Three Years, Now

When you think about three years, you might think of it as something that just flew by ("ohmigawd, I can't believe that three years ago we were freshmen!") or a serious chunk of time ("ohmigawd, I can't believe you guys have been together three years and still aren't engaged!"). 

However you think of three years, whether it's slow or fast, it's likely a drop in the bucket compared to how it must feel to spend three years in captivity, away from your family, in enemy territory, unsure if each new sunrise brings new beginnings or the same old feeling that it's all over, that that day will be your last.

Gilad Shalit has been gone for three years. He was kidnapped first, before Ehud Goldvasser and Eldad Regev - both of them were returned in boxes (I was here in Israel for that last year, and it was gut-wrenching to watch it on television).

I've been meaning to post about this for days, ever since I started seeing that tent every day. If you live or work in Jerusalem, right near that major intersection of Keren Hayesod, Agron, Azza, and King George Street, you know the tent I mean - with a few volunteers staffing it at all times, ready to hand you information about Gilad. I pass it every day on my way to work at the CLI office, where I've been working on ROI Summit for the last several weeks. There are days that I look at the people in the tent and say "boker tov," but beyond that, I don't engage - what are they going to tell me? I'm already on their side. There are mornings when I think about hopping over to a coffee shop and bringing them coffee or some other beverages. But usually, I walk by, think about the captive soldier, and get to work.

Of course, there are also online commemorations of sorts underway: change your Facebook status to "Free Gilad Now!"; change your Twitter profile picture to a picture of Gilad Shalit, retweet this story about redeeming captives, etc. Which of the six "Free Gilad" groups will you join on FB? Do you have to join all of them? After a certain amount of time, can you leave those groups, or does that constitute the abandonment of the issue?

I understand where the motivation comes from - why they sit there, devoted despite the lack of progress; why people think it's meaningful to join a group or change a profile picture in protest, because it's a way to express their indignation at the situation. But to whom are they expressing themselves? Is Hamas monitoring our Facebook FriendFeed, trying to see if enough people are troubled by Shalit's kidnapping? 

I've found such gestures, sitting-in or logging in for activism, to be just that - kind of like carpooling to social activism...going with the flow, because other people are, because it's easy and convenient, not because it makes a difference. 

Does this online activism make a difference? To whom? And how can we engage in vocalizing our distress in a way that makes an impact and treats Gilad, his family and supporters with respect? What could we do that would be more meaningful? 

On a third anniversary, in the country that cares most about Gilad's health and well-being, I ask myself these questions, and search for a meaningful way to effect change. Your ideas and opinions, as always, are welcome.

Comments

[Andrea]

Great post. You are so right. Being in Israel right now, you're close to it in a way you're not in LA or New York. I can't imagine what it's like because I'm so far away, so far removed. I recall some of those emotional moments and moments of reflection upon seeing evidence of destruction due to war during my visit to Israel in winter 2008. It's so sad and yet at this moment I think that we should all visit Israel on the occasion for the reminder (but of course wish there was nothing like this to remember).

[Chris M]

War is hell Esther. That probably doesnt help much. I hope this young fellow returns home safe and sound, but what can you personally do to ameliorate the situation? What did I do when I was fighting communism in The United States Air Force back in the late 70's and early 80s? Always made sure I was ready. I'd say Israelis should always strive that what happened to Gilad happens to no others. Take heart in such efforts and perhaps it will ease your burden.

[Nachum]

I've walked by that tent many times and your words describe my thoughts exactly.