Susya: Why We Must Stop Annexation
by Ayala Emmett
with photos by Gili Getz

The protests that flooded the US after the murder of George Floyd by the police have spread anguished cries for justice in this country and around the world. In the following account I describe my visit to Susya, a Palestinian village that is a cry for justice similar to what we have recently witnessed. The local demand for human rights in Susya or Minnesota is universal.  Following the protests in America, it is easier to see that the village of Susya reveals ominous implications for Netanyahu’s Trump-supported plot of annexation. read more

On June 3, more than 100 organizations in the mainstream of the American Jewish community issued a statement in the wake of the murder of George Floyd declaring outrage, calling on the government and law enforcement agencies to make change, and pledging to stand with the black community to bring about that change.

It’s a start, but it’s not enough. In fact, it reads more like one of the myriad corporate statements suddenly being issued rather than a statement representing a faith rooted in principles of justice and teshuvah. read more

“Do not murder” (Ex 20:13). It is one of the ten. “Don’t stand idly by when your neighbors blood is shed “(Lit 19:16) “Do not hate your neighbor in your heart (Lev. 19:17). Actually you must “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev.18:18). “He who takes one life, it is as though he has destroyed the universe” (Sanhedrin 4:5). Whoever can prevent his household from sinning but does not, is responsible for the sins of his household; if he can prevent the people of his city from sinning and does not, he is responsible for the sins of his city; if he can stop the whole world from sinning and does not, he is held responsible for the sins of the whole world (Shabbat 54b). Pretty heavy order. Not only do I have to desist from murder and hate. I must love and it is totally possible that I will be accountable for the sins of my household, my city and the entire world. read more

God has told you what is good,
And what God requires of you
Only to do justice
And to love kindness
And to walk modestly with your God (Micah 6:8)

On Monday June 1, as a peaceful group gathered near the White House to protest the murder of George Floyd, Trump chose to show domination. Earlier that day he had given governors a lesson in despotic rhetoric, “You have to dominate or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks, you have to arrest and try people. You don’t have to be too careful. It’s a movement, if you don’t put it down it will get worse and worse.” While American cities have been filled with cries of anguish and calls for justice, Trump rebuked the governors, “The only time it’s successful is when you’re weak and most of you are weak.” read more