Conversations

"Why are you working with Arabs?"

• Because I believe we are destined to living together in this part of the world. Because through frequent encounters we can learn about one another and dispel some of the myths surrounding this conflict.

"But they don't want to live in peace with us. They are intent on destroying us."

• How do you know?
  

"What do you mean how do I know? Don't you listen to the news? Every day they shoot missiles at southern Israel."

• That's a few people who represent some armed factions or terrorist organizations, whatever you want to call them. What about the millions of ordinary people who aren't involved in such activities?

"They all support Hamas. They are not like us. They're all fanatics. Muslim extremists."

• How do you know? have you spoken to every Palestinian in Gaza and the West Bank?
  

"No, of course I haven't but I read the newspaper and watch the news. In fact I haven't met any Palestinians for many years."

• I know that since the erection of the security wall it has been difficult for West Bank Palestinians to enter Israel and for Israelis to enter the West Bank. But what about Faradis, the Arab village down the road, Don't you meet people there?
  

"I haven't been there since October 2000. When the 2nd intifada started, people from Faradis blocked the main road with burning tyres (tires) and threw stones at passing cars. I used to do my shopping in Faradis and go to restaurants there but I don't go there anymore. I'd rather give my business to Jews."

• So, because a handful of hotheads resorted to violence nearly 8 years ago, you're boycotting the whole community?

"They're all the same. You don't understand. You have spent too many years in England sheltered from this violent reality. I bet you will change your mind soon."

• But I meet and talk to Palestinians every week. They are a diverse people with many opinions. I meet educated middle class people and poor uneducated people. They seem genuine in their desire to live and let live. Just like you. Why don't you try going out there to see for yourself? It seems to me that you have created a stereotypical Arab in your mind based on sensationalist media reports.
  

"You are naive. You don't know what they say behind your back. I know them already. I don't need your airy fairy peace meetings. I need a strong army."

Maya Bat Mitzvah

My baby Maya is 12 years old. She was born at the Whittington Hospital, London, at 3 am on a warm Friday morning. Clare was exhausted after a 10 hour labour and so the midwife handed Maya over to me and said: your wife needs to rest. The following 4 hours were the most magical I have ever experienced. I held my newborn baby in my arms and introduced her to the world she was born into. She seemed to be listening; she was looking around curiously and didn't even cry once. When I wasn't talking to her, we just sat quietly together. I was the one crying with joy. As dawn broke and the first rays of sunshine appeared, the room filled with light. Maya has been radiant with this light ever since.

Two days ago we celebrated Maya's Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish rite of passage. It's a beautiful ancient ritual which has stood the test of time. In today's bland modern world of cultural homogeneity, very few people connect with their ancestral traditions. I am proud of Maya for choosing to do this and for elegantly walking the path of her Mitzvah. She studied for six months with the wonderful Aviva and Rabbi Elisha from Ve'ahavta community in Zichron Yaakov. On the day, Maya's radiant light filled the room once again: the synagogue during her Parasha chanting and the Kibbutz dinning hall during her solo singing at the party. My baby Maya is 12 .