Speak to that Young Israeli
by Andrew Watt

Speak to that young Israeli
Who's sitting next to you
Ask him most politely
What trouble he's been through

Ask about his journey
From troubled Palestine
Just why he left his country
For this choice land of mine

Ask him for his feelings
Ask him if he cares
For stolen land and olives
For orphaned childrens' tears

Ask him what he went through
If conscript soldiers feel
Ask of his experience
Ask him now to tell

Ask him if he's stolen
Ask him now from who
Has he shot at many
Or shot at just a few

Ask what he thinks of murder
Of Arab boy by Jew
Ask him if he saw it
Or something he did do

Ask him what excites him
Ask what turns him on
Is it the HaTikvah
Or Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil Sharon?

Ask him if he's happy
To keep ill gotten gains
To steal another's land
And cause those others' pains

Ask if he was pilot
Taught bravely high to fly
Yet rockets mere civilians
To kill, destroy and lie

Ask if he stole water
So others' tongues would crack
Ask him if he's willing
To give that water back

And what if he won't listen
What if his ears are shut
What if he has no conscience
And hate is all he's got

You cannot make him listen
You cannot make him think
But perhaps your honest questions
Will call him from the brink

Perhaps much blood is crying
From Palestinian dust
In time to touch his conscience
Replacing his blood lust

Perhaps his sullen silence
Is guilt flooding through his soul
Perhaps that young Israeli
Feels shame for his own role

Remember that Israeli
Is human just like you
Perhaps his frozen conscience
Will open up to view

Ask the young Israeli
For both his hopes and fears
For child of Jew and Arab
Amid those flowing tears

Don't fear to ask those questions
Their effect you cannot know
The touch of human contact
May human kindness sow

Perhaps that Young Israeli
Will change inside his heart
To start to work for justice
Begin to play his part

16th November 2002