<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/19/do-not-use-our-death-to-bring-death-plea-to-israel-from-peace-activists-grieving-families>
"Noy Katsman knew the eulogy for their murdered brother would anger some who
came to mourn, but did not want the violence of Hayim Katsman’s death to
eclipse his life as a peace activist.
Grief and loss at Hayim’s slaughter was magnified by watching Israel launch a
war in his name, said Noy, who is non-binary. So at the funeral, relying on a
Jewish tradition of respect for the bereaved, Noy called for it to stop.
“Do not use our death and our pain to bring the death and pain of other people
and other families,” Noy told the hundreds-strong crowd, as the government
bombed Gaza and prepared for a massive ground invasion. “I have no doubt that
even in the face of Hamas people that murdered him … he would still speak out
against the killing and violence of innocent people.”
Arguing against retaliation in Gaza, as Israel reels from the scale and
brutality of the massacres by Hamas on 7 October, is unpopular. At one point in
the eulogy the mourners tutted in anger and disapproval.
But afterwards Hayim’s friends came to thank Noy. “One told me: ‘It’s exactly
what your brother would have wanted you to say.’”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
