Showing up for Palestine

This weekend at a local action, I walked next to a Grandmother, her daughter, and granddaughter. As we entered the Apple store to bring the action into the mall with chants of, "While you're shopping, bombs are dropping!" echoing, she wondered aloud, "Should we go in too? Will we get in trouble?" Her daughter and I both gave her reassuring looks and we entered together, grandma pushing her granddaughter in a stroller the whole way. Of course, you can never predict what law enforcement will do, but as far as protests go, this was a model of peaceful protest: a coordinated and disruptive act that delivered a message loud and clear.

Now, I am under no delusions that I can add much more to the discourse and discussions that Christians are having about what is happening in Israel and Palestine in general and Gaza and the West Bank in particular. Others are more well-versed and studied, but that does not release me from my responsibility to voice support when called. That said, I am not entirely disconnected. I have spent a little time in both Israel and Palestine, have done some reading and studying, have been drawn into many conversations about divestment, and most weirdly, was trolled by Rosanne Barr for being an antisemite. Standing with the Palestinian people, I trust that I am on and will be on the right side of history as the world and future generations look back to see where and when I showed up. So, with so many others, I am clearly and publically proclaiming my support of the #FreePalestine movement, naming the apartheid conditions in occupied Palestine, calling for a permanent ceasefire, pleading for an end to the genocide, and offering ongoing prayer for safety, security, and flourishing for Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the both Isreal and Palestine.

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Now, before demands are made for me to denounce or affirm anything to be heard, to be clear, I believe that humans can grieve and have compassion for multiple communities, even communities that inflict pain and violence upon one another. I also do not believe that anyone has to prove or earn compassion from other human beings, and I will never rejoice at or seek the death of anyone. I have known the grief of violent death too closely to allow myself to give into postures of revenge and vengeance. And finally, no "side" is pure in tactics, personalities, or perspectives, so refuse to engage in any form of Oppression Olympics, whataboutism, or causality score-keeping.

While I do not believe the situation in Gaza and the West Bank is as complicated as some folks claim to justify their silence, I do think that the challenge to relationships within the traditionally aligned progressive community by what is happening does complicate things. No doubt some of my Jewish and Christian friends disagree with my social media postings and my showing up at protests and actions, but at the risk of those relationships (FTR stranger haters are not entitled to my time, energy, or response), at some point, as a Christian who disagrees significantly with the theological position of Christian Zionism, I think it is imported for me to show up, not only through online amplifying others, but public spaces putting my own body on the line.

It is not complicated to stand against my tax dollars being used to fund so much violence and war around the world. As so many have asked before, “Why is it that there is always money for militarism, warfare, and faux-safety measures, but we can never seem to find enough money for healthcare, education, food security, and rehabilitation? Ugh. Again, it's not complicated.

It is not complicated for me to be in support of oppressed and marginalized peoples. After spending time in the West Bank and meeting Palestinians impacted by the settlements, restrictions of movement, and constant harassment — not complicated. And then meeting with Israeli young adults who shared their stories of being jailed for refusing their military conscription and how they never even knew the plight of their Palestinian neighbors but were now fighting for justice, again — not complicated. And lastly, as I think about how brown bodies in the United States, in my ancestral homeland of the Philipines, and around the world have been marginalized and placed in cycles of poverty with the support and collaboration of the United States government — not complicated.

So I have done my best, despite knowing that there may be professional and personal consequences, to show up. I have participated in an interfaith service, amplified voices, given money, and attended protests — and it feels like that is about all I can do.

This brings me to a quick reflection on the three protests/actions that have taken place in my current hometown of San Jose. While I do lament the absence of clearly identified Christian clergy or significant representation of East Asian, Black, and White folx (unlike other protests in other Bay Area cities), I am here for it and grateful for the local Pro-Palestinian energy and diversity.

I have found the actions well-organized and coordinated, but most potent is the diversity of folks who have probably never hit the streets before. What has been happening in Gaza over the past two months and in Palestine for the past 75 years has finally pushed Grandma to pull up on the Mall and be loud. Again, here for it.

So I’m going to keep showing up when and where I can. I am going to keep resisting the urge to pretend this is not my struggle or that the struggle of the Palestinian people has no parallels to other struggles of oppressed peoples. I will contiue to lament the emotional and physical struggles of my Jewish friends. I will continue to express compassion and empathy when I can. I will continue to challenge entities that benefit and profit from non-peaceful pursuits in Israel, Palestine, and around the world. I will continue to challenge myself to keep speaking out, to keep amplifying voices for change, and to keep showing up even when it may feel risky.

People are dying, and bombs are dropping, so showing up is the least I can do.

If you want to keep up with Bay Area actions, follow hero_tent on Instagram.