It has been noted in several news reports that a settlement of the Israeli/Palestine conflict is crucial to sustaining the cooperation of Arabic nations in a campaign against terrorism. The perception among Arab nations is that the United States has not demonstrated an even hand in that conflict. Many see that we are upholding and contributing to the economic and military power of Israel (billions of dollars worth) but standing by passively as Palestine hopes for a homeland are repeatedly dashed.
My aunt taught in Ramallah between 1922 and 1954 and our family has been in some contact with that part of the Middle East ever since. I'm distressed at how biased our news media is in presenting news of that area. I hope this tiny sketch of a long and complex history might encourage readers to look further than the daily news to discover why peace is illusive in the Middle East.
For over 400 years, the Palestinians lived in isolation and neglect under Turkish rule. Then, for their help in World War I, the allies promised them the freedom to govern their own nation. Instead, at war's end Palestine was put under British rule.
Following, WWII, tensions rose between the European Jews flooding into the country and the native Palestinians, who felt threatened by the influx of immigrants. Acts of violence by some from both groups were committed. In 1948 the United Nations sought to resolve the problem by dividing Palestine between the two groups, with the stipulation that no harm would come to the Palestinian in habitants on the Jewish side. The Palestinians were shocked that half their country could be given away by other nations.
In spite of the stipulation, over 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee their homes and villages - some at gunpoint, others out of fear - to Lebanon, Ramallah, Beruit, Jericho, and beyond. They expected to return when things settled down. But behind them over 400 Palestinian villages were bulldozed out of existence. In the cities, immigrant families moved into homes furnished with the possessions of their former, legal owners. And thousands of Palestinians have remained in refugee camps, or have moved elsewhere.
For the past several years, 'settlers' have moved into the small amount of land promised to the Palestinians. In order to build and expand the Israeli settlements, more than 4,000 Palestinian homes have been bulldozed, farms destroyed, olive groves uprooted. The illegal settlements are points of contention. Settlers harass nearby Arab farmers, shepherds, storekeepers, students and others. Out of resentment, some Palestinians have struck back violently and Israel has responded with collective punishment.
Farms and homes are destroyed in order to build roads with wide clearings on either side. These roads (built for Israeli use) divide Gaza and the West Bank into small areas separated from each other. (The Oslo Peace Accords did nothing to stop the settlements and roadblocks.) Palestinians are held up hours at roadblocks, forced to walk through the steep valleys to get around the blocks, drive on dangerous side roads or turn back. Some have died trying to reach hospitals, students and teachers have difficulty getting to school, crops rot in the field because farmers are denied access, workers cannot get to jobs, and families cannot visit each other. Curfews, enforced by tanks and heavy weaponry, imprison Palestinians in their homes and villages for days and weeks at a time. Unemployment is over 50 percent. Palestinian economy is in shambles.
The result is a rising spiral of violence. The toll is, thus far, over 800 dead Palestinians -- about 170 dead Israelis, according to BBC. Many more have been maimed.
Since, our American tragedy of September 11th, the Israeli mili- tary has increased its incursions into Palestinian territory. Repeated strafing from Apachi helicopters has terrorized inhabit- ants of cities.
Families find shell cases in their damaged or destroyed homes marked with the letters USA. Bitterness and frustration grow.
So what might we support that would bring peace with justice in the Middle East? We can support an international peace force to help end the violence. The illegal settlements should be disband- ed or at least frozen. Rebuild homes for the families made home- less by bulldozers. Replant olive groves to replace thousands destroyed. Restore farmers' safe access to their crops. Open borders and allow workers to return to their jobs. Dismantle road- blocks. Help restore the Palestinian economy. And make Jerusa- lem a place of peace and welcome -- for Jews, Christians and Muslims -- anyone who would come in peace. There are some Israelis who support these peace moves.
What is good for the Palestinians -- freedom, peace, justice, basic human rights -- is good for Israelis, is good for all people. In places where there is freedom and peace, and basic human rights are being met, terrorists are hard put to gain recruits for their inhumane deeds of violence.
Some web sites that give a deeper view of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict are: BBC News, Mideast Peace Process, Palestinian Report and www.tikkun.org.
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