The Never-Ending War
Bethlehem, Israel, 2020
What I knew about Israel before the 7th of October, and what was that based upon?
Before the tragic terrorist attack on October 7th perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians, I had gained a fair amount of knowledge about Israel and the enduring conflicts over territory and religious ideologies. My understanding came from various sources, including books such as Deborah Rohan’s The Olive Grove: A Palestinian Story and Condoleezza Rice’s Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom. Additionally, I visited significant historical sites such as the Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria, Anne Frank’s residence in Amsterdam, and Yad Vashem in Israel, which provided insight into the Holocaust. I also reviewed archaeological documentaries produced by Appian Media to better visualize the context and locations of Biblical narratives. As a relatively new Christian, my interest in these topics was driven by a desire to deepen my understanding and relationship with Jesus.
In 2020, my husband and I took a 10-day tour of Israel, which included visits to locations in the West Bank but did not extend to the Gaza Strip. During our travels to Nazareth and Jericho, located within Palestinian territory, we encountered a very large and commanding security checkpoint. The city was encircled by a high concrete wall topped with barbed wire, reminiscent of American prison facilities, creating an impression of threat and caution for visitors. Upon entering the city, the first significant image welcoming guests was a Banksy mural featuring a dove wearing an armored vest, symbolizing the pervasive violence in the region.
Despite these security measures and the visible signs of conflict, I found the Palestinian people to be warm, friendly, and hospitable. They shared in the enjoyment of laughter, community, and traditional foods such as shawarma sandwiches and falafels.
Unfortunately, my interactions with members of the Jewish community were quite different. They generally exhibited a preference for privacy and tended to remain reserved, avoiding engagement of any kind with individuals outside their immediate group. This behavior created a sense of separation and reticence in their interactions.
What does this book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
I found this week’s assignment particularly pertinent considering the ongoing situation in Gaza. As highlighted in today’s headlines, “Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the most polarizing leaders in Israel’s history long before the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it had requested an arrest warrant against him for possible war crimes in Gaza.” [1]
The examination of The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction by Marton Bunton offers a valuable analytical framework for understanding the historical context and intricate relations with neighboring countries, which are now becoming evident in contemporary events. This raises a crucial question: whether the unfolding developments will result in outcomes that are ultimately beneficial or detrimental.
In comparing Bunton’s portrayal of the Israeli and Palestinian experiences to the historical narrative of American Indians in the United States, parallels can be drawn. The State of Israel’s establishment in 1948, following the displacement of Jews from their ancestral lands by the Romans in 70 AD, echoes the experiences of American Indians who were similarly uprooted from their traditional territories. Despite their historical suffering, the contemporary Israeli approach towards the Palestinians reflects the role of colonizer and displacer, as the latter face displacement from the lands they have known for generations.
This situation bears resemblance to the early American settlers’ tactics towards Native Americans, including coercive and deceptive practices. For instance, the Navajo were deprived of water resources through upstream damming by American settlers. Similarly, Israel’s control over goods entering Palestinian territories often results in severe shortages of essential resources such as food, shelter, and sanitation for Palestinians.
How do you navigate the Israel-Middle East conflict?
My reflections on the Israel-Middle East conflict were notably echoed in Kamala Harris’ recent speech accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency. In her address, Harris affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, particularly in response to the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th. She acknowledged the profound humanitarian concerns arising from the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire.[2]
The ongoing reluctance of both Israel and Palestine to accept a two-state solution remains a significant obstacle to peace. The entrenched positions of both sides, each advocating for the total defeat of the other, perpetuate a cycle of conflict. This impasse is exacerbated by the fact that many Palestinians while being innocent bystanders, are subjected to the influence of the extremist Hamas faction, which exacerbates their vulnerability to Israeli military actions.
A prevailing sentiment about the Middle East is that its longstanding conflicts are uncompromising, with some doubting the possibility of change. Nonetheless, I hope that rational discourse will prevail and that the silent majorities on both sides will advocate for civility and mutual coexistence, to facilitate a more peaceful resolution to the conflict once and for all.
[1] Mackenzie, James. “Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Divisive Leader in the Eye of the ICC Storm.” Reuters, May 20, 2024, sec. Middle East. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-israels-divisive-leader-eye-icc-storm-2024-05-20/.
[2] Times, The New York. “Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech.” The New York Times, August 23, 2024, sec. U.S. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/us/politics/kamala-harris-speech-transcript.html.
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.12 responses to “The Never-Ending War”
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Jennifer, I am envious that you have been to Israel! I’ve been wanting to go for years. Maybe someday…
I appreciate your comparison to the Native American situation here in the US. How do these two conflicts–neither of which is completely resolved, despite many, many years of struggle–inform each other? And what sorts of things might leaders in non-war situations learn from this “macrocosm” of conflict?
Hi Debbie – thanks for the question. I believe the history will show that on occasion, cooler heads have prevailed in certain situations when both sides were willing to meet in the middle. When both sides dig their heels in for a binary decision, it only leads to more resentment and, thus ongoing battles.
Thanks Jennifer for your insightful post. You mentioned some of the experiences you had with Palestinians and Jewish Israeli and the comparison between the two. What factors might have contributed to those interactions, in your opinion?
Hi Ryan –
Honestly, it probably had to do with tourism. I’m sure there are so many around that the locals don’t even see them anymore. But coming from Oklahoma where it’s common to meet eyes and nod or smile and nod, it was noticeably different between the two groups. And most of the vendors/restaurant owners we patronized were Arab, so maybe the appeal to tourists was the difference.
Jennifer,
I sat and looked at that photo for a long while. The bullseye on the bullet proof vest is powerful. I appreciate that you compared this to the way American settlers handled Native Americans.
You mentioned that you were not overly welcomed on the Israeli side of the wall. I wonder why that is? I wonder if Israel was so focused on security and holding tight to what they have that they lost space for hospitality. Whereas the Palestinians have lost so much already and don’t have much to hold onto? Why do you think this was your experience?
One thought could be the Arab community anticipated the need to overcome biases, so they were overly friendly. Plus, from a capitalistic standpoint, most of the businesses we patronized seemed to be operated by Arabs; they want and need the economic impact from tourists.
I can’t generalize the statement that one group is more kind than the other, but the interaction or lack thereove was a noticeable difference.
Hi Jennifer, I appreciated your comparison of the US’s treatment of the American indigenous people. This story has been repeated in countless places where indigenous people were displaced and mistreated. In Canada, blankets were infected with smallpox and given to the indigenous population among other things.
How might we pray?
Thanks, Graham, for your question about prayer. It’s always so hard to see the work of God amid tragedies like this. I think the prayer is for 1) peace and healing and 2) that those most deeply impacted can see the tiny nuggets of hope along the way to know that God will always have their back.
My son’s Creek ancestors walked to Oklahoma from Georgia at gunpoint under the direction of President Andrew Jackson (1830s). I cannot fathom the terrible struggle….the long cold walk in the winter. Genetic memories don’t forget. However, more than a century later, I am thankful that God brought glory to that circumstance because I have my precious son, who will bring good to the world long after I am gone. I propose that our prayer is one of praise that God knows what we do not know. He makes all things right even if it takes a few generations to come to fruition.
Hi Jennifer, Your post had two things that stood out to me. The first was headline about Netanyahu being the most polarizing leader even before the arrest warrant for war crimes had been issued. The other was your comparison of the way the Native Americans were treated as our country was being settled. Both comments brought to mind that no country is without blame of exploiting others in some way to promote their own prosperity. Your blog brought more thoughts than questions right now, so thanks for stirring that.
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer. The comparison to Settler-Colonial framework seems to be on the rise these days, and Bunton, who is a Professor in Canada, makes comparisons to the NA Indigenous / Non-Indigenous story in the podcast I referenced in my post. It’s worth a listen.
Book: The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict | ✍️ Author: Martin Bunton | Episode 38 | Book Café Podcast – YouTube.” Accessed July 27, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvcNdbO-mlk
Thank, Joel! I will check it out. I hate the unwillingness of both groups to compromise and believe it breeds more terrorism in either direction (mind you, Westerners label terrorism differently depending on who it is).
My son’s Muscogee Creek 5th great grandfather is featured in many museums, including the Smithsonian American Indian museum in the section for revolutionaries while in Oklahoma museums he’s featured in sections of outlaws.
That pattern has been repeated for generations across the world. There’s a vivid poster that comes to mind from the Chicano movement of the 60s featuring an Aztec man pointing the finger to the viewer and asks, “who is the immigrant, Pilgrim.” But praying for our enemies, and meeting them with grace and compassion – as Jesus did for the two thieves on the cross next to him is what we are called to do.