The Israel & Hamas war made me sick!

The Onset of Illness

"Sometimes, our physical reactions mirror our inner turmoil”. Let me explain, I had a rather unsavory episode of food poisoning that involved explosive diarrhea and throw-up. 

I know, disgusting but stay with me.

At the same time, I was battling food poisoning. I was wrestling with the horrors unfolding halfway across the world. The parallels between the sickness in my body and the sickness in our global society became all too clear.

I was sick for days after eating a ham and hard salami sandwich from the deli department of the supermarket attached to my building.  They’ve been selling expired food for years, so it serves me right.

But on the 4th day, I woke up feeling better. However, later in the evening, my stomach started making crazy growling sounds. My body was strangely tense and I felt like I was biting my tongue. I wasn’t feeling as bad as I did a few days prior but still off and assumed I was still in recovery. 

As the week continued, I didn’t feel any better. I developed even more symptoms like a head and throat ache.  Then it hit me.  

A World in Turmoil

I was stressed, angry, and filled with fear and grief.  It was physically taking a toll on my body.

A few days earlier, on October 7th the world witnessed a heinous attack by Hamas against Israel and Israel's devastating response. Thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire were being killed and it showed no sign of stopping.

I visited Israel years ago when I was in college and even then it had a notable military presence.  Oddly enough, I don’t remember any talk about Palestine. My school didn’t issue any warnings before arriving, and neither did our host as we toured Israel from top to bottom. 

My 19-year-old self didn’t know the history then. But I do now.

I’ve been reading the current newspaper articles and social media posts, listening to podcasts, and commentary from newsrooms, domestic and foreign.  I’m sickened by what I’m seeing and hearing. With each passing day, my silence and lack of engagement felt like consent and disinterest and I certainly was not.

I finally decided to join the conversation.  I reposted a video on Instagram that was in line with my feelings on the Israel-Hamas war that was unfolding and killing thousands of innocent civilians, mostly children.  

The backlash was immediate.  

Engagement and Backlash

It was later after others made comments in response to the backlash that I realized our children went to school together. She followed my IG account Penal Talk, a purpose-driven brand that delves into the history of the US legal system and its impact on society, particularly within marginalized communities.

Before the post, we were cordial to one another, even friendly. Although my response would have been more subtle toward an individual I know, my feelings were still the same.

But Israel is, has, and will always be a sensitive topic.  Any comments made in opposition to Israel’s government are automatically called antisemitic. I make tons of comments about my own country's governing, but that doesn’t make me anti-American.

"What struck me about her threat wasn't just its nature, but how it mirrored a larger trend where dissenting voices are often silenced by threats to their personal or professional lives."

Unfortunately, these verbal intimidation tactics were becoming the norm.

One thing was sure, I couldn’t continue to be silent.  I couldn’t continue to make myself ill by stifling my voice.

Diving Deeper: The Bigger Picture

America has gone as far as to pass laws that make it illegal for companies who decide not to do business with Israelis if they feel their values, ethics, and morals are in opposition to their own.  This is the same country where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a bakery owner who refused to make wedding cakes for a same-sex couple because it violated her Christian beliefs.  I mean, where the hell do I live?

More than two dozen states have adopted laws and policies restricting boycotts of Israel in the past four years.

Their target is BDS, a Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. BDS is modeled after the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

In  2020 Ben & Jerry’s stopped selling ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Stating “We believe it is inconsistent with our values' ' The decision was called anti-semitic even though Ben & Jerry's continued to sell products in other areas of Israel. 

FYI, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who founded the company are Jewish!

I fucking love Ben &Jerry! 

Personal Stand and Advocacy

It’s our First Amendment right to participate in political boycotts "Our voices, our beliefs, and our rights to express them are fundamentally American. We must resist any forces that aim to stifle them, whether they stem from personal conflicts or systemic pressures." 

Keep fighting the good fight and as always,

Take care you!