Warning: Reconciliation is a journey, not an event.
By breaking down the history into four historical periods, The Ottoman, The British, The Palestinian (partition), and the American eras of war and international involvement, Martin Bunton helps us see a snapshot of these important periods in an even-longer conflicting story spanning millennia. And even though this was published over a decade ago, I still found it helpful as a primer that peels back a few more layers of complexity. Here are three questions to frame my thoughts.
1. What did I know about Israel and the Middle East before 7th October, and what was that based upon?
Like most Western Christian people, I was raised on reading the news in the Middle East theatre of war like a spiritual playbook about the last days. If we prayed, it was “for Israel” out of the Psalm of ascent 122:6, which says “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure’.”
But over my adult years, I learned to think more broadly about the international interest in the Middle East, to what degree my understanding of Scripture was slanted and biased towards a false equating of Ancient Israel with the modern secular Nation-state, and how support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine got international support so quickly because it was appeasing a sense of European and global despair over the Holocaust.
I also did read an edited volume entitled Encountering the World of Islam by Keith E. Swartley and Sarah E Holmes in 2022, which introduced me to the writing of Pam Olsen, and Chawkat Moucarry. These helped me to see that both Arabs and Jews lay claim to disputed lands, and that according to the Qu’ran and Bible, they both have conviction that it belongs to God (Sura 7:128, yusufali; Ps. 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:26) [1].
As a follower of Jesus, I have a deep conviction that I am not to show favouritism to Arabs or Israelis, because God has created them equally to reflect His image. Also, the Bible commands such neutrality: “Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God” (Deut. 1:17). Ancient Israel was also instructed to treat aliens who settled among them in a very uncommon way:
“You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens [non-Israelites] who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the alien [non-Israelite] settles, there you are to give him his inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezek. 47:21–23).
Bunton calls the mutually exclusive claim for land “the stubborn core of the conflict”, and adds the caveat, “of two competing nationalisms, Palestinian and Israeli” [2]. So, long before the current terror and ongoing atrocities against Israelis and Palestinians, I have held that no one side has clean hands, and that the evils of war are to be met with prayers for peace, and efforts for justice for both oppressed and oppressor.
Finally, in the Spring of 2023, I joined the Peace and Reconciliation Network (PRN) as a Canadian Coordinator. This brought me in close proximity to the realities on the ground through my colleague for the Middle East North Africa Region, Salim Munayer, who is a Palestinian Christian living in East Jerusalem, and who has worked to foster reconciliation in the region for over 30 years. Here is a link to some of his books. Salim has expressed his heartache to our team regularly, because he feels a one-sided support for Israel, and a disdain for or disinterest in the Palestinian people. This topic is top-of-mind, and deeply important to my present and future work in the Canadian context.
2. What does this book help me understand that I did not know before?
For me, it was helpful to set Theodor Herzl’s “Zionism” within the Ottoman administration. About Zionism’s slogan, ‘A land without a people for a people without a land’, Bunton says “Had Palestine in fact been empty, there would be no conflict as we know it” [3]. Surely, the land without a singular people, he points out, could not have meant that the current land dwellers were not seen at all. Bunton develops what appears to be a distinction between territorial occupation and the Nation-State which is how Europeans understood the world. He states, “Before the First World War, there was no ‘Palestine’ as such; rather the territory… consisted of the districts of Jerusalem, Nablus, and Acre, all of which were defined according to an evolving framework of Ottoman administration” [4].
This insight showed up periodically for me in Bunton’s framing of the British Mandate period. Palestine did not have what was normally in place in other colonial contexts, namely, identified local leaders and legislative structure. Without local leaders identified, and without a constitution of any kind, Palestine had no institutional formation that allowed it to present itself at the negotiating table. In an interview with Bunton, podcaster Omar Nizam argues that “this derailed their self-determination down the line” [5].
Bunton goes on to show the impact of this through the Arab revolt and conflict period from 1936-39, that it was not simply a fight against the British Colonial rule and the Balfour agreement, but the ‘unsanctioned’ local leaders as well [6]. As World War II hit, the Palestinian self-determination project was shelved. But after the war,the fact that Britain and Israelis did not have Palestinian leaders with them in trying to re-establish partitions in 1947 is an indicator of the same problem. I appreciated the clarity of framing the Arab “Notables” who owned the land and had tremendous power at that time as a ‘throw-back’ to Ottoman Empire days. They were individuals whom the Ottoman Empire could relate to and control because they had no united strength [7]. Yet because they were not aligned with each other, these Notables were furthermore not ready for a Zionist Nation-state when it was called into being by Europeans in 1949.
I also appreciated new insights from Bunton about Canada’s role. Canada supported the 1939 White Paper for an Independent Palestine, and led the call before the UN for a partition in 1947, in response to the Holocaust [8]. Although the plan, known as ‘Resolution 181 (II) Future Government of Palestine’ was not passed, it was good for me to recognize positive effort from Canada in the past.
3. How are you navigating the Israel-Middle East conflicts?
For me, all of this is a reminder that reconciliation is always a journey, not an event. It helps to try and remember accurately, read and process news broadly, and honour the lived experiences of a wide variety of people affected by this centuries-long claim on land and fight for self-determination. I grieve that the Israelis, who have been oppressed victims of genocide and who face ongoing hatred and anti-Semitism around the world, would act so ruthlessly towards the Palestinian people in pursuit of putting down Hamas and its allies and backers. I lament Hamas’ terrorist acts, and the muddied storied past that led to their creation. I lament that violence begets violence, and that the brutality of this chapter will potentially harden hatred for one’s enemies for decades to come, unless people spend more effort to wage peace than they do to wage terror and war. I love secularists, Christians and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians in the love of Jesus. We must uphold the Prince of Peace for the City of God’s Peace (Jerusalem).
The Chronology at the end of Bunton’s book helps me to understand the importance of knowing history. For any oppressed people, they carry a living memory which continues to shape the present. I must remain open, curious, and determined to work for a just and sustainable peace.
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[1] A Brief History of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (Lesson 7), by Pam Olsen, in Swartley, Keith E, and Sarah E Holmes. 2014. Encountering the World of Islam Second ed. Littleton, Colo.: BottomLine Media. I also read “Israel or Palestine” by Chawkat Moucarry (252).
[2] Bunton, Martin. The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction. Illustrated edition. OUP Oxford, 2013, 24.
[3] Bunton, 28.
[4] Bunton, 38.
[5] 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, (26:30).
[6] Bunton, 70. Although the goals of the 1937–9 revolt remained the same as in 1936, the nature of Arab protest changed. Britain declared the AHC illegal in October 1937 and issued warrants for the arrest and deportation of leading notables.
[7] Book Café Podcast, (38:15).
[8] Bunton, 72.
About the Author
Joel Zantingh
Joel Zantingh is a catalyst for peacemaking and intercultural teams, speaker, theologian and consultant. He is the Canadian Coordinator of the World Evangelical Alliance's Peace and Reconciliation Network, and the Director of Engagement with Lausanne Movement Canada. He has served in local and national roles within the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, and led their global mission arm. He has experience teaching in formal and informal settings with Bible college students and leaders from various cultures and generations. Joel and Christie are parents to adult children, as well as grandparents. They reside in Guelph, Ont., situated on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and home to many past, present and future First Nations peoples, including the Anishinnabe and Hodinöhsö:ni'.10 responses to “Warning: Reconciliation is a journey, not an event.”
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Hi Joel. Great blog. Your work with PRN sounds interesting. How has your role with PRN given you new tools or strategies to engage people with differing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially when emotions run high?
Hi Joel,
This was the most informed response that I have read so far. (sometimes I wander into other classes).
Your background is wonderfully suited for this topic.
I know very little of Islam but found…
“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)
Quran 17:1: Reference to the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. [Holy Land: The Quran also recognizes the land as sacred and significant, particularly to the prophets who are also revered in Islam.]
This was from a December 2023, Islamic blogpost.
If you don’t mind, I will reference some of your comments in my blogpost responses.
Shalom…
Russel, thanks for adding dimensions to this from your readings. It is a reminder that within each group / camp, there are multiple interpretations, and that helps us lean into the complexity, rather than try and distill it down to overly-simplified solutions.
The other day, I had breakfast with a Muslim friend in my city, who lamented the extremism in the region, and spoke of many Jewish friends who feel ashamed of the reckless violence.
Please forward that Islamic blog post if you get the chance.
What does the Quran say about Israel and Palestine? Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s analysis of the Quranic prophecy concerning the future of Palestine, as mentioned in Surah Bani Isra’il, chapter 17 and Surah al-Anbiya, chapter 21. 1st December 2023
https://www.alhakam.org/what-does-the-quran-say-about-israel-and-palestine/
There are lots more. I have been using chatgpt (with references asked) and a large list was generated.
Thanks Joel I appreciate the links to Salim Munayer.
You articulated something really clearly that I think is important to see in relationship to how many Christians in the west view Israel: “my understanding of Scripture was slanted and biased towards a false equating of Ancient Israel with the modern secular Nation-state.”
How have you helped people see the difference between Ancient Israel and the modern state? How does that change how people view this current conflict?
Joel, what struck me most about your blog was the realization that the hardships of the past (and they were great) of both groups elicit strong responses from people throughout the world either for or against them. You mentioned you must remain just, curious, and work for a just peace. Do you have any concept how you might carry that out? Thanks for the clear blog.
Joel, what a thoughtful and thorough post.
Thank you for pointing out the dichotomy between the Jewish people being the victims of the Holocaust, and yet now, they are the perpetrators of unimaginable violence toward the Palestinian people.
In fact, as I read your article, it occurred to me that it’s as if the Palestinians are caught in the middle between Hamas, the terrorist faction, and the government and leaders of Israel.
Somewhat rhetorically I ask, How do we begin to make sense of that kind of violent turnaround? Are we all in an unconscious way, subject to the same tendency toward violent retribution? What else besides Jesus could possibly sway humans away from these actions?
Joel,
I appreciate at the end you highlight that as oppressed people they carry a living memory of the past. Here in America we don’t seem to have that as much. Certainly 9/11 shaped our minds and public policies but many Americans don’t live on a daily basis feeling oppressed by other nations. Yet, in the Middle East, both Palestinians and Jews live daily with a fresh reminder of their lived, oppressed history.
Hi Joel,
I appreciated your wisdom in saying, “Reconciliation is always a journey, not an event.” The journey is not for the faint of heart! I recently read a book in which the author encouraged readers to abandon the utopian blueprints we believe will miraculously fix our big problems and instead focus on the day-to-day, small things we can do to improve our world. What are some of the small but impactful improvements you have seen during your journey with the PRN? Especially concerning the Middle East? Great post!
Hi Joel, thanks for your post.
I am intrigued by the Peace and Reconciliation Network, especially how to pursue peace amongst the people when their nations are still at war. I am curious how you approach this, and if you have any examples of pursuing peace despite terrible ongoing circumstances.
Praying for your involvement in this network!