A Prayer for Palestine
March 27th, 2024
Candlelight and song illuminate San Marcos La Laguna, the spiritual mecca of Guatemala, where supporters have gathered in a prayer vigil for Palestine. Amidst healing circles, tantric yoga classes and cacao “ceremonies”, the air is thick with an undeniably strong Israeli presence.
On the night of Purim, a Jewish holiday founded on the Book of Esther, a young Rabbi was heard shouting, "We need to eradicate the Palestinian word." as he headed to the lake.
Guatemala was one of the earliest countries to formally recognize the state of Israel in 1949 under Juan Jose Arévalo (UN). Since then, both countries have shared solid economic relations and a mutual interest in counterinsurgency. In the 1970s, after the U.S. cut military aid to Guatemala, Israel became its main arms supplier and advisor, providing strategic guidance that mirror Israeli army tactics in occupied Palestinian territories (MERIP, 1986).
"We can't say there is anti-Palestinian sentiment [here] because it's not being spoken about. Gaza and what is happening with Israel and Palestinians are not being talked about. To me, that's a controlled narrative." says Angelina Dayfallah, who organized the vigil and may be the only Palestinian woman living in San Marcos, La Laguna, Guatemala.
"When it is spoken about, what I have witnessed in private conversations with a few Israelis, is that it is in the framework of war, but it is not acknowledged as a genocide. The topic of [Israeli] hostages is always brought up and almost used as a justification. If it's not used as a justification, it's almost a request that's being made of me to acknowledge the hostages as well."
In response to Angelina's invitation in a group chat where local events and news are shared, an Israeli yoga teacher, wishing to remain unnamed, felt condemned by the event. Opposed to having to choose sides, she declined the invitation. Her thinking, as she explained later, was "Can't I just be a person for today? Can I not have a role as an Israeli?"
That night, approximately 30 people joined Angelina in prayer for Palestine, no small number for a town that's estimated to be around 3000 inhabitants.
When asked about her intention in organizing this action, Angelina responded that she wanted to encourage the power of prayer as a tool for manifesting change in humanity. "It is not enough to share the freedom songs and medicine songs about getting along and respecting the earth and the waters; we have to put it to action."
After continued airstrikes on Rafah in May, pro-Palestine activists on social media have been criticizing celebrities and friends for remaining silent to these injustices.
Angelina's wishes ring true now more than ever, "we can humanize, witness and be present with what is happening, without needing to feel angry and depleted. Let's lift that frequency, through the power of prayer and intention setting."
We change humanity by changing ourselves.
