Here we go again

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Oct 25, 2007 at 23:36

In 1961, David Ben-Gurion said: "Our hand has always been outstretched for peace. Did the Jews not want to live at peace with their neighbors in those European countries in which there were outrages against the Jews? The difference between Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora is that we here are not dependent solely on the mercies of our neighbors."

He also said: "Our place in the world as a free people will be assured if we help to build a better, juster, kindlier world. Not by wealth, or power, or numbers, but through the examples of our lives shall we help to spread justice and peace among the nations, and thus alone shall we ourselves win peace."

It seems to me that these words have since become silenced, in the aftermaths of the 1967 and 1973 wars, and all skirmishes, conflicts and peace accords since then; not only silenced, but embarrassing and obsolete. I went to Israel for the first time this summer, and spent a few days in Jerusalem. As a tourist, I was entranced by the history and beauty of the place, but cannot make an honest assessment of the political climate after such a short trip. It would be a miracle is there was true peace in Israel, but another "peace" conference just isn't going to cut it; as David said in Psalms 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper who love thee." We are still praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and all Israel.

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