The Fragile Power of Honesty |
Honesty is one of those virtues we love to claim for ourselves. It is clean, noble, uncomplicated. It means telling the truth, being transparent, and acting without deception. It means not lying or hiding important information, keeping promises, admitting mistakes, and acting with integrity even when no one is watching. These are the principles I try to live by. When I cannot keep a promise, I explain why. When I make a mistake, I own it. I have always believed that honesty is the foundation of character.
But lately, I find myself wrestling with a painful contradiction. I am known as a passionate supporter of Israel. Some call me a pro‑Israel advocate, unwavering and unconditional. My heart is somewhere in Jerusalem, and that has never changed. Yet honesty demands that I confront something uncomfortable: many of my personal experiences with Israelis have not reflected the honesty I value so deeply. And ignoring that would make me dishonest with myself.
This is not about politics or ideology. It is about human behavior in everyday interactions. It is about promises made and not kept. It is about the small commitments that reveal a person’s character long before the big ones do.
I have lost count of the times I heard “I will help you with your NGO” only to be........