When I was a child, in the early 2000s, I was brought to a presentation by "an expert" on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict held at the Catholic Church I was practically raised in -- a house where I was taught I was loved.
I don't remember a lot of that night, but I very vividly remember hearing that at that time, leaders in the region were praying for the world to end, because that was apparently less effort than genuinely working for peace and justice.
So when the Q&A started I offered my question. "Why do they want the world to end? There are many people who want to keep living.
"I'm one of them."
The adults in the room chuckled at my precociousness.
I don't remember the answer.
I remember terror, for weeks.
I remember absolute fear that I wasn't going to grow up to enjoy my life because I was afraid God would grant the Israelis their wish.
That was at least twenty years ago. I have grown up, found myself, enjoyed life and its wonders, and have my own children that I treasure beyond my own quality of life.
In that time, peace and justice have not been restored to Palestine.
And in the last few years, and in the last few weeks, and in the last few days, it has been made blisteringly clear that "the adults in the room" still think annihilation is preferable to peace and justice.
It is time to take them from their seats at the table.
Because I didn't deserve that fear. My children do not. And neither do the innocents that have suffered since Israel's violent self-creation, paid for by American debt.
I choose to live in peace and justice.
If you do not, then die by the sword you live by.
