That I Did Not Know (التي لم أكن أعرفها)
Introduction
The book, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict provides an in-depth analysis of one of the most enduring and intricate conflicts in modern history. Martin Bunton, a historian with expertise in Middle Eastern studies, approaches the subject with balance, exploring its historical, political, and social dimensions.[1]
What did you know about Israel before 7th October, and what was that based upon?
The world history book back in Malaysia where I went to school did not say much about Israel. My first understanding of Israel was based on the Bible:
Israel is renowned for its profound biblical significance, beginning with its role as the people with whom God made a covenant. One of the most celebrated events in Israel’s history is the Exodus, a dramatic and foundational moment when the Israelites, led by Moses, escaped slavery in Egypt and embarked on a journey toward the Promised Land – the Jewish festival of Passover. A pivotal moment in Israel’s religious history was the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, where God provided the Israelites with the Ten Commandments. Another significant development was the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon. Throughout its history, Israel has been known for its numerous prophets, such as Isaiah, who conveyed God’s messages and guidance to the people. In the New Testament, Bethlehem is noted as the birthplace of Jesus. Additionally, Jerusalem, a key city in Israel, is significant for both the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, events that are central to Christian faith and history.
I continued to learn about Israel through books, media and Jewish friends when I moved to United States. Few years ago, I came across the book, Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn” by Daniel Gordis[2]. Based on this book, I learned about the rise of Zionism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the efforts of Jewish leaders and settlers to establish a national home in Palestine and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Furthermore, I knew about the efforts to achieve peace with Israel’s neighbors, including the Camp David Accords and the Oslo process, as well as the obstacles and setbacks that have occurred along the way.
What does this book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
Bunton’s book exposed me to the key conflicts and peace processes where discusses significant events such as the Atzmaut and Nakka 1947-67[3], 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War, and various intifadas. He also explores the peace processes, including the Oslo Accords and recent negotiations, helping me understand the major turning points and their implications. The book covers the historical roots of the conflict, including the rise of Zionism[4], the impact of British Mandate policies, and the partition plan of 1947. Understanding these historical foundations is crucial for grasping the origins of the dispute and its evolution over time, the displacement of thousands of Palestinians – a revelation! The book helped me understand the various analytical frameworks and perspectives to understand the conflict, including historical, political, and sociological viewpoints of which I was unaware. Specially about the Palestinians, “the flighting that ended in 1949 erased Palestine from the map and destroyed Palestinian society. Over 700,000 Palestinians became refuges. Barred from returning to their villages, most of which were soon bulldozed by Israel…” [5]
I often preach at the Warm Springs Reservations in Oregon. Reading this book, it reminded me of the Native Americans in the United States, many stripped of their tribal identify and had no place to go.
How do you navigate the Israel-Middle east conflict?
The Israeli-Middle east conflict is the ongoing one – between Israel and Palestine. I have never thoroughly thought about the conflicts until October 7, 2024, much less how to navigate the conflict. I am not a politician but a follower of Jesus Christ; my role is to reflect His love and demonstrate love to the unrepresented people/community. It is not about race or religion; it is about bringing peace to people – people matter. My respond to this question is based on my feelings, awareness, understanding the history, the conflict itself, books and research:
- Personal reflection – To reflect on my own biases and how they influence my understanding of the conflict. Ethical implications of my stance and actions regarding the conflict. To include Israel-Middle east conflict in my daily prayer.
- Support Peace Initiatives – Grassroots movement: to support organizations that promote peace and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
- Engage in dialogue – To engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. Listening to personal stories can provide deeper insights. To encourage respectful dialogue and try to understand the underlying concerns and aspirations of both sides.
- Advocate for human rights- To advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals involved in the conflict and to support humanitarian efforts that provide relief for those affected by the conflicts.
Closing
Navigating this conflict requires patience, empathy, and a commitment to peace and justice.
[1] Martin Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction, illustrated edition (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2013), 13.
[2] Daniel Gordis, A Concise History of a Nation Reborn (New York, NY: Harper-Collins, 2016), 47.
[3] Bunton, 84.
[4] Bunton, 27-28.
[5] Bunton, 113.
About the Author
Shela Sullivan
Born and raised on the vibrant Penang Island in Malaysia, I cherish the Malaysian greeting, “Mari Makan!!” which reflects the warmth of shared meals. Since 1996, I have called Oregon my home enjoying the raindrops and the serenity of its beaches. The ocean connects me to nature and energizes me. I am a Wife - Mentor - Traveling Pastor - Sourcing Manager Construction. Favorite Bible Verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4~ I reside with my husband, David and our fur-baby Rolo. We share passions for travelling, culture, diverse cuisines, home improvements, classic cars and humor.12 responses to “That I Did Not Know (التي لم أكن أعرفها)”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hi Shela, Thank you for your reflections. They got me thinking. With the States in such a precarious time politically where violence and and does erupt in small town USA or any big city. How do you think the things you mentioned might be useful or put into concrete steps in Portland, DC, or any other city in USA?
Hi Diane,
Thank you for your question. I can speak for Portland, Oregon:
Community Engagement: Dialogue seems to be happening in many communities especially in faith settings. Following are the steps I notice that is taking place:
People are attending community dialogues that feature diverse viewpoints on the Israel-Middle East conflict.
Local Universities: Engage with academic institutions that might have programs or guest speakers on international relations and conflict resolution.
Cultural Institutions: Visiting or supporting cultural institutions that promote cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.
Hope I asked your questions.
Shela,
Great post! I never considered that people in other countries might not learn anything about Middle Eastern history. I really appreciate that you advocate for human rights. As a social worker that is very important to me. I have been listening to the Bible Project podcast this year; they have been working their way through the Sermon on the Mount. I found their teaching on Anger/Murder very interesting and convicting. Specifically “And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matthew 5:22, NIV). They discussed how saying you fool is removing the dignity from a person, essentially seeing them as something else than a human created in the image of God. This was very convicting to me as I call people who upset me names when driving. I think part of the issue with Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that people are not seeing one another as being created in the image of God, which reflects how we treated Native Americans. I wonder with your preaching on the reservation, have you had the opportunity to engage in conversations regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with any Native Americans and what their insight is.
Reference
Jon Collins and Michelle Jones “How is Anger the Same as Murder?” March 4, 2024, in Bible Project Podcast, Sermon on the Mount, Episode 10, produced by Lindsey Ponder, podcast, 57:00, https://bibleproject.com/podcast/how-anger-same-murder/.
Hi Shela! I appreciate your post. I am wondering how welcome are people in your area to dialogue surrounding peace and empathy. I was a part of a NYC group where there were several faith and community leaders asked to have a dialogue. Ironically the Palestian and Jewish contingent denied taking part. I am interested in knowing how the conflict is playing out in local communities across the U.S.?
Hi Daren,
Thank you for your question. The Universities and Colleges are more open to the dialogue about the Palestian and Jewish conflicts compared to faith-based entities. Individual conversations amongst friends and coworkers seems to be ongoing. You are right about the larger organizations refusing to participant in this dialogue. I think it is sad!
Hi Shela, Thank you for your post. I like your statement, “my role is to reflect His love and demonstrate love to the unrepresented people/community”. What do you think is our role in helping the ‘well-represented’ know about Jesus’ love for the unrepresented? Is that a consideration within this conflict?
Hi Julie,
Thank you for your question.
Often, those who are well-represented exhibit limited compassion for the unrepresented. It is essential for individuals within the well-represented group to cultivate a heart of compassion. Our role is to persist in our efforts, promoting awareness and understanding based on God’s love. Drawing on the wisdom of the Book of James, we are guided to embody Christian principles in our advocacy and support for the marginalized.
Hi Shela,
The words “cultivate” and “persist” jumped out and remind me that our job is to keep plucking out stones and breaking up hard soil…and plant seeds. The Lord makes them grow. It always relieves me to remember to let go the results to Him.
Hi Shela, I appreciate your perspective on this issue, especially growing up in a country with Islam as the majority religion. I am curious what different biases concerning this issue you have seen in the US compared to those in Malaysia? What influence have these biases had on your own response to the situation?
Hi Kari,
Thank you for your question.
I find that innocent Muslims are under tremendous persecution in the U.S.A. compared to Malaysia.
In Malaysia, yes, there are biases, but nobody persecutes a Christian or a Jew. In the U.S., ignorance often leads to the broad generalization of Muslims as a monolithic group, unfairly labeling them as “anti.” This perspective seems one-sided and lacks a comprehensive understanding of the diverse experiences within the Muslim community.
Shela, thank you for your post and for introducing me to Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn” by Daniel Gordis. How did you find Gordis’s handling of the subject compared to Bunton’s?
Hi Chad, thank you for your question,
In summary,
• Gordis’ book is more focused on presenting a supportive narrative of Israel’s history and achievements, catering to readers interested in understanding Israel’s perspective and its development.
• Bunton’s book offers a detailed and balanced examination of the conflict, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of both Palestinian and Israeli viewpoints and the broader implications of the conflict.
Both books are valuable but serve different purposes: Gordis for those interested in a concise history of Israel and Bunton for readers seeking an in-depth analysis of the conflict itself.
I hope this helps.