ISRAEL

The west needs to hold Israel accountable and expect better from the Jewish people

If ever there were a people 

who new what suffering was 

If ever genocide was visited

upon a homeless nation 

If ever a people knew 

really KNEW 

what being a victim was 

If ever a people knew 

We should expect better

Better than artillery rounds 

dropped on children's hospitals 

Better than "militants" as an excuse

Better than the propaganda 

    in the western press

Better than the brutal occupation 

they've forced upon their victims 

Better than a totalitarian land grab

in the name of "settlements" 

Better than 1000's of dead bodies 

in the name of security

Israel 

You have fallen for 

the power 

of the bomb

You could teach the world better 

Show us the humanity 

 history taught your soul 

Show the world restraint 

from the insanity 

Your people suffered 

for so long

Israel 

The civilized world

waits for your answer 

Author's Note

If all you know about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people is what you here in the American press, your picture is horribly distorted by what the US government wants you to believe about "terrorism" and US, Israeli foreign policy. Israel has a right to exist, so do the Palestinians. Israel could teach the world humanity rather than the lesson of the gun Israel has decided. Stop blaming the Palestinians and really look at the situation. Israel has to make a move towards humanity, even if HAMAS doesn't follow. The Jewish people's history demands it.

Reviews

[johnnywallman]

I've served in the army, I've marched with the peace movement, I've cried myself to sleep, I wish I had the answer, I wish somebody had the answer. Unfortunately neither side will comprimise and while there is money to be made from arab oil or israeli weapons and radicals on both sides the stalemate continues and children in Israel and Palestine will suffer.

[Armeena]

here youre right

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you writer

[Aethereal]

What most people seem to forget is that there are three powerful historical influences at work here. Three radical self-fulfilling prophecies: What are we to do with all these radicals?
1) The radical determination of Moslems to form a powerful Caliphate in the Middle East.
2) The radical Jewish dream of reestablishing their ancient Temple on its original site.
3) The radical Christian insistence that the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt if their end of world prophecy is to come true.

[Baby Ricochet]

Radicals and religion go together like whiskey and chloroform. One fucked up mix

[joshua deathdealer]

If my neighbor was firing rockets at my house, I would return fire to protect myself and my family. Granted in my humanity, I would only fire at where the rockets where being fired from, the yard, rooftops and windows. The only reason Israel hasn't suffered the same casualties as Hamas is they are using technology bought from the US government to deter rockets fired from Hamas provided by the US government. I think the ones needing to be held accountable is our very own government for why they are hell-bent on providing the world with a means to destroy itself.. Is it greed or perhaps something more sinister. When this ebola virus is released onto the American public, I believe the answer should become clear.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks for stopping by

[Coyote Poetry]

I went to Israel twice. My unit delivered weapons and training. It is a cold and dangerous place. I agree with your logic. I have Jewish writers friends. I told them. If you become the predator. Who is the prey? I know many Palestinians who told me. They got along okay for 500 years. Now the land is needed to expand. USA expanded often. The old logic is. If you lose. You lose everything. Native American is a example. I wish I had the answer. I know bloodshed isn't the answer.
Coyote

[Baby Ricochet]

No one has a viable answer for this. Thank you coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. I wish someone did.

[Abdul Batin Osman Bey]

A well expressed poem but let's face it both are to be blamed because both the Torah and the Qur'an tell people to act in a much more civilized way. Of course the History of both sides are fraught with both being power lords and both being victimized over and over again. Both sides need to concentrate on what they share in common and some are doing so but peace can not come when the sword is in both hands or in one. Until both sides are willing to act as God commands them both sides will continue to be Victimized.

[Baby Ricochet]

No doubt. Thanks for stopping by

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Just send this to the Israeli government.
The whole world is watching in disbelief at the abhorrent behaviour of the Israelis.

Keep it coming my friend.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you mad englishman

[Tree]

Drawn here by the traffic and the title of this piece. The history of the Jewish people is fraught with tragedy, and over the past 7,000 thousand years you'd be hard pressed to find another collective body of human beings who have suffered more, almost always because of their unshakable beliefs. And here is the irony you point out in this well written piece, that with the weight of all that history of persecution and hatred boring down on their shoulders you do have to wonder why Israel appears to be implementing many of the same inhumane policies that they themselves as a people endured for thousands of years? Tough tough question. It comes down, I think, to the people of Israel vowing, since the start of this "modern" Israel ala Ben Gurion and the rest of the early leaders of the current Jewish state to never again (and understandably so) become victims of overzealous anti-Semitic states; and thus, the current dichotomy of the Jewish state. But I think you're right, BR. The history of the Jewish people demands a humanitarian response to these displaced people. But how and when has been the question for some 67 years, 5 or 6 wars, and countless of skirmishes and proxy wars... yet still, no viable solution.


Thought provoking piece BR
thanks for exploring this here
on our forum

Diego

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you for your input Diego. I appreciate it.

[Pryde Foltz]

There is no easy solution … well there is, but the battle is in the convincing … we as people over-identify as individuals and then as groups … thinking that our ideas and our norms are the one's that should be. And that anyone who disagrees is flawed. We create in-group and out-group distinction and excuse all sort of inexcusable behaviour because it is done to the identified out-group, and is therefore done for the sake of the in-group. And of course, our in-group is the chosen people, right? Until we recognize we are all connected regardless of gender, creed, or colour, and we are all one, we will continue to prey on each other. I laud you for speaking out for the children, baby, and speaking for peace. How this will end … I hope for a Palestinian hero who will stand up to Hamas and get them to put their weapons down; Israel's will fall shortly after. When we think of Israel, we think of adults, but the Israeli have children too … speaking as a parent … I do not know if I could overcome my own ego to the point where I would not defend my child over another. I am ashamed to say it, but that is the way human nature works. Fear is rampant; it is rarely rational, but almost always motivating. But this I do know … when that ceasefire is achieved for whatever reason, by which ever side reached the higher ground first, we need to flood Palestine with so many resources, rebuild the schools and hospitals, embrace them as our brothers. With love, root out the hate that fuels this fight. The poem itself is beautiful and you said things that needed to be said.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you for your thoughts and input pryde. You're a wise woman and I appreciate it.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Baby:)

[MOON]

You are romantic Baby Ricochet , the oppressed becomes the oppressor in the blink of an eye. Zionists are ruthless . Hamas hiding in hospitals behind children, so that gives the Israelis the right to bomb children and civilians , where is the logic in this. Do the Maths, Israel believes in collective punishment , they make rubble of dreams , they destroy , they kill because they are power hungry and they need land. Oh yes, God promised the land , is God so small that he demands such a sacrifice? Israel could not do this without the US governments help it could not exist without powerful people sanctioning genocide. A few years back lest we forgot the US government, under the pretext of weapons of mass destruction , bombed Iraq. Civilians , collateral damage . History is written by powerful, not by the just or the humane. Scared and maimed children do not move these men , they are heartless .

[Baby Ricochet]

Oh yeah. I remember Iraq.

[MOON]

You have done a good job here the three poems spotlight and go to the heart of the matter. Take care!