pn729. David Galler, a New Zealand Jew, tells of his family visit to the West Bank

 "My mother, a survivor of Auschwitz and the Death March, always thought Israel’s position on Palestine was a greater threat to the peace and security of Israelis than the Palestinians ever could be. I agree.

 "As a Jewish New Zealander I am ashamed by Israel's long history of inflaming tensions in the Mideast.

"Because there are extremists on both sides is the very reason that we in the diaspora should stand tall and actively seek peace."

As we welcome the ceasefire and contemplate President Biden's plea for a two country settlement, Israeli integrity and equal citizenship rights for Palestinians living in Israel, read what David Galler has to say.

Dr David Galler is the son of Polish Jewish refugees. He is the author of Things That Matter: Stories of Life and Death, a memoir of his work as a Middlemore Hospital intensive care specialist, which was named the best book of 2016 by the Spinoff. David was born in Wellington in 1967.

I publish this knowing that two of my special Jewish friends will not agree with David. I urge them to read his posting.

-- ACW