Touring the ‘West Bank’ with Machsom’s Watch

By Uri Pilichowski, published in The Times of Israel:

Over the summer, tour groups come to our house in Mitzpe Yericho to meet “real settlers” and hear about life in Judea and Samaria — what the world calls the West Bank. Looking at our glorious view of Jericho, the Jordan Valley and the Jordanian mountains, I talk about the religious, legal and national right of the Israeli people have to live in this small strip.

During the Q & A part of one group’s visit, I was asked if I have empathy for Palestinian suffering. I answered that of course I had empathy for their suffering — Jews wish suffering on no one. I expressed my hope that one day there would be peace between our people and all suffering would stop.

Inspired by that interaction and many more left wing friends’ challenges to see things from the Palestinian perspective, I joined an uber­left wing organization, “Machsom Watch” to take a tour around the West Bank and see the “occupation caused” suffering of the Palestinians. The goal, as our guide quoted President Obama’s charge to Israeli University students, was to “Put yourself in the [Palestinian’s] shoes. Look at the world through their eyes.” Read more »