What might have been

Posted on October 18, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

I returned to Penn State, my alma mater, for the White Out game on October 8-11. Two years ago was my first time back since 1992, but I didn’t spend any time walking the campus or downtown. I saw how much had changed but spent the weekend with friends away from campus, except for the game.

This time was different. Arriving Thursday, I went downtown to some of the college bars with a friend. I hadn’t been to any of them in more than 35 years. The names have changed, but the energy and the feelings were the same. One of the classic bars from my undergraduate days has changed names, but they kept a section of the old bar to remind alumni like me of our college years. We hung out there, listened to an amazing band, and reminisced about our college years.

On Friday, I walked around campus. The buildings have been updated, and lots of new ones have been built, yet the streets remained the same. My freshman dorm had been demolished and rebuilt in a different location—I had a hard time finding it—yet East Halls were still in the same place. The Nittany Lion Shrine was in the same spot as when I was a student. Some of the major buildings where I had class were still there, and while they were updated, they still looked the same. As I walked downtown during the daytime, the stores were different, but the streets remained the same. It didn’t take long for me to know exactly where I was and remember what was there when I was an undergrad.

A person posing next to a large stone sculpture of a lioness in a natural outdoor setting, surrounded by greenery.

The tailgating on Saturday was incredible and felt like when I was a student. The crowd was electric, and the White Out was even more fun than I expected (it is a tradition that began well after I graduated). I had the chance to reconnect with college friends, and while for some it has been decades, it still felt like yesterday.

I found myself thinking of the road I didn’t travel. Unlike most of my college friends, I moved to Florida in 1992 after finishing my Master’s. They moved to New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and DC. That choice changed my life. As I spent the weekend with my friends from college, I was reminded of what my life could have looked like had I made a different choice and not moved to Florida when I did. The way I look at the world, the hustle and bustle of the Northeast. My career would be different; I’d have a different wife, different children, and nothing would be the same as it is today. Would it be better? I don’t think so, but it would be very different.

As I fly to Israel today, I find myself thinking about the alternate roads that could have been taken since 1948. What would it look like if the Arab states had accepted the partition plan? What would it look like if Yasser Arafat had taken any of the peace deals that were offered? What if Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen, had taken the peace deals that he was offered? What if there was no first or second intifada? What if Israel didn’t withdraw from Gaza in 2005 or if they built a true state in Gaza instead of electing Hamas and becoming a terror hub? What if instead of building tunnels under Gaza, they built a society? What if UNRWA never existed and those who left in 1948 were treated like every other refugee in history? So many ‘what ifs’ that we will never know the answer.

The Hamas attack on October 7th altered the opportunity for peace. Any hope for trust was destroyed. I’ve spent a lot of time in Israel since October 7th, and the country is very different than it was prior to October 7th. The desire for peace exists, but the faith and trust that it can happen are gone. It will take a long time to rebuild. I have spoken to many people who have been called to reserve duty on a regular basis. Many have spent over 500 days in reserves since October 7th, away from their families, stressing the relationship with their spouse and children, harming their business and economic health. The entire country has PTSD, and it won’t go away quickly.

As I look at my life choices and what could have been if I had made different ones, I do not have any regrets. I love the life that I have. My choices eliminated one possible life, but what they have given me is far better. When I look at Israel, I’m not sure the same can be said. With the election in just a few weeks, I have had many Israelis tell me that this election is “for the soul of Israel.” I’ll be in Israel during the election, and I know many Israelis flying back to vote. This is another one of those critical choices. Whoever is the leader of the next government will impact much of the future. Will it be Bibi and the continuation of current policies? Will it be somebody else who begins to address the challenges of the Haredi not serving in the military and the horrible policies of Ben Gvir and Smotrich? Will it be somebody who continues to draw the ire of the world, or somebody who can provide hope for a brighter future?

An infographic displaying political candidates with their corresponding numbers and party affiliations for the upcoming elections, including headshots and names, set against a dark blue background.

These moments happen in our lives on a regular basis. The choices we make have incredible long-term impact. I look at my own life choices, and it is easy to see how so many of them changed the course of my life: who I am, what I value, and the way we raised our children. Israel has had many as well. This election is another pivotal one. Israelis will choose the path for their future. I don’t have citizenship in Israel, so I don’t vote. It doesn’t mean I have no opinion or hope for the outcome; it merely means that I don’t have a say in it. It also doesn’t mean that the results of the election won’t affect me. They will affect every Jew in Israel and the diaspora. We watch and hope.

As I am on my way for my 26th trip to Israel today, I am reflecting not only on my personal life choices and the choices of both Israeli and Palestinian leadership but also on what each trip has brought to me. The more I go to Israel, the more I see, the more I learn, and the deeper my understanding of the challenges Israel faces and those faced by Jews in the diaspora. There are no simple answers; it is incredibly complex in a world that desires simplistic answers.

This trip has planned experiences that will challenge me in every way. I’m excited to dig deeper and learn more. No matter how much we know, no matter how many times we have been to Israel, there is always more to understand. There are always more questions to ask that don’t have answers. One of the things I have learned from my own personal life choices is that the questions are often more important than the answers.

Ask yourself, what do I think I know about Israel and why do I think I know it? How have I been wrong in my own life that helps me understand that maybe I am wrong when it comes to understanding the complexities of Israel? What can I do to learn more about the complexities of Israel and the Middle East and not just take the simple answers and the easy way out?

Returning to Penn State and my college and graduate school years opened my eyes to the many possibilities that existed for me and how my choices shaped what I gained and what I gave up. It is critical that we view Israel the same way. What do we think we know and why? How can we learn more and challenge ourselves to understand more? Who do we need to meet and speak with to understand the various narratives that create not just Israel but the entire region? How can we meet the various people we need to in order to gain perspective and understanding?

During the next three weeks I’ll be all over the country, meeting with lots of different people with lots of different experiences and perspectives. Generals. Lt. Colonels. Mossad. Shin Bet. Doctors. Hospital administrators. Survivors from October 7th. Palestinian leaders. Visiting villages in Area C affected by the settler terrorism. Ramallah. Hebron. Bethlehem. Samaria. Jordan Valley. Gaza Envelope. The Lebanese border. Tel Aviv. Jerusalem. Meeting with Israelis, Druze, Palestinians. I’ll even be on a zoom with doctors and nurses in Gaza. Deep experiences. Challenging conversations. What I think I know will be challenged. I’m excited for it. I will learn and grow. My understanding of the complications in the region will grow.

Ask yourself, what I am doing to deepen my understanding of Israel and challenge my beliefs? When the opportunities arise, will I take advantatge of them?

3 years

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

I fell asleep on the couch and woke up at around 12:30 a.m. I didn’t feel right; my body ached, my heart hurt. As I slowly got up, I turned off the lights, gave Charlie, my chocolate lab puppy, a kiss, and went upstairs to bed. I felt terrible and thought it must have been the ice cream I had for dessert since sugar doesn’t really agree with me any longer. In the morning, at 6:33 a.m., I awoke with tears in my eyes—literal tears. This is incredibly rare, as the last time this happened was when it felt like my dad came to visit me while I was sleeping. None of this made sense until I remembered what day it was: October 7th. Three years.

Three years ago, my life was very different. I was running a major organization, my life was incredibly busy, I had a tremendous amount of stress and pressure in my life, I had physical health challenges, I was worried about the rise of Jew hatred and had become a regular on the local TV news talking about the growth of hatred, specifically Jew hatred, and how we were being targeted in Central Florida and around the country. Hate groups had moved to Central Florida since it was an inexpensive place to find housing for them, and they could easily drive to major cities in the state in a short period of time. The world was challenging, but the fight was on, and the media was supporting the Jewish community and what we were facing.

On the morning of October 7th, I sat down with a cup of coffee in my living room, turned on the TV and could not believe what I was seeing. The massacre. The cars on the street with doors open, dead bodies on the street and inside the cars. The stories being told by the newscasters. One image remains buried in my memory. The car passenger door is open. The father is in the drivers seat, dead with his head on the steering wheel. His young daughter’s body resting on his shoulder, also dead. I felt the brutality. I heard about the Nova festival but couldn’t imagine what was really happening there.

I started sending WhatsApp messages to my friends in Israel to check on them. They were all in safe rooms or shelters. They were all in WhatsApp groups getting updates. They were all scared and not sure what was happening. I was terrified for my friends, especially those living anywhere in the south of Israel. It was a constant check-in during the day while I sat in front of the television, shocked, scared, angry, and terrified by what I was watching.

My friend, the Consul General of Israel to Florida, called to check on me. He told me to turn off the TV, that it wasn’t healthy to keep watching. I couldn’t. Senator Rick Scott called to check on me. It’s a call I will never forget. He didn’t have an aide call; he didn’t send a message. He picked up his own personal cell phone and called to check on me.

I spent the day working with others in the community to put together a vigil for Sunday. We invited politicians and the community. The room was packed. The politicians showed up, and the community bonded. I thought it was the start of healing, but I was sorely mistaken.

Since then, I have worked with the Israeli consulate to host a showing of the Hamas 47-minute video. I saw things I will never forget: images that cannot be explained. I have been back to Israel seven times and will be back twice more this year, including a trip in just ten days from now. I have been to Kfar Aza three times. The things I saw at Kfar Aza in May 2024 were horrific. The brutality was still visible. It was agonizing. As a friend of mine said, it was like being at Auschwitz just after liberation.

I have been the Nova Festival site three times, heard the amazing and heroic Rami Davidian, who saved 750 people from the Nova Festival, speak three times, and been there when it was just some family markers, when it had been upgraded by the families, and most recently when it has been taken over by Jewish National Fund (JNF) and now chronicals what happened. It’s never easy to be there. The first two times I was there, we finished our visit by singing. It felt right to bring music back to the site of the music festival filled with joy that turned into terror and mass murder. It felt like we were honoring those murdered, raped, and taken hostage.

I made sandwiches at Shlomi’s food truck outside Kibbutz Be’eri and brought them to soldiers on the base going into Gaza. I’ve spent time at Hostage Square, listened to the stories of hostage families and hostages, heard the stories from survivors of the Nova Festival, and talked with friends of mine who fought the terrorists on October 7th and for the next 3 years. People who have spent over 500 days in miluim (reserve duty). The stories are horrifying. Yet the world remains silent and chooses to push the genocide libel.

Today was filled with deep emotions. I found myself thinking about all that has happened since October 7th. The horror of the 7th. The joy of the hostages coming home. The devastation when we learned a hostage was dead. I saw this video the other day and it haunts me. When we thought the Bibas family was alive, I put their pictures on chairs at my Passover Seder table. As the father of two boys, about the same age difference as Arial and Kfir, it was personal for me. Their murder devastated me. Then I saw this video of Ariel meeting Kfir for the first time. It ripped my heart. As you watch these two beautiful boys, beautiful brothers, remember that Hamas literally choked the life out of them. That’s who we are talking about. Terrorists who not only kidnapped children but strangled them with theri bare hands.

I thought of my friend’s cousin Hila, who was taken hostage at age 12 along with her mother. She was released the day before her 13th birthday, while her mother remained as a Hamas hostage for two more days. Since she and her mother were hostages, we knew there would be no presents, and that was not acceptable. Her cousin and I raised some money, created Amazon lists for people to buy the things she wanted, and used the money raised to buy the things that weren’t available on Amazon. Through a friend and former student who is high up at Rare Beauty, we got a donation from them of the items that Hila wanted. We sent multiple suitcases of gifts to her. Her mother recorded a video of her opening the suitcases and the presents and sent it to us. When I saw the joy on her face, it gave me hope for all the hostages. It’s a miracle that so many of them came home alive.

I thought of all the people who deny October 7th happened. Who deny the murders, the kidnapping, the conditions the hostages were held in, the rapes and sexual assault. The brutality of the murders. How important it was that General Eisenhower demanded his soldiers take pictures of the concentration camps they were liberating because in the future people would try to deny it. Here, Hamas took the videos and posted them, yet people still deny them. I thought today about how we need to share the videos once again. That we can’t be afraid of the trauma of watching them. The world must see what really happened. Most will not ever get to Israel to see it first hand. They are watching Fauda and seeing episodes 7 and 8. They are reporting how they never understood October 7th until they saw those episodes. Our words haven’t worked. The images and videos can. I remember seeing this video of the IDF first discovering what happened at Nova. The despair in the IDF soldier’s voice as he discovers everybody is dead haunts me.

It’s hard to believe it has only been 3 years ago. It’s also hard to believe it’s already been 3 years. The changes I have seen in Israel on each visit since October 7th are astounding. As I prepare to go back in 10 days, I’m not sure what to expect. The country is dealing with the trauma of October 7th. The election will happen while I’m there. As a number of former Israeli diplomats have said to me, this election is for the soul of Israel. Israelis are flying in to vote. It will be yet another experience that helps me understand the realities of Israel.

People want Israel to be black and white. It’s not. Like my emotions related to October 7th, Israel is complicated and nuanced. October 7th isn’t. Hamas brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped, and mutilated people. They burned people alive. Those they took hostage were treated inhumanely. Sexually assaulted. Beaten. Starved.

Three years ago my life was filled with stress and health issues. Three years later, I no longer have that stress. The health issues all resolved. My career takes me to Israel 3 or so times each year for between 1 and 3 weeks each trip. I have come to understand Israel much deeper. I spend time in the West Bank on these trips, meeting with Palestinians who are now colleagues and friends. I understand them much deeper as well.

October 7, 2023 ripped away part of my soul that will never return. The scarring and the fracture is there forever. It has given me new insights in the Jew hatred that is around us. It will always be around us. When things in the world aren’t going well, the world always looks for somebody to blame. Throughout history, it has been the Jews. It will continue to be the Jews. That’s our reality. The difference this time is that we have Israel. Unlike in the past when we have been defenseless, we are no longer those people. For many of the Jew haters this makes it worse. They’d like to hate us, have us go away, blame us for whatever the problems they are facing, and if many of us die, they don’t care. Israel has changed the reality. We aren’t going away. We aren’t going to be silent.

We also can’t go to the extremes. I’ve seen friends go to the far left, blaming Israel and the Jews for everything. I’ve seen friends go to the far right, believing that there are no good Palestinians, no good Muslims. I call them both out. That simply isn’t true and only continues the cycle of hate. Yes there are terrorists who are Muslim. As I said to a friend of mine on this issue, if you have 2 billion muslims and 1 percent are terrorists, that’s still 20 million terrorists. If it’s 0.1 percent, that’s still 2 million terrorists. That means there are 99% or 99.9% that are not. We can not generalize. Yes the Palestinian Authority is corrupt. Abbas has not held elections in over 20 years. If we look at Israel and the United States, are our governments so much better? We have plenty of corrupt politicians in Israel and the US. Smotrich and Ben Gvir match up to any of the Arab or other world corrupt leaders.

What I have learned from October 7th is that it is all about people. People to people connections. Getting beyond the stereotypes. Getting beyond the lies every community is told about ‘the other’. Not everybody thinks the way the west thinks. We need to understand and accept that. Not everybody has the same values, morals, and ethics. We need to understand that and then find those who share ours and work together with them to make a better world.

Nobody is going to fix the world for us. Nobody is going to solve the worlds problems by blaming and working to eliminate the group they think are responsible for the world’s problems. It is up to each of us to do our part, however small it is, to repair the world. To build relationships that change the daily lives of those we can impact. I won’t fix America’s problems by myself. I won’t fix Israel’s problems by myself. I won’t solve the Palestinian’s problems by myself. But I can make some American’s lives better. I can make some Israeli’s lives better. I can make some Palestinian’s lives better. Let’s each look at what we can individually do. Get others to join us and our groups do more together than each of us separately. Despair, anger, and hate is not the answer. Love is. Community is.

It is now October 8, 2026. The start of year 4 since the horrifying events of October 7th. My committment is to spend the next year doing what I can to change and improve the lives of those that I actually can. I hope you will join me. Together we can change and save the world. Or we can allow it to devolve and implode. The choice is ours. I hope we all hear the classic words from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. “You have chosen wisely.” Each of our actions will determine what happens.

The Speech I wish Bibi had given

Posted on September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

On September 24, 2026, Bibi Netanyahu gave an approximately 40-minute speech at the UN General Assembly. More than 100 people in attendance from over 50 countries walked out as he began to speak. Of course, they then all went to watch him on TV to see what he was going to say. Bibi called them out from the dais, saying they were “moral cowards.” For me, it was the highlight of the speech. He took the fight directly to them instead of continuing the failed Israeli and diaspora effort to play defense and explain everything. We know they don’t care, don’t want to care, and won’t listen.

This was the opportunity for Bibi to play offense. To take the fight to those who lie about Israel. To those who empower Jew hatred. To those who are supporting the terrorists: Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. He had the stage, and even those who walked out were watching on TV. He had the world’s attention and could have come out swinging. Instead, he continued to play defense, to continue playing the Jew hatred game.

In a different world, I wish Bibi had started by showing the Hamas 47-minute video from October 7th behind him. Let it run with subtitles and no sound during his entire speech. Then challenge those who walk out to stay and watch what they defend. It would have set the tone and tenor for a fiery speech where Bibi took the fight to the world instead of trying to defend Israel against the lies.

A man in a navy suit and red tie stands at a podium, gesturing with his hands while speaking at the United Nations assembly.

As the video ran behind him, he would have started with Genocide, pointing out briefly and succinctly that 3% of the Gazan population was killed in the war. That is not gencoide. Hamas themselves admitted 50,000 of the 70,000 killed were Hamas soldiers when they gave the widows military benefits. That the UN acceptable civilian to combatant ratio is 9:1 and Israel is well below that – somewhere between 1:1 and 2:1. He would have simply stated that anybody claiming Genocide is a liar and Jew hater and the facts support it. Done. Nothing more and no long explanation. No bringing in the Holocaust or other real genocides that are occuring that the world doesn’t care about because there are no Jews involved.

Then he would have gone into how horrible war is and how Israel never wants war but sometimes it is necesary. The destruction in Gaza is awful but was also required to demolish the terror tunnels Hamas built underneath them. There was no way to get to them without destroying what is on top. Hold Hamas responsible. He would have talked about the Board of Peace plan to rebuild Gaza and how as soon as Hamas surrendered their weapons the rebuilding would occur. He doesn’t need to say anything about Israel wanting or not wanting to take back Gaza as a part of Israel. He references the Board of Peace plan, endorses it as soon as Hamas is demilitarized and surrenders their weapons. The delay in reconstructing Gaza is due to Hamas failing to surrender their weapons.

The next part would be tricky because he would have to actually mean it and do something. He would address the settler violence (I call it terrorism but am not asking him to do that). He would state clearly that criminals exist in every country in the world—people who break the law. He could highlight Israel as a democracy and clearly state that these people are breaking the law and will be held accountable for what they do. They will be arrested. They will be prosecuted. They will face real consequences for their actions. However, he can’t say this unless he is going to actually do it. It would make Smotrich and Ben-Gvir angry, as they have been clear with their agenda and allowing this to occur to help them achieve their goal of annexing the West Bank and making Judea and Samaria part of Israel again. By taking an aggressive position that these are criminals and will be treated as such, Bibi could take the wind out of those who want to label this the new version of ‘genocide.’ Of course, this also means he has to do what he says, and with the election a month away, it’s unlikely he can do this and remain in power. He could begin to restore his legacy and do what is best for Israel, the Israeli people, and Jews in the diaspora. For him to say this, he would need to risk losing power to do what is right and what is best for Am Yisrael (the people of Israel/the Jews).

Since this is what I wish he had said, I am taking the liberty to include things that I know he never would actually say. The upcoming Israeli election will be the 10th one since the last election held for the leadership of the Palestinian Authority. Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen, is now in his 21st year of a 5 year term. How can you have peace with somebody like that? Addressing the UN, this is a time to call them out for their complicity in continuing to fund a government like this. To call them hypocrites. In his video address, Abbas both called in a genocidal war and that they needed a 2-state solution. Bibi could have taken the 2-state solution off the current table and placed it on a future table by address the issues with the PA. How the UN and Europe reward them for their ‘pay for slay’ policy and how their continued funding makes them complicit in every murder the terrorists commit. Complaining about the UN bias in their resolutions is tired and ineffective. Naming them as complicit in murders, specifically calling them terrorists as their employees took and housed hostages in Gaza. Naming Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories as UNRWA’s terrorist leader would be a powerful offensive move against the UN and the Jew haters.

Bibi could have listed the countries that walked out and that depend on Israel to defend them. He could have easily pointed out the hypocrisy of their actions and reality. He could have called out the U.K. and their boycott of products made in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) to help the Palestinian people. The last time they did this, SodaStream moved their factory into Israel proper. Who lost as a result? The Palestinian workers who lost their jobs and their above-average wages. Nobody cared to ask them if they wanted the factory moved because when they were asked, they said no. They stated it was a great company to work for that took care of them, paid them very well, and gave them paid time each day to go pray in a special prayer room created for them. Once again, the effort to ‘help’ the Palestinians will harm them. He could have told the world that if you really want to help them, demilitarize Hamas, defeat Hezbollah, topple the Iranian regime, and ensure regular and free elections for their leadership. Bibi could have laid a pathway and given hope that a 2-state solution COULD happen at SOME time in the FUTURE. And what needs to happen before anything would be possible without calling them ‘preconditions’.

Finally, Bibi could have addressed all the countries that are a part of the UN and what they are not doing to protect their Jewish citizens. He could have gone on the offensive, naming Canada, France, the UK, Spain, among others. He could have cited the rise of Jew hatred (intentionally not using the word antisemitism). He could have cited examples in each country and how they continue to enable acts of violence and hatred against their Jewish citizens. Hopes and prayers are not acceptable when you are part of creating what happens. He should have challenged them to do better and held them accountable for violating their ‘Western liberal values’ when it comes to their Jewish citizens.

Imagine this fiery speech, taking it to the UN and their member countries. All while the 47-minute Hamas video from October 7th played behind him, forcing them to see the brutality of Hamas. Forcing the truth to be seen. Not just by the UN and its member countries but the world. There is a reality in which Israel has no need to explain herself. It is clear the world doesn’t listen and doesn’t want to listen. It is time to play offense. We know that when the Arab countries come under attack, it is Israel they turn to for help. It won’t be too much longer until it is Europe that is under attack. Who will they turn to? Russia? China? The United States? None will do what is needed. No more apologizing. No more playing defense. The author Robert Crais writes a character named Joe Pike who has red forward arrow tattoos on both arms, reminding him that it’s about moving forward, attacking, not playing defense. It’s time for Israel to do the same on the world stage.

Close-up of a muscular arm with a red arrow sticker pointing to the upper arm. — ***The Joe Pike tattoo***

In another world, Bibi gave that blistering speech with the Hamas 47-minute video playing behind him. In that world, Israel took the offensive and put the world on notice. I wish I lived in that world.

A dive into the complexities of Israel and the Middle East

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

As long as I can remember, Israel has been a part of my life. All four of my grandparents were passionate Zionists, and they all visited Israel in the 1970s. I heard their stories of listening to the UN vote for the partition plan on a transistor radio and how they celebrated when they realized it would happen. The complexities of Israel were discussed at every family dinner table.

I was first exposed to the complexities in person in 1989 after my graduation from college when I spent a month in Israel with the American Zionist Youth Foundation (AZYF). It was during the first intifada, so there were a few things we couldn’t do, but overall we had a great deal of freedom. We had “off days” to explore on our own and took the bus wherever we wanted. We spent Shabbat day hanging out in a park, playing hacky sack, and interacting with those who joined us. We learned about the intifada and what it meant, what was happening, and spent many hours on the bus talking about the challenges Israel faced in 1989. I got as much as 21-year-old me in 1989 could understand.

Since then, I have been back to Israel 25 additional times in those 37 years with two more planned in 2026. The complexities have only increased over time. My 7 trips since October 7, 2023 have each showed me a different view of the complexities. Participating in the November 2019 Encounter intensive and meeting with leaders of Palestinian Civil Society let me dig deeper into the complexities. Visiting Kfar Aza and the Nova music festival multiple times helped me see another level of the complexities. I remember my first time at both. The anger and rage burning inside of me as I saw what Hamas did. My 2nd and 3rd time at Kfar Aza sitting at the table at our host’s home where the Hamas leadership sat on October 7th. In the same chairs they sat. Watching as Israel bombed Jabalia and struggling with the feelings of relief that the bombing brought. It’s not who I am but it sure was who I was that day.

I’ve also spent time in the West Bank meeting with Palestinian leaders of civil society. My first time was in November 2019 when I participated in the Encounter Intensive. Four (4) days of intensive interaction and experiences. You can find my blogs about those experiences beginning here. It was one of the most intense experiences of my life: Bethlehem and Ramallah, hearing so many narratives about their experiences. Some gave me great hope, while others reinforced every stereotype I had been taught. I went to listen and learn; it opened my eyes to many of the challenges that need to be overcome, including the teaching of hate from an early age. I witnessed what is possible when Israelis and Palestinians work together (through a program called Combatants for Peace, where former terrorists and former IDF soldiers get to know each other and commit to finding a nonviolent solution to the conflict). There is a need for patience, as the amount of work that needs to be done is great. I learned how harmful the funding of the Palestinian Authority (PA) from the EU and the UN is toward finding a real solution and how that ensures the status quo. The number of potential Palestinian leaders who believe in non-violence and finding a new path is significant, yet they are not given a platform because of the EU and UN funding of the PA.

Recently, I spent time in the West Bank and Israel with Rozana, an amazing organization that works on healthcare diplomacy. You can read my blogs about that visit beginning here. I had the opportunity to see hope in action, witnessing Palestinians and Israelis working together in the West Bank and in Israel to build relationships and friendships that create the basis for future peace. I became friends with Rozana staff who live in Ramallah and a number of Palestinian doctors who live and work in Ramallah. That experience and what I wrote inspired this article in the Australian Jewish Independent. Spending time in the West Bank with Palestinians highlighted the complexities even more. Most Israelis and diaspora Jews don’t spend time there and don’t speak with Palestinians, while most Palestinians don’t speak with Israelis or diaspora Jews. They never get to know each other as people; there is no understanding on either side without having these connections.

Western society wants simple answers to everything. Everything in the Middle East is complex, not simple. Nuance is everything. The use of Hasbara, where talking points are taught without any deep knowledge, has created more problems than solutions. There are generations of diaspora Jews who have only been taught the talking points and when confronted with things that aren’t talking points, have no knowledge or understanding. They feel lied to and end up with a negative attitude towards Israel. We need to embrace the complexities, teach the good, the bad, and the ugly about Israel. Failure to properly educate people about Israel hurts the cause.

A perfect example of this is the new season of Fauda. If you haven’t watched any of it, I urge you to start with season 1. The new season focuses on the events after October 7th. The amazing thing about Fauda is how it shows everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Another remarkable aspect of Fauda is its popularity in Arab countries; season 5 is the most-watched series in Lebanon and ranks among the top 10 most-watched shows in 43 countries, including Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and France. The number of people in Europe now publicly acknowledging they didn’t understand October 7th until watching Fauda is astounding. The impact this TV show is having on changing minds is significant. I saw the Hamas 47-minute video, and it was horrifying; I witnessed things I will never forget. It impacted me deeply. Watching episodes 7 and 8 of Fauda season 5, which focused entirely on October 7th, brought it all back for me—sitting in my living room, watching the news for hours, shocked at what I was seeing. I recall the community vigil we held on October 8th in Orlando and the politicians who arrived in support. Watching the video and seeing the horrifying things Hamas did was chilling. Visiting Kfar Aza and Nova for the first time (I’ve been to them multiple times since, and it never gets better, only worse) was eye-opening. Fauda illustrates the complications present in all five seasons; season 5 was by far the most impactful, perhaps due to my own experiences in Israel since then, my connection to many hostages, visits to the Hostage Family Forum and Hostage Square, and seeing and feeling the effects on every visit since then.

A promotional image for the Netflix show 'Fauda,' featuring a lead character and a backdrop of Jerusalem. It highlights the show's position in the Netflix Top 10 rankings across various countries and territories.

Next month, I will return to Israel and really see two different sides of the complexities. I’ll spend seven days with the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) exploring Israel through a security lens. Traveling with generals, lieutenant colonels, Mossad, and Shin Bet, we will see and hear things most people never do. There is still an opportunity for you to join us on this unique experience. As that experience concludes, I will shift to spending four days with the Board of Directors of Rozana, whom I wrote about above. Rozana works in the West Bank, Israel, and Gaza to build relationships between Israelis and Palestinians while addressing the healthcare needs in the West Bank and Gaza. As I mentioned above, I spent five days with them in June, and it was a life-changing experience. I’m looking forward to going back to Ramallah and Hebron to see the work. I’ll get to be on a Zoom call with the Rozana medical professionals in Gaza, hearing directly from them what they are seeing and what is happening. I’m looking forward to spending time with my Palestinian and Israeli friends. At a time when hope is challenging to find, I’m looking forward to really experiencing hope in action.

Recently, Rozana announced a significant gift from Rahm, Ari, and Zeke Emanuel to fund the training of Palestinian pediatricians and pediatric nurses at an Israeli hospital. A new pediatric hospital is being built in Nablus, the first in the north of the West Bank, and these doctors and nurses will be able to obtain the training they need to better care for children in the West Bank. One of the amazing things about Rozana’s work is that when Israeli and Palestinian medical professionals train together, like in this instance, 99% of Palestinian medical professionals and 98% of Israeli medical professionals reported increased professional skills after training together. This work doesn’t just help those in the West Bank; it helps Israelis as well. This is hope in action. Rozana just released their 6-month impact report. Take a minute to read it and see what is happening and what is possible. In a place with incredible complexities, seeing what is possible is essential.

Israel and the Middle East are complex. We live in a world that wants simple explanations. Educating people isn’t easy, but it is critical. Too many people only have a TikTok education; they live and believe the slogans. It takes a TV show like Fauda to reach them. This tells me that it is no longer about not giving up the fight but rather changing how we fight. After 78 years since 1948 and the founding of the modern state of Israel, what we have done simply isn’t working, and we see that every day. It is time to change what we do and change the fight. I have found it amazing how quickly people stop their TikTok-driven commentary when I tell them I was just in Ramallah and Hebron and will be back in November. That I have Palestinian friends and am happy to put them in touch with me. That I work with an organization that provides two health clinics and a rehabilitation clinic in Gaza. That in June, I was in a bomb shelter as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Those with talking points about how bad Israel is have no response. When they try to bring up the “settler violence,” I tell them I was there and experienced it firsthand. I call it terrorism because that’s what it is—they are terrorists, not settlers. They don’t know what to do with that information. They don’t have answers to the facts.

We need to show people the realities on the ground. The vast majority of Palestinians want to live in peace and be left alone. This is particularly true in Areas B and C. The vast majority of Israelis want Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran to be removed from power and to allow them to live in peace. Until they walk the streets of Tel Aviv and see the vast diversity of people there—Arabs, Jews, Christians, Druze, Baha’is, and more—they don’t understand. Until they visit people in the West Bank and learn how they just want to live their lives, raise their children, and be able to move around easily, they won’t understand the realities.

I have always loved going to Israel because I feel at home. It’s the only place where I am a part of the majority. I also love visiting my Palestinian friends in the West Bank, where I am not the majority, but where I get to interact with people who share my values, who want to live in peace, raise their children, and live full lives. It’s amazing what happens when you meet the people and don’t believe the media and the stories we are told. Yes, there are terrorists. We saw them during the first and second intifadas. We saw them on October 7th. There are far more good people with whom we can build relationships. I look forward to when the ban on U.S. visas for Palestinians is removed so that some of my friends can come to the United States and you can meet them, hear their stories, ask them questions, have a meal together, and talk and laugh. Until then, I’ll see them in Ramallah and Hebron. I’ll see my Israeli friends in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Modi’in, and many other places. I’ll embrace the complexities and work to help people understand that when it comes to the Middle East, there is no simple answer. It is all complex. Our future depends on understanding and embracing the complexities and pushing ourselves beyond our comfort levels.

If you want to come join me in Israel or explore the work of Rozana in the West Bank and Israel, let me know. I’m happy to take you to explore it, challenge yourself and your beliefs, open your mind, and embrace the complexities and the opportunities.

Group of people gathered around a table outdoors, smiling and enjoying a social gathering in a scenic location. — Having a meal in the West Bank with my friends from Ramallah, Hebron, the UK, Australia, the US, East and West Jerusalem, and Jaffa.

Fight for the soul of Israel

Posted on August 10, 2026August 10, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

I have written about my client, Rozana, and the work they are doing with peacebuilding through health diplomacy. When I was doing site visits with them in late May/early June 2026, I wrote extensively about what I saw and experienced with the settler terrorism. I use the term terrorism because that’s what it is, and if we can’t call out the Jewish terrorists, how can we expect anybody else to call out their terrorists? These are people who believe in a Greater Israel that includes Judea and Samaria, along with Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. They are being empowered by MK Bezalel Smotrich, who has ensured they don’t get arrested and face no consequences, all with the implicit support of Bibi.

While I was there, I had the opportunity to have dinner with three former Israeli ambassadors who each served five postings. It was fascinating listening to them talk about the upcoming election and how it was truly a fight for the soul of Israel. They shared their concerns that if Bibi wins, there will be an incredible exodus of smart Israelis, creating a brain drain, and they discussed the influence of Smotrich and Ben Gvir and their radical beliefs and policies. Later on this trip, I spent time with two friends of mine. They have 3 young, brilliant Israeli children. One of them is a Sabra, born and raised in Israel and politically on the right. She and I spent a long time discussing the impact of the upcoming elections and her concern that if things don’t change, she will need to find another place for her family to live, but doesn’t know where to go. As we watched her children play on the beach, talking away in Hebrew, a tear came to her eye as she said, “They are Israeli though. How do I take them away from here?” The struggle for so many Israelis is real and unless you go visit and spend time really speaking with them, there is no way those of us living in the diaspora can understand. We focus on the things we see and they live an entirely different existance.

I love Israel and go as often as possible. Later this year, I’ll be taking my 27th and 28th trips there. I have friends who serve as MKs in the Knesset and even more friends who are running in the upcoming election because they know how critical this election really is for the future of the country. I have friends actively serving in the IDF or in milium (the reserves) and some of them are running for office while others are planning to move to the US to escape the new, different hardships of Israel. The internal issues, which don’t get the same media attention, are substantial. My friend, Ambassador Rodica Radian-Gordon, recently spoke at our staff meeting to share her insights. They were powerful and depressing and important to hear. Deep thoughts about the future and what it may look like pending the outcome of the election.

I keep going back to the Israeli Declaration of Independence, where it states:

In the midst of wanton aggression we call upon the Arab inhabitants of the state of Israel to return to the ways of peace and play their part in the development of the state, with full and equal citizenship and due representation in all its bodies and institutions, provisional or permanent.

We offer peace and amity to all neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to co-operate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The state of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and reconstitution of the Middle East.

My friend and the head of Rozana’s Palestinian office, Mohammad Asideh, recently had a piece printed in The Jewish News in the UK. It’s a powerful piece: thoughtful and questioning. I am posting it below to share with you. It is okay to love Israel and also be critical of some of the government policies. It is important to understand what is really happening and ask if that is something we are comfortable with. The Israeli people are asking that question, and those of us who love Israel should be asking it as well. I hope that you read it and think deeply about what it means. If you love Israel like I do, we can really ask ourselves, what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world, and lose their soul in the process? The Jewish people have been kept together because we never lost our souls. To lose it now, when we finally have Eretz Yisrael again, would be tragic.

Here is Mohammad’s article, both as a link and below for easiness of reading. I hope it inspires thought and lots of deep conversation.

“I believe people in a position to act need to have a serious conversation about what might be coming, for the sake of Palestinians, Israelis and Jews around the world alike.”

Ten days ago, I was walking into a meeting to discuss the International Fund led by the UK, Canada and Australia. Just before it started, a friend texted me: “what had happened in your town, Tel?” I didn’t see his next message until the meeting ended. Four young men were killed by settlers in my town on what was supposed to be another quiet Friday morning. He listed their names. I knew all four. We went to the same school and I played football with two of them.

A settler and a soldier were killed too.

There have been more dramatic events than this one. But something about it shifted the public feeling among Palestinians in a way I haven’t felt before. It’s common now to hear: what came before Tel is not the same as what came after.

We should all be ready for a new reality. On your next visit to the West Bank, don’t be surprised if you see Israeli military jeeps patrolling Palestinian cities and no stones thrown back. There will be resistance, but a different kind. I have no idea what would it be.

For a month now, everyone has been struggling to get fuel. These days I take taxis to my meetings for Rozana, the organization I work for, if I go outside Ramallah, because I don’t know if I’ll get another chance to fill my car. My brother waited from morning until evening yesterday just to refill his car. If he hadn’t, he couldn’t have gone to work. No work, no food on the table.

Water, electricity, medication, all of it that reaches the West Bank has been reduced by the Israeli government. Most people I know now think twice before they take a shower.

One of the projects that Rozana runs is a Mobile Clinic in remote communities around Hebron. Getting our teams safely to and from clinics has become harder and riskier. Moving medical supplies, or something as basic as water, through checkpoints that open and close without warning, has become harder.

I’m not the complaining type. I say that because I think these injustices are rarely held accountable or covered in the media. Gaza remains our biggest pain and challenge and now we fear for the safety of the people we love even when we are with them at home inside Palestinian cities.

Radicals thrive on the actions of other radicals. There is no such thing as only one radical side. And yet, despite everything I’ve just described, there has been no violent uprising here. I ask myself why? I think it’s because we’ve entered a new phase of this conflict, annexation.

I know many people are waiting for the election in Israel and Palestine at the end of this year. I’m almost 40. I grew up hearing that things would be better after the next one. This is rarely the case.

I believe people in a position to act need to have a serious conversation about what might be coming, for the sake of Palestinians, Israelis and Jews around the world alike.

Antisemitism has never needed material or justification. It has always been there. However, radical settlers in the West Bank will and are providing so much material for antisemitic voices around the world.

On my last trip to Paris, I came out of a meeting with a Jewish colleague and watched them take off their kippah before we stepped onto the street. They didn’t feel safe. Just a few days ago, a BBC interview went viral here: a settler, a lawyer, called for everyone in my town to be killed, and everyone in other Palestinian towns too, after a settler was killed in the recent settler attack on my town.

I keep thinking of a line from the New Testament: “what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world, and lose their soul in the process?” It’s part of why I have always rejected violence. I felt, watching suicide bombings once justified in this place, that we were losing our soul as a people to win the war.

Israel could take every part of this land. But nothing about it would stay holy in the process. So who wins? Israel, if it loses its soul building a state on another people’s suffering? Or Palestinians, who may lose everything and still refuse to surrender? In the end, I think both sides lose.

Let’s use what time is left to save what can still be saved.

Mohammad Asideh is the CEO of Rozana for Health Diplomacy and is based in Ramallah.

This article is adapted from a message sent by the author to members of The London Initiative (TLI), following the recent deadly violence in Tel in the West Bank. TLI is a network of likeminded members of world Jewry, citizens of Israel and international allies partnering to shape a better shared future grounded in liberal democracy, societal fairness and secure peace. The author is the first Palestinian member of the network who is not a citizen of Israel.

Hiding your Jewish identity isn’t the answer

Posted on July 1, 2026July 2, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

Living in Florida, air conditioning is essential. Keeping your AC units running and functioning well is critical. We have our condensers serviced regularly but haven’t had our units, ducts, and vents cleaned in a few years. When we got an opportunity to have it done at a good price and they would clean our dryer vents for free, I jumped on the deal.

The appointment was for yesterday, so of course, they kept pushing it and pushing it, and eventually had to cancel the appointment and reschedule for this morning. When the technician arrived, I greeted him at the door and was shocked as he reached up to touch my mezuzah and kiss it. I asked if he was Jewish, and after he said, “of course,” I told him I thought so because nobody else would kiss the mezuzah. He smiled, and I pointed out all the mezuzahs on my doors.

It turns out he was born and raised in Israel and has struggled to find Jewish people and community since moving to Central Florida. He commented on how he rarely sees mezuzahs on doors here. We talked about Israel – he is from Rehovot, and I have had the pleasure of spending time in Rehovot. I have friends who live there. It’s where the Weizmann Institute is and where I have gone to pick fruits and vegetables for the last two years. We talked about places like Rishon Lezion, which is right next to Rehovot. I could tell how much it meant to him to have somebody to talk to about Israel with.

As he began work on my units, ducts, and vents, I went to my office to work. During a break, we continued our conversation. He told me how excited he was to see that I had siddurim (prayer books) on my bookshelves and that he saw my tallit bag, my tefillin, kiddush cups, Shabbat candlesticks, Hanukkah menorahs, and my Israeli art on the wall of my office. Being at my house and talking with me clearly filled a Jewish need he may not have even realized he needed.

**One of my favorite pictures on my wall**

We talked about convincing my younger son to go on Birthright and visit Israel. The look he gave my son was precious, and as they talked, I hoped he inspired my son to finally sign up. This random person who came to service my air conditioning is a ‘member of the tribe,’ so our connection went deep even though we didn’t know each other until he knocked on my door and kissed my mezuzah.

I offered to help connect him with the local Jewish community. It is something he has struggled to find. He talked about wanting to engage in Jewish learning and be part of the community. I gave him my contact info (he had it in the company records, but this was for him personally). I hope he will reach out, and I can help him find his place.

Earlier today, I was talking with a friend of mine who lives in New Jersey. He was talking about how bad it has gotten in New York and New Jersey and how he removed his mezuzah from his door after October 7th due to the rise of antisemitism. How he doesn’t have any signs of being Jewish on his house or anywhere else because he fears for his safety. I told him how I’m just the opposite. I have a huge mezuzah on my front door and others on my three other external doors. I have my clearly Jewish and Israeli tattoos. I even have the Florida Stands With Israel license plate on my car. What an incredible difference simply because of where we live in the United States.

**Florida Stands With Israel License Plate**

I began thinking about what would have happened had I taken down my mezuzah or never put one up. This Israeli would never have known it was a Jewish house. We never would have talked about Israel and Judaism. He wouldn’t have felt the power of being Jewish in my house by seeing all the Jewish items I proudly display. He would have missed out on the joy that it provided him. I would have missed out on knowing him and connecting.

This is why we need to be proud to be Jewish. We need to show our pride publicly. We can’t be afraid because when we are afraid and hide our Jewishness, the Jew haters win. They want to get rid of us; they want to make us invisible. They want us to be quiet and let them terrorize us. I refuse. I urge you to refuse. Be like the actor Patricia Heaton, who is not Jewish. She was so upset at the Jew hatred and that Jews were removing their mezuzahs from their doors that she, a Christian, put one up on her door and encouraged allies to do the same. Thousands of non-Jews who are allies went ahead and put a mezuzah on their door to stand with us. If they can do it, so can we. For thousands of years, Jew haters have tried to erase us: Babylonia, Persia, the Greeks, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Turks, the Poles, the Germans. We wouldn’t let them, so we survived. Now is not the time for us to do it to ourselves.

I’m proud to be Jewish and don’t hide it. Today reminded me why this is so important. I look forward to hearing from my new Jewish, Israeli friend and helping him find his way in a challenging Central Florida Jewish community. I won’t hide my Jewish identity or my Jewish pride. I encourage you not to hide yours either. Am Yisrael Chai!

The fight against Jew hatred

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

It has become so common to see Israel and the Jews blamed for everything. Have a Nazi tattoo and want to run for the US Senate? Get accused of abusing your ex-girlfriends? Cheat on your wife? Masturbate in public toilets? Have racist writings exposed? Be like Graham Platner and blame the Jews. Want to be elected Governor of Florida but you are not endorsed by President Trump or by Governor Desantis? Be like James Fishback and blame the Jews. Want to be elected to Congress in Texas but are unqualified and need some big time PR? Be like Maureen Galindo and threaten to put the Zionists in internment camps. Want to get elected to Congress in New Jersey? Make sure you are like Adam Hamawy, who called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide.” and who has strong ties to the “Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdel Rahman, who was linked to the perpetrators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and who is in prison for life for planning terrorist attacks. For sure one way to get elected in any state is to claim Israel committed Genocide, wrongly interpreting the International Court of Justice’s decision (listen to former President of the ICJ, Joan Donoghue explain what the decision actually was below.)

The former President of the ICJ just destroyed the “Israel is committing genocide” lie.

Joan Donoghue (who presided over the South Africa v. Israel case) on Hardtalk:

“It didn’t decide that the claim of genocide was plausible… The shorthand that often appears… isn’t what the… pic.twitter.com/4R4lK7WfRa
— Mor Edge Insight (@MorEdge_Insight) June 12, 2026

What we rarely see, from Demorcrats or Republicans, is those who stand up against Jew hatred and who are willing to take a power public stance condemning it. Plenty will dance around the corners. Few will stand strongly.

I have had relationships with elected officials of both parties most of my career. I built relationships with many of them around the State of Florida when I was running UF Hillel, did the same as the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation in Seattle, and continued to do so when I moved to Orlando. Many of them don’t like each other but each has built relationships with me. As a citizen and a leader, I believe it is my right and my responsiblity to build there relationships. I work with Democrats and Republicans because Jewish life, safety, fighting antisemitism and Jew hatred, and supporting the right for the State of Israel to exist should never be partisan issues. As such, when Senator Rick Scott’s Central Florida Director called me late last week to invited me to a press conference Senator Scott had called at the Florida Holocaust Museum to address Kanye West performing in Tampa and antisemitism for Monday morning, I wasn’t surprised, was honored, and cleared my calendar to attend.

I have known Senator Scott since he was in his first term as Governor of Florida due to my work with UF Hillel. We had many politicians come speak to our students so they could learn from elected officials and understand that as citizens and leaders, they had access to them and had a responsibility to use that access to share their concerns. I believe it is important that we teach our children and those around us this important lesson. Our elected official serve us, the people. We don’t serve them. So use your citizen’s voice with them.

I’ve attended many of these press conferences held by many different politicians over the years. It doesn’t matter who they are or which party they are affiliated with, they tend to be fairly similiar. They stand in front of a podium, addressing the media, speaking certain talking points that are nice to hear and are supported, but usually in a calm and dignified manner. They are doing what they are supposed to do in representing their population and speaking out, but rarely with true passion and fire. It almost always comes from somewhere inside, is something they truly believe, and is always appreciated. It rarely leaves a lasting effect. It is what I expected would happen at Senator Scott’s press conference.

I was wrong. When Senator Scott stepped to the podium he had fire in his eyes. His words were passionate and filled with fury. He began by making sure that everybody knew that this was not ‘his’ press conference but rather was a bipartisan group who were here because they had enough of antisemitism and hate. They were not going to tolerate Jew hatred in Florida and he wasn’t going to tolerate it in the United States. He made sure to introduce US Senator Ashley Moody, former Governor Charlie Crist, Leo Terrell, the Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Justice who oversees the country’s response to antisemitism and all civil rights, Pastor Scott Thomas who represented Christians United for Israel (CUFI), local elected officials, and the local Jewish leaders who were in attendance. This was not the Rick Scott show. This was an entire community standing together.

The issue that had fired him and the others to speak so forcefully was the Tampa Sports Authority’s decision to have Kanye West perform two concerts at Raymond James Stadium. Kanye, in 2025, released a song and music video entitled “Heil Hitler.” In 2025 he also publicly stated, “I am a Nazi.” He has threatened that, “when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” These are only some of his Jew hating public remarks. As all the speakers reminded us, speaking out against Jew hatred and Kanye West’s pending performace because of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) is not a 1st amendment issue. He has the right to say whatever it is that he wants. However TSA is not required to bring him. It is not a requirement that public dollars be used by TSA to stage his concert and to make him money.

As I listened to Senator Scott talk, I was inspired because I was hearing things that I believe in. He spoke about bipartisanship and how Republicans and Democrats were represented at the event. He stated, “It starts with the Jews but it doesn’t end with the Jews.” He talked about his visit to Kfar Aza in 2019 and then again after October 7th and how that impacted him. He talked about how he brought his own children to Holocaust Museums because he doesn’t want them to ever forget and was open and honest about finding the right age and time to bring his young grandchildren to Holocaust Museums because he doesn’t want them to be part of the Holocaust denier movement. I was moved by the power and passion of his comments. He focused on how Kanye has the 1st amendment right to perform but that we don’t have an obligation to use public dollars to bring somebody who spews hate and openly hates Jews. He actually asked what does it say to Jewish Floridians if we use public dollars to bring somebody who openly said he loves Hitler and is a self proclaimed Nazi? How does that make our Jewish Floridians feel safe?

US Senator Ashley Moody spoke next. As somebody who hails from the Tampa Bay region, she was visibly upset about this in her home community. She took the TSA to task, saying their job is clearly stated to ‘evaluate, approve, and prioritize’ the acts they bring. That means that TSA chose to evaluate Kanye West’s Jew hatred and think it was ok, then went ahead and chose to approve his performance, and prioritized it so that it was something that was happening soon. She held them accountable for all three of these responsibilities where they failed.

Senator Moody acknowledged Kanye’s right to perform but also talked about how that doesn’t mean the TSA has to choose to bring him. They could have evaluated, chose not to approve, and not make him a priority, all while not infringing on his free speech rights. She also spoke about the contract and that this would cost TSA money to break it; and that they should because when you make a mistake you must fix your errors.

US Senator Ashley Moody

The next speaker was Leo Terrell, the Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Justice. Mr Terrell is the person in Washington who fights antisemitism every single day. He flew in from DC for the event. I was incredibly impressed by him. He said bluntly that it is “a fundamental obligation to fight antisemitism.” No excuses made. No qualifying or saying that ‘its complicated’. It is a fundamental obligation. Powerful words.

He then directly addressed ‘the Jewish tax’. The Jewish tax is the enormous costs the Jewish community bears to keep our community safe. The cost of security at our synagogues, Federations, JCCs, events, and any Jewish space. You don’t see the same thing at churches or mosques. Only the Jewish community. He spoke powerfully about the obligation to make this Jewish tax no longer needed. Hearing Leo Terrell speak and knowing he is fighting for the Jewish community made me feel hopeful. We have a smart, passionate person in charge who is spending his days fighting on our behalf.

Former Governor Charlie Crist spoke next. He started with words we rarely hear from any politician in today’s world. “I am a Democrat but an American first.” It was that type of event – partisan politics were put aside to stand up to hate, specifically Jew hatred and antisemitism. Charlie made sure that everybody heard him when he directly said that “this is not right vs. left. It is right vs. wrong.” When Senator Scott called him on Friday to invite him to participate, he told us that his response was, “I don’t know what I have scheduled but I’ll be there.” He made sure to clear his calendar to be a part of standing up to Jew hatred and antisemitism.

Charlie talked about upholding community standards, standing up against hate. He was also very clear that we should not be using public funds or publicly funded arenas to promote hate speech. It is not ok to use those public funds and publicly funded arenas to platform a self declared Nazi who admits that he idolizes Adolph Hitler.

***Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist***

Pastor Scott Thomas, representing Christians United For Israel (CUFI) spoke, reminding us that if this was the 1930s, Kanye West would be an opening act for the 3rd Reich. He then said, far more eloquently than I have been saying for a long time, that ‘words started the Holocaust but silence allowed it to grow. There won’t be silence in 2026.”

We heard from Jewish Federation leadership, local politicians, community leaders, my long time friend Eric Stillman, the CEO of the Florida Holocaust Museum, and many others, including a Holocaust survivor. The theme throughout was the words on the podium, “Don’t. Fund. Antisemitism.”

***A Holocaust survivor speaking to us***

As Senator Scott took the microphone to wrap things up, he continued to be nuanced and clear. He said that ‘buying a ticket to an artist who you appreciate their creativity does not make you an antisemite.” A very important clarification for those who bought tickets and want to see Kanye West perform. However, he also reminded us that we must consider the power that we have at this moment. He closed by instructing us that “The future is not about just what we condemn. It’s also about what we allow.” Senator Scott hit it right on the head. Condemnation isn’t enough. We have see plenty of that with no effect. It truly is what we are willing to allow.

This bipartisan group, composed of local, state, Federal and communal leaders gathered together to speak out against Jew hatred and antisemitism. They aren’t willing to just allow Kanye West to perform in Tampa and send a message that public funds, meaning the government, approve of his hatred. I was honored to be there. I was inspired by the bipartisan approach and the commitment from everybody who spoke to do what they can to stop a Jew hater from being able to use public funds to make millions. In a fractured political environment where Jews don’t know if they can trust either party, here were Florida leaders making a powerful stand. It made me proud to be a Floridian. It validated all the work I have done and continue to do with our elected officials. We can make a difference. Nobody knows what the Tampa Sports Authority is going to do. They may cancel the concerts and pay the fee. They may change nothing and still have Kanye West perform. What I do know is that our leaders took a stand. They stood with the Jewish community against Jew hatred.

Senator Scott started a petition with change.org that demands the Tampa Sports Authority stop using public funds to to fund antisemitism and to cancel the two concerts by Kanye West. If you are motivated, please sign the petition as I have. We cannot aford to be silent. We must speak out. In the words of Pirke Avot (The Ethics of our Fathers), “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it”. Listen to the words of Pirke Avot and begin. Take a stand. Sign the petition. Share it and get others to join in, standing against hate. Silence only allows the hate to grow. We must call it out and take a stand.

Kanye West’s concert at Raymond James Stadium is a slap in the face to Florida taxpayers and our Jewish community.

I’ve started a petition with @Change demanding the Tampa Sports Authority stop using YOUR money to fund antisemitism and call off these concerts ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Te5dUxoycY
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) June 16, 2026

There is an old saying that leaders lead. On Monday morning, I got to see a variety of leaders in Florida, Democrats and Republicans, join together to lead the effort to stand up to Jew hatred. I hope that becomes an inspiration to leaders across the country that you can work across the aisle when it comes to fighting hate, to fighting evil. That includes Jew hatred, which seems to be the only hatred that is permitted in today’s world.

Reflections from the week

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

As my three days of site visits with Rozana and two days of strategic planning with them have come to an end, I find myself thinking deeply about the experience, what it means, and how it has affected me.

As we wrapped things up over our last two days, it felt like summer camp was ending. Even though I only spent 3-5 days with the Rozana team, they became friends. Some live in Hebron and some in Ramallah. I’ll have to go visit next time I am here. Some are East Jerusalem and some Herzaliya. Some are London and some are Melbourne Australia. Some are New York and others in Jaffa. We are geographically diverse and it is not easy to hang out together until the next big gathering, just like summer camp. It was hard to say goodbye and after just five days, the experience and the people are now part of my heart and soul.

I met some people at the various hospitals that became friends. Akram, the CEO of Al Rahkma Rehabilitation hospital, and I ended up seeing each other three different times. I’m looking forward to his visit to the US. Muhammad, who is a doctor and teaches at a Palestinian University, who invited me to visit the University so he could give me a tour that I look forward to taking. We sat, talking and talking over lunch, connecting and becoming friends. I want to follow up on Ruba, an amazing doctor and woman who left her Palestinian hospital to do a fellowship at Sheba to better her skills. After finishing an extended fellowship, she will be returning to her hospital to help other doctors and better serve her patients. All new friends, all Palestinian. If you told me that before the trip, I wouldn’t have believed it.

I met a few of the Rozana team on zoom before coming and there were many I only met when I arrived. Ran, Raed, and Diana went from zoom colleagues to friends, each so much better in person. Adil, Wajdi, Malak, and Muhammad each taught me so much and I am lucky to have met them and call them friends. I’m excited to learn more and hang out when I return.

I spent a lot of time with Ken, Ron, Doug and Rodica, each the board chair of their country’s Rozana board. The US, International, the UK and Israel. I’m excited to spend more time with them all.

Rozana showed me the power of connecting on a human level and how it bridges differences and gets beyond the surface level. As we work together, I’ll not only learn from them but I’ll learn more about them and then about me. We are breaking boundaries that the world tells us can’t be done right now. Proof that the talking heads and politicians are wrong and that Rozana is right. It’s people to people. Shared experiences.

I’ve been thinking a lot about these five days and the different lives we live. Not by choice but by outside forces. As I took the train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv I found myself thinking how easy that was for me yet how hard it was for Adil and Malak to go from Ramallah to Jerusalem. It was so difficult and would have taken so long that they couldn’t join us that day. It took half the time to take the train to Tel Aviv and the taxi to my hotel than it would have taken them to get to Jerusalem.

I have also been thinking about the partnerships that already exist. Israeli and Palestinian hospitals. Joint programs Rozana has with Magen David Adom, Sheba hospital and a number of other organizations. Good things are happening and there is proof that more good things can happen.

Most Jews I know have never met a Palestinian. Never spent time talking with them. Never listening and sharing. Their experiences are merely the talking heads. Many Palestinians have the same experience. There encounter with Jews are only with the IDF and are not positive ones.

This week has reminded me that we need to get beyond what we are being fed. It’s junk food. It’s not healthy for anybody. This week showed me opportunities that I didn’t think were possible for a decade or more are actually happening now!

This isn’t me being Pollyanna or brainwashed. This is my love of Israel deepening with hope. Change is possible NOW, despite the PA, the current Israeli government, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. It’s happening between people, between institutions, and through partnership.

Yes there are terrorists. Yes there are people who want no Israel and no Jews. All that isn’t true. There are far more who merely want to live their lives fully next to Israel, in partnership with Israel, and with respect from and towards Israelis. They want freedom, not the end of Israel or the Jews. That is our hope. That is our opportunity. It does exist.

After one of my long and deep conversations with a Palestinian this week, he spoke with one of the Rozana lay leaders. In the conversation he mentioned our talk and how much he enjoyed it. Then he asked the lay leader, ‘Is he Jewish?’ It shows what can happen when we meet as people, talk as people, show empathy as people, and focus on our similarities not our differences. We get beyond the stereotypes. I believe that he and I did, hence his question.

I am excited to build my friendships with the people I met and those who are my colleagues. I have much to learn from them and I believe they can learn from me. While the governments aren’t talking and building towards a better future, that doesn’t stop each and every one of us to do so.

A few years ago I learned the meaning of the word ‘Inshallah’. It means ‘If God wills it’. So I will do my part to build for a better future. I hope that you will do yours. And perhaps then we can have peace and that bright future.

Inshallah.

Rozana and Day 3. The hospitals

Posted on June 3, 2026June 4, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

IsraAID is a wonderful organization that does great work on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people all over the world. When there is an emergency, they show up. Today I had the opportunity to go to their Tel Aviv offices and both learn about their work in Gaza.

What happened on October 7 is inexcusable. It’s unforgivable. Since then the people of Gaza have suffered a war their leaders, Hamas, lost at a high cost to the people. Most have had to move from their homes and continue moving because of Hamas continuing to fight.

It was amazing to see the statistics about the work of IsraAID in providing healthcare, medication, supplies, baby food, hygiene kits and more to the people in Gaza. I have complained about how the UN doesn’t do their job, how Hamas and various gangs steal food and supplies, reselling it at a premium. What is happening with IsraAID makes food, supplies and medical care get directly to the people.

Rozana also does work in Gaza the report from IsraAID was helpful and informing for our work.

This work in the medical clinics in Gaza is not only changing lives in Gaza, it is building bridges between the people of Gaza and Israel. While there, we heard a great story that exemplifies this, something you won’t hear anywhere else.

A key clinic coordinator broke his wrist and was unable to join an educational zoom. The people in Gaza heard about this and started calling him, reaching out to him, checking in on him, worried about him. Then they set up a zoom for him with a physiotherapist in Gaza so he could get exercises to help him recover. All this happened while he was sitting on his couch in Tel Aviv. The people of Gaza were taking care of him, not knowing he was already in good hands. He mattered to them. Hard to imagine but true.

There are plenty of employees in Gaza, all working in the clinics providing direct care to those in need. Not terrorists hiding behind medicine but real doctors and nurses working with orgs to help take care of the health needs of the people in Gaza.

IsraAID described the conditions in Gaza to us. The food remains expensive even with aid flowing in. We were told that one sheep is $8,000 in Gaza. It shouldn’t be that way but it is. Hamas continues to create problems for the people of Gaza and yet IsraAID and others are there as trusted partners, providing key humanitarian aid. There is a need for more and we talked about how to expand from two clinics to four. How to provide more trainings for the doctors and nurses in Gaza. You won’t read that in the papers or see it on the news.

We left IsraAID feeling inspired and headed to Sheba Hospital (Tel HaShomer). Sheba is a massive hospital. It is in Israel. Yet Rozana has partnered with them to create fellowships for Palestinian doctors. We had the privilege of meeting with Dr Reut who heads the Pediatric ICU and her fellow, Dr Ruba Rizik. We had a chance to learn about Ruba and the fellowship.

Ruba comes from a small village in East Jerusalem and graduated from Al Quds University. She got a job as a doctor at the Al Makassed hospital in the pediatric ICU. Al Makassed partnered with Sheba (yes, a Palestinian hospital partnered with an Israeli one) and prepared to send her for a three year fellowship at the Sheba Pediatric ICU. But there were many challenges along the way for Ruba. First she had to take the Israeli exams. It took her a year to study properly and then she took them and passed – just in time for Covid to hit.

In 2022 she applied to the fellowship again and was accepted. Now the challenge was getting a Rozana funded scholarship. She worked with Rozana for a year to get the funding and she started October 11, 2023. We all know what happened 4 days prior.

She was unsure if she would be safe in Israel or how her coworkers would treat her. Her parents were panicked. She told us how she would talk with her mom on the phone as she walked the 15 minutes to and from work to help them both feel safe and how she had multiple locks on her apartment door.

Her supervisor and coworkers accepted her. They welcomed her. She learned Hebrew – both conversational and medical terminology. She had to learn to do all things that doctors do in Israel, which included many things that nurses do in her Palestinian hospital.

When the recent Iran-Israel war started, she went home to her parent’s house. Nobody was sure how long she would stay there and her supervisor gave her as much time as she needed. Shockingly, only 10 days later she returned to work at Sheba because she missed her work family and she felt that they needed her. Palestinians and Israelis not just working together but being like a family. When will you see that on the news or read that story in the NY Times?

Ruba shared that Al Makassed, the hospital she is to return to in 6 months, just told her they closed their pediatric ICU. Now she needs to stay at Sheba two more years to do a fellowship in general ICU. Rozana will be there for her financially to continue the fellowship. This amazing Palestinian and doctor, who was terrified of living and working in Israel, is committing for another two years to live and work in Israel, apart from her family. She is amazing. The fellowship program is amazing. And Palestinians and Israelis are working together and are becoming colleagues and friends.

We left Sheba with huge smiles on our faces. What an incredible person, doctor and program. We were filled with pride for what Rozana accomplishes and the idea of growing the fellowship. How many more fellowships could we add at Sheba each year? 10? 20? More? Changing the world with each one.

We started our drive to Haifa so we could visit the Carmel Medical Center and get an update from them on our Shared Life Program that is partnered with Rozana.

Before October 7th, Carmel realized that they wanted to address Jewish-Arab relations in the workplace. It was important to them that every employee at Carmel felt safe, secure and a part of the community. They began in September 2023. After October 7 they weren’t sure if they could run the program but they knew they had to try, so they simply did it.

They knew they had to address the Arab, Jewish, Christian and Druze relationships in the hospital to not only ensure the best medical care for patients but also ensure a safe working space for every employee. The program worked. The response to it was overwhelming. Once again, the media wants to focus on the hate and ignore any instance of shared society, where Arabs, Palestinians and Jews work together, become colleagues and even friends. As we listened to the update we got more and more excited. We began discussing the next steps in the upcoming year. What did they imagine the next year would look like? What else can we do together to enhance the program? How can we help improve these relationships even more? Can we involve patients in this process since Carmel serves such a diverse population?

It was energizing. It was exciting. It was full of hope. Haifa is the epitome of shared society and the Carmel Medical Center is an example of why this is true.

As we were concluding our day, I began to realize how much I missed my colleagues and new friends from Rozana who live in the West Bank. They weren’t with us because some need permits to enter Israel and couldn’t get them while others had checkpoints closed which made it incredibly difficult to join us. It was a powerful feeling and realization. My Palestinian friends. They weren’t allowed to join us. Amazing people and professionals who couldn’t get a permit or who couldn’t travel easily because of blocked checkpoints weren’t able to participate in the joy of what they helped create. Despite the amazing day filled with hope, it made me realize just how much work there is to do and how far we still have to go. It showed me how important this work is – making it possible for Palestinians and Israelis to get to know each other as people and colleagues and maybe even friends. How this work can change the world and our reality.

From IsraAID to Sheba to Carmel it was a meaningful and impactful day of hope and excitement. I am lucky to have the opportunity to meet these people, work with and on behalf of everybody I met in these three days of site visits, and make a difference in the region and in the world. I talk with many friends in the United States who see no hope, who see no future. I’m here to tell them and you that isn’t true. I experienced it myself and sometime soon, you will be able to as well. If you are going to be in Israel and want to see the work in the West Bank, let me know and we will make it happen. If you want to come to Israel and travel to the West Bank to see it, we will make that happen too. It’s simply too important. As we finish our site visits I am filled with gratitude for being a part of the amazing work of Rozana.

Terror in the West Bank

Posted on June 1, 2026June 2, 2026 by Keith Dvorchik

I apologize for the length of this post. It was a complicated and challenging day and requires a lot of explanation

Today I had the chance to visit a few Bedouin villages outside of Ramallah. Like many of you, I have read and heard about the problem of ‘settler violence’ but without much context or understanding. It seemed like a problem but something that didn’t happen often and was being done by a few groups without too much of an impact.

I learned today that is entirely false and a lie we have been fed. We started the day by going to the town of Mukhmas, southeast of Ramallah in area B. Mukhmas has beautiful homes and it’s a beautiful town made up almost entirely by Palestinian expats who use it as a second home for the summer. This meant the town was empty today.

We went to the edge of town where we met our guide for this part along with many members of the Bedouins who live just outside Mukhmas. We were warned that the settlers may show up when we were there and if they did, not to engage and to get into the jeeps and leave immediately. It wasn’t what I wanted to do if they showed up but I agreed anyway.

We jumped into jeeps to take the windy, rocky road to the top of the mountain. At the top, we looked out over two Bedouin villages. They pointed out the six new, small settlement that popped up and who have been terrorizing them.

Then Muhammad spoke to us about his village and what happened. He told us how the settlers started by letting their sheep run through the village to create havoc and damage. The next step was the sheep running through the village while the settlers lit houses and cars on fire. After they did that, the village called the police. The station is about 7 minutes away. 30 minutes later they showed up, with the settlers being gone. On the road in, the police drove by the convoy of settlers but said they didn’t see them and there was nothing they could do. A month later, another massive attack happened. 10-15 days after that, another attack, this time with more than 50 settlers. This means others were imported to participate. During this attack, 4 houses were burned down, 2 cars were burned and the police didn’t respond promptly and when they did, they said there was nothing they could do. The community decided they could no longer stay and disbanded. 22 families from 2 tribes were forced out of their homes because the army and the police are choosing to allow the violence and not arresting anybody. Planned violence won. I looked out at the empty village below and only saw lost dreams and heartache. I thought of the pogroms my family faced as the were forced across Europe before finally boarding whatever boat showed up next and the randomness of the boat that ended with me in America instead of Argentina by family lore. This isn’t my family but it was my family’s story.

***Muhammad speaking to us. His former village is in the background.***

Then we heard from Yusuf. His village, right nearby, was 13,000 dunams (1 Dunam is 1,000 square meters), they had 1500 people living in the village, and produced 60 tons of olive oil per year, the main financial business of the village. They also raise sheep. The settlers have slowly confiscated most of their land. They face 4-5 attacks most days. They don’t have weapons but the settlers do. In the worst attack, one person was murdered, four others were shot, and 350 of their sheep were stolen by the settlers. Once again, the police and IDF did nothing to help but they did attack the villagers with tear gas. The person murdered was Yusuf’s cousin, right in front of him.

Our guide shared the next thing that happened is that the village and surrounding are got classified as a military zone. This means no observers allowed. Only residents. And the settlers are considered residents. The terror continues even worse under these conditions. The NGO who observe and help them sued and the case went to the Supreme Court where they won – it was not a real military zone so it was removed. But nothing changed in regards to the attacks or the lack of protection by the police, the IDF or the legal system.

They now face extra security costs they can’t afford. Sound like something Jews face in the US and Europe? People try to kill is because of who we are?

And what about the police and the army? Do we believe in the rule of law? Isn’t the Torah filled with laws? Are we people of the book, of laws? Imagine attacks on any of our Jewish organizations where the police didn’t show up promptly and allowed the attack to continue. Would we allow that?

We were heartbroken with what we heard and saw. We left and began to head to our next stop when a text came in, letting us know that as soon as we left, the settlers showed up, trying to terrorize the Bedouins.

We were all a bit shaken but continued on to our next stop, the Bedouin village of Dar Abu Farja, east of Ramallah.

We arrived at Dar Abu Farja and discovered an old school Bedouin village. Not the fake ones that tourists go to – a real one where they face real challenges.

The town leader greeted us with a few other leaders and a lot of children. They were happy to see us and to share their story.

They finally settled in their village in 1970 and bought the land. They were a small village of 12 when they began. They lived there happily, raising sheep and growing olives and grew to 120 people. Since they live in area C, under the control of the IDF, no basic services are provided. If they had been in area B and under the PA for civil society, they would have been provided. Every other week, a mobile medical clinic would come to provide services. It was a life they enjoyed. In September 2022, the settlers arrived and began harassing them and stealing their sheep. The police and IDF did nothing to protect them. A few years ago, they sold most of the sheep to stop them from getting stolen. Their Olive trees have been destroyed by the settlers. They no longer have an economy. They can’t go out of the village to work because they take shifts to protect the village.

I went to use the public bathroom and discovered it was a hole in the ground – an old school Bedouin village. I washed my hands and returned in time to hear him talk about the water dispute. The settlers camp near the water line and cut it. The village sued and won – the settlers were required to move away from the water line and not interfere with it. However, once again, there is no enforcement. As a result, the village has been without water for a month. I live in Florida and due to hurricanes have been without water in my house for a few days. It’s miserable and we don’t stay in the house. I can’t imagine a month without it. I felt guilty for washing my hands after the bathroom and then began to wonder – no water for a month – how is there water to wash your hands. So I asked.

An NGO brings them 4 trucks of water each week and they have to ration it. Without this water they couldn’t survive and would have to move.

***The village leader of Dar Abu Farja***

Despite their water shortage they continue to offer us coffee and tea. Despite the Israeli government not enforcing the law, they treated us kindly and welcomed us. It so easily could have been the opposite. In fact much of the commentary by the talking heads around the world is how these people are being filled with hatred. My experience was just the opposite. They want to live in peace. They want to live on their land, raise sheep and grow olives, and build their families where they live. It sounds exactly like what we ask the world as Jews. Just let us live. Don’t terrorize us. Don’t hate us. We don’t want to conquer, we just want to live our lives and be happy.

As we walked out of the village, we saw the settlers across the street. We saw the tents the Bedouins live in. And we saw the marks on the ground at the edge of the village where the settlers had camped, brought their sheep, and cooked something, all to intimidate the members of the village.

As we drove to meet with the leaders of Taybeh, a mainly Christian town in the West Bank, we got a call that the IDF showed up at Dar Abu Farja after we left, asking questions about who we were, why we were there, and what was our purpose in being there. The police then showed up as well and they were interrogating our guide for these Bedouin villages and his team. The Rozana CEO left us to go back to the village to deal with the IDF and the police. We didn’t know if anybody, or all of us, would be arrested.

It turns out that what we learned a few hours earlier about declaring these villages ‘military zones’ to protect the settlers had happened to Dar Abu Farja but nobody informed the village leadership or those who work with the village. We got a first hand experience with what this looks like and what it feels like. There is no military reason for this village to classified as they have. The only reason is to protect the settlers and push the Bedouins out. I am a big supporter of the IDF and have many friends serving in miluim (reserves) and many in leadership roles. I love Israel and the Israeli people. I come often and wish it was even more. Learning about this, talking with those affected, and then experiencing it personally is heartbreaking.

When we arrived at Taybeh, we were welcomed heartily by the leadership of the town. They once again had coffee, food, and then tea for us. The leadership was glad we came. He then began to tell us what has happened in Taybeh. A town of 15,000 now only has 2,000 residents. This is a tourist town for Christians as it is believed that Jesus visited the town. Since October 7 they lost almost all tourism, their largest revenue. Imagine Orlando or Las Vegas losing all their tourism and what the economic impact would be. That’s what happened in Taybeh. Then the army confiscated land where 90% of their olive trees are located. Olive oil, their 2nd largest part of the economy, has been decimated. The 2,000 residents that remain can only do so because of family financial support from abroad. Their more local government is close to collapsing because of no economy and no jobs.

Two gates were added at the town which makes travel much more difficult. The gates are closed at random times and often for no reason. As a result of this, working outside the village is very difficult. One of the town leaders was a school principal in Ramallah. He had to resign due to the challenge of getting to and from Ramallah each day and has been unemployed ever since.

Once again, these people who had very reason to hate Israel. They don’t. They hate what is happening and what the government is doing, but all they want to do is live in their town, have jobs, and raise their children. They were warm, welcoming, and kind.

We finished our visits by going for lunch at the famous Taybeh Brewing Company (in full disclosure I had never heard of it before).

This is a local, private business that is known throughout the country as having the best beer. It’s famous. They work with local women to support them and our lunch was homemade by local women. we sat outside, ate, and enjoyed the experience.

After lunch we got a tour of the brewery. It was incredibly impressive. Since October 7th and the reduced tourism, they chose to expand their capacity. They ship to many countries (you can see if it’s available where you live here). They also now make wine, gin and whiskey. Plus they make their own Olive Oil. I purchased a bottle of wine for my father-in-law, a bottle of whiskey for one of my closest friends, and olive oil for our home.

Historically they have an entire weekend of Octoberfest. Children’s events, live music, and celebrations. People fill the hotels and travel from all over. Since October 7th they haven’t been able to hold it. They are hopeful for 2027. A wonderful cultural event bringing people together lost by the town. I hope they are able to hold it in 2027

As we left Taybeh and headed toward Tel Aviv, we came upon a checkpoint. Our guide and his team were a few cars ahead of us. They were stopped, made to get out of their car, all their bags were searched and they were interrogated. They were clearly targeted. The checkpoint backed up. Luckily they were finally allowed through. When we got to the checkpoint, we were boarded by two IDF soldiers, questioned and made to show our passports. This wasn’t normal security and we felt targeted at well. As we cleared the checkpoint the guards relaxed their security and cars drove through in the normal manner.

THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

This was a challenging day. I love Israel. Those who know me know just how passionate I am about Israel and how I am constantly working to educate people about what is really happening, not the lies told on social media, by podcasters or in the news. Today showed me a reality that I cannot defend. I think of the things that happened and are happening to Jews and how we fight against it and how we get angry when we don’t have government support for our safety and security.

We see shootings at Jewish buildings, cars driving into synagogues, beatings in the street and get furious when we aren’t protected. Imagine houses owned by Jews in your neighborhood being burned. Your car being burned. The water cut off at your home for a month because you are Jewish. We have seen Jews murdered walking outside a Jewish event. Multiply that by 10 or more.

Now that I have seen what is really happening, experienced a bit of it personally and met and heard from those impacted, I can’t stand by. Israel is better than this. In the Israeli Declaration of Independence it reads

We are violating our own Declaration of Independence in an egregious manner. I love Israel and because of that I have to share what I saw and what I felt. This must end. It’s not who we are as a Jewish State and it is not what Israel was founded on. We need to demand better. Israel can and should do better.

** If you are interested in helping provide water to Dar Abu Farja, please contact me. $350 provides a week’s worth of water to this Bedouin community until they can get the water turned back on.

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