anymore. In many ways today's Palestinians are victimized like yesterday's Jews. There can be no security without peace, and no peace without justice. 

I am well aware that there has been intransigence aggravated by religious fervor on both sides. But with ongoing targeted assassinations, incursions into Gaza and continued so-called settlements in the West bank Israel has plenty to answer for.

In civil society we do not allow a child abuser to go unpunished because he was victimized as a child.

In the same spirit, Israel cannot keep referring to the all-too real Holocaust to justify its behaviour as an oppressive occupying force.

I wish you wisdom and strength in the coming days. But I warn you that you are rapidly losing international goodwill, even among people who would love to be your supporters. 

Sincerely 

Ien van Houten-van der Hout, 
grand daughter of Esther van der Hout-Rood, great-grand daughter of Moses Marcus Rood and Esther Frank.