On Saturday evening, May 13, an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and
Palestinian Islamic Jihad took effect. Almost at the same time in New York, Hasidic Jews
walked in Times Square with a flag of Palestine showing their support of the ceasefire and
their opposition to the violence in the occupied territories. This shows the complexity of the
cultural and religious world, but also its unbelievable possibilities. It also demonstrates the
power of a city like New York, which is a sanctuary for people fleeing violence, misery,
persecution, etc. People here live peacefully, side by side, with their aggressors. There is no
bombing between communities, no walls dividing neighborhoods. New York is a
demonstration of what is possible, a place where everyone enjoys the same level of
citizenship without discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or
economic status.
