Who exactly are you for?

Two days ago Berlin joined the endless list of cities that were attacked by a terrorist in one of the most popular events these days, Christmas markets. Many were injured, 12 died. 12 innocent people that just wanted to enjoy a night out. 

As an Israeli I’m, unfortunately, familiar with these kind of terror attacks in shopping malls, open markets, cafes and buses. All of this in the name of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, today many people in Europe think that terrorism is a Muslim problem, I beg the differ.

In the 5 months that I’m here I met People from Lebanon Iraq and Syria and heard terrifying stories before coming to Germany. People that were in life threatening situations so many times, that lost everything they had, a house, a career  I even heard a story about someone that saw he’s love of his life being slathered in front of his eyes, right after he had his leg burnt…

That’s why If you ask me, a man who belongs to a nation that went through the horrors of the holocaust, that was raised on stories of what the Natzies did to the Jewish people and only now heard about horrific stories about what the Natzies did to their own people, Germans like them. A man who watches today what is happening to the Syrian people, 71 years after the holocaust ended, I refuse to let my self go so easily with thinking that this religion is good and the other one is bad. This country is Satan and the other is an angel. 

This division we are doing is good for kids and kids stories. But when you grow up and meet the real world you should understand better.

Understand that evil, at the end goes against everyone, regardless the nationality, the ethnicity or the color of the skin. Simply because that is the only thing evil knows how to do.

That once you let fear go inside your heart, it will be followed by rage, and once it entered, soon hate will join the two and will be settled down in your heart.

The next that will happen is allowing evil to go after everyone who isn’t you. Simply because you are too afraid already.

It’s the German pastor Martin Niemöller that wrote in 1946, after world war 2, the following poem:

„First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me”

I refuse to let fear and hate crawl into my heart and take me. So I do fill my heart with simple joys of life everyday.

That’s why me and my friends went again to Christmas market, only two days after the attack in Roten Rathaus.

This time after a cup of gluehwein, which you have to try and a warm heart, we got into the open freezing air for some ice skating dancing. It was so much fun!!!

Cause you see, when you come down to us people yhe fight is pretty simple. One more laugh, one more dance, one more loving word to one another is the best shield against hatred and the best victory over those who are seeking death, is fighting for life.

And life always always wins.

Weihnachtsmarkt Am Roten Rathaus