I may be Don Quixote, but I continue to dream the impossible dream, that one day Israeli and Palestinian will sit together in peace. Two seemingly implacable enemies, these communities that include Jew, Muslim, Druze, and Christian, have deep and abiding claims to a land we call holy. These claims that are deeply religious have proven to be a significant obstacle to peace, swamping road maps, peace conferences, and diplomatic overtures.

For years two men served as symbols of intransigence in the region, Ariel Sharon, the “bulldozer,” and Yasser Arafat, the wily and corrupt guerilla leader. Sharon made his mark as a military leader in each of Israel's wars, and he has long been a patron of the Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories that have proven to be a significant irritant to peace talks. Sharon came to power as an Israeli nationalist and defender of Israel's right to the land. Arafat was better at keeping a coalition together than making peace. He always seemed to lack the courage to lead his people into a new future that involved sharing the land.

Death took Arafat and then Sharon seemed to have a change of heart and mind. Whatever his reasons, he began to pursue a policy of disengagement from Gaza and hinted at the same for the West Bank, offering a glimmer of hope that peace might be on the horizon. The barrier/wall that he chose to build remains controversial and problematic, but at least peace seemed within reach for this troubled land.

Many of us who watch events from afar remain skeptical and concerned about facts on the ground, but it would seem that as part of a fast-disappearing founding generation, Sharon is one of the few who has the necessary street credibility to make the necessary compromises that would bring peace. Prospects for peace were dealt a significant blow in recent weeks as a massive stroke removed Sharon from this task. Partisans on both sides of the conflict celebrate this setback. Taking an all or nothing approach, allowing no other option but Greater Israel or Greater Palestine, they work to undermine the possibilities for peace. From the President of Iran's calls for Israel's destruction to Pat Robertson's claims that Sharon's stroke is divine punishment for giving away God's land, conflict is the name of the game. In Robertson's case, of course, the hope is not peace but Armageddon.

The conflict is long standing and seems to have no end, but perhaps Sharon's efforts at disengagement will still bear fruit, even if he is not there to lead Israel. The majority of Israelis and Palestinians are weary of the conflict and would welcome peace, but there remain serious issues of borders, water rights, confiscated lands, and the place of Jerusalem to be resolved. Compromise will be difficult, especially when the land under consideration is considered holy to Jew, Christian, and Muslim, but peace will require it.

I write as one who is deeply attached to this land where my faith has its roots. I am also interested in the welfare of those who live in this land, both Israeli and Palestinian. With some Palestinians being my Christian brothers and sisters, I have a natural connection to this community. But, I also have friendships with Jews and Muslims. At times I feel caught between rival claims to my friendship. I loathe offending either community, but I have criticisms of both sides. I try to listen and understand, while praying for peace. I pray that our nation will be the honest broker the region needs and that we will respect and honor both Israeli and Palestinian. I also pray that Israeli and Palestinian leaders will look beyond the past to a future free of conflict. Finally, I pray that the Christian community would be a bridge and not an impediment to this process toward reconciliation. Isaiah envisioned a lamb lying down with a wolf in peace. May this be so for a land we call holy.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (lompocdisciples.org). You may contact him at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Advertisement

January 22, 2006