Sarah had this to say in an email that she sent to me in response to my last post.
Hello Dave,
I read the latest update on the Israellycool website. I was humored by the fact that you bolded the text that relates to my denial of being Pro-Israel.
Some elite zionists paid for me to visit Israel along with several other campus leaders from accross Canada. I have been recieving ‘private’ messages of scrutiny against my trip. Many anti-Israeli’s believe that my trip to Israel is somewhat of a proclamation of being a hardcore right wing zionist. I loved my trip to Israel. We met with political dignitaries and experienced Israel in a very exciting way. The trip gave so much warmth to my soul, that I decided not to give details of my encounters to the media. I admit that I really like Israel, but that doesn’t mean that I am pro-Israel. I am only Pro US and Canada, and thats it. Currently, I have very little favor towards Palestine. I also fear for my own life. Dave, do I have a right to fear for my life? My deep respect for zion and the Jewish people, in itself, would grant me a public execution in certain parts of Palestine. The mere fact that I spoke with my Jewish friends incited members of the ASC to verbally assault me is very wrong. I will not tolerate being assaulted for my friendship with people of the Jewish faith. I will not tolerate being assaulted for the fact that I believe that Israel has a right to exist. That does not imply that I am Pro-Israel, although I may slightly favor them.
Although I am not Pro-Israel, I admit that I have some Pro-Israel views, but I also believe that Palestinians should be given basic human rights. I was personally violated when I was in Israel, and was racially profiled to such an extent that I was not allowed into malls without showing my passport and had to recieve security clearance by the mall headquarters. (meanwhile my fellow Canadians wizzed through security without a second glance) I’m Canadian, born and riased, except for the summers I spend in the United States. I understand that Israel has security concerns, and I believe they should tighten security and involve measures to make sure that the Palestinians are not treated as unfairly. Perhaps I am not Pro-Israel yet, I assure you that I will never be pro-palestinian, as even they violated my rights on the temple mount.
Dave, I need more material to study from before I stand by a claim to be Pro-Israel. I love Israel, however I don’t see my passion for Israel as much as for the US and Canada, of which I affix a “pro” before the state names.
Dave, I found your comments very heartwarming, since I get assaulted for sticking up for what I believe in, or rather even to speak to my brothers and sisters of monotheism. Sometimes words can be taken out of context, or bolded out of context, however what I am writing to you right now, is what I really believe. No, I am not a pro-Israel activist. I love democracy, and I will stand by it at all times, even for Israel.
God Bless Canada, The United States, and obviously Israel!
Sarah
I immediately penned the following response.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your email. I thank you for reading my latest post not as an attack on you, but rather as a “let’s not get carried away with the story” post. As you may have noted, I ended the post by saying that you are still provide a good example to your fellow Muslims, given your obvious compassion for your fellow humans. I also acknowledged that you may be appearing less in sympathy with Israel because your fear for your life. Thank you for clarifying it for me.
Do you feel unfairly portrayed by my post, or do you see it my way? If the former, is there anything you would like me to add? I will not publish your last email or anything you write without your permission.
Sarah, I would not attack you for not being “pro-Israel”. If I didn’t have all of the facts, I would probably not be pro-Israel either! But I have been studying this conflict for a great many years and I believe Israel is in the right. (That is not that everything that Israel does is beyond reproach). Let me know if there is any information you would like to gain more insight into the conflict. And feel free to continue to visit this site. I would value your input 🙂
Best Regards,
David
Sarah has since responded.
Dave,
I support Israel, but I do not consider myself pro-Israel. Perhaps there is a fine line between the two, of which I may be naive to know the difference. To me, being Pro-Israel would be representing at UofT with a Betar approach to Israel advocacy. As for me, I represent at UofT with a Hillel approach to Israel advocacy. I indeed advocate for Israel, especially now, having returned from Israel and after realizing that I am a threat to the pro-palestinian cause.
I was very annoyed on the Islamica site, as some people were labelling Pro-Israel as having undoubted support for every action taken by Israel. After being subject to violations by Israel during my trip, obviously I cannot have undoubted support for every action taken by Israel. In fact, the Israeli’s are so disputed on different issues of how their country runs too. Sounds like democracy, I love it. Perhaps I am just cornering myself into accepting that indeed my views are very Pro-Israel, just like many other Israeli’s themselves who support thier country as much as I support them. In fact, I am slightly more of a right wing zionist than many left wing zionists. I disagree that the settlements should be taken down. It would cost Billions to move Efrat! Can such beauty and homeliness be replaced?
I have written this email carefully, so that if you wish, you may post it on Israellycool (as with the previous one, as it depicts my true self). I’m surprisingly easygoing, and my objective in life is to maximize the amount of fun. At the present moment, my best stand up comedy is when I’m on the golf course, ah the opportunity for humor.
As for my rash comment that some journalists are blood sucking liars. Yes, I believe that some journalists at the Canadian Jewish News are very much ready to lie and make up thier own quotes and change letters to the editors entirely without approval. As for the Jerusalem Post, I actually enjoy reading my article, and Micheal Freund was quite classy in his approach to the exclusive.
Cheers and be well!
Sarah
Wow! I think that these emails give us more of an insight into Sarah than the Jerusalem Post article, or the Islamica site. Clearly, Sarah is someone who is trying to develop a more sophisticated appreciation of the conflict, rather than someone who blindly follows a given ideology.
Sarah, I know you will be reading this post. Thank you for making us Jews in Israel and around the world realize that there are intelligent, free-thinking Muslims who are courageous enough to speak out. And if you ever are threatened, I am sure there are many people, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, who will be more than willing to stand by your side.
