An Armenian restaurant in the Christian Quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem was vandalized on January 26th by a group of young, religious, male Israelis with kippot and tzitzit. It is a Chillul HaShem, a desecration of God’s name
The video footage shows an altercation between the young men and defenders of the property. Reports indicate that diners were enjoying their food and the evening when the attack commenced.
We, diaspora Jewry, cannot be at peace with these Price Tag acts of violent vengeance. We cannot choose blissful ignorance. We can neither despair nor condone. There is no neutral position. We must respond. We cannot excuse ourselves with claims that we can’t tell Israelis what to do. If we love the Jewish state, we must insist that it pursue both Jewish and humanitarian values.
Tag Meir, an organization started in Israel in 2011 by Gadi Gvaryahu, is a direct response to these racist acts. Gadi, as he has done many times over the past eleven years, organized a solidarity visit to the restaurant owner and staff. He tries to do this for every act of terror, no matter who the perpetrator and who the victim. This time, he posted on Facebook, “Join us to visit the Armenian restaurant ‘Taboon’ near the New Gate in the old city, which was attacked by Jewish racists and suffered serious damage to its property and livelihood.” As you can see in the picture above, a group of his reliable “first responders” showed up!
The organizing principle of Tag Meir is a quote from Psalm 34 verse 15. “Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.” Our choice between Tag Meir (Light Tag) and Tag Mechir (Price Tag) may seem artificially stark and diametrical. It is made so, however, by the direction of the current government in Israel that claims, (as stated by member of Knesset Itamar Ben Gvir) “This is our house. We are the landlord here.” Sovereignty brings responsibility. Instead, the government is now explicitly condoning this mentality of we are in power and you don’t belong here.
My son answered Gadi’s call and traveled from Yeruham in the south to Jerusalem to show solidarity. (He is the young man standing on the right side of the picture. The owner is seated second to the left, and Gadi is standing on the left.) We, too, must answer the call. Demand better from the government of Israel. Support Israeli organizations that seek peace and pursue it!
Naomi Schlagman is a supporter of Tag Meir and tries to get involved with their activities when she is in Israel. She also hopes and prays that the need for Tag Meir will end quickly and in our days. Amen.