In August 2024 I flew to Israel into the war-zone, which started on October 7th, 2023 with the massacre at the Nova music festival next to the Gaza Strip. Unlike the shock response that almost all Israelis and the world experienced, I understood the frustration of the Palestinians in Gaza who have been occupied by Israel since 1967.
In fact, putting October 7th, 2023 in HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF OCCUPATION, I personally, felt partly responsible and guilty for the massacre. In my mind’s eye, the Hamas soldiers who committed the atrocities of the Oct. 7th massacre, were the children of the Palestinians whom I myself killed when I served in Gaza as an officer/paratrooper in the Israeli army (IDF) in 1970. The same guilt and moral reasons compelled me to leave Israel in 1979.
In this last visit, I was driven to toss a paper airplane with an apology (in Arabic) over the fence into Gaza, asking for forgiveness for what I did back in 1970. My idea of an apology airplane outraged many Jewish-Israelis, in fact, it has totally alienated me from most of my family and friends in Israel. My Palestinian guides and colleagues were emotionally moved with my unusual gesture and gave me enormous heartfelt support and appreciation.
Upon my return to the US, where I have received more support, I continue to fear that Oct. 7th will repeat itself in the West Bank.
Generations of pain
Transmitted in vain
Violence begetting violence
Time and again
All I can say is: Sorry
For my part
In this atrocious chain