Birds not war

Never-ending horrendous headlines tell us about unfathomable numbers of children dead and families starving in Gaza. Each day now, after calling and writing letters to the powers-that-be to demand an immediate ceasefire and delivery of food, water, medical help to all these victims of Israel’s relentless bombing, I find myself needing to breathe in some nature.

How lucky I am that I can grab some binoculars and head to the water. Yes, it is a privilege to leave my unbombed home to spend time outside, especially now in winter with so many marvelous birds overwintering.

Outside, at shoreline, the migrators —the goose, merganser, surf scoter, goldeneye, gull, harlequin—have come from afar to shelter in peace. There’s a lesson in that. There is no peace for children in Gaza, no safe shelter. And for some reason, in our current politics, to mention that Palestinian children should be protected and cherished can cause an uproar. Why is it it’s OK to marvel at the glory of these winter birds, yet not OK to cherish the children of Gaza?

Our city council recently held a public hearing on declaring support for a ceasefire. In my testimony, I pointed out that Israel has killed over 20,000 people—the equivalent of our entire town of Port Angeles. Then, I listened to supporters of the war express hate, as if the children of Gaza were not human at all and, therefore, it didn’t matter if they died.

But it does matter. Gaza children deserve peace and safety, too. So, I dream that we stop this war now and that we start seeing all children as deserving life—regardless of religion or skin color or nationality— and that all policies on how we live on earth could start there, with the children.

Outside now, the winter birds seek shelter, a safe harbor. So beautiful in this winter’s chill.