Ethan H. Smith, at The Blogs

Jun 11, 2019, 3:22 PM

Perspectives on Gaza, from Both Sides of the Fence

Don't believe what you hear about Gaza -- you can’t understand the situation, not unless you see it in person. Nagham Mohanna and I are standing at the Erez Border Crossing, the primary point of passage for anyone going from...

Apr 15, 2019, 6:59 PM

Avera Mengistu and Issues of Racism in Israel

Ramat Eliyahu community showing support for the Free Avera Movement. (Photo Credit: Ethan H. Smith)

On the afternoon of September 7th, 2014, a mentally disabled Ethiopian-Israeli man left his Ashkelon home and headed for the Gaza Strip. By evening, he’d scaled the fences and disappeared, and his exact whereabouts are still a mystery. That...

Feb 12, 2019, 3:21 PM

Turning Up the Volume on Rishon Leziyyon’s Youth

Spur-of-the-moment jam sessions are commonplace in Volume's studio.

On Monday afternoon, the youth music center of Rishon Leziyyon opens its doors for the week, and the kids gather to start up the music again. Volume, as it’s called, is built in the lower neighborhoods of Ramat Eliyahu,...

Jan 23, 2019, 7:22 PM

Coexistance in Israel, Answered Hand in Hand

Schoolyard at Bridge Over the Wadi, one of six multicultural elementary schools founded by Hand in Hand. (Photo credit to Rick J. Pellig; CC BY 2.5)

The question of Israeli and Arab coexistance is complex and extraordinarily sensitive, and it is more often answered with misunderstandings than fruitful discussions. This is one of the biggest problems Israel faces today. Although Israel was founded as a...

Nov 5, 2018, 7:45 PM

Hate Has No Place in This World

I believe in Allah. Maybe you believe in a different God. But you also have eyes, ears, and a mouth like my own children. Should I not love you the same? I was shocked to hear those words in the...

Oct 31, 2018, 8:03 PM

World War 3 on the Brink! But not really.

Early in the morning on October 17th, a neighborhood in Beer’Sheba was hit by a rocket from Gaza, and the Israeli Defense Force retaliated with twenty rocket strikes of their own. Tensions peaked throughout the country, and residents were...

About Me

Ethan H. Smith is a teacher, writer, and volunteer living in the city of Rishon Leziyyon. He studied Psychology and German at Seattle University and now works as a social change activist in the Ramat Eliyahu community.