Stumped

So I get called into the office the other day because apparently I have to go visit and Israeli Police detective. Yeah I know, sounds like a good time right. When we took our students on a field trip to the Herodian, some kids broke a couple lights. Now please realize, this country has just been through a war, faces constant security problems from within and without, not too mention the recent hullabaloo over the ramp that leads up to the Temple Mount and they send a detective to investigate the breaking of a couple light bulbs. I’m ticked at the kids too but come on does this sound a little over the top to anyone else?
So I went to the detective’s office with three of the other teachers from the field trip that day and Miss Grace. Mind you, for all of the stupid things I’ve done in my life this was the first time I’ve ever been called in for questioning by a police detective. I sit there and the detective says to me, “I’ve called you in here today because after your students left the Herodian the caretaker called to inform me that several lights had been broken.” Yes I understand that. “Did you see any of this happen” No, I’m sorry I didn’t. “Did you go down into the tunnels with your students” Yes I did. “And you didn’t see them break any lights?” No sir. “It happened in the tunnels…perhaps now you remember something?”… *Awkward Pause*… Nope, I still didn’t see anything. “Ok there’s something I haven’t told you yet.” Great, lay it on me big guy. (Ok I didn’t really say that.) “Something was also stolen that day: A 2000 year old tree stump.” Wow, ok, I’m pretty sure none of my students took that sir. I think I would have noticed that on the seat in the bus or protruding from some kids backpack. “So you didn’t see any of the students take the tree stump. The lights we can forgive, they are just light bulbs but this is antiquities we are talking about here.” I understand, No, I didn’t see anybody taking a tree stump. (Meanwhile I’m having two thoughts 1. what the heck would my kids want with a tree stump, even a 2000 year old one. 2. If this stump is such a national treasure why is sitting out in the open? Ok and I guess you could say there was a third thought too. 3. If these were Jewish kids would called their teacher in to the police station to talk about this? I doubt it.)
So I was feeling a little harassed. It was a tough day. There are some experiences that help you understand what it’s like to be Palestinian and this is one of them for me. Ultimately I knew I was walking out of there because I’m American and I knew I was relatively safe because Israel and the U.S. are on great terms. The Arab teachers who came with me though had no such guarantees. They were pretty nervous and rightly so. I got to see this incident through their eyes. They could be detained, questioned, beaten and who would say two words about it? Well, I would, but who would listen?