In the News, from Israel

We are a privileged generation: we live at a time when there is a free and democratic Jewish state. The words of hatikvah articulate the simple truth -- a two thousand year old hope of Jewish autonomy has been realized. For many, and certainly for most Jewish generations, the dream of a state was intimately connected to the possibility of fully living a life of Torah; for many Zionist thinkers, the possibility of statehood was a dream of no longer being victim but instead of being creators of a just society of a free people. The wrongs which had been perpetrated against us would now be righted. With privilege comes responsibility.

Israel is in the full throes of spring and planting season has started. One of the most significant activities with which Rabbis for Human Rights-Israel has been involved has been acting as human shields as Palestinians go out to plant their fields. Each year, settlers harass these farmers and frequently the military does not intervene.