War and Peace in the Middle East: MEPCF Newsletter #1
War and Peace in the Middle East
Friday, March 22nd, 2024
Welcome to the Middle East Peace Civic Forum’s first newsletter! There are important matters to discuss, but before we dive into Middle East events, I’d like to thank our hard-working team, past and present, who have devoted their time and talent to the growth and work of our organization to reach this milestone. We have been at work for over two years growing this organization from the ground up, inside of our shared commitment to reconciliation and peace.
In addition to the newsletter, we are excited for the launch of the “Critical Conversations” series this coming Thursday, 28 March, 2024 at 1:00 pm EDT (Details below). The event will be over Zoom, and will be recorded.
Lay of the Land
What a mess.
Rage. Anger. Sadness. Hopelessness. Pride. The horror of the images from Gaza and Israel pales in comparison to actually being there and experiencing it. Radical fervor is in the air. Blood and metal are in the streets.
In some ways, the story of the Jew and the story of the Palestinian are mirror images.
This is not to condone behavior that we find abhorrent on the other side.
Each people, proud in their history, their ancestry, their culture. Locked in opposition and an exhausting quest for recognition and legitimacy.
As part of that quest, elements in each camp have sought to delegitimize the other. Of course, everyone has their reasons and justifications for why their dominance is justified.
They are insincere and dishonest. They are only trying to deceive us, and will turn on us later. A higher power has given us this land. Justice demands this land be ours. It’s ours, and to hell with any self-hating, heretical, traitorous fool with the audacity to bring it up for discussion.
We are right, as any person with a conscience can see. There are no, “two sides” in this argument. You want evidence? We have all the evidence we need to prove our case. There is no other right way to think about it.
They took such glee in their murderous lust. By any means necessary.
They are evil, culturally bankrupt, worthy of contempt.
Genocide. Animals. Animals. Genocide.
They twist the truth and control the media. They lie with impunity.
Have they sold their souls? Or are they merely brainwashed?
Useful idiots align. Has the world gone mad? Do you not see their deceit?
Sometimes the denial is the most appalling thing.
Where is the justice in this world?
In time we will be vindicated. You will see. If you are still alive when it happens.
On and on the cycle goes, as the bodies pile up, the rockets and buildings fall, and the toll of human suffering escalates.
A decisive blow will teach them, once and for all.
Apparently, this is where we are.
What Now?
So what is to be done? Are we to walk away and declare the situation hopeless as people continue to die? Or do we labor on, precisely because things are difficult?
In a world in which so many feel well justified and surely right, we need to build real bridges. Through real listening, we create an opening for genuine understanding. This is not validation of the enemy, it is an honest look at the reality of the situation. If this is how they think, we want to know, so we can respond appropriately.
The differences between Israelis and Palestinians won’t be resolved in one conversation. They won’t be resolved in 10. But after 100 conversations, perhaps some modest degree of progress will be evident.
Some people are opposed to talking. That is their right. There are many others who, while skeptical that their voice can really change anything, recognize that the only way forward is through reconciliation, no matter how challenging.
The situation today demands real, effective communication. Emotions will likely flare at times. That is the nature of confronting opposing viewpoints, and our assumptions.
What if the destiny of Israelis and Palestinians is to work out their respective grievances?
Imagine, Palestinians and Israelis being a demonstration to the rest of the world of what is possible when enough people decide to move from a state of war to a state of peace.
Both histories are rooted here. Many of our ancestors lived here. They are buried here and have become one with the soil. Genetically, Jews and Palestinians are closely related. Our blood, our languages and our souls are intertwined with the sacred land of our origins.
We invite you to suspend your skepticism and stand, for a moment, in a new reality. In this new reality, Palestinians and Israelis each celebrate and cherish their own ancestral roots, their ties to village, city and tribe. The validation of one did not have to come at the expense of the other.
If we were to stand in this new future fulfilled and look back, what could have happened to create this enlightened reality?
Imagine it: In the beginning, a small group of people came together to demonstrate leadership in treating one another with respect, and established a partnership to start sharing and listening, and to take the conversation all the way down to the bottom. From there, they were able to lead with vision, and create a new and workable relationship that works for all the residents of the land, from the river to the sea.
We invite you to join us on this journey.
Critical Conversations Series
Thursday, March 28th, marks the launch of the MEPCF “Critical Conversations” initiative.
The intention is to provide a forum for honest, straight, thoughtful communication and powerful listening. With the gift of deep listening comes an opportunity for straight and powerful communication.
Our guests are Palestinian Walid Siam and Israeli Yehuda HaKohen. Our expert facilitator is Bill Phillips.