[First a word on the internet situation: The internet service at the King Solomon Hotel leaves much to be desired. So I have not been able to get online until now, as I have found a charming internet cafe. However, I have been blogging, just not posting. Now that I am online, I have posted the previous days' entries. If you are reading this post, I encourage you to read the other ones as well.]
I heard the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict described in a whole new way. Today, one of our speakers suggested that here on this sliver of land we all call "holy", we have two traumatized peoples who each see the other as "the latest incarnation of their historical nightmare." On one hand, we have the Jews, who see the Arabs as this generation's enemy rising up to destroy the Jewish people. And on the other hand, we have the Arabs, who see the creation of Israel as the latest colonialist assault, set on destroying the Arab people. It's a case of Nazis vs. Colonialist Oppressors. Our speaker continued, saying that Jews, given their history of oppression in the millenia in diaspora, had no choice but to return home when given the opportunity. And Arabs, given their history of oppression under imperialism, had no choice but to resist. I am not sure if this description speaks to the continuing struggles here in Israel and Palestine, but it does suggest that maybe the reason peace has been so elusive is because both sides are operating on their own assumptions about the other, assumptions stemming from their own legitimate history. I am struggling with this, but I appreciate this speakers willingness to at least try to see the tension through the eyes of the other. I don't know, let me know what you think.
I sensed much fatalism from each of our speakers today. Does anyone here believe that a genuine peace (and not just an end to violence) is possible? I mean, does anyone but the idealistic folks who, as one priest said, "come from the international communities, run their programs with no real influence and little lasting effect, then go home". Does anyone but folks like me think peace in Israel and Palestine is possible? I am not even sure that I do. Not with the current crop of leaders in the world.
On another note, I am feeling much better. Still sniffling and coughing a bit, but better. Tomorrow we head to Ramallah. I am looking forward to more time in the West Bank.
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1 comment:
hope Rachel is feeling better and Sarah didn't pick up the bug. tell sarah that Terry's surgery went ok from mom
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