In Which I Wade into Tricky Waters, ie. the River Jordan

A friend sent me this article from Common Dreams today:

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/06-13

Written by Ira Chernus, it suggests that the most effective way to advocate for the suffering people of Gaza is by being pro-Palestinian, AND pro-Israeli, AND pro-peace.

You should read it. It makes a lot of sense.

And it made me wonder something...

I'm beginning to think that the situation in Israel/Palestine is the prime example of what could happen to this country. Because Israel leads with military solutions, just like we do, only their situation actually involves real security threats. Israel is what you get when your only tool is a hammer, just like ours is, and your problems are more than theoretical. You end up with a lot of smashed things.

The failure of historical Israeli policy to create peace is the perfect example of why US foreign policy will ultimately fail as well, as long as it remains based on being a military super-power. Why? Because military answers are simply inadequate for long-term solutions.

Until there is justice -- until people have clean water, and the opportunity to earn a living, and education for their kids, and political and artistic and religious freedom -- there will be no peace.
No amount of walls or check-points or special papers for certain "citizens" or no-fly lists or whatever is going to help.

The US operates this way, but we are so isolated, we can't see the results clearly. The mess in the Holy Land is an unfortunate illustration of the eventual and interminable outcome.

I will close with a quote from an unknown resident of the Holy Land, speaking to my step-brother Nate some years ago: "The conflict here is not between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The conflict is between those who want peace and those who don't."