The Cost of our Freedom
May Newsletter 2025
Spring is in the air, and here in Israel, springtime is always connected to Pesach—Passover—at least for the Jewish majority, of which I’m a part. In fact, “The Spring Holiday” is one of the synonyms for Passover, as is “The Freedom Holiday.”
Beyond symbolizing the arrival of spring, Passover also marks the beginning of a three-week period that tells the Jewish-Israeli narrative in a nutshell:
- On Passover, once enslaved in Egypt, our people were set free. And as we read and say at the Seder—the big Passover dinner— “In every generation, there is always someone who comes to destroy us, yet God saves us from them.”
- About ten days later, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, we commemorate the six million of our people who were brutally murdered—another generation, another attempt to destroy us.
- A week after that, on Memorial Day, we remember all our fallen, from wars and hate attacks, beginning in 1948 with the establishment of the State of Israel, up until today. All those who died at the hands of those who sought to destroy us.
- And then, the next day, to wrap it all up, we celebrate the establishment of the State of Israel—our Independence Day.
Here lies the narrative: They tried to destroy us again and again, but they didn’t succeed. Now we are free and independent, and we will never let anyone destroy us again.
This narrative is a cornerstone of the Israeli education system. I often say: imagine what a different reality we might live in if, instead of ending with “we will never let anyone destroy us again,” the story concluded with “we won’t let anyone destroy anyone again.” What a difference a single word makes.
Personally, I stopped celebrating Passover some years ago. At my last Seder, we were gathered around an abundant, festive dinner table, enjoying the evening, reading the Haggadah, and discussing the holiday’s theme: going from slavery to freedom.
It felt deeply dissonant. So I said, “Are you aware that only an hour away, we are holding millions of people caged in, enslaved—the very opposite of freedom?” (On top of the ongoing occupation, Israel’s policy is to shut down all checkpoints on Jewish holidays.) The discussion got heated, and I realized I had crossed another line in my journey of understanding. I could no longer celebrate “freedom” while denying it to others. That’s not how it works. I saw it clearly: if I want freedom, I must also give freedom to those around me. That’s how it works.
Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and throughout the 19 months that followed, Israel has bombed Gaza relentlessly, causing unprecedented destruction and killing over 50,000 people (officially; unofficially, the number is much higher and continues to grow).
Public opinion among the Jewish majority in Israel has shifted to a terrible place. It’s complex, of course, and deeply tied to the extreme right-wing government—but the bottom line is this: most people in this collective believe that what Israel is doing in Gaza falls somewhere on a spectrum between “we have no choice, or they’ll kill us” to “this is our chance to get rid of them and take their land.”
One way or another, public opinion supports this ongoing, devastating aggression—labeled a “war” for PR purposes. And this is where that educational baseline kicks in, remember? “They tried to destroy us… and we will never let anyone destroy us again.”
In terms of freedom, I don’t think we could be further from it.
Of course, the people of Gaza are not free—that goes without saying. Right now, they are enduring a terrible tragedy. But what I want to suggest is that the oppressors can never truly be free either.
In a post I shared just before Passover, I wrote:
“I wish for freedom for all of us.
Freedom from the need to control and tell others how to live.
Freedom from the endless urge to take everything for ourselves, without seeing the other as equal or learning to share.
Freedom from the false, distorted sense of supremacy that destroys all good.
Freedom from being blind to the rude, murderous bullies we have become.
Freedom from shutting out all that is compassionate, tender, and humane.
I wish we would sanctify the freedom to choose life—everyone’s life.”
I believe that at least one way out of this ever-escalating conflict is to look at it differently—to adopt a new perspective. There is no point in doing the same thing over and over, only more harshly each time. It’s clear where that path leads. I think it was Albert Einstein who said that doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results is the definition of madness.
And I believe a good place to begin this change is at the very root. Instead of ending the narrative with “we will never let anyone destroy us again,” let it be: “we won’t let anyone destroy anyone again.”
If we could build on our collective tragedy—the Holocaust—and emerge as caretakers, not victimizers acting out of trauma and fear, we might set ourselves and many others free.
And then, when that collective inner shift moves from control to liberation—maybe then, I could return to the family Seder table and celebrate freedom for all.
– Ayala Shalev, Former Project Manager
Muslim Christian Young Adults Update:
A vibrant group of young Palestinian Muslims and Christians recently embarked on a four-day journey to the stunning landscapes of Wadi Rum. Throughout the trip, they engaged in honest conversations about active listening and the challenges of reconciliation. Friendships deepened quickly as participants bonded over shared stories, food, language, and culture. A scavenger hunt, organized by the core committee of young leaders, was a highlight that brought laughter and connection. Back home, the group continued their momentum with a dynamic leadership workshop, building skills in empathy, resilience, and courageous action. This generation is stepping up, with open hearts and a shared vision for change.
– Saleem Anfous, Project Manager
Palestinian and Israeli Women Update:
Our Palestinian-Israeli women’s group began its reconciliation journey in the desert of Wadi Rum under difficult circumstances. Travel was long and complicated—especially crossing borders—and the trip began on Nakba Day, a heavy and emotional moment for many. Yet in the stark beauty of the desert, something powerful began. We rode camels and jeeps, learned about Bedouin culture, and started building trust through courageous conversations. Participants listened deeply, shared moving personal stories, and began confronting the obstacles to reconciliation. Several Israeli participants named what is happening in Gaza as genocide, a recognition that helped Palestinian participants begin to build trust. Co-resistance took root, and we now look ahead to our next gathering focused on identity.
– Hiba Allati & Ella Fidan Daniel, Project Managers
Muslim Christian Women Update:
We gathered for our last follow-up meeting in the beautiful village of Battir, focusing on gender equality and co-advocacy. To make it special, we stayed at a guesthouse owned and managed by women. We also visited a local women’s organization, where they shared about the services they provide to the community. During the workshop, we explored our group’s identity, wrapped up our co-advocacy training, and connected it to the next step: community outreach and brainstorming ideas. Later, the guest house owner guided us on a tour through Battir, sharing its history, geopolitical context from pre-Nakba to today, and her story as a young Palestinian activist and entrepreneur. We visited key sites, including the 7 Widows’ Neighborhood, springs, railway, and landmarks honoring Hasan Mustafa and local farmers. As we conclude the first part of the program, there’s a shared sense of excitement and motivation. We’re eager to apply the tools we’ve gained and the skills we’ve developed to drive meaningful change in our communities.
– Hiba Allati & Aseel Rian, Project Managers
Conference Frankfurt CCDC Update
Our Organizational Development Manager represented Musalaha at the Christian Community Development Conference, “Peace in Uncertain Times,” in Frankfurt. She facilitated Christians from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, the US, Pakistan, and the DRC in identifying and challenging obstacles to reconciliation in their own contexts, using Musalaha’s Curriculum of Reconciliation. While addressing settler colonialism, oppression, historic guilt, truth, and accountability, attendees learned about the role of reconciliation as decolonization in transitional justice, rejecting Western complicity in genocide.
– M.M.A.G.
Artistic Recommendation:
Farha
2021 | Historical Drama | 1h 32m
In commemoration of 77 years since the Nakba, marked on May 15, 2025, we present the film Farha.
Farha is by Darin J. Sallam and tells the story of a 14-year-old Palestinian girl whose life is shattered during the Nakba—the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948. Locked in a pantry by her father to keep her safe, Farha witnesses a horrific massacre that symbolizes the broader violence of that era.
Based on a true story, the film was produced in Jordan and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. It gained international attention after its release on Netflix in December 2022.
While Farha received critical acclaim and multiple festival awards, it also sparked controversy, especially from Israeli officials who accused it of spreading misinformation. Despite the backlash, the film has been praised for shedding light on a chapter of Palestinian history rarely depicted on screen.
Please join us in praying for:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to violence, the safe release of hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid.
- Continued growth of friendships within the young adult group, and for the success of the Children’s Summer Camp they are planning in Bethlehem.
- The upcoming first workshop of the Israeli-Palestinian women’s group next month—may bonds deepen and resilience strengthen.
- Our women’s group who recently traveled to Battir—as they move into the next stage of brainstorming and community outreach, may they be guided with wisdom, unity, and boldness to create meaningful impact.
- Attendees of the Christian Community Development Conference—may they reflect on what they learned and bring justice and reconciliation to their communities.
- Liberation for all