When Yitshak Navon was President one year on Rosh Hashana he spoke to the nation about balatot, the ceramic 20x20cm tiles that basically cover the floors of every dwelling in Israel.  (What would you do with all that sand??)  He suggested that if every man woman and child were to care for their own balatot; the 3 or 4 in front, the 3 or 4 to the side, and the 3 or 4 behind.. perhaps the world could - and might become a better place, a safer place, a place where we can raise our children and grow organic vegetables, develop new sources of energy, save the planet, exchange food and goods of all kind with our neighbors, and live in peace for an eternity  without the threat of war….  Sounds good..

 

Standing on a street corner in Amman, Jordan, 19 years ago with a group of Jordanians; after identifying myself as an Israeli born in America, I will never forget the swell of emotion that enveloped us as we discussed the fresh peace agreement.  It was less than 2 weeks after the historic handshake between Hussein & Rabin (7/94).  My editor at Yediot Ahronot, Ram Oren asked me to travel to Jordan using my US passport (as a cover), and bring back a lifestyle story to be titled "The Restaurants of Jordan".  It was a sensitive time, and with respect to the political situation there was a need for caution.  I was warned not to reveal my true (Israeli) identity as I flew from Lanarca, to Amman, and I was advised to keep a very low profile.  

Having always wondered what Eilat looked like from the other side and after renting a shiny red Buick (maintaining a low profile), and with a wad of cash visiting restaurants (maintaining a low profile), I headed south to Aqaba - my first destination.  It was an absurdist undertaking, so it wasn't long that - true to form - ignoring the briefing by my employer, the advice of my friends and relatives, and the warnings by both security mavens and my ex-wife I began identifying myself not just as a photographer doing a piece (of fluff) for an Israeli magazine, but as an Israeli by choice, born in the USA.

 

In recent weeks I've taken to wearing my dog-tags, issued to me in '82.  Perhaps in the wake of recent events I'm feeling a stronger connection to Israel, or perhaps it represents an ideal, and (I feel) it protects me from becoming like everyone else more interested in Peyton Manning's neck, Snookie's unborn baster baby, or Princess Kate's tittes caught in the Riviera sun.

 

Back to the street corner, which could have been a board room, or the UN, or anywhere…  

We knew.  

Standing there.  

Peace has nothing to do with religion or nationality.

 

Navon had it right… its about the balatot.

 

May this year please be about peace, good health and a little prosperity.

 

Happy New Year

 

Peter & Marcy