Joshua Mitnick’s article, “Nakba Ceremonies Highlight Continued Rifts” (May 20), unfortunately tells only one side of the story. In fact, some Israelis and Palestinians are choosing to come together around Israel’s Independence Day at events that acknowledge their shared history. The article described a commemoration of the Nakba attended by only 150 people.
This year’s Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony, sponsored by the Combatants for Peace Movement in cooperation with the Parents Circle – Bereaved Families Forum, was attended by thousands. The ceremony has been taking place for 11 years, and it is evidence that acknowledging the pain on both sides is a step toward building a shared future.
To fully understand what is going on in Israel, readers of The Jewish Week need to hear a lot more about these kinds of courageous efforts to bridge the gaps in Israeli society and pave a path towards peace.
Manhattan
