And In it All: Suffering
What did you know about Israel before 7th October, and what was that based upon?
- I knew some of the long-term history of Israel due to my theological and historical studies in my undergrad and graduate degrees.
- I was relatively familiar with the creation of the modern state of Israel and the WWII context that created the impetus for such action. This was through history classes and documentaries I watched, as well as a trip to Israel and a day at the World Holocaust Center.
- I was generally aware of the historical and current tensions between Israel and Gaza and the surrounding countries—including several wars—through history classes and watching news updates as I grew up (which were likely more biased towards Israel than the Arab states).
- I have been aware of, and somewhat perplexed by, the American evangelicals seemingly carte blanche support of Israel over the past number of decades. Related to this, I am aware of the varying theological stances that seek to express what God’s future plan for Israel is and the heightened degree of passion and conviction that this topic brings up in some Christian circles. This has come from reading various books , viewing people’s blogs, and getting occasional promotional material at our Church from pro-Israel Christian groups and agencies.
- During my trip to Israel, I became casually aware of the various political stances within the country and the different visions for the future that various political parties have within the nation.
What does this book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
- While I was aware that Western nations were very involved in the creation of the modern state and therefore somewhat responsible for the current and ongoing challenges in the middle east, this book spelled out in a very readable way how the lack of clarity, the changing goals, the over-promising and the rescinding of the promises, the foreign interests and the global under-currents have all contributed to the current mess. In other words: I better understood the significant role that foreign actors have played in the continued dysfunction of the area.
- The book also verified my somewhat mildly-informed assumption that both Israeli and Arab actors are guilty of violence and offence, have blocked the peace process with their refusal to compromise, and claim the status of victims that need vindication. In other words: they both contribute to this impasse as well.
How do you navigate the Israel-Middle east conflict?
- I try to be somewhat informed about current realities as well as the historical events that contribute to the modern problem. In this respect, Bunton’s sterile, spock-ishly objective, and politically-focussed examination of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over the past century was very helpful (1). In my estimation, the author does an admirable job of succinctly describing the key events, nations, groups and accords that contribute to the mess in this part of the world.
- I tend to view this issue as a wicked problem (2), and it appears like the players in the Oslo Accord viewed it the same way and attempted to approach the issue accordingly: “The basic assumption of the Oslo process was that new partnerships would form as Israelis and Palestinians together developed administrative and security arrangements. Step by small step, the interim period was expected to build the trust and momentum necessary for the eventual discussion of the thorniest issues, where were placed in the short term on the back-burner.” (3) In other words: Let’s start with something manageable–a small win that will help us move towards solving the bigger problem. It was perhaps the right strategy, but like all the other attempts, it failed.
- I also try to stay an arm’s length away from groups that tend to ‘demonize’ the other side and diminish the role that each side is playing in the conflict.
- I try to empathize with the ordinary families that get caught up in the mess—one thing Bunton’s book doesn’t focus on (that’s not a criticism—it was clearly not his intent). However, the reality of men, women, children—whole families—being forcibly displaced in the West Bank, watching their homes be destroyed, and entering into the sobering existence of a refugee is difficult to comprehend. Having loved ones kidnapped must be absolutely horrific. Husbands losing wives from a market bombing; parents losing children from a retaliatory missile. This isn’t simply a historical story of an ongoing regional conflict, it is the story of moms and dads, uncles and kids, grandparents and friends dealing with near-constant fear, displacement, hate, homelessness, starvation, death, grief, anger and hopelessness. In it all: Suffering. It’s overwhelming to think about and I utter a prayer: Lord, have mercy.
- My only hope for the middle east lies in the audacious claims of the Gospel, because it is the only thing that deals with our sin-sick hearts. This Palestinian-Israeli conflict can be framed in a variety of ways:
- Western nations misusing their powers for their own national interests
- Hatred and bitterness consuming a person and causing them to lash out against their perpetrators
- Refusal to forgive, keeping score, finger-pointing, judging
- Greed and hoarding
- Racism and the refusal to see the intrinsic worth of another
- The absence of love
Based on what many people on both sides of this conflict have experienced, it’s easy for me to imagine eventually arriving at the same kind of unhealthy and destructive perspective if I was in their shoes, so there’s no judgement from me related to this list…more a question: what will break the cycle of pain, anger, hurt and the eventual acting out…to once again repeat the cycle?
I suspect most of us in this program would answer Gospel: Forgiveness, freedom, healing, reconciliation, hope.
Hope.
While I applaud all the people who continue to persevere in the middle-east peace process, I must confess that I am not terribly optimistic that a political solution will bring about the peaceful resolution most of us would hope for. This wicked problem might go a little deeper than any legislation can touch. But God can. He can change hearts and transform lives and revive nations…
So I utter a prayer (even with the faith of a mustard seed): Lord, have mercy.
(1) Martin Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).
(2) Joseph Bentley and Michael Toth, Exploring Wicked Problems: What they Are and Why They Are Important (Bloomington, IN: Archway Publishing, 2020).
(3) Martin Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013) 91.
About the Author
Scott Dickie
7 responses to “And In it All: Suffering”
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HI Scott,
I always enjoy reading “non U.S.” perspectives on issues. Your “Canadian” take helps me to move out of my personal biases.
If any thing the book lacked a deeper dive into the religious aspect of the issues in these place of conflict.
Jewish Perspective & Christian Perspective – Biblical Promises
Genesis 15:18: [The covenant where God promises Abram’s descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates.] On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
Islamic Perspective
Though the question asks for a biblical view, it’s important to note the Islamic perspective as well, given the significant Muslim population among Palestinians.
“Allah the Almighty has not used the word “يَمْلِکھَا” [in the aforementioned verse] but in fact said “يَرِثُھَا”. This manifestly shows that the true heirs [of Palestine] will always be Muslims, and if it goes into the hands of some else at some point, such a possession would be similar to a scenario in which the mortgagor gives temporary control of their property to the mortgagee. This is the glory of Divine revelation, [and it shall surely come to pass].” (Al Hakam, 10 November 1902, p. 7)
The pain, the blood is too real in the minds of both Israelis and Palestinians. FORGIVENESS is not going to happen any time soon. (Same in Ukraine).
I fall back to PRAYER as being the only effective thing I can do in both situations. Something I really need to do more of.
Shalom….
Thanks Russell….and a very good point related to the lack of engagement in the book with the role that religion plays in the ongoing conflict (something I also neglected addressing in my post, or at least only addressed in passing). As you rightfully point out: if two different religions believe they have divine rights to the same geographical location, there is bound to be conflict–conflict that policies, walls and borders will struggle to effectively resolve.
Scott, I also am not too optimistic about a political solution that brings about a peaceful resolution. It is a problem, layered with historical, religious, and political messes within a wicked problem. I have faith that God will do what He has a track record of doing. . . Being faithful to His promises. Thanks for ending your post with hope.
Yes Cathy….it’s hard to be hopeful in ‘this age’ as the conflict just gets more dug in after each successive failed attempt and new offence. It might be a hope rooted in the eschatological promise that the prince of peace will, one day, once and for all, fashion every sword into a plowshare (Is. 2.4). Come, Lord Jesus.
Yes. In it all, suffering. I often think of the families who just want to live their life and care for their children who get caught up in wars and conflicts. For both, Jews and Palestinians this has been a long, long, plight. It is, for sure, a wicked problem.
I really liked how you wrote this post, numbering your responses and clearly answering Jason’s questions. Your number 5 in the last section really sums it up. It’s hard to be hopeful and even full of faith with a situation like this.
Thanks Kally…I’m certainly a linear thinker, so the numbers come naturally!
Yes…you perhaps said it better than I did…how many of the people that have been negatively impacted by this ongoing conflict are, “families who just want to live their life and care for their children…”
It’s an impossible question to answer, but it would be an absolutely fascinating thing to know. The more I travel, the more I realize how similar we human beings are (while dressing it up quite differently with our various cultural norms). Whether sitting in a hut in East Africa or the slums of Calcutta…I meet parents who simply want to provide for their children and give them a chance for a future that is perhaps better in some respect than they had. I suspect the same could be said for the vast majority of Israeli and Palestinian parents as well. It makes me wonder: how much of our global conflict is driven by a minority percentage of the world (the ‘extremists’) and by an even smaller minority of global influencers (CEO’s, Tyrants, Governments) than benefit from war?
This is one of the most helpful and informative posts! Thank you Scott.
I read Bunton front to back, but got more out of your simple breakdown. 🙂
I too keep trying to adjust my gaze to the human element, to the people that are suffering. In my post I mentioned two of them (an Israeli man, and a Palestinian man) that I love dearly. I appreciated your focus on humanity and suffering. As well, this quote from your post sums up my approach:
“I also try to stay an arm’s length away from groups that tend to ‘demonize’ the other side and diminish the role that each side is playing in the conflict.”