BY RABBI JACK SHLACHTER
Los Alamos Jewish Center

Recently, I walked through the underpass tunnel near the Los Alamos Co-Op Market and saw an art space painted with the phrase “Free Palestine.”  I recognize the importance of free speech – that is one of the incredible rights we enjoy in this country.  This is unlike the situation faced in all of the Middle East (including Gaza) with the exception of rights protected in the democratic, sovereign, and legally recognized State of Israel.  

I am glad that the County has created this space for artistic projects by locals but do not believe the intent was to politicize the tunnel where many of us hike and bike.  We are approaching a potentially contentious election – do we want to start seeing political statements on these walls?  How about sexually graphic images?  I appeal to all Los Alamos residents to avoid such abuses of the spirit of the project.

As to the content of this particular contribution, I suspect the person who wrote “Free Palestine” is well-intentioned but woefully ignorant of the history of the region and the implications of the statement.  To me and many Jews, “Free Palestine” implies dissolution of Israel.  By my reading, that is an example of Jew hatred and in violation of the international definition of antisemitism, a definition adopted by the Federal government and the State of New Mexico.  This is because “Free Palestine” implies denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination.  

Further, without seeing signs protesting the situations in Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Burundi, Libya, Somalia, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, and other countries by the aforementioned individual, I sense that there is a double standard being applied to Israel, again in violation of the international definition of antisemitism.

For those wishing to better understand the complexity of the history leading to the internationally recognized establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, I can direct you to an extensive list compiled by American-born, Israeli author Daniel Gordis of recommended, published and reviewed resources.  Please know that “Free Palestine” is repugnant to me and many of my congregants.  We would appreciate its immediate removal.