ROBERT LYONS IIIThinking about past experiences, I don’t believe that I have ever been exclusively told that supporting Israel prevents me from supporting Palestinians. I know in post discussions, I am told from Palestinians that “supporting Zionism is supporting racism or apartheid.” While I reject these grotesque claims, I am proud to share that I support self-determination for the Jewish people (Zionism) and self-determination for Palestinians in a peaceful manner. The Jewish scriptures make it clear that they are the true heir to claim Jerusalem. As our eyes fix on a spiritual and a physical Jerusalem, this course makes it clear that Jews and Arabs in this instance, but also in general both Jews and Gentiles are made in the image of God. After taking this course, I understand that peace has been the goal of the Jewish people since their declaration in 1948 and stewarding their land and political agreements have been the goal since the beginning. Supporting Israel means supporting peace, justice, and right to self-determination as supporting the Palestinian people can be that as well.
