There are a lot of things to say. I won't say most of them. I've met Rachel's parents, Craig and Cindy. They are incredibly passionate and dedicated people, who have seen justice denied again and again in the case of their daughter. They are also deeply compassionate. Here are some words that they have to say:
There are a lot of things to say. Rachel was killed by a Caterpillar bulldozer, a D-9 militarized monstrosity, that was sold to Israel through a U.S. military aid package. Rachel was killed by US-made hardware provided by U.S. aid.
There are a lot of things to say. We noticed Rachel's death, in 2003. We can name her. Can we name the thousands of Palestinians killed since Oslo? Do we notice her death because she is American and blond and pretty and well-spoken? I say this with only the deepest respect for her and her family. I think she--and I know her family--would ask the same questions.
There are a lot of things to say. But one thing to say is this: we can't give up on justice. Despite the deaths, the seemingly insurmountable legislative challenges, the growing settlements, the Wall, and on and on and on,
we can't give up. Even though I want to. I so badly want to. And there are days and days and days that I do. Give up, that is.
But there are so many people like Rachel and, even more importantly, the Palestinians and Israelis that she worked with. Patient widows, wearing down injustice.
So we can't give up. We need to hold Caterpillar accountable for their weaponized bulldozer sales. We need to end U.S. military aid to Israel. We need to boycott, divest, and sanction.
So the other day, I sent an email to figure out who to talk to about how Wesley invests our money. It's a tiny little step. Insignificant. But it's not giving up.
This Lent, I'm not giving up on justice.
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