Page 19 - Issue 14

I’m anti-occupation because
I’m a Zionist, not despite it.

Harrison Engler, HDUK

As mazkir of Habonim Dror, I am proud to lead a
youth movement that has a clear set of values. We
oppose the occupation and, as we have for the
past 91 years, we will continue to strive towards
an Israel of peace, justice, equality, and
democracy.

Our movement motto is ‘Al tikra banayich – Elah
bonayich’ ‘Don’t call us thy children, call us thy
builders’. As young Jews we know that Israel and
our connection to it is never simple, and never
defined by one issue or one approach to the
occupation.

Seeing ourselves as ‘builders’ of Israel means that
engagement is not about pro-occupation or anti-
occupation, pro-public transport on Shabbat or
anti-, Bibi or Benny, Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, Jew or
Arab, Negev or Galil. Israel is a complicated place,
that can seem only to exist as binaries or
contradictions. At Habonim Dror I have learnt to
constantly question the binaries and fight the