I don't normally speak on matters of politics or current events as there is little on the world or national stage I can do or affect. No one in DC is checking in with me, seeking permission to do something, or finding sound reasons not to do something else. In a world of seven billion people, I have no doubt I am somewhere in the lower half of the six billions on anyone's Speed-Dial.
Events in the Middle East are complex, and as I have never been to Israel or any other place East of the Atlantic coast of the USA, I cannot speak with any authority on what's happening there. I have my opinions and thoughts, of course, but they are bound up in second or third hand information, gleaned from a variety of media sources, and seen or heard through a thousand filters.
I am reminded of a parish that offered to send their priest to the Holy Land one time (as he'd never been, and they thought it would a nice gesture on their part). The gift came with one string, however. He could only refer to his experience no more than once a month in his preaching. Apparently, the parish has done that once before and the previous priest came back from his ten day trip as an expert on geography, history, theology, the cultures of Jews, Muslims, Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Evangelicals, etc.), and the parishioners really didn't want to have to suffer through that a second time.
I have not been to the Middle East and could never afford to visit the Holy Land, so such a trip will simply have to wait until the Second coming, at which time (in theory) I'll get to see if from a couple thousand feet (and rising). So I'm no expert in what's going on over there. I have never been a part of a minority or oppressed class of peoples. I often joke that when it comes to racism, all I know is how Norwegians and Swedes treat one another. If that's as bad as I've had it, then I've lived a fairly sheltered life.
The experience from which I CAN speak, however, is the human experience of violence and retaliation. Everyone says they want Justice, but for many, that devolves into retribution and vengeance. Jesus saw danger in that kind of attitude. Every act of retribution, no matter how "measured" or how "careful" will be experienced by the "other" as excessive. Punch me with one pound PSI, I should be able to punch you with equal force, but darned if it won't feel to you as 1.1 pound of PSI. That requires an escalation on each victim's part, and it will never end.
So Jesus says clearly, "Turn the other cheek; walk the extra mile; give your coat AND your shirt." It's not because the bullies or instigators deserve it, but because the response is your own choice. "Yes, you may assault and abuse me, you may take advantage of my friendship and good nature, but I choose to respond THIS way." Of course you may lose everything. Bullies will ask a foot, take your mile, and respond by making you carry their pack mule. That's a possibility, and maybe even a probability, and at some point a third party may even have to intervene (police, courts), and they (your rescuers) may secretly hate you for putting up with being a "victim." As Jesus says, "Yes, folks may well hate you and revile you." The point is, the cycle of violence and retribution will never end if we refuse to try a different way.
There is an old, staid cliche that defines insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It may be old, it may be staid, and it may be a cliche, but nonetheless it is true. The cycle of violence continues because those who dare try something different often fail, resulting in those who might follow to quit trying, too. We have no trouble getting into fights, but it seems we have no patience to make peace.
I suspect part of the problem is the dehumanizing of the "other." During times of war, soldiers always find ways to remove the humanity of the enemy from their minds. They must do that for self-preservation. The enemy is the "target" (or some racial, ethnic, or dehumanizing epithet). Acts of barbarism are always "justified" by what the other did (first). This eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-tooth approach devolves into a world that is blind to the escalating destruction that takes place on an ever-escalating ramp to hell.
Jesus says, "Stop! For Christ's sake, STOP!"
Each side expects God to come down and wreak vengeance on the other for their atrocities, vileness, cruelty, etc. Well, I can't speak for those of other faiths (and can barely speak for those of my own faith tradition), but those who walk the Jesus Way would suggest God did come down, and rather than descend with an army of angels to visit death and destruction on the human race, chose to risk birth and living amongst us, and even when we visited torture upon him, did not send out a bugle-call for help, but allowed the cold embrace of death to lay ahold of him, instead.
One can always find loopholes in the Bible (Hebrew and Christian scriptures) and Quran to justify violence. Jesus no doubt sighed with disgust when he said, "The kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). Still, he gave himself up for arrest; he gave his back to the smiters; he endured torture; they took his clothes from him, divided them by lot, and nailed him naked to the hard wood of the cross, upon which he died -- an object of laughter and scorn by passers-by.
There isn't room here to present a comprehensive guide to peace in the Middle East, but I would offer a few ideas for consideration of all involved. (1) Cease Fire. Unilateral, if need be. But stop the insanity where it stands now. (2) Unimpeded Humanitarian Aid (Food, water, shelter, medical care, evacuation of anyone and everyone at risk). (3) Find, identify, and charge a small team (3 people representing Israel, and 3 from Palestine Authority) to sit down with a mutually agreed upon neutral third party (non-major power) and develop a process for transforming the ceasefire to a genuine peace accord. (4) An independent investigation by a neutral third party to identify and secure arrest warrants for all parties (of whatever stripe) who are responsible for engaging in specific war crimes (thinking Nuremburg type of trials).
Anyone who says such an approach is unworkable, ignores the complexity of the history and list of grievances, etc. is not interested in peace. Of course it is complex. Of course it will require risk. Of course these will be stops, and lurches, and set-backs. So what? Of course it may take years to undo the damage of decades of mistrust and bad acts. So what? Of course there will still be people doing everything in their power to make sure nothing works. So what?
The cancer of violence is shrunk by the application of medicines that may bring unpleasant results at first, but if the tumor shrinks, and the circle of violent antagonists shrinks, isn't it worth the effort?
Jesus thought it was. Ghandi thought it was. Martin Luther King, Jr. thought it was. Standing in the midst of those giants, who am I to disagree? Let's beat our swords into plough shares and spears into pruning hooks; let's give peace a real try, and stick to it.
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