A Child is a Child is a Child

 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil

1 Peter 3:9-12 NRSVue

Most of us are not on picket lines nor taking part in encampments to protest the miserable war in Gaza. As reasonable people we decry anti-semitism and realize that Israel has the right to defend itself. We also mourn the deaths of thousands, including children who have no political allegiance, no real sense of statehood. It's likely that we are weary and confused and dispirited by what has transpired during these past seven months. I came upon this tweet yesterday and it sums up my outlook succinctly. Thank you Amir Dar, whoever you are and wherever you many be. 

  Terror is always wrong.

Revenge is not a strategy.

A child is a child is a child.

Release all hostages now.

Let the aid flow.

Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians are leaving.

Without hope for a shared future, this does not end. Amir Dar