When news broke last month that Rep. Ilhan Omar was planning a trip to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank with some of her congressional colleagues, I felt a subtle sense of hope. I disagree with many of Omar’s comments on the conflicts, but, given her rapid change in viewpoint after winning her election, I hope that she’ll come to the region with an open mind and an open heart. And having myself visited Israel on numerous occasions – visits that were deeply meaningful to me and helped me shape my view of regional politics – I believe the right itinerary could make a real difference. I’m no travel agent, but I wrestle daily with a complicated view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and, with that in mind, sat down to imagine the trip I would arrange for Omar and her friends.
Tzfat is a good place to start and get rooted. The town has a deep history of Jewish mysticism, religious study, and art. Local legend claims the city was created by Noah after the flood. Yes, that Noah. It has ancient Jewish roots, including mentions in the Jerusalem Talmud and the writings of Jewish historian of Roman times Josephus, as well as a vibrant modern Jewish culture of mystical study and art. I hope Omar will stop by Abraham Loewenthal’s studio and chat with him about mystic art; I have one of his pieces in my kitchen.I hope she walks the ancient streets, exploring its beautiful unique synagogues. Abuhav Synagogue, built by Rabbi Abuhav and his disciples after they were expelled from Spain in 1492, is a favorite of mine. Another is the Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue, built in 1570. In 1948 a piece of shrapnel flew through the synagogue while congregants were praying, and, miraculously, no one was injured. People still write notes to God and slip them in the the hole the shrapnel left behind. I have left my own prayers there.
Why should Omar spend a day touching ancient stones and chatting with hippie mystic artists? Because some of her fellow progressives are likely to tell her that nothing about Israel is authentically Jewish, that it is all a modern construction, a colonialist, white supremacist enterprise. I am hoping after a day in Tzfat she will vocally disagree. Tzfat was the home of PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas before his family fled in 1948, and the home of Rabbi Abuhav who took refuge there in 1492. Roots tangle, especially in the Holy Land.
Now that Omar has rooted herself in history, I think she should visit those who best understand what’s at stake, because they have lost the most: the parents who lost a child to the conflict. Parents Circle-Families Forum is a grassroots organization of Palestinians and Israelis who have lost an immediate family member in the conflict. In 2007, I met with Aaron, a father from PCFF who told me lovingly and achingly about his son Noam, who was killed in the Second Lebanon War. His hands never stopped shaking, rolling and unrolling a piece of paper as he recalled hearing the news of his beloved son’s death and how he felt called to push for peace, reconciliation, and dialogue. PCFF brings families together to share their grief, and their hopes that by sharing grief they can create a path to reconciliation and peace. They have offices in both Ramat Efal and Beit Jala you can visit, where members engage in dialogue circles. Additionally, PCFF runs a summer camp for bereaved youth and a hotline that allows Israelis and Palestinians to talk for free and make new connections. It has had over a million callers. PCFF is both heartbreaking and inspirational, and it’s the kind of project that needs more support. In this era of American activists creating “anti-normalization” clauses and refusing dialogue and debate, PCFF stands in stark contrast to Western bombast. It is a model that is both heartbroken and hopeful for peace, deeply committed to recognizing the pain of all its members.
The people of Sderot have been hit with thousands of rockets over the past decade,
Another space that will help Omar understand the stakes of the conflict is Sderot. The people of Sderot have been hit with thousands of rockets over the past decade, including this past May, when over 450 rockets attacked Southern Israel from Gaza. One landed right outside a kindergarten in Sderot. Forty percent of children in Sderot suffer from PTSD and anxiety due to the trauma of rocket attacks, which is far higher than the national average of 7% to 10%. The Israeli Education Ministry’s psychological service is now training teachers to help them better support children who are traumatized by the conflict. In 2009, the Jewish National Fund donated an indoor playground that doubles as a bomb shelter, so that the children of Sderot can play without risking being too far from a bomb shelter. When a Code Red alert sounds, residents have only 15 seconds to reach a bomb shelter. There are over 200 throughout the city. Rep. Omar and members of her “squad” have proposed cutting U.S. military aid to Israel. I think when she is in the region, she should meet with the families in Southern Israel that would bear the brunt of that cut.
While examining investments in keeping the people of Sderot safe, both in terms of bomb shelters and the Iron Dome, it is important to contrast the average citizen of Sderot with the average citizen of Gaza, who does not have access to a bomb shelters. It seems the Hamas government is unwilling to invest in civilian bomb shelter, preferring instead to invest in underground smuggling tunnels that further the effort to bomb the citizens of Sderot. If Rep. Omar and her colleagues get a chance, they should question the Gazan government’s priorities.
More than any one specific tour stop, I hope Rep. Omar integrates into her itinerary a search for duality. Sometimes we must hold two difficult, even seemingly contradicting truths in our mind at the same time, especially as people of faith. When she visits a West Bank checkpoint, as I hope she will, and confronts the cruelty of the occupation and the hardship it causes, I hope Omar will also talk to the Israeli soldiers on duty. If she does, she’ll see that they are often very young, just out of high school, and very frightened by the burden of responsibility for security placed on their shoulders. I hope she speaks to Palestinians who lost everything in 1948 and became refugees, just like her, and I also hope she speaks to Jewish refugees from Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Ethiopia, and the former USSR, who found a home in Israel when they were in desperate circumstances. If the congresswoman chooses to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, I hope she also goes to the Kotel. When I touched the stones of the Kotel for the first time, I laid my head on it and wept, because God felt so close and yet so far away. It is the same way for peace in the region, it seems both within our grasp and devastatingly far away.
(21) Paula, August 8, 2019 2:37 AM
Dream on!
Wishful thinking on your part. She will never change. I wouldn't even give her the time of day.
(20) MESA, August 5, 2019 1:43 PM
I just hope that the Israelis show her the best of what Eretz Yisrael has to offer and that they don't give her any actual evidence to back up her Jew-hating viewpoints. Will this visit change her? Only if she's open to that. But if they kill her with kindness, at least they tried and did the right thing even if she refuses to see it.
Anonymous, August 5, 2019 2:26 PM
Maybe I am Missing Something
I am under the impression this visit is to show the Palestinian point of view. I understand they will be visiting the village in Area C of Rashida Tlaib's grandmother. This trip is to offer a different perspective than the usual AIPAC tours that showcase the best from a Jewish Israeli point of view. I understand it is for the purpose of showing life under occupation, the checkpoints, separation barriers and roads for Palestinians only, difficulty in movement. They want to bring those voices, missing until now, to Congress, of midnight raids, tear gas, *their* pain. This is not a trip to "educate" Tlaib or Omar, but for them to educate Congress on the lived experience of the Palestinians suffering day to day with Israeli policies. It is not antisemitic to voice legitimate policy concerns.
MESA, August 5, 2019 2:41 PM
If the purpose is to gather information about policy concerns, then they should be sending someone who can be objective. They should not be sending an outspoken Jew-hater.
Anonymous, August 5, 2019 7:07 PM
It is to shed light on Palestinian stories of life under occupation
That is the point - only Jewish Israeli hasbara has been considered in Congress. It has controlled the narrative. This is supposed to bring balance.
I am concerned too, it shakes me to the core the things now said about Israel, and antisemitism is rising.
Dvirah, August 9, 2019 10:14 AM
False Views
All the Pal. need to do to end "occupation" is to agree that Jews have a right to live and Israel has a right to exist. Details about borders, etc. can be worked out and judging by past offers Israel is likely to be flexible on most points. I cannot sympathize with people who create their own difficulties, exploit those difficulties for monetary gain, & generally act like spoiled toddlers while terrorising (killing, maiming) noncombatants. That is the true "Pal. story".
(19) Anonymous, August 5, 2019 4:51 AM
Dreaming
As an American, I'm ashamed that this hateful person made it into our Congress! Her and her Jew hating colleagues are a disgrace to this country! I can assure all of you they are a very small minority! I think the biggest problem with trying to change her mind about anything is the fact that the God she worships IS NOT the same God that Jews and Christians worship! Her religion teaches hate towards Jews and Christians at an early age! I do believe we can pray for them and hope our God can do a work in her heart!
Anonymous, August 5, 2019 7:13 AM
Very Upsetting
There is a teen, Janna Jihad Tamimi touring the U.S. right now, to packed houses. She met with several Congressmen including interviews with Betty McCollum and Rashida Tlaib. Betty McCollum has a bill in Congress to limit funding to Israel with regard to child arrests. Janna is compelling and inspiring and sentiments are changing. The Palestinian movement of ending their perception of apartheid and occupation is not going away. It is frightening with the rise of antisemitism.
Lastly, it is the same G-d. G-d is One. There is no debate about this.
(18) Anonymous, August 5, 2019 3:46 AM
Check this out.
I heard Sara Rigler mention an article in Ami Magazine that referred to the following from Zionist Organization of America: Ayaan Hirsi Ali Exposes Islamic Antisemitism in Wall Street Journal Article. That was written 7/12/19. Ms. Hirsi Ali is a research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and was born a Somali and raised as an anti-Semite and has a compelling story of overcoming it all. Maybe she could help Ms. Omar see the light. But short of that miracle and more importantly, maybe we Jews, especially during this sober season in our history, should take Ms. Rigler's recommendation to love and act lovingly to our families and fellow Jews such that Hashem will respond with His miracle of bringing the redemption!
(17) Yehudit Menucha, August 5, 2019 1:56 AM
Nothing but a terrorist
She is nothing but a terrorist. I hope P.M. Netanyahu denies her entry.
(16) Carl Goldberg, August 4, 2019 10:14 PM
Cgange Omar's heart and mind??????????
As long as Omar remains a Moslem, there is no way to change her heart and mind because her heart and mind are dedicated to Allah, the Koran and Muhammad. What you are secretly hoping for is that Omar renounce Islam. Good luck with that!
(15) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 9:57 PM
Is different itinerary for her
I wouldn't take her to the places your are suggesting. I would take her straight to the hospital in Jerusalem, where the patients in the room next door are all Arab, the cleaning people are Arab, the young man who takes my blood pressure is Arab, many of the nurses are Arab, two out of six resident interns are Arab, and yesterday a specialist in infectious diseases came to check on me. He was an Arab from Hebron (he barely spoke Hebrew). And this they call apartheid?
(14) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 8:23 PM
Are you kidding??
While I appreciate your sentiment and hope, hatred of Jews and Israel has been indoctrinated into the heart of Ilhan Omar and every other Somali while at their mother's breasts. They have no desire but to destroy Israel and the entire Jewish nation. Ilhan Omar wants is dead. I personally pray that Binyamin Netanyahu denies entry to her and her evil, anti-Semitic cohorts. Her goal is to rile up the hatred of her Muslim brothers and sisters. She has broken American law by marrying her brother for the sole purpose of bringing him illegally into the United States. Again while I appreciate your sentiments, I truly believe you are in complete denial.
(13) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 6:54 PM
MRS
Wishful thinking ! A scorpio doesn't change poison.
(12) {me} Renee, August 4, 2019 6:07 PM
Keep her out of Israel!
She is an anti- Semite & has been raised with this hatred! She knows of all the good Israel has done & the kindness of theJewish People but-still blatantly spews her lies! The Jewish population of the world better open up their eyes before it’s too late!!!!
(11) Lee Moses, August 4, 2019 5:16 PM
include Jews forced out of Muslim lands
This is a good article but it should make one inclusion. Omar and her group should meet with Jewish Israelis who were forced out of Arab lands, i.e. Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt etc. Also should meet with Ethiopian Jews. Although I am an Ashkenazi Jew, people like Omar should know that Israeli Jews, my brothers and sisters, are also Sephardic, Yemenite, Mizrachi, Ethiopian etc.
(10) RICHARD M HABER, August 4, 2019 5:12 PM
Mentions cruelty of occupation and hardship it causes without attribution as to who is responsible
The reason there a so called "occupation" is due to the Palestinian's repeated refusal to make peace with Israel. I think the only contribution these Members of Congress can make is to convince the Palestinians that the way to address their so called "hardships" is to recognize Israel's right to exist. But don't hold your breath. The plight of the Palestinians serves too great a political purpose for the anti-Israel constituency to ameliorate the current situation. Realistically, the presence of these particular politicians will only set the stage for more false, biased, and inflammatory anti Israel, anti-semitic speeches.
(9) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 4:47 PM
Foolish
It is foolish to think that anything will change Omar's heart. Foolish. She was born and raised a Muslim Jew -hater in a family that supported a brutal Muslim dictator. She has a growing criminal record that will hopefully land her in jail. She supports and works for CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood. No doubt, with her free access to USA gov't documents she is only going to Israel as a spy and will try to transfer gov't info to the enemy which will ultimately land in Iran. Our only hope is that Israel is smart and savvy enough to catch her and Tlaib in the act. Don't fool yourself.
(8) Leon Stein, August 4, 2019 3:41 PM
Nothing to expect as she never apologized for her comment on 9-11:” some people did something “. And even she would, it will not be sincere. Same as here friends.
(7) d, August 4, 2019 3:12 PM
we should not bother with this anti semite losser I believe she is so stupide she don't know any thing about politicos that she making those statements in order to get attention shes nothing but a looser but what surprise me is those so called decorates defending because of the color of their skin its a shameful thing for humanity
(6) David M. Cohen, August 4, 2019 3:06 PM
She already has
"Because some of her fellow progressives are likely to tell her that nothing about Israel is authentically Jewish, that it is all a modern construction, a colonialist, white supremacist enterprise. I am hoping after a day in Tzfat she will vocally disagree." She already has: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ilhan-omar-we-must-apply-our-universal-values-to-all-nations-only-then-will-we-achieve-peace/2019/03/17/0e2d66fc-4757-11e9-aaf8-4512a6fe3439_story.html "The founding of Israel 70 years ago was built on the Jewish people’s connection to their historical homeland"
(5) maria, August 4, 2019 3:04 PM
no Omar in Israel
I think it is completely wrong to invite two neo-nazis muslim women to Israel.
They will never change like amin al Hussaini never changed and Hitler, Goebbels Borman and the other nazis never changed.
They arecriminals and racists
(4) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 3:01 PM
Omar
Omar should get the underground version of the tour let her see what it is like having hundreds of rockets thrown into your backyard on daily basis. Many christians and Jews are fed up with her anti semitic rhetoric and hatred. People complain about president Trump but this woman is far worse and extremely dangerous so are her colleagues. There is a christian organization called PJTN led by Laurie Cardoza Moore who is amazing. She is a true supporter of Israel. PJTN stands for Proclaiming justice to the nations. We need more organizations like PJTN and less of the hatred and bigotry displayed by Omar. Omar is suppose to set an example of the correct way of doing things. Instead she is using her position to spread hate.
(3) Anonymous, August 4, 2019 2:38 PM
You see what you want to see
I believe Rep. Omar’s trip is just political. I do not believe she will change any of her beliefs, regardless what she sees.
(2) Cheryl G., August 4, 2019 2:09 PM
Omar escort
I think she should be escorted all over my personnel with either the first or last name of Benjamin. Whatwver she sees, she will twist it to her own narrative so might as well give her something to chew on.
(1) Yoni, August 4, 2019 1:11 PM
Ilhan Omar is an avowed committed anti semite. Trying to rehabilitate her is like trying to rehabilitate a Nazi. My feeling is if she’d visit Sederot, she would gloat and revel in the misery of Jewish children. Perhaps she would try to scout out a better angle for rockets to be shot.
The best way to deal with a cruel evil enemy is not to try to engage with them, rather to call them out for who they are.
Shelly, August 4, 2019 2:46 PM
TRUE
Thank you, Yoni. I agree whole heartedly with you. Omar is a rabid anti Semite who wants nothing more than to see Israel and the Jewish people “disappear”. She will never change her thinking. This is a publicity stunt.
Nancy, August 5, 2019 11:14 AM
To commenter #1 Yoni
I agree with everything you say about Omar. She is also a complete sociopath. However, by allowing her to visit Israel we are "killing her with kindness." When you smile without mirth at your enemies, you can REALLY throw them off balance!