Who Put the Ax in Al Aqsa?

May He who makes peace in His high places, make peace upon us and upon all Israel; and say: Amen.
The Mourner’s Kaddish

It was proclaimed a heroic operation
to defend Al Aqsa
from the incursions of the Zionist criminals.
Never mind that Al Aqsa
was under no threat from Zionist criminals,
or from anyone else for that matter,
and therefore needed no defense.
Imaginary threats also have a purpose
in rousing the populace.

And how does the ax-murder
of three unarmed civilians in Elad
defend Al Aqsa?
Don’t ask.
Those who proclaim proclaim.
The rest of us will bury our dead
and continue to search for
peace.

About the Poem

Lies and senseless hatred seem to be the order of the day, as evidenced by the brutal ax-murders of three unarmed civilians in Elad under the pretext of “defending Al Aqsa.” Nevertheless, I continue to pray for peace.

About the Author

Pesach Rotem was born and raised in New York and now lives in Yodfat, Israel. He received his B.A. from Princeton University and his J.D. from St. John’s University. His poem “Professor Hofstadter’s Brain” was nominated for a Best of the Net Award.