I apologize that this is disjointed, but I wanted to rethink the purpose of my post highlighting Kitchen of Palestine. I decided to break up the post into two parts. My thought-process behind this was to exclusively talk about Kitchen of Palestine and how AWESOME I think the food blog is. This, in turn, would give me an opportunity in a different post to further talk about Israel, Palestine, and the complicated situation between the two.
One of the great things about this KoP food blog is that it exists just to exist. There is no other alternative motive or hidden agenda behind it. It exists to share Eman’s experiences and love of food. Now, I know that you are thinking, “Oh boy, Luke is going to politicize food…”. And, maybe I am.
I think about this other website and non-profit organization “reThink Israel”. The organization was created by a wealthy American Zionist, Sheldon Adelson, as a way of making Israel “cool”. It claims to be “secular and nonpartisan”, but it is just another Israel PR tool. And, it directly addresses WHY the Israeli Palestinian conflict exists in the first place. By highlighting positive aspects of Israel – it’s social progressivism, innovations, etc…it paints an Israeli utopia. And yes, it may give a rounder picture of Israel as a country, but it is oft-times painfully surface level. It completely ignores the fact that the occupation is happening and ignores the human rights violations that Israel is committing on a daily basis.
It is hard to read their articles on the “8 Hottest Israeli Beaches” or “186 Miles of Sandy Paradise” when you think that there is still a blockade on Gaza. And, I am all for a “Safe Haven for Gay Couples”, but that doesn’t automatically excuse Israel of its segregated bus systems. Ya feel me? As long the Occupation still exists, there is nothing that reThink Israel can do to distract the world from knowing what is truly happening.
Now, I am not trying to say that Kitchen of Palestine and reThink Israel are the same. First off, Eman’s food blog is not an non-profit organization. Obviously, reThink Israel has a purpose to exist – a mission to fulfill as a 501(3)c.
I’ve often thought that Palestine need something like reThink to show the world that Palestine is a place of rich culture and where unique experiences can be had. But, it already does. Kitchen of Palestine accomplishes all of that without having to try. It does so much more of “telling” the story than what reThink tries to accomplish. KoP is deep, authentic, relational, and personal. So, I take it back. I’m not politicizing food, because there is no need for it.
phott lyphe 