It was amazing to play with the great Natalie Merchant at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock last week! I played two nights, benefits for victims of domestic abuse, with Natalie and other incredible musicians. This was my first live experience with Natalie. Previously, I played on her album Butterfly and her contribution to the Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project.

In the photo above (by Bahram Foroughi) is, from right: Amy Helm, Gail Dorsey from Bowie’s band (an incredible singer herself), Natalie Merchant, Dan Littleton on guitar, me on cello and Olivier Manchon on viola. Not seen are Megan Gould and Karen Waltuch on violin. Other amazing artists included Martha Wainright and Katie from the B52’s. And a big wow- Charley Drayton on drums from Dylan’s band, The Rolling Stones, etc.

A very inspiring experience to work with these incredible artists, in such a great venue with so much history.

Their songs are still sounding in my ears one week later.

Visiting the West Bank in my 20’s

Visiting the occupied West Bank in the 90’s- The Cave of The Patriarchs in Hebron stands behind me.

Heartbroken. That’s the word I’m hearing over and over again from my friends this week, following Hamas’ ruthless incursion into Israel. I too am heartbroken, and my heartbreak extends to all people of that region. We are all human beings, and the labels of Palestinian and Jew are incredibly narrow in comparison to the breadth of what we all share. We all desire one thing- to be happy and live good lives. And our blood, when it runs, all runs red.

I learned this in my 20’s, while traveling in the West Bank with a friend. There, I witnessed the horror of life under military rule. Nothing I had read prepared me for what I saw and felt- In fact, I had been educated as an American to see Palestinian people as far less than human. Making friends, receiving their beautifully open hospitality and love, shattered that indoctrination. I was utterly heartbroken then too, meeting human beings living their whole lives in a dehumanizing and pitiful captivity.

Later, watching The Gatekeepers, a documentary in which 6 Israeli heads of security all conclude that ending the occupation is the ONLY way to create safety for Israel, shattered any residual view that military rule in Gaza and the West Bank was a necessity, as I was previously led to believe. See it if you have any doubt. Today, this statement could be extended to the settlement of the West Bank by religious Israelis, and the support it receives from the Hard Right government. Settlement is demeaning to the Palestinians, whose territory is already so criminally limited.

And so I’m heartbroken like so many, not only because of the loss of Israeli life, the hideous abductions and rapes, but also because of the devastation which is now being wrought on Gaza and its people. Hamas’ terrorists do not represent the Palestinian people, but are an arm of Iran’s extremist leadership- their religious dogma, funding, training, and munitions design and supply. The people of Gaza in no way deserve retribution for the actions of Hamas, and Israel’s returning of hatred to the people of Gaza is not a solution but a terrible mistake, both spiritually and strategically. What is needed now is reflection, not retribution.

At the same time, this has been an incredibly hard week for me as a Jew, because of the tremendous hatred inherent in Hamas’ attack, and I know many share in that experience.

One cannot separate the terror brought by Hamas in the name of territory, from their core dogma of anti-semitism. Their vicious actions are fueled by a raging fire of religious extremism, specifically pointed in its hatred of Jews. It’s easy to consider the heinous treatment of Palestinians by Israel- since its inception- to be the sole cause of these atrocities, and thus to blame Israel for the attacks. But like most human games, it’s just not that simple. Hamas’ anti-semitism exists independently of the Palestinian situation, and is part and parcel of this moment. Like all racial bias, it is not dependent on events, but a blind fury which seeks to justify itself by citing a historical or factual basis.

I think every Jew feels this on a deeply visceral level. We experience these events as an attack on who and what we are, as if they occurred to our own bodies and minds. And because this experience is so fresh, when we now see friends, organizations or public figures berating and blaming Israel (often without any expression of empathy for what’s happened), its doubly heart-wrenching. These expressions are necessarily felt as Jewish hatred in and of themselves. Whether intended or not, conscious or not, these words without love are received as anti-semitic, and the heartbreak continues.

For now, there is only one way to respond to all terrorism- with condemnation.

Instead of ostracism, Israel needs worldwide support to foster the positive change Palestinians need and deserve. Pointing out oppressive and wrong-minded policies must go hand in hand with supporting Israel’s fundamental right to exist. This coupling will go a long way towards bringing about the change we all want to see. And as the friend of Israel, the U.S. should provide support, but not be unequivocal in its bolstering of Israeli policy, especially now, when so many innocent lives are at stake. While standing behind Israel, we must take a stand against the destruction of Gaza and its people. This is the only way to end the cycles of violence and despair, and the endless heartbreak.

I’m sending love out to all beings, in the Holy Land of Palestine-Israel, and worldwide. May the world know Peace.

Very proud to have played solo cello on BBC’s Mood, which just won the Baftas (British Emmys) for Best Original Score and Best Mini-Series! The beautiful score was composed by Bryan Senti, with whom I’ve worked on many projects since playing on his score for Experimenter, with Wynona Rider and Peter Sarsgaard. Congrats to Bryan and the whole team of Mood! Here’s to many many more…..