Can we stop demonizing each other over the West Bank - opinion

As a resident of Judea and Samaria for years, I've watched the conversation around 'settlements' and 'settlers' become increasingly polarized and unproductive. It pains me, as one Jewish woman to another, to see how we talk past each other, resorting to caricatures instead of genuine listening. This disconnect has become not just exhausting, but dangerous, especially in the wake of October 7th.

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We talk past each other. We caricature each other.

I've always tried to keep an open mind, even when my instincts screamed caution. I considered the Oslo Accords, despite the risks of Palestinian intransigence and terror. I watched the heartbreaking disengagement from Gush Katif, hoping against evidence that land-for-peace could work. I even sat through lectures on the two-state solution, weighing the arguments for Palestinian statehood in the heartland of Jewish history.

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I have tried to keep an open mind about the peace experiments of the last three decades. Even when my gut screamed that they would end in blood.

This is what openness looks like: confronting ideas that scare you and refusing to shut the door. Yet, I rarely encounter this same willingness from those who oppose Jewish life in Judea and Samaria. The moment we suggest development, the response is reflexive rejection, a wall of no consideration. It's a stark contrast to the engagement I've attempted, and it prevents any meaningful progress.

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I didn’t cheer for Oslo, but I didn’t automatically exclude it from contemplation. I wanted to believe.

From our perspective here in Jerusalem, this isn't just about land; it's about our history, our identity, and our right to live in our ancestral homeland. The international narrative often simplifies this complex reality, failing to acknowledge the deep-seated connection and the genuine desire for security and normalcy that many of us feel. The Jerusalem Post, as a voice for this perspective, strives to present these nuances, even when they challenge prevailing international opinions.

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I watched the heartbreaking scenes of families being dragged from their homes in Gush Katif, and I still tried to listen to the argument that retreating would bring security and international goodwill.