June 2023
By Jerry Chapman – P2G Co-Chair
In the second week of June, ten JFMD Partnership2Gether Committee members and staff left for Israel to meet with our Israeli committee members. Nearly 30 years of Partnership2Gether has created hundreds if not thousands of connections and relationships. This visit to Israel was no different.
The strength of these connections continues to bring our two communities together. However, this visit started off a bit different than our previous trips to Israel. This time, we decided to spend a weekend “Shabbaton” together for an opportunity to really get to know each other on a deeper, more personal level. The plan worked; our bonds are stronger than ever. However, for me, there was one night that I was able to spend an evening with a few hundred thousand Israelis in the middle of Tel Aviv protesting the current actions/policies of the Israeli Government.
This experience was very different than what I expected. I left dinner in a rush and walked to the focal point of the demonstration to view this gathering for myself. I had heard about the demonstrations from the US news and my Israeli friends, so I wanted to see it first-hand. Once I made it to the middle of the protest, the feeling of unity and solidarity by the protesters was incredibly palatable. After 23 previous demonstrations, the 24th protest was very well organized. Everyone knew what to expect in terms of the speeches, content, and timing. It was easy to see a sense of empowerment and purpose watching the demonstrators actively standing up for a cause they believe in. I could perceive that the protestors feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves and that they are making a difference.
Although the sheer magnitude of the protest made me feel a bit uncomfortable, at no point did I feel unsafe. I simply watched thousands of Israelis let the “opposition” know how they felt, walking out on the streets, chanting together, not just hoping someone else would create change. One thing for sure, it does not matter how you feel about the different sides of the issues, there is a huge segment of Israeli people looking for change. It is amazing to see the protests continue to grow even after 6 months. Change is in the air.