Rainbow After the Storm

Our day began with a stroll down to the shores of the Kineret, just meters (or yards, for the metrically challenged) away from the hostel where we are staying. While we walked, we noticed tall wooden structures, and we continued to walk across a sandy field until we reached the Kineret itself. Our guide shared with us that the wooden structures that now stood somewhat in the distance were the lifeguard posts that were built with the intention of hovering right beside the water, but now stood half a football field away. The reality of water scarcity in Israel is not shocking, but seeing the lonely lifeguard posts sitting lonely in the distance was a real reminder of how real the water crisis is, and we then understood why the buttons on the toilets look different, and why Israelis turn the faucet off while they rub the shampoo into their hair.

I did extensive research on the water crisis in the Middle East for my Middle Eastern Studies research paper, and I became familiar with the security and strategic implications of water control. We drove past the National Water Carrier that was constructed in the late 50's-early 60's by Israel, and that was seen as an aggressive act of water diversion not only by the Arab countries of the region but by the larger global community. We witnessed the inhabitants of the Galilee's attachment to the Golan and Galilee region and the symbolic significance of the Kineret.

An interesting opinion that I discovered while researching the topic was that even if peace were somehow achieved between the Arabs and Israelis, the water conflict would still exist and challenge the region. However, if the water crisis were resolved, peace might be far more achievable. My research showed me that while ideological differences polarized the Arabs and Israelis from the time of Israel's independence, conflicts over water were the underlying causes of the many skirmishes and wars during Israel's beginning years. Israel discovered that if she was to exist and prosper, it was vital to secure sustainable water access. Likewise, the Arab countries recognized that if Israel were denied access to water, she would struggle to survive. Thus, from the inception of the Arab-Israeli conflict, water lay at the heart of the tension.

While we walked down to the shores of the Kineret this morning, we were greeted with a cool rain that continued throughout the entire day. The rain provided an interesting perspective on the water conflict, because we pray three times a day for God to provide Israel with rainwater, and before our eyes, the Kineret was swallowing the drops of water from the sky. At the same time, the rain was a burden, prohibiting our group from doing the hike that was planned (we visited Tel Chai instead), and also making our volunteer gardening experience rather challenging. (To briefly elaborate on the latter point, we volunteered for Ayalim, an organization that reaches out and helps less privileged communities with various projects. Our group was given the task of hoeing weeds from the land, digging holes, and planting trees. We returned to the bomb shelter that was being used as a youth lounge dripping in mud and water, though we had fun and felt accomplished.)

Throughout the trip, we have been exposed to various conflicts that have challenged, confused, and engaged my classmates and me. From the tensions between Israel and her neighboring countries, to the conflicts within Israel, both within the Jewish community and regarding the Jewish relations with the other people living in Israel, our eyes were opened to the many challenges and dilemmas that face the Jewish State. As this trip winds down, many of us are finding that our views have shifted and that we must now reevaluate the way we think about and connect to Israel. Standing at the Kineret was, for me, a great way to put into perspective the intellectual, spiritual, and religious journey that I have undergone these past few weeks. The water conflict is one that is as complex as any; however, the paradox of the rainfall showed me that the solution to conflicts is often a complicated process that is sometimes in our control and sometimes not. Israel's water sanitation, diversion, and conservation efforts assist her struggle to preserve the vital resource, but sometimes all that can be done is pray for rain. Even when the rain fell, we found that we were not entirely pleased with that situation either, even though we understood that it was helping a greater cause. Likewise, all of the conflicts that we have confronted are extremely multifaceted and complex and may or may not have clear-cut solutions. The rain may start to fall, meaning the wheels of resolution may start turning, and even when this stage comes, the conflict still exists and may still go unresolved.

As we drove back to our hostel at the conclusion of the day's activities, we peeked out the windows of the bus to see a complete and clear rainbow illuminating the beautiful landscape. I also want to mention that on Shabbat I walked to the Kotel, and I saw a rainbow straddling the Temple Mount as I walked away. Just like in the story of Noah, these rainbows were beautiful reminders of the light at the end of the tunnel, and these natural phenomena were the perfect send-off for me to return back to the States after this intense experience that I shared with my classmates these past few weeks.

Posted by Benjy Forester