Gratitude
by Jonathan Kuttab
Recently, as I sat in the ultra modern, ultra clean Dubai Airport waiting for my flight to Tel Aviv, I felt a great sense of gratitude–in both relative and absolute terms.
In absolute terms, I feel gratitude for my life, my health, my career, my family, the wealth of experiences I've had, the meaningful work I do, my friends and acquaintances, for opportunities to help others witness and understand our situation, the ability to freely travel (U.S Passport), the ability to visit to and to live in Palestine (Jerusalem residency), and so on and so on. I am truly blessed far beyond what I deserve.
But when I compare myself to others, especially other Palestinians and particularly those in Gaza, I am totally overwhelmed with gratitude, often to the point of guilt. I recognize my privilege, especially when compared with so many others. But, I am grateful that God has never allowed me to sit comfortably in my privilege while others suffer, but has placed upon my heart a burden for justice and peace for all people.
When it comes to the situation between Israelis and Palestinians, I am so grateful that I have been able, by the grace of God, to overcome my natural hatred and frustrations with our oppression and to no longer seek revenge or ways to wreak havoc and destruction on my enemies and the tormentors of my people. Instead, I pursue nonviolent forms of resistance and paths to liberation that do not require the destruction or killing of others.
I am grateful that my parents taught me at a young age to "hate the sin, but not the sinner": to hate the evil that is done against us and not the person who brought it about; to look for the good in every person, no matter how horrible their behavior may be; to attempt to see things from their perspective and not only my own.
I am grateful that I found and developed methods of nonviolence and have been able to offer them to others in the Palestinian community, as being more effective methods than armed struggle.
I am grateful that I learned to appeal to human rights and international law, as genuine values as well as methods to force Israelis to see themselves in universal terms, as much of the world sees them, and challenge them to act accordingly.
I am grateful that I am part of the FOSNA family and other communities who work in their own way towards justice and reconciliation.
I am grateful that I have found some Israeli Jews (and their supporters in the US) who've been open to this message. While most would not give up the option of violence and military might, which they view as necessary for their security, at least they were open to dreaming together of a better future that does not negate or dehumanize the other.
I am grateful that I have found and befriended wonderful Israeli and non-Israeli Jews, whose very existence negates the lies and stereotypes of antisemitism, and who help me focus my views regarding Zionism and the state of Israel without blaming Judaism or Jews for everything that has been done in their name by the state of Israel or the Zionist movement that purports to defend and speak for them. I am glad to have met and known them and consider them as cherished friends.
December 10th Day of Action
Bring Preach Palestine to the streets on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. Use our online resources to help plan an action such as a vigil in front of your city hall, representative's office, or other significant local space.
Check out our Public Witness Prayer Kit with Christians 4 Ceasefire and the FOSNA Preach Palestine database.