From the River to the Sea

I’ve had conversations recently with people both inside and beyond our congregation about the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which has been invoked in the activism happening for Gaza in the last few months, and which has been used in Palestine for decades. The upcoming 25 Mile March for Peace and Liberation in Gaza is using the phrase as a part of its title. Because I had not heard it except in the context of a rallying cry for the civil rights and just treatment of Palestinians in the place where they live, it seemed - and seems - to me a poetic and evocative expression of that longing.

I have, however come to nuance my understanding. What many of you probably already know is that at least some Jews experience “from the river to the sea” as deeply harmful and antisemitic. Because it has been used by Hamas - even included in its charter - with a meaning that includes the complete annihilation of the state of Israel and its citizens, it is associated only with violence, terrorism and destruction. In other words: destroy all Jews living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean.

Contemporary activists and politicians like Rashida Tlaib, who continue to employ the phrase assure detractors that, “From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.” This is certainly the way I have been understanding the call of the phrase.

I have become more circumspect about how I understand “from the river to the sea,” because of how evocative it is in both Jewish communities and those advocating for Palestine. I may not use that language in my own advocacy, but I am part of Mennonite Action. And because Mennonite Action is endorsing the 25 Mile Walk and because they continue to use “From the River to the Sea” in their title and publicity, I thought I would share their language about how they understand that call and cry for freedom from the river to the sea.

The following is in the intro to the sign up, written by organizers who include Jews and Palestinians as well as many other diverse identities:

When we say "Freedom from the River to the Sea," we call for universal freedom and safety for everyone from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. We call for universal access to food, water, shelter, education, and medical care. We call for freedom of movement and freedom of expression regardless of religion or ethnicity.

When we say "Freedom from the River to the Sea," we long for true liberation for all peoples beyond false borders. Our conscience calls us to forcefully and unceasingly demand an end to the continuing Israeli expulsion of Palestinians. We know that there is no military solution. True safety and freedom must be collective. We unequivocally call for Palestinian self-determination from the river to the sea. We call for an end to Israeli apartheid, Zionism, nationalism, and settler colonialism.

We are walking toward the world we yearn for: Indigenous sovereignty restored, land held as sacred, not as property, and an end to all systems that exploit, extract, and kill. We are walking for peace, life, and liberation, from every river to every sea.

Come walk with us!