Tragedy in the Holy Land

Uncategorized 1 Minute

October 7, 2023

It is heartbreaking the tragedy that is unfolding in the “Holy Land”. I fear for the safety of my dear Palestinian and Israeli friends and for all people in the region. Sadly, however, what is happening is not surprising— such are the effects of trauma heaped upon trauma. Without the deep healing necessary for a healthy psyche and for healthy relationships, the generational effects of unresolved trauma on both sides only continue to manifest in reactive, harmful, even destructive ways. This applies to individuals, families, organizations, communities, and to entire societies.

The US has been a complicit ally to Israel— we have aided Israel in its unrelenting abuse of the Palestinian people. We ignore the effects of the abuse that only someone who cannot see or someone who does not care can ignore. We haven’t stepped in to say a resounding “NO!’ to the perpetration of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. We have not held Israel accountable. We repeatedly have turned away from the non-violent pleas from Palestinians and many Israelis for justice and recognition of full human rights for Palestinians.

Then, Hamas retaliates and now we’re paying attention— What is wrong with this picture?

Smoke and flames billow after Israeli forces struck a high-rise tower in Gaza City [Ashraf Amra/Reuters] Taken from Al-Jazeera, October 7, 2023
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Published by sallybs

Sally Bowden-Schaible is a psychotherapist, educator, human rights advocate, and Buddhist student/practitioner. (www.sallybowden-schaible.org) As a human rights advocate, I am informed by the core teachings of the Buddha which emphasize wise understanding, ethical living and compassionate being-in-the-world as means to the ending of suffering. I view social action through human rights advocacy as an integral part of my spiritual practice. For the past nearly two decades my focus has been on promoting full human rights for all people in Israel-Palestine. I have traveled to Israel and the West Bank of Palestine several times and have developed friendships with both Palestinians and Israeli Jews. I have seen firsthand, and felt the effects of, Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories. I am founder, coordinator, and blog curator of Buddhist Alliance for Non-Violence and Human Rights in Israel-Palestine (BANVAHR) www.banvahr.org.

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One thought on “Tragedy in the Holy Land”

  1. Thank you, Salli, for this insightful and compassionate message! I hope it can reach the ears of those who need to hear.

    -Marlena Studer

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