The kindergarten put on a play today that was set in 1948. The first few minutes were children playing the Jewish people pleading for a country to live in, a flag to call their own, and all of the other chachkis that come with nationhood. Scene 2 was at the United Nations, where many of the kids represented different nations. What upset me the most was the obvious inclusions and exclusions of the play. The kids only showed Arab countries saying “no” to the question, “Do you want the Jewish people to have a place to live?” While the only two representations of abstentions came from other South American countries. The “Yes” votes where from the US, European countries, and fare Ecuador.
It ended with one of my favorite students playing Ben Gurrion and showing all of the new things the Jewish people have: a new flag, money, etc. It made me sad a little, because I consider Gurrion’s Plan D one of the most atrocious policy matters the Palestinians have suffered through. I have said nothing this week, as it would make little difference. My quiet protest has been to refer to today as the anniversary of Israel rather than the independence, because the Israeli people were not liberated 60 years ago. They were created.
I would not say the faculty of the school are rabid supporters of Israel’s more extreme policies, but the administration tows the line. Sometimes it almost seems as though Zionism is something they are proud of, something I will never understand. I am not sure, but today is a weird day.