What gave you a different perspective from the narrative you mentioned, of this being a land without people? | Just Vision Skip to main content

What gave you a different perspective from the narrative you mentioned, of this being a land without people?

I experienced a crisis after the Yom Kippur War.
I was a soldier at the time and we were entering the names of all the soldiers who were killed, missing in action and injured into the computer. Friends of mine were killed and all in the name of this concept of "There's nobody to talk to." I think that was the beginning of the disillusionment. I said, "I can't believe there is nobody to talk to. Yes, this is a conflict but still, it can't be true that there's no one to talk to on the other side." Rabbi Nava Hefetz 14 Political Peace Processes / Political Leadership Violence Personal Transformation

What gave you a different perspective from the narrative you mentioned, of this being a land without people?

It was a long process. I experienced a crisis after the Yom Kippur War. I was a soldier at the time and we were entering the names of all the soldiers who were killed, missing in action and injured into the computer. Friends of mine were killed and all in the name of this concept of "There's nobody to talk to." I think that was the beginning of the disillusionment. I said, "I can't believe there is nobody to talk to. Yes, this is a conflict but still, it can't be true that there's no one to talk to on the other side." Now we know that, indeed, successive Israeli governments refused to talk to the other side, even when it was possible, and they rejected any proposal that came up out of hand. It's still true today with regards to the Saudi Initiative. I have no doubt that on the other side they aren't exactly lovers of Israel. But that can't be helped. I may be naïve, but I believe if you don't give up and you invest a quarter, a sixth, an eighth of what you invest in preparing for war in talking to the other side, something good will come out of it.