It is up to us by Irit Umani

I belong to two nations, two societies, two citizenships.

I am a U.S. citizen and also an Israeli, born and raised.

What a karma!

Yesterday, I, of course, attended the NO KINGS rally in Taos, New Mexico, where I live. It was very well attended. But Taos is small. So, when I came home, I checked to see how big it was in big cities. 

I am inspired. By the resolve, the creativity, even the sense of humor, mostly by the commitment of we the people.

Last May, when I visited Israel, I joined the every Saturday demonstrations that have been going on in Israel for two years now, calling for an end to the war and the return of all hostages. They still continue until the return home of all dead bodies of hostages for dignified burials in Israel. 

I was glued to Israeli TV every day when live hostages returned home to their families. The videos of their reunion with families had me crying again and again. This time with joy. 

And the killing of civilians in Gaza also came to an end. Not less important.

And I want to share with all of you, please hear me, that the end of this awful war and the return of all living hostages (and I pray soon all hostages to burials too) was NOT achieved by Trump, Netanyahu, Hamas, Qatar, or any other “power that be.” It was achieved by the non-ceasing demonstrations of we the people of Israel. 

Stopping the insane race toward autocracy, fascism, will be achieved here, depending only on we the people.

Saturday was a good and promising day. IF we continue.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace.