Gaza and Israel

A peaceful Middle East. Especially a peaceful Israel and neighbors, beginning with Gaza. The hostilities are known. They are seen and felt. Property is destroyed and people killed. Neighboring countries join the fray and war enlarges and strangles the hope for peace. This has been the story for decades.

The past is remembered complete with strife, losses and bitter memories. The horror is embedded deeply. In the mind. In the senses. Distrust and hate prevail and boost the depth of violence. War is inevitable. Continual war.

But what would happen if these same parties defined their hopes for the future? Each party, of course, would dream of their own power over the enemy. But then, such would only perpetuate the current state of affairs, the hate and distrust. The violence.

OK, then let the parties rethink what their future needs to be for them to be happy. Each party does this on their own, not in concert with the enemy. Both parties freely work at articulating their dreams of a future of hope and peace.

Now, bring those two parties together. Note the similarities of their hopes. Note the incontrovertible barricades to peace. Power over the other party. The taking of desired assets from the other. You know the sort of things I speak of. What are the items that keep peace far away? How do we remove them from our reality? What needs to be done to solve those problems? Our definition of dreams must be more positive, must be more humane. In short, the dreams have to be based in reality.

Remove the source of hate and distrust and what is left? The common desire for peace and living in such is a powerful motivator. Not destruction and defeat of the enemy. Living positively and happily is much more the want, the need of any people. Focus on that. Determine what needs to happen to achieve it.

How do we get to that point in international affairs? Especially in the Israeli and Gaza situation?

It doesn’t happen with rockets and missiles flying. So, stop that. Now focus on what matters for the long haul. Work on it alone, then together. Try to build peace. Try to build toward a lasting peace. Commit to it and make it happen.

Peace is possible. Certain individuals make it difficult if not impossible. The Netanyahu’s of the world have power only by manipulating circumstances. It is their source of power. Peace is not in the equation. Remove those persons and peace has a chance. Hamas as well.

Although the USA has a stake in this issue, it ought not be the arbiter of the solution to the dispute. No, another power or group of powers is needed to step up and lead. They can do it. We can do it.

Peace is worth it.

March 25, 2024

 

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