Krystal VanBennekomI haven’t been explicitly told that supporting Israel prevents me from supporting Palestinians but it has been assumed of me. Because of my very pro-Israel both the people and the nation stance I have engaged in many conversations where it was assumed I was not supportive of Palestinians. This is very much not what or how I believe. Each time I have been faced with this I always draw whoever I am in conversation with back to the idea and fact that this conflict and my support of Israel isn’t black and white. That I have just as much a desire for the Palestinians to be free and cared for well in a land that embraces them as I do for Israel and all people. But that desire for Palestinians and the deep care I feel towards their suffering does not eliminate the need for Israel to have the land that belongs to them and for them to call theirs. I always approach the conversation with a willingness to hear the other side of the story, to understand their point of view, and to express that I don’t see it as a simple solution or a yes or no answer. If things were simple there would be no conflicts, but I stand in the fact that I can have a heart, desire, and take action to support Israel well still loving on and desiring peace and protection for all Palestinians.
