The Separation Wall

The separation wall is yet another thing that I never thought I would be able to see in my life.  I will confess that I did not know much about the logistics of the separation wall before coming to Israel. The separation wall is a huge concrete wall that geographically separates Israel from Palestinian areas. However I have come to learn since being here that it does so much more than just that.  My first vivid account with it was when I saw three men climb the wall, drop a rope and duffle bag before they proceeded to climb down the rope themselves.  This encounter had a stirring effect. This is when it really hit me that this wall is a real thing, that has real effects, in real people’s lives. It is not just some abstract phenomenon people talk about.

  I learned that people will hop the wall to find work on the other side.  This wall does more then to just separate the land, but it separates people from certain schools, hospitals, and opportunities. The way I saw those men hop the wall, I realized they had it down like an art. This showed me that this was not the first time they had done it.  This thought process also happens when I go through the various check points Israel has.

I know that in the world people have agency and that certain decisions and actions people or groups make can have lasting effects. I also know that people want things that contradict each other. But it makes me sad that although we have so much in common, we as a human race still cannot get along. We kill, hate, suppress, and destroy others. But the common question keeps coming to my head. WHY? Why must we put down others? I know that problems like the separation wall, wars, and other detrimental things can be complicated. Yet, if you think about it, these problems could all be solved if we merely just loved. What if we could just see the other person’s side and put ourselves in their shoes?

 If this experience has taught me one thing, it is to love. I feel that love can heal all wounds. We as human beings are such wonderful creations. It is a shame not to appreciate, cherish, and love all of God’s creations!