{"id":37869,"date":"2024-08-28T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T16:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=37869"},"modified":"2024-08-28T13:42:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T20:42:44","slug":"peacemaking-it-takes-two-to-tango","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/peacemaking-it-takes-two-to-tango\/","title":{"rendered":"Peacemaking: It Takes Two To Tango."},"content":{"rendered":"

In The Palestine-Israeli Conflict- A Very Short Introduction<\/em>, Martin Bunton traces the tumultuous recent history between Israel and Palestine. Bunton reduces this conflict to a struggle between two nations over land.[1]<\/a> In my journey to this region, the conflict was palpable, and I was struck by the irony of the prevalence of conflict in \u201cThe Holy Land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What I Knew About Israel and Palestine Before Oct. 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

My knowledge of Israel and Palestine is largely rooted in my study of Scripture and my journey to the region. I knew of the ancient biblical conflict and experienced signs of conflict when I travelled to Israel and Palestine in 2014. Signs of conflict dominate the landscape. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is recognized as the place of both the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth. The church has been a major pilgrimage center for Christians worldwide. Yet this holy site has been a place of conflict, violence and even bloodshed. Six Christian denominations try to share control over the church, a complex agreement that has contributed to fighting among the groups.[2]<\/a> But perhaps the greatest sign of conflict for me was the wall that separates. A wall that separates Palestinians even from their families as well as access to necessities such as clean water and proper medical care. The wall even separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Then there is the ominous, and very public, presence of teenage Israeli soldiers armed and on guard, ready for a Palestinian attack. There is evidence of conflict everywhere and it hangs heavy in the air. What I assumed, was that the prevalent conflict dates to biblical roots. However, Bunton locates this conflict in a different source.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What The Book Helps Me Understand That I Did Not Know Before<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bunton does not believe this to be an ancient religious conflict but rather traces this conflict back to 1897. In this year the World Zionist Organization identified Palestine as the location to build a Jewish home in which they could become an independent state.[3]<\/a> This is an important argument in the text because, as Bunton emphasizes, \u201cIt underlines the fact that this hundred (or so) years\u2019 conflict is neither rooted in ancient and religious animosities nor even are its origins so much Middle Eastern as European.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

Bunton demonstrates this by dividing the book into six clear, chronologically ordered chapters. These are: The Ottoman era (1897-1917); British Palestine (1917-1937); The partition of Palestine (1937-1940); Atzamut and Nakba (1947-1967); Occupation (1967-1987); and The Peace Process (1987-2007). He views these as historical cycles that seem to offer some hope of resolution but only serve to tighten the Gordian knot.[5]<\/a> The Gordian knot is identified as, \u201cthe mutually exclusive territorial claims of two competing nationalisms, Palestinian and Israeli.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

While the book provides a panoramic view of their history, I want to focus particularly on the rise and fall of the peace process. Every attempt at peace between Palestine and Israel failed for numerous reasons such as the continued expansion of Jewish settlements, the influence of extremists on both sides who framed the conflict in religious terms, unwillingness to compromise, lack of trust and international interference. Recognizing two states with clear boundaries is the best solution in the author’s view.\u00a0 However, he believes that this is a solution with fading hopes.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How I Am Processing What I’ve learned<\/strong><\/p>\n

While hope is fading, hope should not be lost. In another Gordian knot-type conflict, a measure of peace has been reached. In reading the autobiographical tome, Long Walk to Freedom<\/em> by Nelson Mandela I was intrigued by the work of two political opponents to achieve peace in South Africa. Mandela found a political ally in FW de Klerk, a newly elected president of South Africa. Peace talks with former National Party governments had never progressed. However, in one of his first speeches, Mandela recounts, \u201cMr. de Klerk said his government was committed to peace and that it would negotiate with any other group committed to peace.\u201d[8]<\/a> In a subsequent meeting with de Klerk, Mandela noted, \u201cFrom the first I noted that Mr. de Klerk listened to what I had to say. This was a novel experience. National Party leaders generally heard what they wanted to hear in discussions with black leaders, but Mr. de Klerk seemed to be making an attempt to truly understand.\u201d[9]<\/a> Two leaders, committed to peace, were able to lead their country to a bloodless dissolution of apartheid and a measure of peace that continues to be worked out today. While the scenario was different, the political conflict in South Africa seemed equally impossible to solve. South Africa has also proven that it will take generations to work out peace in everyday life. And while the circumstances and political players are different, perhaps the path forward for the Palestinian and Israeli conflict is the same.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indeed, as Bunton concludes, the path toward peace for Israel lies in the hands of the leaders. The failure to reach peace is a failure of leadership. In his conclusion, he states emphatically, \u201cWhat are lacking are the political will and capacity of Israeli and Palestinian leaders to implement the solution. As long as the leaders are left to fix it themselves, the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough appear low.\u201d[10]<\/a> If the dissolution of apartheid in South Africa by Mandala and de Klerk provides an example of leaders committed to peacemaking as the solution, Bunton\u2019s assessment is correct. There is a need for primary leaders on both sides of the conflict who are resolutely committed to peacemaking above their personal interests. While this is difficult and rare to achieve, it is not without hope.<\/p>\n

As I look ahead I will lament the violence and death of the innocents and will pray for peace. My prayer is that God would raise up peacemakers in Israel and Palestine to cut the Gordian knot that has been formed and tightened over time so that there would be peace. Where there is ongoing conflict there is likely a failure of leadership to make peace. \u201cIt takes two to tango\u201d, as the old axiom states. It takes leaders on both sides of a conflict to be committed to the greater goal of peace. Secondly, as I lead in a denominational role, I will provide space for discussion for people on both sides of the issue while seeking to take a peacemaking stance. My goal would be to model peacemaking within the context in which I lead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Martin P. Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction<\/em>, First edition, Very Short Introductions 359 (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2013). Kindle, 19.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Hiba Yazbek, \u201cAt Christianity\u2019s Holiest Site, Rival Monks Struggle to Turn Other Cheek,\u201d The New York Times<\/em>, April 15, 2023, sec. World, https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/04\/15\/world\/middleeast\/orthodox-easter-holy-sepulcher.html.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict<\/em>. Kindle, 20.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Bunton. Kindle, 28.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Bunton. Kindle, 19.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Bunton. Kindle, 24.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Bunton. Kindle, P.177.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography<\/em> (New York [ u.a. ]: Little, 2013), 552.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Mandela, 555.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict<\/em>. Kindle, 150.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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